Marathon Handbook Podcast

Sebastian Sawe just ran 1:59:30 on the streets of London — the first sub-two-hour marathon in history on a sanctioned course. And he wasn't alone. Yomif Kejelcha, in his marathon debut, ran 1:59:41 to make it two sub-2s in a single race. On the women's side, Tigst Assefa lowered her own women's-only world record, with Hellen Obiri running a huge PB just under 2:16 for second. Michael D...

Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth sit down for their full elite preview of the 2026 London Marathon, breaking down the top five storylines ahead of Sunday's race. Sebastian Sawe and Jacob Kiplimo headline a men's field that Sawe himself says will require a course record to win: 2:01:25, set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2024. Kiplimo arrives fresh off a ratified 57:20 half marathon world record in Li...

It's London week. Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr and Katelyn Tocci deliver the Marathon Handbook one-stop preview of the 2026 TCS London Marathon: course, elites, weather, the jacket design, shoes, ballot drama, and the looming question of whether London Marathon Events can pull off a two-day "Double London" in 2027. What's in this episode: A brief history of London from the 1981 inaugu...

Michael Doyle, Katelyn Tocci and Alex Cyr break down the 2026 Boston Marathon just minutes after the finish. This year's race featured two repeat champions, a course record, a slew of American standout performances and so much more. Over 300,000 runners read our newsletter. Sign up here and get our free book The 26 Golden Rules Of Running: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/Follow us on I...

Recorded LIVE at Trident Booksellers on Newbury Street the weekend of the 2026 Boston Marathon. Michael, Katelyn, and Alex open with a first-hand recap of Alex's chase at a sub-14 elite 5K on Boston weekend — missing shoe bag included — and break down the biggest storylines of race weekend: the deep American elite field, Nike's "Runners Welcome, Walkers Tolerated" Newbury Street...

It's Boston Marathon week and we are absolutely fired up. In this mega preview episode, Michael Doyle, Katelyn Tocci, and Alex Cyr break down everything you need to know about the 130th Boston Marathon: from navigating race-day logistics and the expo, to pacing the notoriously tricky course, to our boldest hot takes and elite race storylines. SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: Lagoon pillows help us sleep b...

Patriots Day is almost here — and Michael and Jessy are in full Boston Marathon mode. In this episode, they break down the five biggest stories heading into the 130th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20th, before laying out their bold picks for the men's and women's race winners and top American finishers. Story 1 – Kipruto vs. Korir: The Headliner Matchup Past champion Benson Kipruto (Bos...

Come to our LIVE SHOW in Boston! Join Alex, Katelyn and Michael and some very special guests, + giveaways and prizes!📅 Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m📍 Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street 🎟️ It’s free to attend, but make sure to RSVP now, as space is limited: https://forms.gle/sFk28hfMYznrsNxMA Five big stories this week — strap in. Des Linden | Marathon des Sables The 2018 Boston...

Come to our LIVE SHOW in Boston! Join Alex, Katelyn and Michael and some very special guests, + giveaways and prizes! 📅 Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m 📍 Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street 🎟️ It’s free to attend, but make sure to RSVP now, as space is limited: https://forms.gle/sFk28hfMYznrsNxMA SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON...

Come to our LIVE SHOW in Boston! Join Alex, Katelyn and Michael and some very special guests, + giveaways and prizes!📅 Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m📍 Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street 🎟️ It’s free to attend, but make sure to RSVP now, as space is limited: https://forms.gle/sFk28hfMYznrsNxMA It's been a dramatic week in the world of distance running and Michael and Jessy ar...

Jess McClain is one of the most compelling figures in American distance running right now and this conversation is a perfect example of why. Alex Cyr sits down with the Brooks-sponsored pro for a wide-ranging, deeply honest conversation that covers the full arc of Jess's career: the early promise, the painful burnout that led her to step away from the sport entirely, the unlikely comeback thro...

Come to our LIVE SHOW in Boston! Join Alex, Katelyn and Michael and some very special guests, + giveaways and prizes!📅 Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m📍 Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street 🎟️ It’s free to attend, but make sure to RSVP now, as space is limited: https://forms.gle/sFk28hfMYznrsNxMA It's the final installment of Spring Mailbag Madness, and it's a big one. Micha...

Come to our LIVE SHOW in Boston! Join Alex, Katelyn and Michael and some very special guests, + giveaways and prizes!📅 Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m📍 Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street 🎟️ It’s free to attend, but make sure to RSVP now, as space is limited: https://forms.gle/sFk28hfMYznrsNxMABoston Article:https://marathonhandbook.com/could-boston-marathons-qualifier-problem-be-...

In this episode, we’re joined by Des Linden — Boston Marathon champion, Olympian, and one of the most respected voices in distance running. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Saysky makes incredible running gear that our team love. Use code MARATHON15 for 15% off your purchase at https://saysky.com This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://⁠live...

This week on The Running Story , Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth dive into one of the wildest weeks in running news. We cover a major shake-up ahead of the London Marathon as Sifan Hassan withdraws due to injury — and what it means for the elite field. Then, a controversial NCAA doping case explodes into the spotlight after athletes stage a dramatic podium walk-off in protest. Plus:• A bizarre Str...

Got running questions? We’ve got answers. In this second March Mailbag Madness episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci tackle listener questions on super shoes, marathon fueling mistakes, hydration myths, and how to break through mental barriers like chasing a sub-3 marathon. We cover: • The BEST super shoes for your next marathon (and how to choose) •...

This week on The Running Story , Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down one of the most chaotic weeks in running news this year. A little-known Ethiopian runner stunned the world at the Barcelona Marathon , running 2:10:53 in her marathon debut — the fastest debut ever and the second-fastest women’s marathon in history. But with the current world record clouded by doping controversy, what does...

In this Mailbag Madness episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci answer listener questions about training, racing, injuries, and running gear. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:Saysky makes incredible running gear that our team love. Use code MARATHON15 for 15% off your purchase at https://saysky.comThis episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for...

This week on The Running Story , Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the five biggest stories shaping the running world. First up: Jacob Kiplimo runs 57:20 at the Lisbon Half Marathon , potentially reclaiming the half marathon world record pending ratification after last year’s controversy over pacing vehicles. Next, Eliud Kipchoge announces he’ll run the Cape Town Marathon , marking the fi...

Connor Mantz is the American marathon record holder , but his journey to the top hasn’t been straightforward. After a breakout 2025 season that included a record-breaking 2:04:43 at the Chicago Marathon , Mantz looked poised for even bigger things. But a sacrum stress fracture forced him off running for nearly three months. In this episode, Alex Cyr sits down with Mantz to talk about his recovery,...

This week on The Running Story , Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth unpack one of the most dramatic weeks in running so far this year. We start in Tokyo, where the first World Marathon Major of 2026 delivered a blistering three-man sprint finish and a stunning women’s course record performance. Then we dive into the chaos at the US Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta, where a lead vehicle reported...

Recorded moments after the elite races finished, we break down everything from the 2026 Tokyo Marathon. Brigid Kosgei stormed back into world-class form with a stunning 2:14:29 course record (14:25), while Tadesse Takele defended his title in a 2:03:37 thriller that came down to the final meters (23:51). We unpack the women’s race coverage issues and what we missed early (06:16), the bold front-ru...

In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast , Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci break down everything you need to know about the first World Marathon Major of 2026: the Tokyo Marathon . We deliver a complete race preview — from course strategy and congestion to race-day weather, elite storylines, and bold predictions. If you’re racing Tokyo, chasing a marathon PR, or just love major...

This week on The Running Story , Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down five of the biggest headlines in distance running. The NYC Half Marathon elite fields are officially set, and the matchups are electric. Grant Fisher makes his highly anticipated half marathon debut, while Sharon Lokedi and Hellen Obiri renew one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries. On the track, Keely Hodgkinson takes down...

What’s next in running shoes — and are we entering a new era? In this episode, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci break down the biggest Spring 2026 shoe releases and the state of the super shoe arms race. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Saysky makes incredible running gear that our team love. Use code MARATHON15 for 15% off your purchase at https://saysky.com Lagoon pillows help us sleep better, so...