Marathon Talk

With a shocking Boston Marathon behind us and the formidable challenge of London just a few days out, it’s all go in the marathon world… Among the jam-packed highlights and hopeful finishers are Eliud Kipchoge’s surprise loss to Evans Chebet, and this week’s guests Sam Perkins & Chrissie Wellington taking on a stunning assisted wheelchair race in London. Join us this week as we also feature Abbott World Marathon Majors’ very own Danny Coyle LIVE from Boston to detail the aftermath of the races, including a masterclass from Susannah Scaroni in both racing, and on-track repairs… In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Kicking off with Martin & Deena’s latest runs and recovery from Paris 5:30 - A huge roundup of Boston’s standout stories, with Danny Coyle dialling in from the Boston Marathon press conference 29:00 - Sizable predictions for the London Marathon, weighing up debutants against running titans in the star-studded women’s field 36:10 - Training Talk this week touches on how to react wh

Running is truly for everyone, and there’s no greater champion for that notion than the remarkable Haroon Mota. A 6 Star Finisher, Founding Director of Active Inclusion Network, and huge advocate for running within the Muslim community, Haroon joins us on Marathon Talk to share his experiences of training through Ramadan. We’re also hot off the back of Paris, so we hear Deena’s exciting experiences and the standout stories from the race, plus a segment of training talk with some quick top tips for race day success. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - We kick off with Deena’s exhilarating Paris Marathon experience, and some tips for those of you looking to do the same next year 16:00 - Rounding up the big stories from Paris, including a sprint finish, debutant winner, and looking ahead to Eilish McColgan’s big London debut 30:00 - Training Talk this week covers 5 quick tips to see you through the big day if you’ve been training for a spring marathon 34:20 - An uplifting interview with Haroon Mota,

Everything that Regina Fleming does in running, she had lying within from the start. So ask yourself: What do you have inside of you that’s yet to be discovered?   Regina dubs herself an ‘accidental runner’ - an accident which very recently became a stunning 6 Star Finisher’s medal…   Deena chats to Regina in an inspiring interview this week on Marathon Talk, where we also talk about trusting the taper in Training Talk, final figures on the record-breaking Tokyo race, and much more!   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Opening up with Deena’s successful ‘panic training’ for Paris, and inspiring stories from the LA marathon, where she commentated 11:25 - The biggest stories we’ve yet to hear from Tokyo, including the final tally of record-breaking 6 Star Finishers, plus a scintillatingly close NYC half marathon in the wheelchair division, and possibly the most bizarre race ever devised… 21:40 - Training Talk: The Taper, how to trust in the preparations you’ve made and taper successfully to recharge

Tokyo was an exhilarating weekend of marathon racing, with a remarkable Guinness World Record to boot - never have more 6 Star Finishers been crowned in a single race! Being a part of that record is a privilege that Dr Steve Sigmund experienced, and we chat to him on Marathon Talk this week to understand his heartwarming journey to that finish line. Beyond the 3,000 new 6 Star Finishers, we cover the spectacular sprint finish, more preparation tips for your next spring marathon, national record-breaking runs, and so much more… In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Deena’s preparation (or lack thereof) for Paris and Martin’s parkrun gains 9:40 - Rounding up Tokyo’s staggering runs and sprint finishes, plus a look at Eilish McColgan’s chances in the TCS London Marathon next month 24:50 - Training Talk: we’re guiding you towards a spring marathon, looking at speed sessions in your final 6 week runup 31:00 - Deena talks to the incredible Dr Stephen Sigmund, who balanced emergency work with training, an

The final stretch of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships race in Bathurst was fraught with drama, and with the marathon route in Budapest revealed, it’s a big week in the running world. We’ve got a ram-packed episode of Marathon Talk this week with a look at the all-important long run in your marathon training, and the single fall that cost the Bathurst race.  On top of all the news and training talk, we have a fantastic interview with the incredible Alfred Scaletta who’s set to finish his 72nd marathon in Tokyo as a 6 Star Finisher, 46 years after his first Chicago. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Catching up on the previous fortnight, including a heartwarming bike ride for a friend with an unfortunate, recent diagnosis 10:20 - We bring all the news from Bathurst’s dramatic World Cross Country Championships 28:45 - Training Talk: we look at the long run, and how you can experiment with it to improve your race day 37:10 - Alfred Scaletta shares his 72 marathons’ experience, 46 yea

Mary Ngugi is not only an accomplished marathoner, but a force of nature, a catalyst for change, and an inspiration both throughout her racing and beyond.   Having launched Nala Track Club, she’s creating opportunities for young girls in Kenya with the potential to achieve similar success.   We hear from Mary on the podcast this week, as we also take a look at the stellar elite field for London, Tokyo’s record-breaking run next month, and how much race pace you’re really sacrificing by missing out on training sessions.   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Martin & Deena catch up and share their experiences with unique run plans and strength training 13:43 - Rounding up news on the recently announced elite field for April’s TCS London Marathon, and Tokyo’s Guinness World Record-breaking run next month 21:10 - Training Talk: New research on how much impact a run of consistent missed sessions can have on final race pace 29:05 - Mary Ngugi’s inspiring interview, discussing her start in distance

For anyone needing inspiration to smash a PB this year, the story of the 2022 AWMM 40-44 Age Group World Champion is one to behold.   The race was only Gary Laybourne’s fourth marathon, and he came home in a stellar 2:21:07 - it’s a privilege to hear from him on this week’s Marathon Talk, as he shares his background in triathlon, and the training that helped him fulfil his potential.   Also in episode 9, it’s time to build patient progress in February if you’re lining up an April race, we cover some record breaking news from two incredible Aussies, and mull over a shocking start to the recent Valencia 10k.   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Cold running essentials, the shocking start to Valencia’s recent 10k, two Australian women’s new records, and much more 17:20 - Training Talk, covering the lead up to a spring race with a look at how your February, March and April should be shaping up and where to focus 25:30 - A conversation with the AWMM Age Group World Champion, Gary Laybourne about his remarka

It’s a new year, and Marathon Talk is starting strong with a record-holding star whose standout performance in Chicago set the US marathon record - Emily Sisson.   This episode is PERFECT for shaking off the post-Christmas dust, as we hear from Emily how she trains to achieve her stunning results, and Martin & Deena run through how to pick a running plan that works for you!   All this, and more on Sydney’s push to secure Kipchoge for their 2024 race, a beloved Boston canine spectator, and the close of the Age Group World Rankings.   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Rounding up the winter break, news on Sydney’s 2024 race, and the Spencer the Golden Retriever’s latest battle 13:30 - Training talk; how to find a training plan that works for you, whatever event you’re planning to build up to 33:00 - US record-holder Emily Sisson on owning your training plan, how to uphold good habits, her staggering Chicago run, and buildup to the Boston Half 1:02:30 - Closing out the show with some final tips on ma

You don’t need to have set personal best times this year to find a success story, and it’s those success stories that’ll help drive you to glory in 2023. The year’s end marks a wonderful time for Martin and Deena to look back over 2022, and help you use your highlights, achievements, struggles and ambitions to plan for a marvellous year ahead! In this episode of Marathon Talk: 7:30: How Deena reflected on her performances during her most successful seasons 10:45: The questions you should ask yourself to extract the most value from the past year 26:15: Projecting forward and setting your sights on success in 2023 31:20: A very special 6 Questions for a 6 Star Finisher 32:50: Highlighting the staggering number of national records set this year, and wrapping up the running year Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

Success isn’t earned by deep pockets, but by heart, determination and mindset. Such is the winning mentality of Commonwealth gold medallist, JohnBoy Smith. Recalling his call-up for Team GB in Tokyo and some of the greatest challenges he’s overcome, JohnBoy joins us for a fascinating discussion in the latest episode of Marathon Talk. We also take a look at the fastest ever 2nd half run in Valencia, the scintillating European Cross Country race in Turin, and how Boston is set to tee up a clash of the titans between Kipchoge and Chebet. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Adverse weather running and England’s recent world cup woes 6:00 - Rounding up Valencia’s fastest ever second half, and the exhilarating European Cross Country in Turin 20:05 - Team GB’s JohnBoy Smith on winning Commonwealth Gold, finding sources of drive & inspiration, and accessibility for budding young wheelchair athletes 53:30 - 6 Q’s with a 6 Star Finisher, and preparing to reflect on 2022 Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Ab

Gina Little is a true inspiration, and a lesson in longevity, having achieved her 6 Star Finisher’s medal at 77 years young! She carries with her the true spirit of the sport, and stories of such a strong running community. We hear from Gina having completed her 602nd marathon, plus a roundup of stories including the life-saving marathoner, an intriguing sub-3:30 time set while chain smoking, and how to use cross country in your spring marathon build up. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Deena’s recent Mammoth Turkey Trot, and the World Cup rivalry across the pond 7:30 - A roundup of a remarkable chain smoking marathoner, real life superhero saving two lives in the Monterey Half Marathon, a huge incident in Troy, and how to use cross country in your marathon prep 21:20 - The oldest 6 Star Finisher, Gina Little, on her 600+ marathons, affinity to London’s race, and the secrets to her longevity 51:10 - 6 questions for a 6 Star Finisher, and looking forward to the holidays with the 12-day Christmas Tree

The TCS New York City Marathon is not an easy run at the best of times, but this year’s race gave us some outstanding performances amid the gruelling, humid conditions. One man who’ll attest to the difficulty is this week’s podcast guest, the fantastic Ben Wickham - Director of Creative Output at Sky Sports! We hear from him about his running journey, the holistic pleasures of marathoning, and how we can tell better stories within the sport. Elsewhere, we round up the best performances from that race, a cracking fundraising debut for Ashton Kutcher, and the curious cheating tale of a tram-travelling policeman… In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Breaking down Deena’s commentating experience in NYC, and top performances from that humid race 25:30 - The most bizarre marathon cheating stories 30:15 - Ben Wickham on the holistic pleasures of marathoning, what makes NYC a gruelling route, and how we can better tell the compelling stories of marathon runners 58:00 - This week’s 6 questions for a 6 Star Finish

In any sport it’s ideal to learn from the very best, and as a two-time Marathon World Champion and three-time Abbott World Marathon Majors series winner, it’s hard to find better than Edna Kiplagat. Labelled the ‘Queen of Persistence’ by Outside Magazine, the strength of her mindset is equalled by her consistent success throughout the years. On Marathon Talk this week, we hear what drives Edna’s stunning performances, round up the recent Valencia Half Marathon and upcoming NYC Marathon, and share AWMM’s exciting initiative to support 2,000 runners on their 6 Star journey! In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Rounding up news from Toronto, Frankfurt, and the blisteringly fast Valencia Half Marathon 23:00 - The incredible Edna Kiplagat on the preparation, motivation, consistency and persistence behind her continued success 50:00 - 6 questions with featured 6 Star Finisher Martin Cauldwell 51:10 - Closing out with a look forward to New York, and training plans to suit the winter season

We’ve seen the back of a triple header that’s one of the busiest marathon seasons for a mighty long time, and there’s plenty of superlative performances to pick out. Ruth Chepng’etich ran the 2nd fastest time in women’s marathon history and Marcel Hug’s emphatic racing continues, but it’s the ultimate pleasure to speak with Susannah Scaroni after her first Chicago Women’s Wheelchair Race win! Join Martin & Deena on Marathon Talk for all this, and much more on the busy past and exciting future of the sport. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Wrapping up the busiest triple weekend of remarkable racing with last week’s Chicago Marathon 19:00 - Alex Williams shares the heartwarming stories from recent races that exemplify the best of our running community 31:00 - Deena interviews Chicago winner Susannah Scaroni on her optimism, motivations, and how the wheelchair sport could continue evolving 1:14:00 - Spotlight on a 6 Star Finisher, and peering into the crystal ball for November’s NYC Marathon Photo

Berlin brought us a monumental new World Record from Kipchoge, and London saw some absolute standout performances, and if you missed any of it then Martin & Deena have you covered this week!   We’re also lucky enough to speak to the Race Director of last week’s London Marathon about the biggest moments, huge changes to the event this year, and looking ahead to 2023.   Alexandria Williams catches us up on her recent back-to-back races, and how the rousing support of the marathon community continues to drive her towards that 6 Star finish.   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Berlin Marathon highlights, including Kipchoge’s huge new World Record  11:30 - Deena’s incredible experience in Berlin 29:30 - Standout performances from last week’s exhilarating London Marathon 38:00 - In-depth interview with TCS London Marathon Race Director, Hugh Brasher 1:07:00 - Alexandria Williams’ back-to-back races en route to her 6 Star finish 1:19:00 - Insights from our 6 questions for a 6 Star finisher, and what’s in

Marathon Talk is BACK, but not as you know it… Martin Yelling returns to the mic with brand-new co-host Deena Kastor for Marathon Talk 2.0, powered by the Abbott World Marathon Majors.  Martin & Deena - a marathon legend, Olympic medallist and former US record holder - kick off with The Warm Up, a pre-release episode where we look ahead to Deena’s preparation for Berlin, break down the ones to watch across the field, and share our exciting plans for the future of Marathon Talk.  In this episode of Marathon Talk: The podcast’s exciting return, and the many stories yet to tell Deena’s running history & anticipation to become co-host Ones to watch at the upcoming BMW Berlin Marathon Inspiring stories from the Age Group World Championships Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

https://worldmarathonmajors.webflow.io/marathontalk

Join us one last time as we discuss the latest news in running (and life!) and interview legend of running and the London Marathon, Dave Bedford. We catch up with Tom as we look back over 12 years of Marathon Talk, and there's a very special Tony's Trials. We want to thank each and every one of you for coming on the run with us. Whether you have run, laughed, cried, worn your kit around the world, felt Jantastic, rated your run, ranted or raved. We are grateful for each and every interaction, for the community you have created and we thank you for the support.

Holly catches up with running legend Steve Way to talk about his career and future plans. Both the male and female 5k World Records are broken in Barcelona, there's a new Winter Wainwrights record, Martin speaks to Nina from new running app Byrd, and we have a rather large announcement.

Holly speaks to coach, ultra runner, and podcaster, Gary House, Martin's been swimming in the sea in the dark, and Tom's back in the room.