This Week In Track & Field: Emmanuel Wanyonyi Breaks The 1000m WR; Julien Alfred Goes 21.51 In Monaco + London Diamond League Preview (Josh Kerr & Keely Hodgkinson WR Odds)

Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia are back for a packed episode. With Preet heading to the stadium on Saturday for the London Diamond League and the aftermath of the Monaco Diamond League, there’s a lot to discuss:

– World Cup check-in: England squeaked through in a stressful Saturday night match that Preet describes as not fun to watch.

– CITIUS MAG x New Balance at the 2026 USATF Outdoor Championships

– Running’s baby boom

– Emmanuel Wanyonyi, 1000m world record, 1:11.83: Monaco Diamond League. Broke Noah Ngeny’s 27-year-old record of 1:11.96 set in Rieti in 1999. Can he inch closer to David Rudisha’s 800m WR in London?

– Julien Alfred, 21.51 in the women’s 200m: Third-fastest women’s 200 in history behind Flo-Jo (21.34) and Shericka Jackson (21.41). Why this one is not a shocker and we’re living in the best year of the women’s 200m with her, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Gabby, MJW, Shericka, plus Adaejah Hodge.

– Collen Kebinatshipi goes 43.44 and is now on the conversation for the men’s 400m world record, if he can maybe run the first 200m a bit more aggressively. The dream matchup is still Kebinatshipi vs. Samuel Ogazi.

– Masai Russell’s dominance: The five fastest women’s 100 hurdles times of 2026 all belong to Masai Russell. Off the final hurdle, she sometimes begins to celebrate slightly before the line — that tiny relaxation may be the difference between her and the world record.

– Agnes Ngetich runs 8:08.95 for No. 3 all-time in the 3000m, but what’s up with Faith Kipyegon?

– Graham Blanks showcased his best kick against pros in the 5000m in Monaco, which he nearly won.

– More from the Monaco Diamond League

– Russia was reinstated by the International Olympic Committee but there is still more to be sorted by Seb Coe and World Athletics’ stance to keep Russian and Belarusian athletes out until the war in Ukraine ends

– Celebrating records by decades rather than all-time to sidestep the doping era problems

– Unpacking Josh Kerr’s London mile world record attempt now that the full start list has been revealed. Preet argues that most of the field will just get on the fast train with Yared Nuguse as the potential spoiler if Kerr falters. Chris wants Hobbs Kessler to play spoiler from the gun by fighting for the front early.

– The women’s 800m has been billed as Keely Hodgkinson’s world record attempt for months but it should be framed as a comeback race for the Olympic champion. The field is legitimately dangerous with Georgia Hunter-Bell and Femke Bol.

+ More

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