Marathon Talk

One week on from the most incredible race in New York, it’s time to look back on our race in the five boroughs, and the top stories from the elite field.

In a packed show this week, we’ve also got all the numbers on this year’s Six Star Finishers, and following Sydney’s exciting news that it’ll join the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2025, we catch up with the incredible Wayne Larden, Race Director for the newly minted Major!

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - Deena and Martin take another long look back at their magnificent experience in New York last week, sharing more of their favourite moments from the five boroughs

• 20:30 - A detailed look back on the elite results in New York, with a flying Dutchman’s first Major win, an upset in the women’s field, and our insider knowledge on Marcel Hug’s crash

• 28:20 - Wayne Larden, Sydney Marathon’s Event Director, joins us fresh from the news of Sydney’s newfound Major status, to share how the race has evolved and grown, and future plans for the 7th Star in the Series

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

Abbott World Marathon Majors

https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

https://www.instagram.com/wmmajors/

Martin Yelling

https://www.instagram.com/martinyelling/

Deena Kastor

https://www.instagram.com/deena8050/

Wayne Larden

https://www.instagram.com/waynelarden/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-larden/

It’s crunch time for Martin and Deena - they took on the 5 boroughs together, but how did they fare?

They bring you a very special episode of Marathon Talk from on the streets of New York City, bringing to life the stories of those around them, and an impressive roundup of the elite field results… literally as they happened!

Join us for 26.2 miles of the infectious New York atmosphere, plus a bonus update on Sydney’s strides to become the 7th Major…

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - Martin & Deena make their final preparations, and the early morning trek to the start line

• 7:30 - We hear from Achilles International guide Rosie from New Zealand as she guides fellow Kiwi Paul through his first international marathon, and the NYPD’s Russel as he lauds the way that the race brings us together

• 17:40 - At the 17th mile, we share the stories of some fabulous French volunteers, and an ambitious Brazilian 6 Star hopeful on their third punt at New York 

• 21:20 - From the huge 20 mile mark, we push through the pain, catch up with a remarkable pregnant lady running for two, and find Episode 38’s Mark Rogerson and Katie Garrity on 5th Avenue

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

Abbott World Marathon Majors

https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

https://www.instagram.com/wmmajors/

Martin Yelling

https://www.instagram.com/martinyelling/

Deena Kastor

https://www.instagram.com/deena8050/

New York is calling… The TCS New York City Marathon is this weekend, but are Martin, Deena, and the elite field ready?

One man who is, and our special guest on Marathon Talk this week, is NYC legend, 12x New York finisher and 3x Six Star Finisher, Ron Romano - he gives us the lowdown on how to nail New York!

Elsewhere, Martin & Deena cover yet another World Record, the shoe technology that might be behind the recent upsurge in women’s record-setters, and we look at how the elite field shapes up for the end of the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - We catch up with Martin and Deena from their spooky Halloween seasons, and touch on Martin’s… unscheduled taper

• 11:25 - New York race week brings us big names and even bigger stories to be written, Yomif Kejelcha takes down the half marathon record, and we dive deeper into Ruth Chepng’etich and how she tore the women’s record to shreds

• 25:50 - Ron Romano’s 12 New York finishes make him an authority on the 5 boroughs, so he talks us through race day tips, how to conquer the course, and his love for the TCS New York City Marathon

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

The new Women’s World Record wasn’t just pipped by a few seconds in Chicago… it was utterly obliterated. Take a bow, Ruth Chepng'etich.

With front row seats to the first woman running sub-2:10, Chicago’s Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski is our special guest in a stacked show on this week’s Marathon Talk!

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - We kick off with tales of Deena’s Chicago experience, and a check in on Martin and Deena’s… questionable training progress

• 8:20 - The headlines belong to new record-holder Ruth Chepng'etich, but we cover all from the 12th fastest all-time race in the men’s field, and a dogfight in the wheelchair races

• 26:00 - Carey Pinkowski gives us the inside track on how Chicago put on its historic race, Kelvin Kiptum’s legacy, and how Chicago so often attracts greatness

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

Carey Pinkowski

https://www.instagram.com/careyrunschi/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carey-pinkowski-615b2954/

Abbott World Marathon Majors

https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

https://www.instagram.com/wmmajors/

Martin Yelling

https://www.instagram.com/martinyelling/

Deena Kastor

https://www.instagram.com/deena8050/

Every runner has a story, and Rob Simmelkjaer’s unique journey gives him an inspiring focus on telling those fascinating stories.

Rob is our special guest on this week’s Marathon Talk, as he runs us through his experience as a newly-minted Berlin finisher, and his insider tips for those running through the 5 boroughs of NYC next month!

Elsewhere in the show, Martin lets us in on his ‘rookie’ moment, we’ve an uplifting tale of a new 6 Star Finisher with COPD, and we wrap up the biggest stories from Berlin.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - We catch up with Deena’s trail running and family’s cross-country escapades, and Martin confesses his rookie error…

• 13:00 - Berlin Marathon was a fast and fascinating field as ever - we round up the African dominance in the men’s and women’s fields, the Swiss double in wheelchair races, and an inspiring 6 Star Finisher with COPD

• 25:05 - Rob Simmelkjaer shares his experience in Berlin, weighs in on the power of storytelling in the marathon community, and shares his top tips for the upcoming New York race

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

Abbott World Marathon Majors: https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

https://www.instagram.com/wmmajors/

Martin Yelling: https://www.instagram.com/martinyelling/

Deena Kastor: https://www.instagram.com/deena8050/

Rob Simmelkjaer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-simmelkjaer/

https://www.instagram.com/rtsimmel/

Of all the prospects from Sydney Marathon’s ram-packed weekend, perhaps the most enticing might be its future status as a seventh Major…

We’ve a huge show this week, featuring a three-time 6 Star Finisher to give us the lowdown on Sydney’s course, whether it’s likely to become that seventh star, and if not then what it could improve.

Elsewhere, the Age Group World Championships gave us some admirable performances, Jacob Ingrbritsen gave us a wild show at the Copenhagen Half Marathon, and much more! 

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - Kicking off the show, we hear about Martin and Deena’s escapades, which include Deena’s fulfilling family time, and unfortunately we see Martin nursing a new injury

• 8:20 - It’s a huge news roundup off the back of Sydney, with their assessment to become a Major, the stunning performances in the Age Group World Championships, and Jacob Ingebritsen’s madcap Copenhagen half marathon attempt

• 27:50 - Kelly Willis joins us fresh from her front row ‘seat’ at the Sydney Marathon to share the experience, and her views on the race’s chances at becoming the coveted seventh star…

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

Abbott World Marathon Majors: https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

https://www.instagram.com/wmmajors/

Martin Yelling: https://www.instagram.com/martinyelling/

Deena Kastor:https://www.instagram.com/deena8050/

It’s not every week that we’re joined on Marathon Talk by an OLYMPIC CHAMPION; let alone one who won gold in such a dramatic style…

Cole Hocker was Paris’ 1500m Olympic Champion, and we get the scoop from him on how he trumped the titans of Kerr and Ingebritsen, the training mentality that unlocked such a performance, and the power of choosing your stresses!

Elsewhere in the show, we check in on Martin’s triathlon triumphs, eye up the stellar lineups for autumn marathon season, round up a surprise winner in the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, and so much more…

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - At the top of the show, we’re focused Martin’s performance in the the 2nd of his triathlons this year, with some unique challenges and a heartwarming moment to remember

• 9:10 - The big stories this week come courtesy of a surprise winner for the gruelling Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, Sydney’s Age Group World Champs & assessment to become a Major, and we look ahead to the autumn lineups

• 27:25 - Olympic Champion in the 1500m Cole Hocker is our special guest, as he takes us through THAT final 100m, the training that unlocked such a performance, and why you should choose your stresses to get the best out of yourself

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

It’s with a heavy heart that we wave au revoir to Paris for the Olympics, but what a thrilling anthology of racing stories it’s written for us.

Not only do we debrief all the quintessential moments from the games on Marathon Talk this week, but off the back of THAT men’s 1500m, we speak with the agent for all three medal winners - Irish Mile Record Holder, Ray Flynn!

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - This episode’s opening ceremony features Deena’s incredible experiences at the games in Paris, and which stories stood out to her and Martin throughout the games

• 11:05 - It’s a packed news round up this week with the best from Hassan’s stellar sprint in the marathon, 1500m rivalries, a look ahead to the Paralympics, and what YOU could qualify for in LA 2028…

• 37:35 - The agent for ALL the men’s 1500m medal winners, Olympian, and Irish Mile Record Holder Ray Flynn is our fabulous guest on the show, sharing the secrets behind managing three of the world’s top athletes

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

We are right in the thick of Olympic athletics action and on the eve of the Olympic Marathon in Paris. 

In this week’s episode of Marathon Talk,  Martin & Deena take a look at their favourite Olympic moments so far, including the swimming, cycling, triathlons and track races. 

They review the upcoming marathon’s key contenders and the heartbreaking withdrawal of Team Great Britain’s Charlotte Purdue before shining the spotlight on our own 2004 Athens Olympic Medalist…!

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 2:23 - Martin & Deena delve into the Olympic swimming, cycling and triathlon events so far including performances from GB’s Alex Yee and Beth Potter. 

• 6:38 - Next up, we’re onto the performance of the track and field events including the 10,000m race with Uganda’s first Gold Medal, and 100m races with Noah Lyles phenomenal achievement. 

• 22:50 - Then into the upcoming Olympic Marathon with our predictions and one’s to watch in both the men & women’s races. 

• 30:26 - Finally we interview our very own Olympic Marathon Medalist - Deena herself! Who shares what it takes to become a medalist and provides her top tips for preparing. 

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

Abbott World Marathon Majors

https://www.instagram.com/wmmajors/

Martin Yelling

https://www.instagram.com/martinyelling/

Deena Kastor

https://www.instagram.com/deena8050/

March 2024 saw barriers broken at the Tokyo Marathon by a man whose dedication to being 1% better every day is utterly inspiring - Chris Nikic.

The first to complete the 6 Abbott Majors as an athlete with Down’s Syndrome, his outlook on resilience, progress and motivation should rouse us all, so it’s a joy for Chris and his father Nik to join us on this episode of Marathon Talk.

It’s an episode not to be missed, as we give you the rundown on everything to look out for at the Olympics in Paris!

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - Deena kicks us off with a look back at her various vacation escapades, and Martin brings us into the mindset of feeling fast, without necessarily running it

• 9:55 - The Olympics are upon us, and we preview the big stories to watch out for, from Sifan Hassan’s packed schedule, to Team GB’s promising prospects, and of course our pick of the favourites from the marathon field - plus Deena shares just what it’s like as an elite athlete to prepare for the Olympics

• 31:50 - The inspirational story of Chris Nikic and his father Nik is the subject of a moving new documentary, so it’s high time to break down the remarkable mindset of a man whose resilience saw him become the first athlete with Down’s Syndrome to become a 6 Star Finisher!

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/