Marathon Talk

We're getting ready to take a short break for the summer, but as is now tradition, we're joined by David Macnamara from Abbott World Marathon Majors for our mid-season quiz. Have Martin and Deena been paying attention over the last 12 months, and can they answer David's moderately difficult questions?  Who will be this year's winner? Find out on the latest episode of Marathon Talk. 00:00 - Intro 0...

On this week's episode of Marathon Talk, we're joined by comedian Paul Tomkinson, who is here to tell us all about this new book, Running Through Sand, an ageing runner's tale of running the Marathon Des Sables, frequently described as the toughest marathon on earth. We also have a quick roundup of everything happening in the marathon world, including big news from the TCS London Marathon. Order R...

On this week's show, we're joined by Clark Gardner, CEO of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. This week, Cape Town became the 8th Abbott World Marathon Major. Clark is here to give us the lowdown on the event that took place last month, the process of becoming a Major and to look back on the events of October last year, when Cape Town's dream hung in the balance. Links & References: Abbott World Marat...

On this episode of Marathon Talk, Martin and Deena have an in-depth decision with Brett Clothier, Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit. Brett and his team lead the way in ensuring marathon running is a clean sport, and we wanted to invite him on to tell us more about the work his team does and the work organisations like Abbott World Marathon Majors and World Athletes support in this ongoing battl...

We were in attendance at the premiere of the new Paula Radcliffe film, Chasing Stars, and we were joined by the film's director Pat Odom, to hear more about its making. We close the show with a Q&A that Paula gave with British running great Steve Cram. Watch Paula Radcliffe - Chasing Stars now on YouTube. On this episode of Marathon Talk: 00:00 - Intro 06:10 - Still reflecting on the 2026 TCS Lond...

Only one place to start, on Sunday, Sebastian Sawe produced a performance that will be talked about until the end of time, becoming the first man to ever run a sub-2 hour Marathon in a competitive race. We have reaction and analysis from an historic day in London. On this episode of Marathon Talk: 00:00 - Intro 00:49 - We discuss the historic performance from Sabastian Sawe at the 2026 TCS London...

As attention turns to Monday's Boston Marathon, we have a full preview of the race, including a look at who we think could be wearing their golden laurels on Boylston St. this Patriots' Day.  And as race weekend approaches, I had the privilege to catch up with a true Boston legend. Bill Rodgers joins us to share valuable insights into the course and discuss his highly decorated career in this spor...

We had hoped this week's episode would offer a fascinating insight into the preparation of an elite athlete as they geared up for their next race; however, fate conspired against us, and the day after we recorded it, Conner Mantz had to withdraw from the 130th Boston Marathon. He did, however, allow us to still publish this episode, and we thank him for that. Hopefully, you'll still enjoy our conv...

The question everyone wants to know: just how do I get a bib for any of the Majors? We're joined by a Majors veteran, Rob Dalto, to talk us through all the ways you can earn your place at one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Plus, we have lots of news from around the marathon world. On this episode of Marathon Talk: 00:00 - Intro 00:50 - Deena tells us all about her time at the LA Marathon 02:...

On this bumper edition of Marathon Talk, Martin & Deena cover all the news in the marathon world, as a new series is announced and a legend leaves us. We're first joined on the show by trailer runner, coach and author Allie Bailey to hear more about how mindset is vital in endurance running. And to wrap up the show, David Jackson, The Breathing Coach joins us to talk about how long distance runner...

Our first Marathon Talk Extra of the new season, and on this Tokyo Special, Martin and Deena are joined by David Macnamara from Abbott World Marathon Majors, and they look back on a great day of racing, which saw Tadese Takele, Brigid Kosgei, Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner claim victory in the Japanese capital. David also gives some insight into what the race week has been like and makes a fra...

As we look ahead to the first Marathon of the new season in Tokyo, we catch up with US long-distance great Sara Hall as she prepares to return to the Japanese capital for the 3rd time. And we'll hear from Abbott World Marathon Majors' David Macnamara with a round-up of things happening during race week. On this episode of Marathon Talk: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Happy Birthday, Deena! 05:40 - Tokyo Ma...

Marathon Talk is back for 2026, and what an episode we have for you to start the new season! First up, we're joined by Spencer Matthews, as he prepares to head to Japan to take on the Tokyo Marathon. Our second guests, whom you may have seen on your social media feeds over the last few weeks, Aubrey Mvula and   Liz Newcomer, were judges for the recent Abbott World Marathon Majors Marathon Tours &...

It's nearly Christmas! And on this episode of Marathon Talk, we're joined by content creator, runner, comedian, and public speaker, Laura Green, for a special episode of Christmas Running Confessions. Our listeners have been anonymously submitting their Christmas confessions, so we're going to have some fun reading them! Oh, and plus a little about the recent Valencia Marathon.  Special thanks to...

Got a question you've always wanted to ask the team at Abbott World Marathon Majors? Well, now is your chance! We're joined this week by Abbott World Marathon Majors Cheif Operating Officer Danny Coyle, and Stew "Statman" Haynes, who are here to answer your AWMM questions. Martin and Deena also talk about their marathon highlight of the year, and we have news from last weekend's Shanghai Marathon...

On this episode of Marathon Talk, we're joined by British Paralympian and world record holder Richard Whitehead, following his incredible achievement of running his 100th marathon of his career at the TCS New York City Marathon. Before we speak to Richard, Martin and Deena discuss what to do now that, for most, the marathon season has come to an end. How do we keep the fitness levels where they ne...

One of the major talking points to emerge from last weekend's TCS New York City Marathon was Eliud Kipchoge. Following the completion of his Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star journey, it felt like the end of an era for the 11-time Majors winner, 2-time Olympic Champion and former World Record holder. On this episode of Marathon Talk, we look back on Kipchoge's career—the highs and lows—and wha...

We're back for another Marathon Talk Extra, for the TCS New York City Marathon. Martin and Deena are joined by David Macnamara from Abbott World Marathon Majors, who is on the ground in Central Park with all the news from race day. We analiyse an epic battle between Benson Kipruto and Alex Mutiso, we recognise Hellen Obiri's excellence in New York and we wrap up the season for the wheelchair event...

Ahead of the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, Deena catches up with race director Ted Metellus to hear more about how they prepare for the final Major of the year. We have an update from Cape Town after their race was cancelled on Sunday, and what that means for their bid to become an Abbott World Marathon Major. Also, we hear the marathon story of a Team Abbott member, and finally, Dave is here w...

Welcome to the first episode of Marathon Talk Extra, your regular post-ride guide to every Abbott World Marathon Major weekend, and much more. On this show, we'll be covering Sunday's Bank of America Chicago Marathon, where the biggest names in marathon running will come face to face as they prepare to see who will emerge as our series champion at the end of the year.

On this week's bumper episode of Marathon Talk, we look back on a punishing day in Berlin as Sabastion Sawe and Rosemary Wanjiru won the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. We also have news of a PB time for Sted Sarandos, your new favourite celebrity marathon runner. Our first guest on the show is Team GB athlete Phily Bowden, who is preparing for next week's Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and offered us rea...

As we catch our breath after a phenomenal weekend of marathon running at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Deena has all the news from the National Stadium. Then, ahead of this weekend's BMW Berlin Marathon, Martin catches up with a Berlin-based running influencer, coach, and community builder who has become a familiar face in the city's thriving fitness scene, Aaron McCammon joins us to...

The TCS Sydney Marathon took place this past weekend, and we have all the news from a momentous day in marathon running as Sydney arrived as an Abbott World Marathon Major! Joining Martin on this week's show, we have Abbott World Marathon Majors Chief Operating Officer Danny Coyle, who was on the ground, in the shadow of the Opera House, to give us his thoughts on both the race day, the city, and...

Our first episode back after our summer break, and we have a TCS Sydney Marathon Special! On this show, we'll have a preview of the elite field for the race and hear from Deena as she prepares for her first run in Australia in 20 years. We have a quick check-in with race director Wayne Larden, as Sydney prepares to welcome the Majors, and we're joined by UK based runner Simon Bolton who is heading...

Who's the host with the most, the quiz whiz, the mastermind with the mic? There's only one way to find out… This week's very special Marathon Talk pits Martin and Deena against each other, with a trivial roundup of the running season's greatest times! We also cover all the latest from Sydney's elite field announcements, the packed ballot for the London Marathon, and Tokyo's international ambitions...