Marathon Talk

Latest Episodes:

E11: Alfred Scaletta - The 6 Star Finisher 46 Years in the Making Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

The final stretch of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships race in Bathurst was fraught with drama, and with the marathon route in Budapest revealed, it's a big week in the running world.

We've got a ram-packed episode of Marathon Talk this week with a look at the all-important long run in your marathon training, and the single fall that cost the Bathurst race.

On top of all the news and training talk, we have a fantastic interview with the incredible Alfred Scaletta who's set to finish his 72nd marathon in Tokyo as a 6 Star Finisher, 46 years after his first Chicago.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - Catching up on the previous fortnight, including a heartwarming bike ride for a friend with an unfortunate, recent diagnosis
10:20 - We bring all the news from Bathurst's dramatic World Cross Country Championships
28:45 - Training Talk: we look at the long run, and how you can experiment with it to improve your race day
37:10 - Alfred Scaletta shares his 72 marathons' experience, 46 year journey to a 6 Star medal, and lucky escape from the tragic events of Boston 2013
1:05:30 - Wrapping up with well-wishes for those noble Tokyo marathoners in March

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/

E10: Mary Ngugi, Marathoner and Founder of Nala Track Club Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

Mary Ngugi is not only an accomplished marathoner, but a force of nature, a catalyst for change, and an inspiration both throughout her racing and beyond.

Having launched Nala Track Club, she's creating opportunities for young girls in Kenya with the potential to achieve similar success.

We hear from Mary on the podcast this week, as we also take a look at the stellar elite field for London, Tokyo's record-breaking run next month, and how much race pace you're really sacrificing by missing out on training sessions.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - Martin & Deena catch up and share their experiences with unique run plans and strength training
13:43 - Rounding up news on the recently announced elite field for April's TCS London Marathon, and Tokyo's Guinness World Record-breaking run next month
21:10 - Training Talk: New research on how much impact a run of consistent missed sessions can have on final race pace
29:05 - Mary Ngugi's inspiring interview, discussing her start in distance running, advantages of training as a team, and remarkable activism work with Nala Track Club & Women's Athletic Alliance
1:01:00 - Closing out with celebrations for two important, special birthdays

E9: Gary Laybourne, AWMM Age Group World Champion Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

For anyone needing inspiration to smash a PB this year, the story of the 2022 AWMM 40-44 Age Group World Champion is one to behold.

The race was only Gary Laybourne's fourth marathon, and he came home in a stellar 2:21:07 - it's a privilege to hear from him on this week's Marathon Talk, as he shares his background in triathlon, and the training that helped him fulfil his potential.

Also in episode 9, it's time to build patient progress in February if you're lining up an April race, we cover some record breaking news from two incredible Aussies, and mull over a shocking start to the recent Valencia 10k.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - Cold running essentials, the shocking start to Valencia's recent 10k, two Australian women's new records, and much more
17:20 - Training Talk, covering the lead up to a spring race with a look at how your February, March and April should be shaping up and where to focus
25:30 - A conversation with the AWMM Age Group World Champion, Gary Laybourne about his remarkable entry into the marathon scene, charitable work with Coach Core, and specific sessions that help him maximise his potential
48:40 - Rounding up the episode with a look at the new Majors magazine

E8: Emily Sisson, US Marathon Record-Holder and Olympian Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

It's a new year, and Marathon Talk is starting strong with a record-holding star whose standout performance in Chicago set the US marathon record - Emily Sisson.

This episode is PERFECT for shaking off the post-Christmas dust, as we hear from Emily how she trains to achieve her stunning results, and Martin & Deena run through how to pick a running plan that works for you!

All this, and more on Sydney's push to secure Kipchoge for their 2024 race, a beloved Boston canine spectator, and the close of the Age Group World Rankings.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - Rounding up the winter break, news on Sydney's 2024 race, and the Spencer the Golden Retriever's latest battle
13:30 - Training talk; how to find a training plan that works for you, whatever event you're planning to build up to
33:00 - US record-holder Emily Sisson on owning your training plan, how to uphold good habits, her staggering Chicago run, and buildup to the Boston Half
1:02:30 - Closing out the show with some final tips on maintaining motivation in the dark, cold, rainy months

E7: Preparing for Running Success in 2023 Dec 30, 2022

Show notes

You don't need to have set personal best times this year to find a success story, and it's those success stories that'll help drive you to glory in 2023.

The year's end marks a wonderful time for Martin and Deena to look back over 2022, and help you use your highlights, achievements, struggles and ambitions to plan for a marvellous year ahead!

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

7:30: How Deena reflected on her performances during her most successful seasons
10:45: The questions you should ask yourself to extract the most value from the past year
26:15: Projecting forward and setting your sights on success in 2023
31:20: A very special 6 Questions for a 6 Star Finisher
32:50: Highlighting the staggering number of national records set this year, and wrapping up the running year

E6: JohnBoy Smith, Commonwealth Gold Medal-Winning Paralympian Dec 16, 2022

Show notes

Success isn't earned by deep pockets, but by heart, determination and mindset. Such is the winning mentality of Commonwealth gold medallist, JohnBoy Smith.

Recalling his call-up for Team GB in Tokyo and some of the greatest challenges he's overcome, JohnBoy joins us for a fascinating discussion in the latest episode of Marathon Talk.

We also take a look at the fastest ever 2nd half run in Valencia, the scintillating European Cross Country race in Turin, and how Boston is set to tee up a clash of the titans between Kipchoge and Chebet.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - Adverse weather running and England's recent world cup woes
6:00 - Rounding up Valencia's fastest ever second half, and the exhilarating European Cross Country in Turin
20:05 - Team GB's JohnBoy Smith on winning Commonwealth Gold, finding sources of drive & inspiration, and accessibility for budding young wheelchair athletes
53:30 - 6 Q's with a 6 Star Finisher, and preparing to reflect on 2022

E5: Gina Little, The World's Oldest Female 6 Star Finisher Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

Gina Little is a true inspiration, and a lesson in longevity, having achieved her 6 Star Finisher's medal at 77 years young! She carries with her the true spirit of the sport, and stories of such a strong running community.

We hear from Gina having completed her 602nd marathon, plus a roundup of stories including the life-saving marathoner, an intriguing sub-3:30 time set while chain smoking, and how to use cross country in your spring marathon build up.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - Deena's recent Mammoth Turkey Trot, and the World Cup rivalry across the pond
7:30 - A roundup of a remarkable chain smoking marathoner, real life superhero saving two lives in the Monterey Half Marathon, a huge incident in Troy, and how to use cross country in your marathon prep
21:20 - The oldest 6 Star Finisher, Gina Little, on her 600+ marathons, affinity to London's race, and the secrets to her longevity
51:10 - 6 questions for a 6 Star Finisher, and looking forward to the holidays with the 12-day Christmas Tree running challenge

E4: Ben Wickham, Sky Sports' Director of Creative Output Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

The TCS New York City Marathon is not an easy run at the best of times, but this year's race gave us some outstanding performances amid the gruelling, humid conditions.

One man who'll attest to the difficulty is this week's podcast guest, the fantastic Ben Wickham - Director of Creative Output at Sky Sports! We hear from him about his running journey, the holistic pleasures of marathoning, and how we can tell better stories within the sport.

Elsewhere, we round up the best performances from that race, a cracking fundraising debut for Ashton Kutcher, and the curious cheating tale of a tram-travelling policeman…

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - Breaking down Deena's commentating experience in NYC, and top performances from that humid race
25:30 - The most bizarre marathon cheating stories
30:15 - Ben Wickham on the holistic pleasures of marathoning, what makes NYC a gruelling route, and how we can better tell the compelling stories of marathon runners
58:00 - This week's 6 questions for a 6 Star Finisher

E3: Edna Kiplagat, Two-Time Marathon World Champion Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

In any sport it's ideal to learn from the very best, and as a two-time Marathon World Champion and three-time Abbott World Marathon Majors series winner, it's hard to find better than Edna Kiplagat.

Labelled the 'Queen of Persistence' by Outside Magazine, the strength of her mindset is equalled by her consistent success throughout the years.

On Marathon Talk this week, we hear what drives Edna's stunning performances, round up the recent Valencia Half Marathon and upcoming NYC Marathon, and share AWMM's exciting initiative to support 2,000 runners on their 6 Star journey!

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - Rounding up news from Toronto, Frankfurt, and the blisteringly fast Valencia Half Marathon
23:00 - The incredible Edna Kiplagat on the preparation, motivation, consistency and persistence behind her continued success
50:00 - 6 questions with featured 6 Star Finisher Martin Cauldwell
51:10 - Closing out with a look forward to New York, and training plans to suit the winter season

E2: Chicago's Blistering Races, Marcel Hug's Domination, and Chicago Winner Susannah Scaroni on the Evolution of Wheelchair Racing Oct 21, 2022

Show notes

We've seen the back of a triple header that's one of the busiest marathon seasons for a mighty long time, and there's plenty of superlative performances to pick out.

Ruth Chepng'etich ran the 2nd fastest time in women's marathon history and Marcel Hug's emphatic racing continues, but it's the ultimate pleasure to speak with Susannah Scaroni after her first Chicago Women's Wheelchair Race win!

Join Martin & Deena on Marathon Talk for all this, and much more on the busy past and exciting future of the sport.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - Wrapping up the busiest triple weekend of remarkable racing with last week's Chicago Marathon
19:00 - Alex Williams shares the heartwarming stories from recent races that exemplify the best of our running community
31:00 - Deena interviews Chicago winner Susannah Scaroni on her optimism, motivations, and how the wheelchair sport could continue evolving
1:14:00 - Spotlight on a 6 Star Finisher, and peering into the crystal ball for November's NYC Marathon

Photo credit: Getty Sport

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