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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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… ...

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...

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...

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...

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. ...

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...

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...

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...

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. ...

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...

It takes a special talent to stay atop your field for over 15 years, but since Beijing in 2008, Madison de Rozario has continued to excel. The multiple gold medal winner & London Marathon champion is our special guest on Marathon Talk this week, bringing an uplifting demeanour matched by a determination to grow and excel. Elsewhere in the show, Martin & Deena share tales of 200 races in 200 days with 2 dogs, how you can still bag a spot in next year’s London Marathon, training tips...

At the start of every marathoner’s journey is a spark, and Nora Nishi’s shines so brightly that it gives life to those around. Nora has a wise head on young shoulders, learning from the best as she recounts the joys of her first marathon, and plans for many to come… Join us on Marathon Talk as we share her story, cover the changing Kenyan World Championship lineup, a new world-best Parkrun, and much more! In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Kicking off with Martin’s heartwarming...

Spectators of Gerda Steyn’s Comrades run were treated to 5 hours, 44 minutes and 54 seconds of pure athletic prowess, and a brand new course record… This week on Marathon Talk, as we round up some of the standout stories and blistering times from the running world, we’re fortunate to have a fascinating discussion with the South African! Tune into episode 19, as we also illustrate the art of the benchmark run, and learn why meeting your heroes isn’t always all that it’s cracked up to be. In...

87.7km separate Wayne Spies from a showstopping 11th finish at the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon, Comrades. A 6 star finisher alongside his wife, Wayne is a shining beacon to those of us looking for the mental fortitude to conquer their running goals… He’s our special guest in this week’s Marathon Talk, where we dive into the stories of a particularly musical marathoner, the sad loss of running icon Rick Hoyt, a handcuffed marathon record attempt, and so much more! In this...