Marathon Handbook Podcast

Our editors Alex, Katelyn and Michael discuss the 2025 Tokyo Marathon moments after the elite races wrapped up. They break down all the action, including a surprising win on the men's side, and a risky move by defending champion Sutume Kebede in the women's race. Plus, the look at track great Joshua Cheptegei's race, which is his second shot at running a marathon. Was it a success? And finally, wh...

Our editors Alex, Katelyn and Michael go deep on this weekend's Tokyo Marathon, the first World Marathon Major of the year! Topics Covered: The intriguing history of the race The course They power rank the World Marathon Majors They give Tokyo a score out of 100 Compare the elevation and course profile How to get into Tokyo 2026 Unpack the elite women's race Unpack the elite men's race Come see ou...

Our editors Alex, Katelyn and Michael delve into the concept of running economy, exploring its definition, significance, and the factors that influence it. They explain the role running form plays, and practical tips for improving running economy.  They also share six ways you can improve your running economy, emphasizing the importance of strides, strength training, building an aerobic base, inco...

With the 2025 marathon season just around the corner, our editors Alex, Katelyn and Michael ask: who (if anyone) will finally break the two-hour barrier on a legal marathon course? They explore the science behind running a sub-two marathon, the evolution of shoe technology, Eliud Kipchoge's Breaking2 and INEOS 1:59 Challenge events, and the haunting spectre of the world record holder, late Kelvin...

On this week's episode, Alex, Katelyn and Michael first discuss the wild and bizarre outcome of the Strava x Chipotle Challenge. Then, the play a game of "Is it true that..." They look at the science (or lack thereof) behind: Does running on soft surfaces actually make you less injury prone than running on pavement? Should you try to run a negative split in the marathon to achieve the best outcome...

On this week's episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, our editors Alex, Katelyn and Michael first do a mini preview of the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, which released its elite fields this week, including one intriguing starter, Joshua Cheptegei.  Then they talk about three super weird footwear stories: the release of the first "super sandals" (or is it "super flip flops"?), yet another Crocs marathon...

Alex, Katelyn and Michael start by talking all about Alex's big half marathon personal best last weekend in Houston (1:39). Then, they share their strategies for making winter running on the treadmill not suck. In fact, they have share how the gamify their easy runs, workouts and long runs on the treadmill so they are, dare we say, fun? (11:10) Then, Alex and Michael discuss the massive new Americ...

In this episode, we demystify every running trend that's trending on socials in 2025. But first, Michael and news editor Jessy Carveth discuss the exciting breaking news that three of the greatest marathoners of all-time will race each other at this year's London Marathon. They explain why this could be a legendary and record-breaking marathon (02:05). Then, Alex, Katelyn and Michael break down th...

Each week, the editors at marathonhandbook.com, one of the largest running focused websites in the world, discuss what's going on in the running world, as well training advice for every distance from the 5K to ultramarathons. 

Marathon Handbook's editors Alex Cyr, Katelyn Tocci and Michael Doyle provide beginner's tips on how to start running, or how to get back into running after a big break. Whether you're just starting to run for the first time and are thinking about trying your first 5K or half marathon, or if you've been running for years, but took a bit of a pause and are now seeking motivation and guidance, they...

Alex, Katelyn and Michael get out their crystal balls and peer into the future of running. But first, they discuss their holiday experiences (00:00), along with the reboot of The Marathon Project, a fascinating COVID-era event that is making its return in 2025 (16:26). Then, they get into their predictions. Marathon Handbook's staff members each produced one bold running-related prediction for 202...

Marathon Handbook's editors Alex, Michael and Katelyn discuss the merits and peril of giving and receiving running themed gifts (00:00). Then, they get into how to set and stick to your 2025 running-related New Year's Resolutions (18:24). Finally, they reveal their own personal running resolutions and goals for the new year (48:07). Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu...

Our Top 10 Stories of The Year Are... ​ Crazy records, unbelievable performances and lots of controversy; 2024 was a wild year in the running world. Our big Year-In-Review show is here! Alex, Katelyn and Michael go all the way back to January 2024, and run through every major event that took place in the running world over the past 12 months (16:41). There are wacky world records ( Crocs, 1,000-ma...

Alex, Katelyn and Michael share a special announcement about a live show in Boston in 2025! (00:00). Then they air out their opinions on the just-revealed 2025 Boston Marathon jacket (04:33). Then, they get into Nike's surprising move to gut its running shoe lineup and completely revamp it for 2025, along with other significant changes from the Swoosh (12:25). Then, they share their experiences ru...

Alex, Katelyn, and Michael answer your questions in our Fall 2024 Mailbag Episode (19:19). We take on whether or not you really need to do hill repeats for marathon training, how to fix tummy troubles on race day, our fuelling strategies, the best shoes for track workouts, what the heck is going on with Nike's shoe lineup, and Katelyn's amazing midlife crisis purchase! Then, Michael and news edito...

Alex, Katelyn and Michael explain Strava's bold and controversial decision to wall out many third-party apps from its platform. How will runners be affected by this drastic change? Why did the company do this, and what does this move suggest about the future of Strava? Then, they share their reactions to seeing all the 2025 running shoes and gear in Austin, Texas, at The Running Event, reveals the...

Alex, Katelyn and Michael are together in-person for the first time ever (!) at The Running Event, in Austin, Texas. The Running Event is basically the best running expo ever, where every brand, from Asics to Nike to Brooks to Hoka provide journalists a sneak peak at next year's shoes. In this episode, we doll out the Marathon Handbook Awards for: 00:00:00 - Intro Chat! 00:08:47 - Best Running Inn...

Our editors Alex, Katelyn and Michael select the best runners, athletes, performances, the biggest controversies and defining moments this year on the roads, track and trails, with our first annual Marathon Handbook Awards! But to start things off, Michael shares what the trail running scene is like in Hong Kong, as well as the experience of running UTMB TransLantau, one of the premiere ultramarat...

Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathoner in history, turned 40 on Nov. 5. In celebration of the GOAT becoming a masters athlete, our editors Alex, Katelyn and Michael look back at how Kipchoge single-handedly innovated distance running. They explore how Kipchoge was the face of the super shoe revolution and Nike's technological discoveries as he strived to break the two-hour barrier in the marathon...

We're live from New York! Our editor Michael Doyle talks with Alex Cyr live from the media center at the 2024 New York City Marathon in Central Park, just steps away from the finish line. They discuss the elite women's and men's races, how the top Americans did, and the overall vibe of the biggest marathon in the world. Spoiler Alert Warning: We discuss who won the New York City Marathon. 2024 New...

The New York City Marathon is Nov. 3, and in this episode our editors Alex, Katelyn and Michael share with you everything you need to know about the New York City Marathon, whether you're running the race this year, or following along at home. First we get the necessary details out of the way: when the race starts, and how to live stream the race. Then delve right into the significance and crazy h...

News editor Jessy Carveth and Michael Doyle break down the nominees for World Athletics Track Athlete of the Year. They also unpack Jessy's excellent data-driven analysis of the controversial new women's marathon world record, and why she thinks it could be legit. Then, Alex, Katelyn, and Michael as they recap their recent races—the Chicago Marathon, Kodiak UTMB and the TCS Toronto Waterfront Half...

In this episode, Alex, Katelyn and Michael discuss the importance of having a comprehensive pre-race checklist, covering everything from taper madness to essential items for race day. They share personal experiences and tips on how to prepare mentally and physically for races, emphasizing the significance of logistics, planning, and having a routine. The conversation also touches on post-race esse...

In this special bonus episode, Marathon Handbook editor-at-large, Boston Marathon winner and respected author Amby Burfoot discusses his op-ed on the site about his skepticism of the world record performance by Ruth Chepngetich at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.  His main concern: that fans of the sport, including himself, have grown cynical of extreme outlier performances, and that this cynicism is go...

Alex Cyr jumps on the pod with Michael Doyle, who is in Chicago and just ran the marathon. They talk all about Ruth Chepngetich's wild and huge new women's marathon world record of 2:09:56, what that means for distance running, where it ranks in the pantheon of great sports moments, and exactly just how fast it is by the numbers. They also discuss the rest of the women's race, including how the to...