Running Commentary

Rob runs with Matt Wooden - experienced big distance runner and coast-to-coast completer - in the South Downs. Featuring some Ultra gatecrashing, bird spotting, wonderful countryside, tips for our big run, and what Matt's doing next. Thanks so much Matt. Subscribe to the Fan Feed at ⁠⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠⁠ to hear more from Matt - plus get early access, ad-free listening, and all mann...

A chilly, overcast morning in the Royal Parks sees Paul debriefing Rob after another Half Marathon. Featuring fun gigs, different stages of training, the full report from Battersea Park, George's London Marathon prep, old footballs, tapering, some pretty fancy birds, the shoes, locking in, and where Paul's at as his writing process ends. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for more mar...

Paul chats to Isaac Sananes, who'll be running the London Landmarks Half Marathon dressed as the London-est landmark of them all - St. Stephen's clock tower - otherwise known as Big Ben. Also featuring the Rome Marathon, why we run for charity, and what other landmarks will be running on April 12th. Thanks Isaac! You can sponsor Isaac and the team here: https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising...

Hampstead Heath is like a glass of ice cold water as Paul and Rob see in the Spring. Featuring all kinds of book talk, Irishness, Bonnie moving out (again), vermin fun, parkrun report, diving Deering, Paul not quite so far down the training road to the coast-to-coast, and a big Happy Birthday to Rachel. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free liste...

Our dear friend Helen Thorn's new book How To Face Big Change And Come Back Stronger is out this week, so she and Rob went for a sunny run along the river to talk all about it - and running marathons, of course; specifically the looming London Marathon, and Helen not quite running Rome...You can get Helen's book here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/how-to-face-big-change/helen-thorn/978178504518...

Paul and Rob return to the Parkland Walk and Highgate Woods, where flower and bird proliferation is in full Spring swing. Featuring foot talk, daughter departure, kids and cash, anti-runner rhetoric, modern queues and old-fashioned views, parkrun report, towards the next marathons, era or era?, and the ups and downs of London. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus...

Rob and Suzy power-walked round the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and talked about the London Marathon, charity work, the West Country and much more. Thanks Suzy! Sponsor Suzy for Jeremiah's Journey here: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/suzy-bennettSubscribe to the Fan Feed at ⁠⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠⁠ to hear more from Suzy, plus get early access, ad-free listening, and all...

As he debriefs Rob in Clissold Park after the Cambridge Half Marathon, it turns out that Paul is not entirely fit. Featuring unsuccessful health hacks, holistic exercise, Rob and his daughter's adventures, headphonegate, mile-by-mile report, thank you for the music, and big emotions at the finish; 'what a day for the family!' Oh - and some excellent PBs. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.c...

George is back out with Paul, and he's got all kinds of news. Featuring Paul's bad back (self-inflicted), George's cheeky marathon place, training - or lack of, old school/new school, the shoes, manifesting a target time, the great Muswell Hill/Crouch End conflict, George's intellectual era, football, abstemiousness, knee trouble, the schedule, and how running keeps you well. Subscribe to the Fan...

Out east in the lovely weather, Rob and Paul talk about... everything. Featuring the finishing touches on Paul's book, laughing at your own jokes, PANTS!, headphone rebellion, York plans, Harrison Ford, Michael J Fox and Rob's Dad, big news for George, podcasting marathons, parkrun report and other training, the reality of running - and drinking - as you get older, missing the younger generation a...

A misty but Springlike turn around Regents Park and Primrose Hill sees Rob interviewing Joe Warner, old friend of the show and co-author (along with Rob Kemp) of Burning Up, Frozen Out - What Every Man Needs To Know About The Menopause (But No-one Told You).Thanks Joe. Subscribe to the Fan Feed at ⁠⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠⁠ to hear more from him, plus get early access, ad-free listening,...

On their monthly visit to Hampstead Heath, Rob and Paul can see Spring coming on apace. Featuring the magic of mixing it up, when it's time to change your shoes, last mile: fastest mile, fun on a hamster wheel, golden daffodils and wild dogs, parkrun-and-book reports, what the younger generation of Tonkinsons and Deerings are up to, your RunComPod memories and PBs, and a quintessential two-bottle...

Rob went for a run with our friend Andi Osho, who's doing so much exciting stuff at the moment it's impressive she found the time. Featuring running - and health in general - in perimenopause, acting for the RSC, the success of BBC's Blue Lights, and the inspiration for her new book Most Wanted.(Which you can get here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/most-wanted/andi-osho//9780008431013)Thanks An...

Reunited on the Parkland Walk, Rob and Paul take it easy after Paul's boozy journey home from his tour. Featuring treadmills in Dubai, gig report, what the youngest progeny are up to, the late Philippe Gaulier, a couple of parkruns and a long one, running with John Robins and Esther Manito, Rob squeaking in, a glimpse of Paul's wife, and some sunglasses-related science. Sponsor Rob's Daughter's Ca...

Rob takes a turn with the comedian, who has a new running podcast - with another friend of ours Zoe Lyons - recently ran a Half Marathon in a fantastically iconic location, and is working on how to keep running with a chronic injury. Plot spoiler: it involves very strong legs. Subscribe to the Fan Feed at ⁠⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠⁠ to hear more from Esther, plus get early access, ad-free...

Tom Price stands in for Paul on a muddy, mizzly turn around Finsbury Park, Woodberry Wetlands and Clissold Park. Featuring dad hair, charity wars, exercises and neurodiversity, parenting techniques, dialling codes, 'showering a St. Bernardoodle's back end', plank talk, podcasts, wild swimming wives, where and where not to find friendliness, procedures and pop music. Thanks Tom. PAUL TONKINSON WILL...

Rob is out in the country with John Robins, who's running the London Marathon for Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse. Featuring managing marathon training on a shonky ankle, the mental health benefits of running in the woods and the hills (the Chilterns in this case), recovering from addiction and how running and exercise fits into that - not to mention therapy and meditation - and ultimatel...

As February begins, it's definitely still winter on Hampstead Heath. Featuring the death throes of Dry January, 2026 fitness developing, 'feel the [SOMETHING] and do it anyway', the wisdom of Steve Martin, wellness world, Mark Maier and modes of momentum, movie chat, a farewell to wonderful Catherine O'Hara, another Ultra for the schedule?, the heath at its most blasted, and running through the do...

A pretty grim day sees Rob and Paul heading out East from Leytonstone to Wanstead. Featuring another bingle for Rob, finding focus in training, Spring Half Marathons left right and centre, Dry January continues, motivation on Mondays - and other days, finding dynamic pacing, gig report, birthdays and anniversaries, Paul marshalling the next generation of comedians, Rob meeting a LEGEND, last mile...

On a surprisingly sunny morning Rob catches up with our friend, writer, comedian and classicist Natalie Haynes. Featuring, appropriately, a little bit of Jason and a lot of Medea, plus understanding monsters, and allowing for later life choices. Thank you Natalie. Subscribe to the Fan Feed at ⁠⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠⁠ to hear more from Natalie, plus get early access, ad-free listening,...

Rob and Paul run down to Finsbury Park and back, in a slight break with tradition. Featuring an Escheresque detour, past and future theatre trips, the continuing adventure that is Dry January, making and breaking habits, maturity and the moment, being ill and running, obligatory parkrun and plank chat, Guildford and other places, late-life living arrangements, and a look ahead to the Coast To Coas...

Paul takes his first turn with our fellow North London-based mature comedian-runner Mark Maier, in training for this year's London Marathon. But will he even make it to the start line? Thanks for sharing your journey Mr Maier. Subscribe to the Fan Feed at ⁠⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠⁠ to hear more from Mark, plus get early access, ad-free listening, and all manner of exclusive content. BUY...

A surprise return to Hampstead Heath on a chilly Saturday, Featuring all the reports - parkrun, drinking, gigging, writing - plus the toilet in the woods, a sad accessory loss, cycling on ice, Lisa Jackson - more of that soon - Sabrina Pace-Humphreys - listen if you haven't already - the youth getting on board, soundtracking a plank, last mile fastest mile, incoming road trips, and a surprise Geor...

Our old friend Lisa Jackson - back-of-the-pack angel and author of Your Pace Or Mine - has now written a book of bereavement, grief and her journey back to running - Still Running After All These Tears. Paul took a turn around the Heath with her to find out more. Is she still a powerhouse of good vibes? Amazingly, but unsurprisingly - yes. Thanks so much Lisa. Lisa's book is available here: https:...

Rob and Paul run out just as the flakes start to fall. Featuring dismantling Christmas, removing or living with temptations, the great abstemiousness, different takes on 2026 exercise regimes, enjoying the journey, dump catharsis, normalising long runs, foot trouble, and general glee about the great snowfall (that turned out not to be). SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early acc...