Running--State of the Sport

In this new “Running: State of the Sport” podcast, George and Amby chat with legendary U.S. runner, Don Kardong. Don finished 4th in the controversial 1976 Olympic Marathon--we talk a lot about that.  He also founded and race-directed the huge Lilac Bloomsday 12K in Spokane, Washington, and has finished the race himself 48 years in a row. A leader in the transition from “shamateurism” to open, professional road-racing, Don served as president of the Road Runners Club of America in the 1990s. Other topics covered in this podcast # How Don finished third in the 1976 Olympic Trials Marathon # What he learned by racing against the likes of Steve Prefontaine and Frank Shorter # His early 1970s training--up to 140 miles a week! # Why he wishes he had brought a bronze medal back home from Montreal # The joys of organizing a mega road race # What Spokane’s city leaders thought when he told him the new 12K in 1977 would be called “Bloomsday” # Don’s favorite stories among the many he wrote for Runner’s World and other running magazines # His funny ice-cream quote that is most often repeated back to him # What life lessons he learned from running Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora I Heart Radio YouTube "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. "Run Long, Run Healthy" is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners.

This week, George and Amby discuss the recent Boston and London Marathons--always highlights of the spring running season, and this year was no exception. Both George and Amby were in Boston for the marathon, with Amby running and finishing for the 28th time. They didn't jump over the pond to London for that big event (with 53,000 runners), but followed it closely on streaming services and various Internet coverage. Amby described his Boston run that included too-little training and a too-fast start. You'd think a guy would learn at some point. But he did have an ulterior motive. He also noted that his favorite runner in Boston was little-known Mark Bauman, from Michigan, who reached the Boylston St. finish line for the 55th year in a row. That's a world record for Boston ... or anywhere else. George said he and others were surprised that the men's elite field allowed winner Sisay Lemma to build such a huge lead midway. After all, he had run 2:01:48 in Valencia just 5 months earlier.  George also noted that Hellen Obiri has now won 3 major marathons in a row--Boston-New York-Boston--which makes her a definite gold medal threat in the Paris Olympics this summer. The thrilling sprint finish to the women's race in London made George suggest that the Olympic Marathon might be equally  as close. Women's marathon racing has become much more competitive in recent years. Amby took the opportunity to point out that his friend Jeannie Rice set yet another World age-group record (75-79) when she clocked a 3:33:27 in London. Rice has now won an age-group title in all 6 World Marathon Majors. George and Amby also discussed everything from runners' church services in Boston, to Dave McGillivray, Meb Keflezighi, CJ Albertson, and Edna Kiplagat's amazing and still-continuing podium conquests in World Marathon Majors races. Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora I Heart Radio YouTube "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners.

In this podcast, George and Amby speak with Meb Keflezighi about his astounding win in the 2014 Boston Marathon, and how it changed his life. Meb's story--from Eritrea to Italy to the U.S.--is quite well known now, but always mesmerizing to hear in his own voice and words.  Meb is running Boston again in 2014, both to mark the 10th anniversary since 2014, and also to raise funds for his Meb Foundation, which promotes youth health, education, and fitness. (See below for a link where you can donate.)  Anytime you need a little inspiration for an upcoming marathon or big effort of any kind, this is a great place to start. Meb will definitely get you pumped up. Go here to support Meb's Boston 2024 run, and his Foundation. Follow Meb on Instagram. Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora I Heart Radio YouTube "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners.

This week, George Hirsch and Amby Burfoot talk with Jenny Simpson, miler turned marathoner--well, almost, as Simpson hasn't finished a marathon yet. But she'll be toeing the start line in Hopkinton on April 15, and she sounds absolutely determined to make it to the Copley-Square finish line.  Simpson explains in this conversation that she never intended for the Olympic Marathon Trials in February to be her first marathon start, but life had other ideas, so that's how things developed. She dropped out of the Trials at about 18 miles, and now thinks she overtrained and overstressed about the 26.2-mile distance. For a decade, Simpson had been the best USA 1500 meter/miler. She excelled at the global level, winning an Olympic bronze along with a gold and two silvers at the World Championships. She also won the Fifth Ave Mile 8 times. Even during her track career, Simpson explains, she did a long run almost every weekend. She also attended many marathons with her husband, Jason, a 2:18 runner, and found herself inspired by the tens of thousands of amateur runners who challenged themselves with the marathon distance.  Before speaking with Jenny, George and Amby discussed the biggest recent running news. Amby got a chuckle over his Google News aggregator, which brought him an April Fool's Day story from LetsRun.com. It claimed that Taylor Switft was now dating shot put great, Ryan Crouser, all 6' '7" and 320 pound of him. Take that Travis Kelce! But Amby turned serious when noting that the BAA/Boston Marathon was putting out press releases listing "5 Reasons for a Clear Course" while a Black running club rejoindered with "5 Reasons for a Cheer Course." Last year there was tension at the Marathon's 21st mile when club members allegedly ran onto the course. George was impressed by the always strong performances at the World Cross-Country Championships. This year in Serbia, the Kenyan senior women swept the top 5 places--an unprecedented team achievement. Individual champions Beatrice Chebet (Kenya) and Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda) repeated their victories of 2 years ago. The next World Cross meet will be held in January, 2026, in Tallahassee, FL. Reviewing their conversation with Simpson, Amby said that he appreciated her conviction that a woman athlete could be both a fierce competitor and a good sport at the same time. George liked her fearlessness in stepping up from the mile to the marathon. You can keep up with Jenny Simpson by following her on Instagram. Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora I Heart Radio YouTube "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. Audio engineering by BJ McGeever.

In this podcast, George Hirsch and Amby Burfoot talk with Dave McGillivray, who has run the last 51 Boston Marathons in a row, most of them while also serving as Boston's race course director. That meant he couldn't start his run from Hopkinton until everyone else had finished theirs at Copley Square. On April 15, he will be aiming for his 52nd consecutive finish. Sometimes that seems like the least of McGillivray's endurance achievements. He has also finished 9 Ironman Triathlons, several Coast To Coast runs, and a 24-hour pool swim, during which he covered 27 miles. Most of these efforts were undertaken to raise funds for various New England charities.  This April, for the first time since the 1980s, McGillivray will be running with the main pack of Boston entrants. He'll start the first several "waves," then walk back to join a son and daughter in mid-pack. This time he's supporting his own charity, the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation (link below) that seeks to "inspire and empower" New England youth.  Before speaking with McGillivray, George and Amby discussed the Barkley Marathons, where Jasmin Paris became the first female runner to finish the grueling, 100+ mile forest scramble in Tennessee. The event, and Paris's success, were covered by the NYTimes, BBC, and many other media. This led to a discusion of why ultra endurance events get so much attention. George said he thought it was due to the female angle--that we are at an important historial turning point when women athletes are finally getting their due. He mentioned that Caitlin Clark is probably the most heavily covered collegiate basketball player in this year's NCAA championship playoffs. Along the same lines, Amby recalled the recent success of Netflix's movie about Dyana Nyad. He also noted the recent 10,000 meter track performances of Grant Fisher, Nico Young and Waini Kelati. At The Ten, all met the qualifying times for this summer's Paris Olympics.  After the interview, Amby said he was impressed with the way McGillivray shared his triple-bypass heart surgery with the running public to raise public awareness.  George noted that McGillivray was anything but an instant success in the marathon. He dropped out of his first, and nearly quit his second at the 21 mile mark in 1973. At that point, he thought of his grandfather's belief in him, and picked himself off the sidewalk to complete the last 5 miles. And he hasn't missed a Boston finish since then. To keep up with Dave McGillivray, you can follow him on ⁠Instagram.⁠ To support the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation, ⁠go here.⁠  Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora I Heart Radio YouTube "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. Audio engineering by BJ McGeever.

In this podcast, George Hirsch and Amby Burfoot talk with Clayton Young, who recently finished second in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando, Florida. Since Young had run a sensational 2:08:00 in last fall's Chicago Marathon, he is now fully qualified for this summer's Olympic Marathon in Paris. In the Marathon Trials, Young gained a lot of attention for the pair of shades he elected to wear all weekend, and also for his innovative use of a fluids bottle within a metallic bottle that also provided refreshingly-cool caps en route. In the last several miles, he looked better than his training partner Conner Mantz.  Indeed Young several times swerved close to the cheering crowds to egg them on, and to see if he could find an American flag to carry to the finish. Yet in the final yards, he let Mantz edge ahead of him to break the tape. In this interview, Young admits that he could have won the race if he wanted, and that he later agonized for a short time over his decision. He wondered if he had made a mistake. In the end, he says, the "joy of the moment" was more important than winning the marathon.  Before speaking with Young, George and Amby discuss some important recent news stories including: George's trip to the Barcelona Marathon, the great double wins by Parker Valby and Nico Young in the NCAA indoor championships, and Camile Herron's world-record-setting 6-day race in California during which she covered 560 miles. After the interview, George noted the growing list of successful marathon runners from Brigham Young University. He was struck that "the runners have a deep appreciation for each other, and for everyone else who contributes. They've built something special that combines the best of team, family, and community ... and it's really powerful." Amby was impressed with Young's self-confessed "runner nerdiness," and tried to convince him to wear a bro-bra in Paris--one filled with energy gels and ice packs.6 To keep up with Clayton  Young, you can follow him on ⁠Instagram.⁠ Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora I Heart Radio YouTube "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. Audio engineering by BJ McGeever.

In this podcast, Amby and George talk with Sara Hall, who recently finished fifth in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Sara, who's married to former marathon star Ryan Hall, has perhaps the longest running resume of any U.S. distance star. She won the first of 4 California state championships in 1997, and the Footlocker XC Champs her senior year in high school. Since then she has starred at Stanford, on the track, and in the marathon, where she has a personal best of 2:20:32. I In her fifth place finish at the Marathon Trials (2:26:06), Hall set an American masters record for the distance, eclipsing the time Des Linden ran last fall in Chicago. Sara didn't begin her marathon career until 2015--the same year she and Ryan adopted 4 Ethiopian sisters, and welcomed them to their home in Flagstaff, Arizona. How she managed to combine marathon training and racing with raising four young daughters who didn't speak English ... well, it's another one of those inspirational stories about female marathon runners. Before speaking with Sara (who was training in Quito, Ecuador!), George and Amby discussed some of the recent biggest news in running. This included results from the Glasgow World Indoor Championships, where Scotsman Josh Kerr and American Elle St. Pierre won exciting 3000-meter titles. They also reviewed results from the Tokyo Marathon, where Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan were expected to win, but didn't. That changes the outlook for the Paris Olympic Marathon in August.To keep up with Sara Hall, you can follow her ⁠on Instagram.⁠ Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora I Heart Radio YouTube "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. Audio engineering by BJ McGeever.

In this podcast, Amby and George talk with Jared Ward, who explains the reasons behind the success of so many great marathon runners from Brigham Young University. Ward is a 2:09:25 marathon runner himself, and sixth place finisher in the 2016 Rio Olympic Marathon. Ward was at the finish line of the recent U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials to congratulate his friends and training partners, Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, on their 1-2 finish in the Trials.  Ward had just received a treatment of PRP for an ailing hamstring injury that kept him from running the Trials. But he couldn't have been happier or more effusive about his two training partners. "They'll never let you down," he said.  He also described how Coach Ed Eyestone's steady hand has produced a growing number of top runners at BYU and after graduation. In a world of increasing specialization and digitization, Eyestone refuses to get lost in the weeds. He tells his runners: "Get as fit as you can, and everything else will take care of itself." Ward explains why he's not bitter about finishing behind runners wearing super shoes in the Rio Olympics, when he didn't even know that super shoes existed. (Neither did anyone else except for a handful of Nike runners.) He also discusses the BYU approach to caffeine for endurance performance, the benefits of training at 5000 feet and taking one day off per week, and how much carbohydrate marathon runners can consume during their 26.2 mile efforts. Before speaking with Ward, George and Amby briefly discussed recent news, including: Sensational running at the Millrose Games and other indoor meets, a new U.S. high school record in the 2-mile, and the deaths of Kenyan running legends Kelvin Kiptum and Henry Rono. You can learn more about Jared Ward by following his Instagram posts. Also, in 2019, he was a big hit on the wellknown "Shark Tank" TV show, and his Myostorm company continues to produce recovery tools for runners. Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora I Heart Radio YouTube "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. Audio engineering by BJ McGeever.

Frank Shorter (1972) and Joan Benoit Samuelson (1984) are the only two Americans to have won BOTH a U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and the subsequent Olympic Marathon. Here, just a week before the 2024 Marathon Trials, they talk with George and Amby about their experiences, especially in the pivotal Trials race.  Samuelson recalls waking up from surgery 17 days pre-Trials, looking at the bandages covering her right leg from toe to hip, and thinking, "Maybe I can bounce back for the 3000 meters in the Track Trials."  In fact she did much more than that in a Marathon Trials victory that still amazes her. "If somebody asks me about the biggest win of my life, I'll say in was the Olympics in L.A.," she notes. "But the race of my life was the Trials. I can't really explain how I was able to do that." Shorter recounts how, as an unheralded Yale cross-country runner, he drove from his home in New Mexico to the 1968 Alamosa Olympic Marathon Trials--the first "modern" U.S. Trials to follow a strict Olympics-selection system. He was curious about the marathon distance, and wanted to watch the race. When he arrived, he discovered that anyone could enter (for $3), so he did.  A borrowed, ill-fitting pair of shoes caused him to drop out after 17 miles. But four years later, Shorter tied with Kenny Moore for the top spot, and in 1976 he finished alone at the front. Shorter credits much of his marathon success to training like a 5000-meter runner, including many workouts with Steve Prefontaine. He thought little of running 6 x 800 meters in 2:01 with 200-meter recovery jogs.  Super-shoes? No, the opposite. Shorter says he won his Olympic gold medal in a pair of track shoes with the spike plate replaced by a thin pad of rubber. "I just wanted whatever would give me the lightest shoes," he says. "We didn't worry about pounding. I would joke that we had four years to recover." Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora I Heart Radio YouTube "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. Audio engineering by BJ McGeever.

In this episode, George and Amby talk with prolific fast marathon runner CJ Albertson--a fan favorite and dark-horse contender to make the U.S. Olympic Marathon Team at the Feb. 3 Trials in Orlando. Prior to the 2020 U.S. Marathon Trials in Atlanta, Albertson was a little known road racer competing without a shoe contract. That changed after he finished 7th in 2:11:49. He signed a contract with Brooks, and has been racking up consistently fast marathons ever since. This includes finishes among the top American runners in the last 3 Boston Marathons. Known for his strength and hard-fast training runs, Albertson holds the world record for 50K on the roads. And last December he won back to back weekend marathons at Cal International (2:11:09) and Baja MEX (2:11:08). This means he has achieved the Paris Olympic "B" qualifying time, and will make the U.S. Olympic Team on Feb. 3 if he finishes in the top 2 or 3 positions among those with Olympic qualifiers. (It's not yet clear if the U.S. will send 2 or 3 male marathoners to Paris. No one can go to Paris if they haven't run under 2:11:30, not even if they win the Trials.) Married with two young children, Albertson is also a teacher and coach at Clovis Community College in Fresno, CA. In this podcast, Albertson talks candidly about his earnings from professional running and his chances of making the Olympic Team. He also discusses how he is training for the possible heat in Orlando by running on a treadmill with 11 infrared lamps pointed at him. Amby was intrigued by Albertson's training and any future ultra-running ambitions he might have. George gave Albertson big points for saying that his Fairy Godmother wish for 2024 was completion of an track facility at Clovis, preferably with a large scoreboard. (He didn't mention the Olympic Trials.) You can follow CJ Albertson on Instagram here. Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora I Heart Radio YouTube "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. Audio engineering by BJ McGeever.

In this episode of "Running: State of the Sport," George and Amby chat with Chris Chavez, founder and prime mover-shaker behind Citius Magazine. In just a few years, Citius has become a top media player in coverage of elite track/field and road racing.  While carrying old media nomenclature, ie, "Magazine," Citius is a thoroughly modern digital operation. It includes podcasts, blogs, newsletters, and on-site coverage of major events like the Olympics, World Championships, and U.S. Championships.  Chavez himself races everything from the mile to the marathon, including a 3:17 in last fall's NYC Marathon. But he ranks higher as a writer-reporter, having learned the ropes at Sports Illustrated before founding Citius Magazine. George and Amby were impressed that Chris discussed the business side of Citius as openly as the editorial operation. Also, he explained his passion for attracting more young folks to become fans of running (and even media like himself.) Chris expressed no regrets about how super shoes have affected the sport, and didn't pull punches when naming his top 3 male and female picks for the Marathon Trials on Feb. 3. He's got a sense of humor, too. Chris said one of his Fairy Godmother Wishes for the coming year was to sell Citius Magazine for a price like what the New York Times paid for The Athletic. (Which is thought to be $550 million.) Go for it, Chris! Before the conversation with Chris, George and Amby discussed some of their favorite running podcasts of 2023. Amby's list included: the "Let's Run podcast," "Koop Cast" with coach Jason Koop, and Ali Feller's "Ali on the Run." George noted: Citius Mag's recent podcasts with Parker Valby, Katelyn Tuohy, and CJ Albertson; "Nobody Asked Us" with Kara Goucher and Des Linden; "Set the Pace" with Rob Simmelkjaer and Meb Keflezighi; "The Morning Shakeout" with Mario Fraoli; and "Some Work, All Play" with Megan and David Roche. Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or Google Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, Search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora I Heart Radio YouTube "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. Audio engineering by BJ McGeever.

In this episode of "Running: State of the Sport," George and Amby chat with Kevin Hanson, one-half of the dynamic Hanson brothers behind the Hansons Brooks Running Team.  The Hansons team will have a strong group of entrants in the U.S Olympic Marathon Trials on February 3, including top male runner Zach Panning. Panning, while not as well known as some of his competitors, is considered a definite threat to finish on the podium.  Past Hansons' runners Brian Sell and Des Linden have been successful in their Marathon Trials efforts. In addition, Hansons' athletes have a sort of "inside track" to preparing for a big race in Orlando, Florida. The brothers and their runners have been using Orlando as a winter training base for several decades. They are well versed in all the weather-related variables. George and Amby were impressed by the way the Hansons brothers have taken profits from their running stores, and poured that money into a strong developmental program for U.S. runners. They also gave plenty of credit to their longtime partners at Brooks, and expressed complete confidence that Brooks super shoes are as good as anyone else's. Before talking to Kevin Hanson, George and Amby reviewed the biggest recent running news. That included C. J. Albertson's second 2:11 marathon in a week, Katelyn Tuohy's recent signing of a contract with Adidas, and the running Ritzenhein family. Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or Google Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, Search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora I Heart Radio "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. Audio engineering by BJ McGeever.

In this episode of "Running: State of the Sport," George and Amby chat with Conner Mantz, a favorite in the Feb. 3 Olympic Marathon Trials, based on his recent 2:07:47 at the Chicago Marathon. Mantz also won two NCAA Cross Country Championships in his days as an undergrad at Brigham Young University. He’s part of a strong BYU marathon contingent that includes Clayton Young, 2:08:00 at Chicago, and 2016 Olympic marathon runner Jared Ward. All are coached by two-time U.S. Olympic marathoner Ed Eyestone. Before talking to Mantz, George and Amby discussed the biggest recent news in running. This included the fast results in the Valencia Marathon, where Ethiopian Sisay Lemma set a course record of 2:01:48, and his countrywoman Worknesh Degefa ran a personal best, 2:15:51. In the same race, Kenenisa Bekele, 41, set a world record for a masters marathon runner with his 2:04:19. In Oregon, Addy Ritzenhein, just a sophomore and daughter of former U.S. super-elite runner Dathan Ritzenhein, won the Nike Nationals XC meet. In England, Lauren Fleshman’s book Good For A Girl was named winner of the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year. It was the first win for a running book, and the first win for a female author writing about female sports. Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or Google Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, Search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora Google Podcasts  "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. Audio engineering by BJ McGeever.

In this episode of "Running: State of the Sport," George and Amby chat with Keira D'Amato, the American record holder at 10 miles and the half-marathon, and the second fastest ever in the marathon with her 2:19:27. These performances make Keira a top contender in the February 3 Olympic Marathon Trials. Keira has followed an unusual path to her current running. Soon after college, she stopped serious training to get married, have two children, and start a real-estate business. She stayed away from elite running for more than a decade. However, she zoomed back in 2019 with a 2:34 marathon in Berlin, and she's only been getting faster since.   Before talking to Keira, George and Amby discussed the biggest recent news in running. George was impressed by Parker Valby's win in the NCAA Cross-Country Championships, especially by her low training mileage. He also noted noted that Harvard's Graham Blanks became the first Ivy League winner at NCAAs. Blanks called his race "dumb ass" after finishing, but there wasn't much evidence of that.  Amby mentioned that Harvard has an actual world-record runner in physics prof Jenny Hoffman. She recently set a female record for the run across America, averaging 63 miles/day for 47 days. Amby was also intrigued by Jonathan Gault's report at LetsRun.com on the increasing use of a sodium bicarbonate mix by top runners. (It's legal but often produces more "runs" than running.) It's claimed that Kelvin Kiptum, Molly Seidel, and Jakob Ingebrigtsen have been using the bicarb mix.  Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or Google Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, Search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora Google Podcasts  "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. Audio engineering by BJ McGeever.

In this episode of "Running: State of the Sport," George and Amby chat with Patti Catalano Dillon, who received the prestigious Abebe Bikila Award at the recent TCS New York City Marathon. In the 1980 Marathon, Patti became the first American female to break 2:30 in the marathon, finishing second to Grete Waitz. Patti scored many major road race victories in her meteoric career, including 5 at the Ocean State Marathon (Rhode Island) and 4 in the Honolulu Marathon. Patti explains her unique background, including her first run (in Earthshoes) around a cemetery in Quincy, MA, and her first marathon experience. "I thought I was going to die." She also discusses her continuing involvement in Native American running. Before talking to Patti, George and Amby discuss the biggest recent news in running. Amby was disappointed by how slowly the elite women ran at NYC, suggesting that maybe they should have their fees reduced commensurate with their slow times (the 1980 Patti Catalano would have been right with them). But he was impressed by the 3:19 finish of 6' 9" former hockey star Zdeno Chara.  George marvelled at how the NYC Marathon once again seemed to knit an entire city together. At a time of universal concern over several wars, various groups chose not to stage protests around the Marathon. He also enjoyed a dinner gathering of some of his longtime favorite marathon runners.Where to find “Running: State of the Sport” Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or Google Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, Search for “running state of the sport.”  With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links. Apple Spotify Audible Pandora Google Podcasts  "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. Audio engineering by BJ McGeever.

In this episode of "Running: State of the Sport," George and Amby chat with Rob Simmelkjaer, the CEO of the New York Road Runners, who of course are organizers of this coming weekend's TCS New York City Marathon. It's arguably the biggest, most globally recognized marathon in the world, and hence a hugely important event on the running calendar every year.  Rob tells us how to pronounce his last name--it's much easier than it looks--and explains what it has been like to take the helm at NY Road Runners. He has held the top position only since last January, so this is his first Marathon overseeing the entire event. Rob has had a long, wide-ranging careeer in other sports at ESPN and NBC, and explains what made him want to consider his new position in running. He also discusses frankly an area where he thinks those in the running world could do a better job: Telling stories and creating interest in the sport's fastest runners and biggest heroes.  After speaking with Rob, who is 51, Amby notes that he was impressed with Rob's recent Staten Island Half Marathon finish in 1:39. That indicates he's in as good shape as he was a decade ago when he finished the TCS NYC Marathon in 3:28. George was struck by what Rob said was his favorite part of the new job: Waiting at the finish to greet back of the pack runners and congratulate them on a job well done.

In this episode of "Running: State of the Sport," George and Amby chat with Merhawi Keflezighi, younger brother of Meb Keflezighi. "Hawi" is also an important agent-manager to top track and marathon elites. He fills us in on the current financial state of the sport--who’s earning significant money, and who’s not. He also proposes that every winner at the World Championships should receive a $1 million first-place prize. In an emotional retelling, he relives his brother’s famous win in the 2014 Boston Marathon--the year after the bombings. Before speaking with Merhawi, George and Amby discuss the amazing results at the Chicago Marathon. George notes that Kelvin Kiptum is only 23, and has only run 3 marathons (all in the last year). At Chicago, Kiptum borke the tape in a world record 2:00:35. In both of his last two marathons, he has run the second half in sub 60 minutes. Also Sifan Hassan has incredible range--from a 1:56 in the 800 meters to 2:13 in the marathon. It's hard to predict which events she will run next summer at the Paris Olympics. Amby talks about the age-group results at Chicago, including world records (3:34:32) by 75-year-old Jeannie Rice, and a 2:49:43 by 60-year-old Jenny Hitchings. Gene Dykes set an American record in the 75-79 age group (3:17:01), but fell 10+ minutes short of Ed Whitlock's world record 3:04.53.

In the third episode of "Running: State of the Sport," we chat with American marathon legend, Deena Kastor. Kastor took a bronze medal in the 2004 Athens Olympic Marathon, was outright winner of the Chicago and London Marathons, and also the first American female to break 2:20 in the marathon. And that's just for beginners. In addition, Kastor won 8 National Cross Country Championships, and still holds the American masters marathon record for women (2:27:47), set at the Chicago Marathon when she was 42. Kastor also wrote the best-selling memoir, Let Your Mind Run. Before speaking with Kastor, Amby and George discuss the amazing results from the Berlin Marathon, where Tigst Assafa set a world record, 2:11:53--that's 5:02 per mile pace! George believes there's plenty of reason to believe that Assafa has the talent and background to run so fast, while Amby remains a bit skeptical of her big breakthrough.  Both agreed on one thing, however: Eliud Kipchoge's victory in 2:02:42 marked a strong comeback from his disappointing sixth at Boston last April, and establishes him as the man to beat at the Paris Olympics next summer. Should Kipchoge succeed there, he'll become the first runner to win three successive Olympic Marathons.

In Episode 2 of the podcast, "Running: State of the Sport," we chatted with Mark Milde, race director of the Berlin Marathon. The 2023 Berlin race will be held on Sunday, September 24, with Eliud Kipchoge returning to his favorite course. In 2022, Kipchoge established the marathon world record in Berlin when he ran 2:01:09. Among other things, Milde talked about: * His family's long history with the Berlin Marathon, which was founded by his father, Horst, in 1974 * Many of the Berlin Marathon's primary attractions, including its famous tour of the city that was once divided into East and West Germany * The 9000 American runners who are entered in the Berlin Marathon * Why he believes Eliud Kipchoge is such a great marathon performer * Plans for the 50th running of the Berlin Marathon in 2024 In a discussion of recent running news, Amby and George discussed:  * A new running book on the famous 1984 Women's Olympic Marathon. George recalls a surprisingly fast 10-miler he ran with Joan Benoit Samuelson the morning after her dramatic victory. * The results of the New Haven 20K race, where several BYU graduates, Clayton Young and Connor Mantz, had strong performances. And it's only 5 months until the Olympic Marathon Trials early next Feb. Watch out for the BYU runners, coached by Ed Eyestone, himself a two-time Olympic marathoner. * Smiling. Yes, smiling! Amby notes that he saw more runners smiling on the starting line at the recent Budapest World Championships vs past Championships. And he explains why this might be a new trend among top athletes. To find "Running: State of the Sport," search your favorite smartphone podcast app for "running state of the sport." Available on Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, and Google Podcasts apps. Or go to one of these links to find it on the Web: Apple Spotify Audible Pandora Google "Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels. Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. Audio engineering by BJ McGeever.

In this episode we talk with Boston Marathon CEO Jack Fleming about * his main job responsibilities * his history with the BAA/Boston Marathon * the spirit and tradition of the Boston Marathon * where he was during the bomb blasts of 2013 * the significance of the 2014 Boston Marathon * his all-time favorite Boston races * what it was like to host Eliud Kipchoge last April * what happened when local police were called to confront Black cheer groups last April * what he says to Meb Keflezighi every time he sees Meb * and those famous/infamous Boston Marathon qualifying times