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It's the biggest weekend in American XC running in a generation! The USA Cross Country Championships are Saturday in Portland, Oregon. We break down the men's and women's fields, make our picks for who makes the World XC team, and debate whether the muddy NXN course will play spoiler. Nico Young or Graham Blanks? Weini Kelati or Shelby Houlihan? What about Valby, Tuohy and Jones? Plus: the Valencia Marathon preview with Peres Jepchirchir, Joyciline Jepkosgei, and Americans Emma Bates and Keira D'Amato chasing fast times, and a quick look at the CIM US Marathon Championships in Sacramento.
Show notes & links below.
<a href="https://www.aletheia.run/start-my-free-trial" rel="nofollow">Aletheia Run</a> is sponsoring our US Cross Country coverage this week — making this episode FREE for everyone! Developed by sports scientists in Eugene after two decades of research, it's the only device that gives you a force portrait of your running form, detecting issues invisible to the naked eye. Personalized drills, targeted feedback, and real insight into your biomechanics. Try it free & save 10% with code LETSRUN10: <a href="https://www.aletheia.run/start-my-free-trial" rel="nofollow">https://www.aletheia.run/start-my-free-trial</a>
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Or join yourself at <a href="https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe" rel="nofollow">LetsRun.com/subscribe</a> — use code LETSRUN67 for $67/year or $6.76/month.
Links:
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<a href="https://www.aletheia.run/start-my-free-trial" rel="nofollow">Aletheia Run — Free Trial</a>
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<a href="https://www.letsrun.com/news/2025/12/2025-usa-xc-preview-who-will-represent-team-usa-at-world-xc-in-tallahassee/" rel="nofollow">Jonathan Gault&#x27;s USA Cross Country Preview </a>
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</ul>
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<a href="https://www.letsrun.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.letsrun.com/</a>
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<a href="https://shop.letsrun.com/collections/frontpage/products/graham-blanks-t-shirt" rel="nofollow">Graham Blanks T-Shirt</a>
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<a href="https://athleticsillustrated.com/korir-or-lemma-jepchirchir-or-rengernuk-for-the-win-in-valencia-americans-bates-damato-flanagan-and-young-to-challenge-top-10/" rel="nofollow">Valencia Marathon Preview</a>
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<a href="https://runsra.org/usatf-marathon-championships-bring-top-u-s-marathoners-to-2025-california-international-marathon/" rel="nofollow">CIM US Marathon Championships Info</a>
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Timestamps:
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00:00 
 <a href="https://www.aletheia.run/start-my-free-trial" rel="nofollow">Aletheia Run </a>
 Sponsor & Intro — This Friday 15 is FREE!
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02:08 USA XC Preview: Overview — The most exciting US Cross Country in 33 years
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08:30 Men's Contenders: Cooper Teare & Drew Hunter — Are the track studs ready for the mud?
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18:26 Men's Predictions: The Favorites — Graham Blanks vs. Nico Young, who wins?
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25:50 Men's Predictions: The Team — RoJo, Weldon, and Gault make their picks
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30:31 USA XC Women's Preview: Favorites — Weini Kelati vs. Shelby Houlihan
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39:17 Women's Contenders: The Field — Carrie Ellwood, Emma Grace Hurley, Karissa Schweizer & more
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45:40 Women's Predictions: The Team — Parker Valby, Katelyn Tuohy debate
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48:28 Dani Jones Debate — Former NCAA XC champ enters the 10K, is she a dark horse?
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54:50 Shelby Houlihan & Burrito Track Club — Will she wear the shirt for $5,000?
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56:56 Mixed Relay Preview — The 4x2K relay picks
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59:03 Valencia Marathon Preview: Women's Race — Peres Jepchirchir, Joyciline Jepkosgei headline
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1:01:29 The Favorites: Jepchirchir & Jepkosgei — Who takes the win?
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1:02:29 Keira D'Amato & Aging — Can she still compete at 41?
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1:05:11 Emma Bates Sub-2:20 Goal — Is this her breakout race?
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1:07:09 Australian Record Watch — Sinead Diver's 2:21:43 in danger?
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1:13:22 Valencia Marathon Preview: Men's Race — Kelvin Kiptum's course record holder status, tactical racing
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1:17:50 College Football Rant — Lane Kiffin, Indiana, and why the sport needs a commissioner
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1:21:22 US Marathon Championships — CIM in Sacramento, $20K prize purse, Olympic standard bonuses
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1:21:50 Outro & Aletheia Run Plug — Have a great weekend!
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Contact us: Email <a href="mailto:podcast@letsrun.com" rel="nofollow">podcast@letsrun.com</a> or call/text 1-844-LETSRUN (1-844-538-7786) podcast voicemail/text line.
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