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Deena Kastor & Martin Yelling

Marathon Talk has returned in 2022 as part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors family. Hosted by Martin Yelling and the great Deena Kastor, every two weeks we'll bring you news, views and some amazing guest interviews from across the world of marathons and running.

Marathon Talk

Record-breaking debutants, speedy teens and iconic Six Star Finishers - we have it all in this week’s Marathon Talk!
 
 
 
Among all the world-best performances from the lilies of Sabastian Sawe and Gout Gout, we’re joined in this episode by the iconic Tommie Runz off the back of running all six Majors this year.
 
 
 
Tune in to catch his take on the Majors circuit and representing his community, while we also cover Valencia’s rapid performances, a thrilling cross country title, and much more…
 
 
 
In this episode of Marathon Talk:
 
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0:00 - We have a brief catchup with Deena and Martin on their discipline challenges, and an underwhelming USA vs England women’s match at Wembley
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6:10 - We have a new fastest debutant, a new fastest teenager in the world, a new Female Athlete of the Year, and questions over Ingebritsen’s future
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22:00 - Tommie Runz joins us to talk 6 Stars, which was his favourite, the hero that is Ted Metelles, his journey to sobriety, and representing so many communities
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 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/
 
Tommie Runz
 
https://www.tommierunz.com/
 
https://www.instagram.com/tommie_runz/

E59: Tommie Runz - 6 Star Finisher in a Single Season

It’s the last show of the year, so what better way to round off 2024 than with a look at 2024’s most memorable moments!
 
In celebration of Sydney’s 7th Star status, we’ve hand-picked 7 standout stories; from remarkable Six Star Finishers to blistering records, we’ve been treated to a stellar year for the sport.
 
Join Martin and Deena one last time, for the very best of 2024!
 
In this episode of Marathon Talk:
 
 • 

0:00 - For the final time this year, we hear how Martin and Deena are rounding off 2024 and preparing for the Christmas period - training or otherwise…
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15:30 - We run down the 7 biggest moments of the running year, from Ruth’s record-breaking race and Chris Nikic’s heroism, to Sydney’s finest hour and Sifan Hassan’s incredible gold medal
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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/

E60: The 7 Best Running Moments of 2024

All-time best lineups, exclusive news, and Paula Radcliffe herself on Marathon Talk? We couldn’t start 2025 any better, could we…
 
Paula Radcliffe MBE is our very first guest on the show, talking to us ahead of her majestic marathon return! She’s taking on Tokyo and Boston, the latter of which has a stacked elite field… or so we thought, til London unveiled their roster.
 
Get the jump on two of the most anticipated races in a generation, with one of the most iconic runners of a generation, on episode 61 of Marathon Talk.
 
In this episode of Marathon Talk:
 
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0:00 - We kick off the first show of the year checking in on Deena’s discipline, and set our goals for the year ahead
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12:45 - Boston and London have released their incredibly competitive elite fields, so we sift through the contenders who might take victory in these stellar fields
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33:50 - Marathon icon and former World Record Holder Paula Radcliffe MBE is our very special guest, sharing the first steps on her marathon return, Six Star ambitions, and what she’s looking forward to most about taking on Boston & Tokyo
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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/

E61: Paula Radcliffe MBE - Former Women’s World Record Holder

With a huge marathon season fast-approaching, it’s time to ask: Are you Race Ready?
 
Our special guest on Marathon Talk this week, Tim Good, is behind a new, free app that promises to help avoid the unfortunate circumstances that led to the loss of his brother in 2011, and the story behind its development is a remarkable one.
 
Join us this week as we also dive into the latest announcements for Tokyo’s elite field, share a mind-numbing treadmill World Record, and weigh in on a socks-and-sandals race-winner…
 
In this episode of Marathon Talk:
 
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0:00 - Martin & Deena catch up on skiing escapades, the dire running weather in the UK, and the joys of heated running wear
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10:30 - The news roundup this week features Tokyo’s elite field, which remains stellar even in spite of London and Boston’s fields, plus a new treadmill WR and Barnabas Kiplimo’s ‘super sandals’
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29:40 - Tim Good joins us to share the story behind the loss of his brother, and the long journey that the Matthew Good Foundation has taken to make race preparation safer for all
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 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/

E62: Tim Good - Race ready

From mental health advocate triathletes to parkrun romantics to World Record teens, we’ve an absolutely packed episode of Marathon Talk this week!
 
On episode 63, Martin & Deena bring us the latest on World Indoor Records that have been shattered, a New Zealand teen taking on Jakob Ingebritsen’s milestones, and we share YOUR stories of matchmaking on the move.
 
Meanwhile, it’s a privilege to hear from Raymond Braun, as he opens up about his mental health struggles, the endurance feats that are helping him overcome them, and his marvellous mental health work with Olympians.
 
In this episode of Marathon Talk:
 
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0:00 - Martin & Deena catch up on birthday celebrations, seasonal training, Deena’s discipline, and how to stay motivated in your training
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7:40 - The latest news this week brings us a new World Indoor Record in the 3,000m, a new World Age Group Record for Sam Ruthie, and we share YOUR stories finding love on the run
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18:40 - Training Talk is back! With Tokyo round the corner, we bring you tips on how the final weeks pre-race should look, and how to taper and rest up for a perfect race day
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27:35 - The incredible Raymond Braun joins us to share the role of endurance athletics in his mental health recovery journey, the remarkable 777 Triathlon Challenge, and his role as mental health correspondent at the Olympic Games
 • 
 

 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/
 
Raymond Braun
 
https://www.instagram.com/raymondbraun/

E63: Raymond Braun - Endurance Athlete & Mental Health Correspondent

COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, but that’s not stopped Russell Winwood from a stellar journey to his Six Star Medal.
 
 
 
He’s our inspirational guest on this week’s Marathon Talk, taking us through his battle with the relatively unknown lung disease.
 
 
 
Join us for this episode, as we also round up all the latest in the running world - from Jacob Kiplimo’s blistering half-marathon WR, to a milestone moment for our Six Star Finishers this weekend in Tokyo!
 
 
 
In this episode of Marathon Talk:
 
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0:00 - We kick off this week with a catch up that takes us through cross country comps, birthdays, and Martin’s map-mishaps
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7:40 - The London elite field is looking racier off the back of Jacob Kiplimo’s new half-marathon WR, so we look ahead to weigh up his chances, set our sights on Tokyo’s race this weekend, and share the huge milestone for AWMM’s Six Star Finishers
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22:30 - Russell Winwood talks us through his battles with COPD, the third leading cause of death in the world, and how he’s overcome the odds to become a Six 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/
 
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/
 
Russell Winwood
 
https://copdathlete.com/
 
Russell’s Six Star Story
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSDX_4UUBZY

E64: Russell Winwood - The COPD Athlete

An unseasonably hot 69 Farenheit couldn’t stop over 36 thousand athletes taking on Tokyo, and this week on Marathon Talk we’ve all the star-studded stories from the week!
 
 
 
Between the elite winners half a minute ahead of their rivals, Paula Radcliffe & Harry Styles’ stellar efforts, and this week’s guest Adele Roberts securing another star on her Six Star Journey, you won’t want to miss this jam-packed episode of Marathon Talk!
 
 
 
In this episode of Marathon Talk:
 
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0:00 - We catch up with Martin’s tempo running, a dodgy achilles, and Deena’s run-in with a delighted Marathon Talk listener in Lake Tahoe
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3:45 - All the big stories from Tokyo, from the elite fields beating the heat and the hometown hero in the men’s wheelchair race, to Paula Radcliffe’s majestic return and the >2.5k athletes receiving a Six Star Medal in Japan
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10:00 - We play a game of ‘Higher or Lower’ with Deena, all based around one of the world’s biggest stars’ finishing time in Tokyo - Harry Styles’ 3:24:07
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14:00 - Broadcaster, Runner and Author Adele Roberts is our inspiring guest this week, talking us through her recovery from bowel cancer, the failures that’ve tallied up to her marathon successes, and her ambitions to set a new Guinness World Record
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39:15 - A new section to the show, we share notes from the fabulous members of our community who took to the streets of Tokyo and flew their way through the finishing line
 • 
 

 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/
 
Adele Roberts
 
https://www.instagram.com/adeleroberts/

E65: Adele Roberts - The Talk From Tokyo

Rethink your marathon nutrition, because we’re debunking some of the biggest fueling myths with Six Star Finisher and Nutritionist, Meghann Featherstun!
 
 
 
She joins us in a packed Marathon Talk to help you unlock your full potential on your next long run, plus we cover the running world’s biggest news from London’s 56,000 strong lineup, to the GOAT’s return down under, and a race for our robot overlords in Beijing…
 
 
 
In this episode of Marathon Talk:
 
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3:30 - The big news this week features Eliud Kipchoge’s appearance at Sydney’s first Major, a ‘race that eats its young’, London’s record-breaking lineup, a robot race in Beijing, and much more
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19:15 - Meghann Featherstun, nutritionist and Six Star Finisher, debunks the biggest carbo loading myths, guides us through proper fuelling, and shares recovery strategies to nail your next long run
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46:30 - Notes from our community this week include Rome Marathon finishers Davina and Josh, and a statement of intent from regional listener Brian
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 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/
 
Meghann Featherstun
 
https://www.featherstonenutrition.com/
 
https://www.instagram.com/featherstonenutrition/
 
Marcel Altenburg on Crowd Control 
 
 https://wmmajors.shorthandstories.com/majors-issue-9/crowd-pleaser/index.html
 
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/

E66: The Ultimate Guide to Marathon Nutrition with Six Star Finisher & Nutritionist, Meghann Featherstun

It’s race week for the Majors, and we’re kicking off a stellar double header with a trip to the fabled grounds of Boston!
 
 
 
We have the lowdown on defending champions in Hellen Obiri and Sisay Lemma, Catherine Debrunner’s potential course record clean-sweep, and former Boston Champion Meb Keflezighi shares his top tips for taking on the Boston course.
 
 
 
In this episode of Marathon Talk:
 
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0:00 - Martin & Deena catch up on their spring motivations, and preparations for Boston & London
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5:00 - We round up the big stories ahead of Boston, from the defending champions and a potential clean sweep of course records, to Marcel Hug’s 8th possible win at Boston
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13:35 - Statman Stew joins us for some exclusive statistics for the Boston race, including the 1,585 6 Star hopefuls, 3 birthday runners, and 2 new countries to give us first-time 6 Star Finishers
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24:45 - ‘Marathon Meb’ recounts his experience with the Boston course, and shares his top tips on how you can make your way to Boyleston Street running your very best
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55:05 - Our notes from the community this week are predictions of their finish times in Boston - we wish them luck, and promise a prize to whoever is closest to their predicted time
 • 
 

 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/
 
Meb Keflezighi
 
https://www.instagram.com/runmeb/

E67: The Champion’s Secret to Beating the Boston Marathon with 2014 Champion Meb Keflezighi

Welcome to a truly jam-packed episode of Marathon Talk this week, where we bring you all of the news from a thrilling weekend of racing at the Boston Marathon. From John Korir’s incredible comeback after a shocking start-line tumble to Sharon Lokedi’s course record.
 
 
 
We then head across the Atlantic to a preview of this weekend’s TCS London Marathon, featuring an insane elite field that includes Eliud Kipchoge, Sifan Hassan and a potential world record showdown. 
 
 
 
Plus we have an exclusive interview with Spencer Barden, Head of Elite Athletes at London Marathon Events, the mastermind behind assembling these Marathon stars. 
 
 
 
In this episode of Marathon Talk:
 
 
 
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0:00 - Martin & Deena share their personal running updates including spring weather, stargazing and hill-training
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4:31 - Boston Marathon Review: We discuss the unique features of Boston such as the finish line area, pop-up shops and competitive nature. 
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11:21 - Men’s Race Highlights including John Korir’s back-to-back wins.
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13:03 - Women’s Race Highlights including Sharon Lokedi’s course record.
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17:56 - Martin & Deena discuss the excitement surrounding the TCS London Marathon including the star-studded fields.
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24:53 - Spencer Barden: We meet the man responsible for the greatest marathon field we’ve ever seen, Head of Elite Athletes at London Marathon Events. 
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49:45 - Our notes from the community this week include a review of Boston race times, a prize for a lucky listener and another opportunity to be a winner!
 • 
 

 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/
 
Spencer Barden
 
https://x.com/spencerb1973
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-barden-0b051653/

E68: Meet The Man Responsible For The Greatest Marathon Field We’ve Ever Seen: Spencer Barden

On this week’s show we speak to the senior sports reporter at the Guardian, Sean Ingle about the ongoing Salazar scandal. Mary Keitany is back on top. Wilson Kipsang isn’t. Bro probably was. We remember Australian distance legend Ron Clarke and speak to Emmerdale actress Michelle Hardwick who is doing her first ever 10k in Leeds.

Episode 285 - Sean Ingle and Michelle Hardwick

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