Marathon Talk

Only one place to start, on Sunday, Sebastian Sawe produced a performance that will be talked about until the end of time, becoming the first man to ever run a sub-2 hour Marathon in a competitive race.

We have reaction and analysis from an historic day in London.

On this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 00:49 - We discuss the historic performance from Sabastian Sawe at the 2026 TCS London Marathon
• 29:13- Danny Coyle, COO at Abbott World Marathon Majors joins us to give his sights into the day from the grandstand.
• 39:09 - Sean Ingle offers his thoughts on what Sawe's performance means for the wider sport of marathon running.
• 59:46 - We have a quick look back at the 2026 Boston Marathon

Links & References:

Abbott World Marathon Majors

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Marathon Talk

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Martin Yelling | Instagram

Deena Kastor | Instagram

Sean Ingle | Instagram

As attention turns to Monday's Boston Marathon, we have a full preview of the race, including a look at who we think could be wearing their golden laurels on Boylston St. this Patriots' Day.

And as race weekend approaches, I had the privilege to catch up with a true Boston legend. Bill Rodgers joins us to share valuable insights into the course and discuss his highly decorated career in this sport.

And finally, for anyone in Boston this weekend, Elizabeth Pehota from Abbott World Marathon Majors will be joining us to share more about everything happening on race week in Beantown. All this, and more, on Marathon Talk.

On this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 01:57 - We preview the 2026 Boston Marathon
• 13:40- Deena meets a Boston legend, Bill Rodgers joins us on Marathon Talk
• 40:42 - We meet Elizabeth Pehota who will be fronting the Inside The Majors series in Boston
• 52:45 - Martin and Deena wrap up the show

Links & References:

Abbott World Marathon Majors

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Marathon Talk

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Martin Yelling | Instagram

Deena Kastor | Instagram

Elizabeth Pehota | Instagram

We had hoped this week's episode would offer a fascinating insight into the preparation of an elite athlete as they geared up for their next race; however, fate conspired against us, and the day after we recorded it, Conner Mantz had to withdraw from the 130th Boston Marathon.

He did, however, allow us to still publish this episode, and we thank him for that. Hopefully, you'll still enjoy our conversation with the US Marathon record holder and gain some insight into his mindset as he approaches his next major.

Also on the show, we're joined by author Raz Rauf, who has a new book out called This Is Running: A Celebration of the World of Running, exploring the culture, history, brands, races and people behind it. All this, plus a round-up of the biggest stories in the sport on episode 87 of Marathon Talk.

Order your copy of This Is Running here.

On this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 00:55 - Something has gotten Martin very excited.
• 04:39 - Deena was in Chicago for the Shamrock Shuffle
• 08:47 - We discuss a 2-Day TCS London Marathon in 2027?
• 11:56 - Deena speaks with Conner Mantz
• 31:41 - Martin interviews author Raz Rauf about his new book
• 53:20 - Martin and Deena wrap up the show

Links & References:

Abbott World Marathon Majors

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Marathon Talk

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Martin Yelling | Instagram

Deena Kastor | Instagram

Raz Rauf | Instagram

The question everyone wants to know: just how do I get a bib for any of the Majors? We're joined by a Majors veteran, Rob Dalto, to talk us through all the ways you can earn your place at one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Plus, we have lots of news from around the marathon world.

On this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 00:50 - Deena tells us all about her time at the LA Marathon
• 02:41 - News Round-Up: LA Marathon
• 11:57 - Jacob Kiplimo breaks the half marathon world record in Lisbon
• 13:47 - Fotyen Tesfay of Ethiopia wins Barcelona 2:10:53, 2nd fastest marathon time
• 18:53 - Eliud Kipchoge to run the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
• 20:24 - Shanghai passes stage one of AWMM candidate assessment
• 21:52 - Dave is joined by Rob Dalto to talk about how to get into every Abbott World Marathon Major
• 46:00 - Martin and Deena wrap up the show

Links & References:

Abbott World Marathon Majors

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Marathon Talk

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Martin Yelling | Instagram

Deena Kastor | Instagram

Rob Dalto | Instagram

On this bumper edition of Marathon Talk, Martin & Deena cover all the news in the marathon world, as a new series is announced and a legend leaves us.

We're first joined on the show by trailer runner, coach and author Allie Bailey to hear more about how mindset is vital in endurance running. And to wrap up the show, David Jackson, The Breathing Coach joins us to talk about how long distance runners can use breathing exercises to improve their running efficency.

You can buy Allie's new book: 31 Days

David's book is available to buy here: Breathe Smarter, Run Stronger. Breathwork To Transform Your Running

On this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 01:05 - What Has Been Happening?
• 04:29 - Round-Up Of News From The Marathon Running World
• 19:33 - Marathon Talk Meets Allie Bailey
• 40:58- David Jackson Speaks To Martin About This New Book And More

Links & References:

Abbott World Marathon Majors

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Marathon Talk

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Martin Yelling | Instagram

Deena Kastor | Instagram

Allie Bailey | Instagram

David Jackson | Instagram

Our first Marathon Talk Extra of the new season, and on this Tokyo Special, Martin and Deena are joined by David Macnamara from Abbott World Marathon Majors, and they look back on a great day of racing, which saw Tadese Takele, Brigid Kosgei, Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner claim victory in the Japanese capital.

David also gives some insight into what the race week has been like and makes a frankly embarassing attempt to speak Japanese. See if you can figure out who wrote this bit!

All this, and more, on Marathon Talk Extra!

As we look ahead to the first Marathon of the new season in Tokyo, we catch up with US long-distance great Sara Hall as she prepares to return to the Japanese capital for the 3rd time.

And we'll hear from Abbott World Marathon Majors' David Macnamara with a round-up of things happening during race week.

On this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 01:00 - Happy Birthday, Deena!
• 05:40 - Tokyo Marathon Preview
• 16:00 - Sara Hall joins us to talk about her prep for Tokyo, her career and more.
• 39:11 - David Macnamara is here to tell us all about what is happening in Tokyo on race week.

Links & References:

Abbott World Marathon Majors

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Marathon Talk

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Martin Yelling | Instagram

Deena Kastor | Instagram

Sara Hall | Instagram

Marathon Talk is back for 2026, and what an episode we have for you to start the new season! First up, we're joined by Spencer Matthews, as he prepares to head to Japan to take on the Tokyo Marathon.

Our second guests, whom you may have seen on your social media feeds over the last few weeks, Aubrey Mvula and Liz Newcomer, were judges for the recent Abbott World Marathon Majors Marathon Tours & Travel World Tour competition.

They talk us through the process they used to find their winner, Leodhais MacPhearson, and we also have the chance to speak to the man himself as he prepares to run every Abbott World Marathon Major over the next two years.

We're so excited be back!

On this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 00:46 - Martin & Deena catch-up
• 03:37 - Marathon Talk meets Spence Matthews
• 35:24 - We meet Aubrey Mvula, Liz Newcomer and Leodhais MacPhearson to talk about the Abbott World Marathon Majors Marathon Tours & Travel World Tour competition.
• 1:06:01 - Wrap-Up

Links & References:

Abbott World Marathon Majors

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Marathon Talk

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Martin Yelling | Instagram

Deena Kastor | Instagram

Spencer Matthews | Instagram | Untapped Podcast on Spotify

Aubrey Mvula | Instagram

Liz Newcomer | Instagram

Leodhais MacPhearson | Instagram

It's nearly Christmas! And on this episode of Marathon Talk, we're joined by content creator, runner, comedian, and public speaker, Laura Green, for a special episode of Christmas Running Confessions.

Our listeners have been anonymously submitting their Christmas confessions, so we're going to have some fun reading them! Oh, and plus a little about the recent Valencia Marathon.

Special thanks to our guest, Laura Green, and you can catch Laura as she hosts The Running Game Show in Boston on April 16th 2026. Tickets are available: HERE

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Our show this week is brought to you by the Wahoo KICKR RUN Smart Treadmill

The KICKR RUN offers the freedom and form of outdoor running at home. Its Dynamic Pacing capability means the treadmill matches your pace automatically with no controls needed, offering you a more natural running experience, and its Unmatched Connectivity means you can sync up with the Wahoo ecosystem and third-party apps, including the simulation of routes from the Wahoo App, Strava or Zwift.

Perfect for the holiday season…Marathon Talk listeners can get a Free Headwind smart fan worth $319 or £229, when purchasing a KICKR RUN from wahoofitness.com, using code "RUNTALK" at checkout.

On this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:17 - Martin and Deena have a Christmas Update
• 5:58 - Update from the Valencia Marathon
• 11:22 - We hear your Running Confessions, with Laura Green.
• 37:44 - Wrap-up

Links & References:

Abbott World Marathon Majors

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Marathon Talk

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Martin Yelling | Instagram

Deena Kastor | Instagram

Laura Green | Instagram

Got a question you've always wanted to ask the team at Abbott World Marathon Majors? Well, now is your chance! We're joined this week by Abbott World Marathon Majors Cheif Operating Officer Danny Coyle, and Stew "Statman" Haynes, who are here to answer your AWMM questions.

Martin and Deena also talk about their marathon highlight of the year, and we have news from last weekend's Shanghai Marathon as it bids to become an Abbott World Marathon Major.

Before you press play, just to let you know our next episode will be our Christmas Special and we'll be joined by content creator, runner, comedian, and public speaker Laura Green, who will be here to absolve you of (and maybe chuckle at...) your Running Confessions.

You can submit yours today via this link: https://forms.gle/AzVpqadH2Sr22xJ76

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Our show this week is brought to you by the Wahoo KICKR RUN Smart Treadmill

The KICKR RUN offers the freedom and form of outdoor running at home. Its Dynamic Pacing capability means the treadmill matches your pace automatically with no controls needed, offering you a more natural running experience, and its Unmatched Connectivity means you can sync up with the Wahoo ecosystem and third-party apps, including the simulation of routes from the Wahoo App, Strava or Zwift.

Perfect for the holiday season…Marathon Talk listeners can get a Free Headwind smart fan worth $319 or £229, when purchasing a KICKR RUN from wahoofitness.com, using code "RUNTALK" at checkout.