Marathon Talk

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/  

Running is for everyone, and there are few flying the flag higher for that than the incredible Marcus Brown. From 4:55 finishes to Co-Founding his own running club championing diverse backgrounds in the running community, his is a voice worth amplifying as he joins us on this week’s episode of Marathon Talk! Also on the show, Martin recalls his recent triathlon triumphs, we highlight some blistering Diamond League performances, and there’s controversy around the UK’s Olympic selections… In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - At the top of the show we look back on Martin’s triathlon triumphs in Swanage last week, and Deena’s plans to get running back on the agenda 11:20 - We round up a blistering Paris Diamond League which set records, the latest from the US Olympic Trials, and controversy around the UK’s picks and omissions 22:35 - Training Talk this week is a speedy one, literally! Learn to get some speed into legs that are used to plodding, and learn why it’s so important to do speed sessions 29:50 - Marcus Brown joins us to share his journey with running, its greatest gift to him, and the inspirational work he’s doing with Co-Founding the One Percent Running Club   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/ Marcus Brown: https://www.instagram.com/marcus_runs/?hl=en One Percent Running Club: https://www.onepercentrunningclub.com/ https://www.instagram.com/p/C9C1dQxt60t/  

The Marathon Des Sables in the Sahara Desert is among the toughest feats any runner can achieve, and fresh from a Top 50 finish is the remarkable Chris Slater. It’s a privilege and a pleasure to speak with him on this week’s Marathon Talk - his recovery from addiction has led him on an endurance running journey from which we can’t help but be inspired. Elsewhere in the show, we put the spotlight on Russ Cook for his next adventure, track & field taking centre stage at the next Olympics, and a curious new dating-running series… In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Kicking things off, Martin and Deena round up their fortnight watching the riveting US Olympic trials, and how they’ve been exploring different running formats 12:00 - All the latest in the running world sees a new challenge for the Hardest Geezer Russ Cook, track & field taking top billing in L.A, and a new, faster way to go dating… 23:45 - Chris Slater is our incredible guest this week, with not only an inspirational story overcoming addiction, but in doing so he’s an 81 time marathon finisher and is fresh from a remarkable 250km Marathon Des Sables 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/ https://www.instagram.com/wmmajors/ Martin Yelling: https://www.instagram.com/martinyelling/ Deena Kastor: https://www.instagram.com/deena8050/ Chris Slater: https://www.instagram.com/chrisslaterrr/  

The AbbottWMM MTT Age Group World Championships are nearly upon us - are you ready for the blazing fast field lining up in Sydney? This week’s Marathon Talk is your chance to put that to the test, as Danny Coyle returns to the podcast as quizmaster, bringing us the stellar stats for those toeing the line in September. Elsewhere in the running world, we bring you the latest from a record-setting NCAA Championships, the rapid racing we saw in Rome last week, and why Boston’s ‘Spike’ is getting a makeover… In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Martin & Deena kick off with each others’ chaotic camping stories, and the latest on Martin’s road to recovery 10:35 - We round up this week’s news, from a historical NCAA win for Louis Hinchcliffe, the scintillating performances from the European Championships, and Boston’s mascot makeover 21:30 - The stats team at Abbott World Marathon Majors has pulled some remarkable facts to prepare you for this year’s Age Group World Championships lineup, and Danny Coyle joins us for a play-along pub quiz spotlighting some of the most incredible performers to toe the line in Sydney 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/

When LA saw the first ever Olympic women’s marathon champion, it was none other than this week’s Marathon Talk guest who crossed the line first - Joan Benoit Samuelson.   An icon in the sport and Deena’s greatest mentor, she joins us on the podcast this week to share her remarkable relationship with the sport, and the power of storytelling within it.    Elsewhere in the show, the Diamond League gives us record-breaking runs and a tantalising preview of Paris, while Training Talk is all about refinding your speed this summer!   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Martin & Deena return to share their holiday weekend escapades, riding adventures, and how Martin is ‘irritating George Clooney’ 5:15 - In the news this week, we recap the Diamond League’s biggest stories, from the new Women’s 10,000m record to the Kerr vs Ingebrigtsen tussle, and how it all points towards an unmissable Paris 2024 20:45 - Training Talk is timely as ever this week, with a look over how to redefine your legs over the summer break, and refinding your pace as a way to prepare for the marathon season ahead 27:35 - The indomitable Joan Benoit Samuelson is our very special guest as we chat to her about the camaraderie en route to becoming 1984’s Olympic Champion, Joan’s love for storytelling in the sport, and her journey to achieving her 6th Star - plus so much more! 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/

What better time to exhibit the extraordinary mental benefits of running than during Mental Health Awareness Week. That’s been a huge focus for this week’s Marathon Talk guest, Runner’s World’s Mallory Creveling, who’s been working on a must-read piece of work on wellness - ‘The Runner’s World Guide to Mental Health’. Learn more on this week’s podcast, where we also share the best path to recovery from unexpected injuries, peek ahead at Bekele vs Kipchoge, and bring you some superb 6 Star Stats. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - At the top of the show we check in with Martin & Deena’s recent antics, from Deena’s L.A. trip to Martin’s camping escapades and an unfortunate injury 6:15 - In the news this week, we FINALLY get a preview on Bekele vs Kipchoge at Paris 2024, some shocking revelations about Kipchoge’s recent abuse, and we crunch the numbers on the 6 Star Statistics from the past season 19:50 - Training Talk this week hits a personal point for Martin, with the best methods for recovery if you’ve picked up an unexpected niggle 27:50 - Runner’s World Deputy Editor of Health & Fitness Mallory Creveling joins Deena to share their remarkable recent work for mental health, and Mallory’s own journey discovering the mental benefits of running 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/

What a story Anya Culling written, from humble beginnings to the elite field in a matter of years. She plans to continue her upward trajectory as her tale was one of so many stunning performances from the recent TCS London Marathon! Anya joins us as we debrief a weekend that gave us a new women’s-only WR, a moving success story for friend of the show Sam Perkins, and Training Talk tackles the three things EVERYONE should do after a spring marathon… In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - We intro the show with some personal stories away from the sharp end of the London Marathon field, like Sam Perkins’ emotionally charged triumph and Martin’s tips for ‘calf-wrestling’ 9:35 - It’s a packed roundup this week, with a world record-setting performance from Peres Jepchirchir, a stunning showing with two British men in the top 4, and so much more 28:40 - Training Talk is short and sweet this week, with three quickfire things that any runner should do in the wake of a spring marathon 31:45 - The marvellous Anya Culling talks us through the journey from a 2019 first-timer to becoming one of Britain’s fastest women in the 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/

All that running does for wellbeing is well-documented, but Helen Thorn’s marathon journey is an uplifting reminder to us all.   In the wake of a divorce, it became a central tenet to her mental health - now it’s central to her huge goal this year to run Boston and London back to back!   This week’s Marathon Talk shines a light on the mental wellness that so many find in running, we celebrate Jasmin Paris’ stellar Berkley Marathon performance, and Training Talk tackles the tailored tips to a flawless race in Boston.   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - We kick off with a poignant recording period for Deena in preparation for Mental Health Awareness Month, and Martin hails the UK’s recent sunny spells 6:40 - Rounding off recent stories, we praise Jasmin Paris’ world-first performance in the infamous Barkley Marathon, cover the East African dominance at World Cross, and look ahead to Boston’s promising race 18:10 - Training Talk: Boston Edition! Deena shares her invaluable experience for those now entering their taper stage for the race on April 15th 22:35 - Helen Thorn joins us in a heartfelt discussion on the power that running has for mental wellbeing, her journey from beginner to marathon finisher, and how she’ll take on the huge feat of Boston and London back to back 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/

This week’s guest needs no introduction to Deena - he’s her coach, her husband, and now a Boston Marathon qualifier after an admirable performance in LA. It’s a joy to catch up with Coach Kastor fresh from his 3 hour and 13 minute run as he shares the unique experience of coaching himself, his best recovery tips, and how to prepare your training cycle for a marathon far into the future. Elsewhere in the show we spotlight a stacked field for the upcoming London Marathon, and in Training Talk we guide you through the do’s and don’ts of the final phase of your training. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:45 - Deena and Martin catch up on the last two weeks, from the LA Marathon and speaking at UCLA, to Martin’s Purbeck Loop and a sweary sheep-herding story, plus coverage of a staggering new World Record 9:50 - We bring the latest on a London Marathon field that’s absolutely stacked with elite runners, and a men’s lineup which will bring us a first-time champion 20:00 - Training Talk this week focuses on the do’s and don’ts in the late stages of prep, why ‘less is best’ at this point, and the unexpected power of doing a ‘kit lay’ 29:10 - Deena’s coach and husband, Andrew Kastor, takes us through his recent LA Marathon experience, how he coaches himself through races, his top recovery advice, and how to build a training schedule to target a marathon 12 months out 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/

Marathons form very unique bonds within the running community, but when your life is in your guide’s hands it’s truly a bond like no other. That’s where Six Star hopeful Mark Rogerson’s story sheds light on the joys of running - he joins us on this week’s Marathon Talk fresh from a PB-setting Tokyo race with guide runner Katie Garrity. Join us this week as we round off all the other stories from the first Abbott World Marathon Major of the year, from surprising slow runs, to sprint-finish drama in the Women’s Wheelchair race. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Martin and Deena kick things off with a retrospective on the Indoor Athletics World Championships, and Martin’s endeavours to dust off the road bike in spite of some savage weather conditions 8:55 - We round up the hottest news from the first Abbott World Marathon Major of the season, with shock slumps from Kipchoge and Hassan, the sprint finish in the Women’s Wheelchair race, and the 2,628 runners earning their sixth Star 22:20 - Training Talk this week tackles the vital final five weeks of race prep, and the emphasis on nailing that all-important final long run 29:10 - Mark Rogerson and Katie Garrity talk us through the complexities of training on opposite sides of the Atlantic, their emotional Tokyo experience, and how they’ll take on that all-important sixth 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/

The 6 Star Journey is for all of us, and nobody shouts that louder than an amazing woman who recently earned the 6 Star Finisher’s medal for herself - Alexandria Williams.   She joins us in an inspirational episode of Marathon Talk, which sees the return of Martin in the co-hosting seat, a wild World Record set in high heels, and murmurings of Martin’s next race…   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - We herald Martin’s return with a look at his and Deena’s contrasting camping escapades, connecting with nature through running, and the Women’s World Cup 10:50 - Rounding up the World Athletics Championships’ dramatic Women’s 10,000m, warming up for this weekend’s race in Budapest, and a new high heeled World Record 25:25 - Alexandria Williams shares the inspirational journey she’s taken to becoming a 6 Star Finisher, and the importance of the running community   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/  

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/

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/

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/