Marathon Talk

When you overcome the voice in your head telling you to tap out, that’s where a true champion is made. Such wise words come from a man whose past does not define his future - double amputee Cedric King is achieving the double this weekend with some huge Boston and London finishes. His story is pure distilled inspiration; listen this week to learn more, as Martin & Deena also recap the highlights from a blistering Boston race, break down London’s lineup, and bring some post-race focus to Training Talk. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Martin & Deena touch base on their recent escapades, with some takeaways for those struggling to train through challenging weather 4:50 - In a huge roundup, we recap Boston’s biggest stories from a title defence in the women’s race to domination in the men’s and men’s wheelchair races, plus a look ahead to this weekend’s stacked lineup for the TCS London Marathon 27:00 - Training Talk this week touches on post-race reconciliation - what should you do with yo

All that running does for wellbeing is well-documented, but Helen Thorn’s marathon journey is an uplifting reminder to us all.   In the wake of a divorce, it became a central tenet to her mental health - now it’s central to her huge goal this year to run Boston and London back to back!   This week’s Marathon Talk shines a light on the mental wellness that so many find in running, we celebrate Jasmin Paris’ stellar Berkley Marathon performance, and Training Talk tackles the tailored tips to a flawless race in Boston.   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - We kick off with a poignant recording period for Deena in preparation for Mental Health Awareness Month, and Martin hails the UK’s recent sunny spells 6:40 - Rounding off recent stories, we praise Jasmin Paris’ world-first performance in the infamous Barkley Marathon, cover the East African dominance at World Cross, and look ahead to Boston’s promising race 18:10 - Training Talk: Boston Edition! Deena shares her invaluable experience for those now e

This week’s guest needs no introduction to Deena - he’s her coach, her husband, and now a Boston Marathon qualifier after an admirable performance in LA. It’s a joy to catch up with Coach Kastor fresh from his 3 hour and 13 minute run as he shares the unique experience of coaching himself, his best recovery tips, and how to prepare your training cycle for a marathon far into the future. Elsewhere in the show we spotlight a stacked field for the upcoming London Marathon, and in Training Talk we guide you through the do’s and don’ts of the final phase of your training. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:45 - Deena and Martin catch up on the last two weeks, from the LA Marathon and speaking at UCLA, to Martin’s Purbeck Loop and a sweary sheep-herding story, plus coverage of a staggering new World Record 9:50 - We bring the latest on a London Marathon field that’s absolutely stacked with elite runners, and a men’s lineup which will bring us a first-time champion 20:00 - Training Talk this week focuses on t

Marathons form very unique bonds within the running community, but when your life is in your guide’s hands it’s truly a bond like no other. That’s where Six Star hopeful Mark Rogerson’s story sheds light on the joys of running - he joins us on this week’s Marathon Talk fresh from a PB-setting Tokyo race with guide runner Katie Garrity. Join us this week as we round off all the other stories from the first Abbott World Marathon Major of the year, from surprising slow runs, to sprint-finish drama in the Women’s Wheelchair race. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Martin and Deena kick things off with a retrospective on the Indoor Athletics World Championships, and Martin’s endeavours to dust off the road bike in spite of some savage weather conditions 8:55 - We round up the hottest news from the first Abbott World Marathon Major of the season, with shock slumps from Kipchoge and Hassan, the sprint finish in the Women’s Wheelchair race, and the 2,628 runners earning their sixth Star 22:20 - Training T

The 2024 Abbott World Marathon Majors season has arrived! It all starts this Sunday in Tokyo with Eliud Kipchoge AND Sifan Hassan both on the start line.   This episode we dive into the elite races, talk pre-race prep and preview a crop of Six Star hopefuls looking to get their hands on that medal.    One of whom is Becs Gentry, who joins Martin and Deena this week, sharing her mental strategies for staying motivated during the race and offers valuable tips for maximising training time.    In this episode of Marathon Talk: 8:57: We delve into the Men’s preview, including Benson Kipruto, who is no stranger to the Majors podiums, and Kipchoge revving up for his 12th win. 13:39: Next up it’s the Women’s preview, as Sifan Hassan goes for three wins from three different Majors in her first three marathons ever - never been done before. 20:02: The wheelchair races are going to be intriguing with no victory from Marcel Hug and no Catherine Debrunner who was so dominant in the back half of the season last year.

In 2013, Kelvin Kiptum participated in his first half marathon. 10 years and three game-changing marathons later, his was a World Record to be reckoned with.   A light that shone so incredibly brightly and all too briefly, Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, sadly died on Sunday 11th of February in Kenya.   We’re taking this episode of Marathon Talk to explore the stellar highlights of his career, and share in his irreplaceable impact on the marathon community with Chicago’s Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski, and Author of Running With The Kenyans, Adharanand Finn.   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - We take a moment of silence to remember Kelvin & Gervais, relive the moment that he stormed to the finish line at the London Marathon, and follow the journey he took to marathon glory 20:00 - Chicago’s Executive Race Director, Carey Pinkowski, joins us to relive the moment that he shattered the fastest time in human history, and discusses the impact that he made on Chicago and the marat

Preparations for Paris 2024 are firmly in the final stages, and we finally have all the action from the US Olympic Trials from Deena Kastor herself! It’s a jam-packed episode of Marathon Talk this week, where we tackle debutant winners, a heart-wrenching story from this week’s guest & London Marathon hopeful Dan Sharp, and a Training Talk that touches on how to put a positive spin as you reflect on your progress. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Topping off the show with Martin’s parkrun escapades and Deena’s role at the recent Olympic Trials 7:30 - All the latest from the US Olympic Trials, from a debut performance earning Fiona O’Keefe her spot, and our guest last week Ed Eyestone comes through with his two young charges taking a 1-2 finish in the men’s race 24:45 - Training Talk this week focuses on reflections and progress, with a three-step plan to regain control of your motivation during a run 33:40 - Dan Sharp is our special guest this week, running London Marathon for Brain Researc

Olympic years bring the toughest tests for every nation’s athletes, and the coaches who feed such elite talent - coaches like the indomitable Ed Eyestone.   He coaches the only two athletes going into the US Olympic Marathon Trials who’ve hit the Olympic standard of 2:08:10, and this week we discover out the coaching tips that make an Olympic marathon star.   Elsewhere we round up a record-breaking Valencia 10k, Evans Chebet’s potential hat trick in Boston, and training talk this week focuses on tackling life’s unavoidable barriers.   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Martin welcomes Deena back to the podcast as we hear how both have inspired their kids to take the running initiative 11:45 - All the latest on Evans Chebet’s potential to join Boston’s 3-in-a-row club, and the 10k world record being obliterated in Valencia 23:15 - Training Talk this week brings relief to those feeling the pressure of unexpected hurdles in your training plan, whether it’s nagging injuries or winter weather 31:10 -

Welcome back to Marathon Talk! It’s 2024, and what better way to inspire the year ahead than a fascinating episode featuring a four time world champion - Richard Whitehead MBE.   We learn more from him about his 10 year unbeaten streak in 200m track events, and the training plan that’ll see him to his 6 Star finish in Tokyo.    Also in this jam-packed show, Training Talk returns to kick off your training plans for a spring marathon, and we round up the news from record-breakers and blistering debutants galore!   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Martin welcomes back Danny Coyle as a guest host this week, caps off Christmas, and the duo review the start of their 2024 training plans 7:00 - Our roundup of the busy holiday season, from a javelin thrower-turned-debutant-winner, a new fastest women’s debut ever, and a road 5k record toppled 17:50 - Training Talk returns with a kickstart to your running year, focusing first on laying the essential groundwork for the all-important months leading up to a

As we run towards welcoming in the New Year, join us in this special podcast episode where hosts Martin & Deena reflect upon the Top 10 most exciting Marathon Moments of 2023.  Count down a remarkable list featuring multiple world records, major championship performances and standout wins.  This episode includes: Catherine Debrunner’s late-season charge to the Series Title Ernst Van Dyk, a legend of wheelchair racing, bidding farewell to the sport. Hassan’s remarkable marathon year Martin & Deena’s Christmas Plans & goals for 2024 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/

This week’s guest on Marathon Talk is truly special; not only is she a Commonwealth Medalist, Olympian, and Team GB Manager, but Martin’s own wonderful wife!   Liz’s formidable marathon and cross country experience is matched only by her philanthropic commitments to the running community, all of which she shares with us on this week’s episode.   Elsewhere, we cover the latest from a Valencia race that saw 12 new national records, and Sydney’s super strides towards becoming the 7th Major…   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - We catch up with Martin & Deena’s running escapades through the darker months,  9:45 - Huge news from Sydney’s drive to become the next Major in 2025, and Valencia’s rip roaring, record-breaking race  19:20 - Liz Yelling takes over the mic from husband Martin to talk about her Team GB squad mentality, top tips for taking on hills, mud and hay bales, plus how cross country feeds into marathoning   Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create

Simone Carniglia is a remarkable runner whose records in the Abbott World Marathon Majors make him the world’s fastest 6 Star Finisher with type 1 diabetes.   The Italian marathoner is our fantastic guest on this week’s podcast, in which we also share how to rest up and hit your new year’s training right, and cover this year’s most scintillating 6 Star Stats…   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - We kick things off with the results of Martin’s recent race at Corfe Castle, and indulge in the muddy joys of cross country 9:50 - Rounding up the fascinating 6 Star Stats from the year, share our concerns & support for Tom Evans, and discover a unique marriage proposal method 20:35 - The return of Training Talk, as we cover how best to recover in the off-season, and the smartest way to pick your training back up in the new year 26:35 - A fascinating conversation with Simone Carniglia about his record-setting runs, how he manages his runs with Type 1 Diabetes, and what lies ahead for him   Marathon

After a thrilling season we’ve crowned our Abbott World Marathon Majors Series champions, and in elite women’s wheelchair racing, Catherine Debrunner reigns supreme.   Her series culminated in a stunning three wins on the bounce in arguably the best year of her career to date, and we’re fortunate to have her join us on Marathon Talk this week!   Elsewhere on the show we debrief after a NYC thriller, prepare for Kelvin Kiptum’s next shot at the sub-2 hour race, and Deena’s scintillating commentary for the world feed.   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Deena’s recovery from a 25 hour trip home from New York & the excitement of commentating on the world feed 11:20 - Rounding up a thriller in NYC with a course record broken, close call in the women’s race, and Marcel Hug completing the clean sweep 33:50 - Catherine Debrunner joins us to break down her HUGE 2023, becoming Series XV Champion, the challenges of NYC street racing, and much more   Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Ma

Imagine your first marathon almost breaking a national record - that’s how you break onto the scene and make a statement. Barring Paula Radcliffe’s time in London, Calli Thackery’s 2:22:11 is the UK’s best, and as she sets her sights on the Paris Olympic Games, she joins us to share the run that’s been 15 years in the making. Elsewhere we’re gearing up for New York, as Letesenbet Geday prepares for his Majors debut, the women’s wheelchair race features four fierce frontrunners, and Marcel Hug’s lining up an unprecedented clean sweep. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Martin’s dinner with the stars, Deena’s joyful exploration, and the art of leaf peeping 9:00 - A roundup of Deena’s induction to the New York Road Runners’ Hall of Fame, the stacked lineup for NYC, and Marcel Hug’s hunt for a clean sweep 20:00 - Calli Thackery takes us through her route to running the UK’s 2nd fastest women’s marathon EVER, setting her sights on Paris, and enjoying running for what it is, rather than goal-chasing M

We’ve just witnessed the fastest marathon ever run, the first under 2:01 - last week’s Chicago Marathon will go down in history. The stars aligned, and the weather played ball for not only some earth-shattering runs from Kelvin Kiptum and Sifan Hassan, but also the Age Group World Championships. Taking part in that event was this week’s guest on the show, Gene Dykes, and we spoke to him about his amazing performance, alongside our analysis on the future of shoe tech and tumbling records. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Deena’s front row seats for the Chicago Marathon, and Martin’s other running escapades 8:00 - All the lowdown from Chicago, with Kiptum & Hassan’s stellar runs, the start of a race for shoe supremacy, and much more 37:00 - We sit down with the incredible Gene Dykes to get his take on an exemplary performance, unparalleled dedication to his watch, and setting his sights on yet another World Record Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create,

World records are toppling in the marathon world - stand up and take a bow Tigist Assefa and Keith Turner.   The new women’s record fell in a truly stunning Berlin Marathon last week, and Keith Turner’s half marathon time sets a benchmark for a visually impaired, untethered athlete.   Join us as we share a conversation with Keith and his guide, Jim Roberts, in this week’s Marathon Talk, cover off the biggest stories from Berlin, and look ahead to Chicago next week…   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Catching up on Martin and Deena’s escapades, recent runs, and how they stack up to the recent record-breaking runs 5:00 - One of the most breathtaking weeks in marathon running with Berlin’s record-setting race, and how it sets up a super showdown in Chicago 32:30 - The amazing duo of Keith Turner and Jim Roberts give us the inside track on how they set the new half marathon WR for a blind, untethered runner   Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and s

The Wanda Age Group World Championships have never been hosted on a non-majors course before… Enter: The Sydney Marathon.   As the budding race hopes to become the 7th Major, we hear from the marvellous Wayne Larden on what it’s like to be Race Director of a course with such potential.   Elsewhere, we touch on Berlin’s stellar lineups, a mad Mexico City race with thousands of DQs, and why housework is as dangerous as any high intensity sport…   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Martin & Deena return to cover a surprise visit to A&E, a thrilling road bike race, and racing children 9:50 - Rounding up the marathon world’s top stories, from a Mexico City marathon fraught with cheaters, to the anticipation building for Sydney & Berlin this month 21:10 - Sydney Marathon’s Race Director, Wayne Larden, shares the race’s fascinating journey to hosting the Age Group World Championships, and its hopes to become the 7th Major   Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, w

The 6 Star Journey is for all of us, and nobody shouts that louder than an amazing woman who recently earned the 6 Star Finisher’s medal for herself - Alexandria Williams.   She joins us in an inspirational episode of Marathon Talk, which sees the return of Martin in the co-hosting seat, a wild World Record set in high heels, and murmurings of Martin’s next race…   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - We herald Martin’s return with a look at his and Deena’s contrasting camping escapades, connecting with nature through running, and the Women’s World Cup 10:50 - Rounding up the World Athletics Championships’ dramatic Women’s 10,000m, warming up for this weekend’s race in Budapest, and a new high heeled World Record 25:25 - Alexandria Williams shares the inspirational journey she’s taken to becoming a 6 Star Finisher, and the importance of the running community   Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power

Long-time Marathon Talk listeners will be treated to a familiar voice this week, in the majestic return of former Co-Host: the wonderful Tom Williams! Tom joins Deena to guest host an episode packed with news of Chicago’s lineup announcements, the US Olympic Trials in Orlando, and some grand race plans of his own. He also stars in our interview section, where he joins forces once again with Martin to discuss parkrun’s landmark achievements, the value of volunteers, and majors aspirations. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Starting the show with a focus on Tom’s major impact on the global running community, and his time-pressured race plans 9:20 - Wrapping up the biggest stories, from the continued wait for Kiptum vs Kipchoge, to the sweat-inducing start time announcement for the US Olympic Trials 22:40 - The long-awaited reunion for Martin and Tom, as the former Co-Hosting pair cover the parkrun landscape, huge global milestones, and Tom’s lessons & moments of pride in his accomplishments M

Dawna Stone needs no introduction, as her achievements and commitment in the running community speak for themselves. An Apprentice winner, Co-Founder of The Women’s Half Marathon series, Founder of Women’s Running Magazine, and of course CEO at Abbott World Marathon Majors, it’s a delight to host Dawna on this week’s Marathon Talk! Elsewhere, Danny Coyle steps into Martin’s co-hosting shoes as we tackle a superb showing in the Diamond League, a new World Record in the mile, Deena’s upcoming TEDx Talk, and so much more… In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Introducing interim co-host Danny with a look at the World Cup, Deena’s high school reunion, and an exciting TEDx opportunity 7:20 - Rounding up some stellar times in the Diamond League, a new World Record in the mile, and Jeannie Rice’s domination at the age group world championships 17:05 - Abbott World Marathon Majors’s CEO Dawna Stone shares her staggering career in marathon media, huge hurdles she’s overcome, and the tenets that she holds true