Marathon Talk

Last month Chrissie Wellington smashed her own Ironman record at Challenge Roth, running a 2:48 marathon after 'warming up' with a 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile bike... we found out how she did it! We also caught up on the latest news from the world of running, Tom turned veggie and Martin went all Alpine...

With just two years until the opening of the London Olympics we spoke to Britain's last marathon medalist Charlie Spedding and talked to the head of the BBC's Olympic website Mark Coyle. Tony's Trials returned and we launched the Marathon Talk Smackdown.

At the forefront of barefoot running Ted McDonald talks us through the history and evolution of the barefoot movement. We hear from Liz Yelling on her build up to Chicago and recent race in Sunderland. Marathon Talk smashes through 2,000 Facebook fans and approaches 100,000 downloads from 56 countries. Martin promises to get back running and Tom promises to stop training so hard... soon ;)

It's been hot hot hot recently so we caught up with Lucozade Sport's Head of Sports Science Nick Morgan to talk about hydrating in the heat. Liz tell's us all about her Chicago prep, Tom gets lost AGAIN and Martin needs to pick up the pace ;)

We're doing things American style this week... talking to the President of Boulder Running Club Rich Castro, catching up with Liz's plans for the Chicago Marathon and giving out some love to running groups.

With the Autumn marathon season fast approaching it's time to kick those bad habits into touch, strap on your training shoes and head out the door. We catch up with Liz Yelling to hear how she's planning her training for the Chicago Marathon in October, we also talk about what you should do... NOW, and announce yet another legendary interviewee...

Martin completes his first ultra marathon and Tom turns his hand to sprinting. Scott Jurek as won just about everything there is to win in the world of ultra running, Martin caught up with him to find find out more and keeping it ultra, endurance coach Ian Corless joined us for training talk. 

Sammy Wanjiru has run the fastest Olympic marathon, UK based marathon and American marathon of all time... we caught up with him on a recent trip to Bedford. Also on this week's show, Martin is about to go large and Tom get's back in the groove with a half-Ironman.

As a two-time Olympian, Commonwealth Games medallist and British record holder for the 3,000m steeplechase Helen seemed the perfect person to speak to about running... fast! We also heard about fast sessions, faster OAPs and the correct speed with which to reply to an email!

In the last five years parkrun has gone from 13 friends running round Bushy Park on a Saturday morning to over 5,000 people running 5k for free every single weekend in over forty events, which in their time have seen 20,000 volunteers get involved... we chatted with a few of the key people behind this running revolution! 

Tom returns from Ironman Lanzarote, Martin heads for the hills, Tony's feeling patriotic and you lot tell us all about the Edinburgh Marathon. Our winner of the week digs deep for eight hours and we tell you how you can win a free entry to this year's Nottingham Marathon.

In 2007 Ryan Hall became the first American to break 60 minutes for a half marathon and in 2008 set the fastest marathon time ever run by an American born athlete crossing the London Marathon finishing line in 2:06:17. We caught up with him to talk about all things running. Also this week, Tony squeezed out a new PW, Martin took a turn for the worst and Tom made his final training bank deposit. 

Stride UK was set up by Mitch and Elle Phillips to help runners get the most out of themselves through high-tech video gait analysis, Tony's got the blues, Tom's off to Lanza and Martin's running long...

Normal yet extraordinary super-mum Kay Fawcett joins us on the post London Marathon couch, Tony takes a trip to the dentist, Martin's got a super-sore toe and Tom is nearly there!

Mara Yamauchi joins us for a chat about her 2010 VLM experience, Tony sets a new world record, Tom walks the walk, we hear from some super fast Aussies and no-one throws their pants at Martin!

Paula Radcliffe joins us for an exclusive interview, Tony regresses to his younger years, we hear about some awesome times in Boston and Brighton Marathon saves the day...

This week we review some superfast spring marathons in Rotterdam and Paris.  Catch up with new world record holder and double legged amputee Richard Whitehead and tell you everything you need to know about your final 24hours on race day.  Hallelujah for Tony's Trials and we teach you how to spit on the run!  

This week we talk to a one time over-weight smoker who now boasts a marathon PB of 2.25... Steve Way.

This week we talk to six time paralympian and all round running legend Noel Thatcher, we answer your questions about the Lausanne Marathon, have a chat about tapering and hear Tony's latest musical endeavour...

This week we join you on your long run and bring mental performance coach Midgie Thompson along for the ride. We also have a double helping of Tony's Trials, catch up on some great listeners questions and talk about world records and barefoot running.

This week we catch up with the race director of the Tunbridge Wells half marathon, Sarah Russell. Martin helps you to live longer, one of our listeners wins a 250km desert race and Tony's in trouble!

Live from Lanzarote - Adam Grice was the British Universities 10,000m champion and came top five in the World Mountain Running Championships however eventually lost the battle against a lack of funding and gave up competitive running at the age of 24 to pursue a career in medicine. We answer a few listeners questions, have a bit of a rant and rave, catch up with Tony and his trials and chat about...

Hayley Yelling tells us all about her recent win in the European Cross Country Championships, Tony provides a detailed description of cramps and we bring you the latest news, views and gossip from the world of running.

This week we catch up with Britain's number one marathon runner and double Olympian Dan Robinson and hear from Tony and his trials. We talk about feeling tired during marathon training and when you should take your foot off the gas, we have a bit of a rant, answer questions on carrying nutrition and running off-road and nominate our winner of the week.

This week we speak with Alex Vero who's documentary 'Running to the Limits' is now available on DVD. Find out the result of round two of 'Spouse Smackdown', catch up on the latest news from the world of running and celebrate Valentine's Day with Tony.