Marathon Handbook Podcast

This week Michael, Alex, and Katelyn dig into the mailbag for some of the toughest questions runners face: how much you can realistically improve in six months before a goal marathon, whether it's insane to run two World Marathon Majors a month apart, finding a super shoe that won't aggravate a bad knee, and more. Plus, Michael gets called out (fairly) for some inaccurate comments about the Glass City Marathon.Chapters:0:00 Intro6:34 Momentous Sponsor8:42 Back from the break9:20 Mailbag: super shoes for a bad knee33:12 Lagoon Sponsor34:51 Back from the break35:24 Voice note: running two World Marathon Majors in a month52:48 Join Marathon Handbook RunClub56:12 Back from the break56:26 Mailbag: chasing a sub-3 marathon1:22:52 Mailbag: a comfier race day shoe1:30:46 Correcting our Glass City Marathon comments1:37:16 Mailbag: adding volume to a sub-20 5K plan1:43:17 Wrap upSUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://⁠livemomentous.comLagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better. Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclubMarathon Handbook merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.comGot a question for the show? Email [email protected] or leave us a voice note at speakpipe.com — we might play it on the pod.Brad Stulberg's book on excellence:https://marathonhandbook.com/how-brad-stulbergs-books-on-excellence-inspired-kipchoges-and-sawes-marathon-world-records/

This week on the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael, Katelyn, and Alex kick things off with a recap of Alex's busy wedding weekend on Prince Edward Island, complete with a surprise timed 5K. Then it's into a full Q&A covering some of our most-requested topics: how to fit marathon training into a packed schedule as a working parent, building a smart long-term plan toward a Boston Qualifier, what a "rocker profile" actually does in a super shoe, and whether a declining VO2 max means your marathon days are numbered as you age.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:36 Alex Cyr's Wedding Weekend Recap17:37 Sponsor: Lagoon Sleep Pillows19:18 Back From Break / How to Submit Questions20:26 Q&A: Marathon Training With Kids & No Time to Spare33:34 Q&A: Long-Term Planning Toward a Boston Qualifier43:42 Q&A: What Is a Rocker Profile in Running Shoes?51:33 Q&A: Is Your VO2 Max Declining With Age?1:03:14 Run Club, Community & Wrap-UpSUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:Lagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better. Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclubMarathon Handbook merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.comGot a question for the show? Send a voice memo (90 seconds or less) with SpeakPipe at https://marathonhandbook.com/podcast/, or email us at [email protected].

This week on the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci tackle a stacked mailbag of running questions covering race-day super shoes, chronic blisters, heart rate confusion, and exactly how long your longest training run should be before marathon day.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://⁠livemomentous.comWe use RYTHM for easy, convenient blood tests. 15% OFF : https://RYTHM.HEALTH/MARATHON00:00 Intro: Alex's wedding vs. Canada's World Cup game08:08 Send us your questions09:51 Momentous Creatine (sponsor)12:00 Should you train in your race-day super shoes?20:56 Best shoe to break 20 minutes in the 5K26:30 Should you pause your watch during interval recoveries?35:22 Rhythm Health blood testing (sponsor)37:48 Urgent Shoe Stress: fixing chronic blisters47:43 Chinese running shoe brands: Xtep, Li-Ning, Anta58:30 Is my marathon heart rate too high?1:07:00 Heart rate vs. RPE for easy runs1:16:19 How long should your longest long run be?1:26:11 Run Club, merch, and what's coming next week

Randi Zuckerberg is best known as the sister of Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, but in the ultra running world, she's building a reputation entirely her own. After a 20-year running hiatus, Randi returned to the sport in 2023 and has since completed two Cocodona 250s, set the overall FKT on the Baja Sur Trail, and run a marathon PR at the Boston Marathon... all at age 44.In this episode, Jessy Carveth sits down with Randi to unpack her remarkable spring of racing, the mental and physical strategies behind her 10-hour Cocodona improvement, and how she balances life as an entrepreneur, mother of three, and elite ultra runner.Chapters:0:00 Teaser: Using AI and a donkey to solve a hydration crisis0:33 Intro — Who is Randi Zuckerberg?1:54 How the body is holding up after a jam-packed spring3:02 From Facebook Live pioneer to ultra runner4:14 Quick fire questions (coffee, road vs. trail, headphones)4:51 The 20-year running hiatus and comeback story8:38 Why an entrepreneur's mindset is perfect for ultra running11:31 The Double Boston: 5K with her son + marathon PR16:12 Cocodona 250 Year 2: How she cut 10+ hours off her time19:29 Sleep strategy: 40 hours awake, 125 miles before first rest23:23 The darkest moments of the race — and how she got through them27:30 Recovery, a torn hip labrum, and unorthodox Cocodona training30:34 The Baja Sur Trail FKT — and the donkey water station39:30 Balancing training with motherhood and entrepreneurship43:24 Fueling for 250-mile ultras (Coca-Cola as a health food)47:14 Shoes, Mount to Coast, and getting brother Mark Zuckerberg to try them53:31 What's next: Badwater pacing, the Bronx perimeter, NYC Marathon55:57 Advice for runners in their 40s

How do you plan a running goal that's 2, 3, or even 5 years away and stay motivated long enough to hit it? This week, Michael Doyle and Katelyn Tocci answer listener questions on long-term goal setting for distance runners: the right mindset, how to structure your training years, and when to make the jump from half marathons to the full.0:00 Intro — Alex's Wedding Month & What's Coming8:23 This Week's Topic: Long-Term Goal Setting9:22 Sponsor: Lagoon Sleep Pillows11:13 How to Submit Your Questions12:35 Q1: Eric's Sub-2:58:50 Marathon Goal (Stockholm)31:33 Q2: Connor's 5-Year Great South Run Plan (Portsmouth)47:42 Q3: Megan's 3:45 Marathon Training Plan (Florida)58:32 Q4: George's Path From Half to Full Marathon (Denver)1:07:18 Outro, YouTube & Run Club UpdatesLagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better. Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match.Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠Join RunClub, sign up for our Newsletter, or Send Us a Voice Note: marathonhandbook.com

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the five biggest stories in the running world including a scary medical emergency involving one of the greatest track runners of all time, a jaw-dropping performance from an eighth grader, a Dutch marathon canceled over a fake paramedic scam, and why Berlin 2026 is shaping up to be the most anticipated marathon of the fall season.Chapters:0:00 Intro — Top 5 Running Stories of the Week1:27 Harry Styles Donates to Charity Runner Lawrence Dennis5:15 8th Grader Luke Surface Runs World Best 5K (14:25) at Hayward Field8:16 Dutch Sneak Marathon Canceled — Fake Paramedic Scam Exposed12:32 Tigst Assefa Returns to Berlin to Chase the Women's Marathon World Record20:40 Jenny Simpson's Medical Emergency at Sir Walter Miler — Latest Update23:58 The Running Story Is Getting Its Own Podcast Feed

The 2027 London Marathon has officially confirmed it will become a two-day event and Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth are breaking it all down in an emergency episode of The Running Story by Marathon Handbook.On Saturday, April 24th and Sunday, April 25th, 2027, London will host 100,000 runners across two days on the same course, making it the largest marathon event in history and the biggest fundraising event in UK sporting history.Chapters:0:00 — Breaking news: London Marathon goes to two days1:09 — What's confirmed: dates, format, course & ballot details2:26 — Why London made this move (1.33M applicants)5:19 — The logistics challenge & why it's framed as a one-off7:26 — Unanswered questions: charity bibs & international quotas9:08 — Elite field pressure after the historic sub-2 hour marathon9:57 — A landmark moment for women's marathon coverage12:03 — Elite wish lists: who needs to race London 202713:46 — The money behind running two World Marathon Major days15:00 — One-and-done or permanent? Jessy's take16:26 — Will New York, Chicago & other majors follow?19:13 — Audience question & wrap-up

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://⁠livemomentous.comWe use RYTHM for easy, convenient blood tests. 15% OFF : https://RYTHM.HEALTH/MARATHONThis week, Marathon Handbook news editor Jessy Carveth joins us to talk about everything you need to know to run your goal half marathon. Jessy is chasing a 1:27:30 at the Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon this October, and we used her season as the framework for a complete soup-to-nuts guide on how to run a goal half marathon.We cover everything: how to pick the right race, how to set A, B, and C goals based on where your fitness actually is, how long your training block should be, and what your weeks should look like. Alex reveals the threshold training hack he credits for his breakthrough half marathon in Houston. Katelyn puts her coach hat on and gives her honest assessment of Jessy's race-into-fitness approach. And... Jessy makes a surprisingly compelling case for doing things entirely her own way.Chapters:0:00 — Intro & Channel Updates4:27 — Ranking Our Favorite Race Distances14:30 — Sponsored by Momentous15:53 — How to Pick Your Goal Race25:29 — Setting Your Half Marathon Goals31:25 — Adjusting Goals Through Training38:51 — How Long Should You Train?44:49 — Sponsored by RYTHM47:24 — Half Marathon Training Basics54:03 — Jesse's Unorthodox Training Plan1:04:58 — Long Runs & Training Evaluation1:17:37 — Gear: Shoes1:25:52 — Gear: Socks & Watch1:27:24 — Race Weekend Nutrition1:31:05 — Warmup & Start Line Strategy1:38:26 — Pacing & The Hard Part1:41:45 — Training in the HeatEmail: ⁠[email protected]⁠Join Run Club and Send Us a Voice Note: marathonhandbook.com

A 13-year-old from Utah just broke a mile world record that had stood since 1973. Plus: Olympic triathlon gold medalists are hitting the track, a runner completed every single street in Chicago, Yomif Kejelcha could break the half marathon world record in Buenos Aires and the marathon lottery crisis is getting very real.Chapters:0:00 — Intro & show announcements2:53 — Story 1: 13-year-old Angelina Alder breaks 53-year-old mile world record5:13 — Story 2: Olympic triathlon champions Alex Yee & Cassandre Beaugrand go to the track7:35 — Story 3: Joabe Barbosa runs every street in Chicago (4,000 miles in 680 days)12:00 — Story 4: Yomif Kejelcha targets half marathon world record in Buenos Aires15:40 — Story 5: The marathon lottery crisis — Copenhagen, London & what's next20:38 — Outro

Jimmy Whelan raced the Giro d'Italia, wore the EF Education First jersey in the World Tour, and beat Pogačar in a U23 race. Then he broke his pelvis, lost his contract, and messaged his boss from a hospital bed in Europe to say he was done.Less than a year later, he ran a 61-minute half marathon on his professional running debut at Valencia, 13th on the Australian all-time list. He's now signed with Salomon, based in Barcelona, coached by Andy Henderson (also coach to Phil Sesemann), and openly chasing the Australian Olympic marathon team for LA 2028.In this episode, Jessy Carveth sits down with Jimmy to talk about:• Why he walked away from pro cycling after 8 years• How cycling built an engine that's tailor-made for the marathon• Training doubles, 200km+ weeks, and learning to manage load as a new runner• The Berlin half marathon blow-up and what he learned from failing publicly• His marathon debut plans and his 2028 Olympic ambitionsWhether you're a competitive runner, a cycling fan, or just love a great comeback story, this one's for you.

Why does every marathon training plan include so much easy, slow running — even when your goal pace is well over a minute faster per mile? This week, a question from listener Seth (a former pro cyclist chasing a sub-3 marathon) opens up one of our most useful conversations yet.SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: Lagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better. Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. Michael, Alex, and Katelyn break down the science behind easy running: zone 2, mitochondria, angiogenesis, the 80/20 rule, running economy, and why the world's best marathoners — including Eliud Kipchoge — run their easy days embarrassingly slow. They also share what easy running actually feels like in practice, how to gauge your effort without obsessing over pace, and why betraying the 80/20 rule is the fastest path to injury.Email: [email protected] Run Club and Send Us a Voice Note: marathonhandbook.comChapters:0:00 – Intro, Banter & What We're Covering18:07 – Listener Voice Note: Martina on German Pronunciation & NYC Events21:34 – Ad: Lagoon Sleep Pillows23:47 – Why You Must Run Slow to Race Fast (Main Topic)52:37 – Pronunciation Tangent: Capillaries, Claude & Canadian Quirks54:49 – Should You Race Again After a DNF? The Revenge Race Question1:05:55 – Outro & How to Connect With Us

It's official, and it's historic: the Cape Town Marathon has been named the 8th Abbott World Marathon Major — the first ever on the continent of Africa. In this surprise emergency episode, Michael Doyle and news editor Jesse Carveth break down the announcement the running world saw coming but couldn't stop talking about (00:37). They walk the full eight-major calendar from Tokyo to New York (01:28), make the case for why Africa was long overdue given that roughly 80% of the world's top 50 marathoners come from the continent (02:23), and explain what the new eight-star medal — and the provisional star for 2025 and 2026 entrants — means for star chasers (03:26).From there, the guys trace Cape Town's meteoric rise from ~16,000 to nearly 30,000 runners (03:59), revisit the brutal 2025 cancellation when severe winds stopped the race roughly 90 minutes before the gun (04:50), and unpack the 2027 ballot — open June 10, closing June 24 — including the decision to reserve two-thirds of entries for African runners (05:55). They dig into the Sanlam sponsorship extension (07:20) and ask the question on everyone's mind: with London drawing 1.4 million applicants, could Cape Town become the single hardest World Marathon Major to get into (08:20)?The conversation gets into the real reason so few races can join the club — the staggering cost of becoming a major, with even Valencia admitting it can't afford the leap (09:32) — plus entry prices (~$220 international vs. ~$48 local), Kipchoge's role as the ultimate ambassador, and how Cape Town defines its own character as a major (11:06). Finally, Michael and Jesse debate whether expansion waters down the brand or makes it truly global (16:18), and look ahead to Shanghai as the near-certain 9th major and the race for the 10th — South America, India, or the Middle East (19:30). They close on the big question: how long can the running boom keep this snowball rolling (22:31)?New episodes of The Running Story drop every Monday afternoon.

Alex Cyr and Alexis D'Souza are back for Episode 4 of For Better or For Worse, the show where a beginner runner and an elite runner chase goals together (and occasionally argue about hockey and boiled eggs).This week, Alexis just finished her biggest training week ever: 21.2km over four runs, but keeps getting post-run headaches. Alex breaks down the nutrition basics every new runner needs to know, from macronutrients and meal timing to electrolytes and why calories aren't the enemy.Plus: the running and alcohol conversation nobody wants to have, Alex's honest take on run club culture, a PB in the track 10K, and a hot debate on run/walk intervals vs. pushing through.Follow the show on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/alex.is.pod/Follow Alex:https://www.instagram.com/cyresy_10/Follow Alexis:https://www.instagram.com/alexisdsouza.to/Chapters:0:00 - Cold open: Too many metrics?1:00 - Intro & where we're at (7 weeks to the wedding)3:00 - Strava and the social pressure on new runners7:00 - Alexis's biggest running week ever: 21.2km9:00 - Why am I getting headaches after every run?12:00 - Running nutrition 101: macronutrients explained18:00 - Post-run fueling: what to eat and when22:00 - Should new runners track calories?25:00 - Metrics overload: what actually matters31:00 - Alex's track 10K recap: 29:27 PB!33:00 - Running and drinking: can you do both?40:00 - Alex's controversial take on run club culture48:00 - Should you run on your wedding morning?54:00 - Hot or Not: Run/walk intervals (Jeff Galloway method)1:00:00 - Hot or Not: Josh Kerr's mile world record attempt#Running #RunningNutrition #BeginnerRunner #MarathonHandbook #ForBetterOrForWorse #RunningPodcast #TrackRacing #10K #RunningTips #AlexCyr

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth dig into five stories you need to know about: from a politically charged threat to two iconic American road races, to a milestone 22 years in the making, to an elite marathoner trading the roads for a near-vertical mountain race.Chapters:0:00 — Intro & New Independent Podcast Feed Announcement2:42 — Story 1: Trump Golf Course Threatens Marine Corps Marathon & Cherry Blossom 10 Miler6:19 — Story 2: Darren Wood Completes 1,000 Parkruns (a World First!)10:10 — Story 3: California International Marathon Doubling to 40,000 Runners in 202713:46 — Story 4: Rory Linkletter's Elite Trail Debut at Broken Arrow Ascent17:57 — Story 5: Running Speed Dating in Wales

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://⁠livemomentous.comWe use RYTHM for easy, convenient blood tests. 15% OFF : https://RYTHM.HEALTH/MARATHONFiguring out your marathon goal pace is one of the trickiest parts of training, especially if you've never run 26.2 before. This week, a listener named Phil sends in a voice note asking exactly that: with a 1:38 half marathon and an October race on the horizon, should he target 3:15, 3:30, or 3:45? Michael, Alex, and Katelyn dig into the VDOT calculator, the Riegel formula, rate of perceived exertion, and why your marathon pace should be a living, breathing number that evolves throughout your training block.Chapters:0:00 Intro2:24 Shoe Reviews: Asics Nova Blast 6 & Saucony Endorphin Elite 38:43 Big Things Are Coming: Mara App & Marathon Handbook Updates9:56 Shoutouts From the Community13:27 Sponsor: Momentus Fiber Plus14:49 Today's Big Question: How Do You Calculate Marathon Pace?15:14 Phil's Marathon Pace Dilemma (Listener Voice Note)36:01 Sponsor: RYTHM Health Test38:37 Super Shoes for Your Birthday?43:34 Finding Your Perfect Race Day Shoe55:45 Max Cushioning Meets Carbon Plate1:02:59 Is Running Full of Bro Science?1:21:47 Wrap-Up📩 Send us your questions: [email protected]🎙️ Leave a voice message via SpeakPipe, link on marathonhandbook.com📰 Subscribe to the Marathon Handbook newsletter: marathonhandbook.com

A packed week in running. Michael and Jessy cover five big stories including a time that would have rewritten the record books and an exclusive from the CEO of one of the world's best marathons.0:00 Intro & Jessy's Unbound Gravel 2003:00 10K in 26:01 — The Fastest in Human History (Unofficial)5:30 Yomif Kejelcha Signs With Valencia Marathon6:30 Exclusive Interview: Valencia CEO on the Appearance Fee & World Record Bid10:08 Could Valencia Become a World Marathon Major?13:30 Boulder Boulder DQ Controversy Explained16:59 Was the Runner Warned? The Anonymous Tip19:00 Bashir Abdi's Race Was 200 Meters Short24:45 Claire Elms, 62, Sets Age Group World Record for 1500m27:08 Outro & What's Coming Next

It was a big race weekend for the Marathon Handbook crew, and one of them won their race outright, beating every single finisher.SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:Lagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better. Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. Alex ran the Canadian 10K Road Championships in Ottawa, finishing 7th in 29:21. Then — on three hours of sleep after staying out for a friend's birthday party — he jumped in to pace Canadian women's marathon record holder Natasha Akhtar at the Ottawa Marathon, running 32 kilometres before a blister from his Fascia R3s forced him to drop. He came away with a renewed appreciation for the marathon start line vibe and a serious bug to go the full 42.Katelyn ran a 50K ultra in blazing 40°C heat in Costa Rica, running a patient, controlled race to take the overall win — first across the line ahead of every man in the field, a PR of 5:06. Her husband Victor came in third.Michael tackled the Cabot Trail Relay in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, one of Canada's most beloved and cult-like race weekends, running Leg 7 into a 50km/h headwind and returning, as always, inspired and windburned.Then it's into the listener mailbag, covering:Bridge Training — Patrick asks how to stay fit and motivated between race seasons without losing fitness or burning out before the fall block begins. Alex, Katelyn, and Michael share their personal approaches, including why doing 5K or 10K work in the "off-season" pays enormous dividends for your marathon.Speed Workouts for Sub-2:30 — Andrew from Saskatoon left a voice note. He ran 2:37 at Boston, follows a nine-day training rotation, and wants to know what speed sessions could help him crack the 2:30 barrier. The hosts recommend hill work, lactate threshold training, and exploring the Norwegian Method — specifically the work of Marius Bäcken.Marathon Recovery in Your Late 40s — Raul from Sydney is running his first marathon and targeting a triathlon three months later. He asks how recovery approaches change with age. Michael reflects on the value of mentorship from older runners, the non-negotiable importance of sleep, and why getting the "little things" right matters more than ever.Becoming a Student of Running — Daniel from Reno (one of Katelyn's athletes, currently training for Chicago) asks about books, habits, and resources for runners who want to go deep on the sport. The team recommend Advanced Marathoning, Lore of Running, Endure by Alex Hutchinson, Running with the Kenyans, The Inner Game of Tennis, and more.Choosing a Prep Race — Tyler in Australia is running Sydney Marathon and asks whether to race the half marathon or 30K option at a local tune-up race five weeks out. The debate gets lively — Katelyn and Michael lean half, Alex says race the race.Training for a Downhill Marathon — Sky from Boston is running a point-to-point race with 2,100 feet of descent and wants to know how to prepare for the pounding without access to serious hills. The team recommend running the Boston course in reverse (Heartbreak Hill backwards), eccentric quad work in the gym, and step-down exercises.Got a question for the team? Email [email protected] or send a voice message via SpeakPipe, link at marathonhandbook.com. We love hearing from you, and your message might be featured on a future episode.Subscribe to the Marathon Handbook newsletter for weekly training tips, race news, and more at marathonhandbook.com.

Thomas Watson fills in for Michael Doyle this week as he and Jessy Carveth run through five stories dominating the running world right now — from a doping controversy that broke the internet to a heartwarming marathon moment featuring the sport's greatest athlete.Cape Town Marathon emerged as one of the most significant races of the year, not just for the performances on the day but because it represents Cape Town's final year as a World Marathon Majors candidate. Muhammad Esa took the men's title in 2:04:55 — a new course record by nearly three and a half minutes — while Dara Deida won the women's race in 2:23:18. Eliud Kipchoge, competing in Africa for the first time, finished 16th in 2:13:29 as part of what's being called his world tour. The real highlight for Thomas and Jessy? Kipchoge's wife completing her first marathon, with Kipchoge waiting at the finish line.The Cam Hanes vs. Sage Canaday controversy is the most talked-about story in running right now, and for good reason. Elite ultra runner Sage Canaday filed a tip with USADA against 58-year-old podcaster, bow hunter, and social media figure Cam Hanes, after Haynes ran a 2:39 at the Oregon USATF Marathon Championship — a PR by 13 minutes at age 58 — while having publicly acknowledged using BPC-157, a peptide banned under the WADA code. Thomas and Jessy explore the nuance: should the rules apply equally at age group level? Is enforcement even realistic? And what does a 2:39 at 58 tell us about the future of peptides in recreational sport?The Enhanced Games took place in Las Vegas on the night of May 24th. Billed as the "Doping Olympics," the multi-sport competition promised record-breaking performances from athletes using banned substances under medical supervision — and backed by million-dollar prize money. The reality was less dramatic: self-proclaimed clean athletes won most events, just one world record was broken (in swimming), and 250,000 live stream viewers were left with more questions than answers about the event's future. Thomas and Jessy also note the organization's business model — an online supplement store selling the same substances the athletes use — and ask what that means for the enterprise.A Charlotte high school sprinter was disqualified from the anchor leg of the 4x400 relay at the North Carolina State Track and Field Championships after raising his hand and holding up five fingers — ruled as unsportsmanlike conduct. The call wiped out 10 team points and cost his school the overall state title. The video spread to nearly 8 million views on X. Thomas and Jessy unpack the two separate conversations the internet is collapsing into one: was the rule fairly applied, and should the rule exist at all?Emma Bates has signed with NeverSecond as a nutrition partner. This comes months after Bates very publicly fell out with her previous sponsor, alleging she was dropped because she was pregnant — a claim the sponsor disputed. With Bates currently around six to seven months pregnant and not racing this year, Never Second's decision to sign her is being read as both a statement of values and a smart strategic play as the brand looks to expand from trail/ultra/cycling into road running.Chapters:0:00 – Intro & Jessy's Impromptu 10K (Third Place in Belgium!)3:36 – Story 1: Cape Town Marathon – Kipchoge, Course Records & World Marathon Majors9:02 – Story 2: Cam Hanes vs. Sage Canaday – Running's Biggest Doping Controversy18:06 – Story 3: Enhanced Games Las Vegas – Did the "Doping Olympics" Deliver?23:56 – Story 4: High School Sprinter Disqualified for Raising Hand at NC State Championships29:18 – Story 5: Emma Bates Signs with NeverSecond After Sponsor Controversy32:29 – Wrap-Up

We're cracking open the voicemail bag this week and taking on your best marathon training questions.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://⁠livemomentous.comWe use RYTHM for easy, convenient blood tests. 15% OFF : https://rythmhealth.com/marathonTimothy from St. Louis wonders why his cadence barely changes as he speeds up and whether his long loping stride is what gave him rectus femoris tendonitis. Paul from Minnesota asks the question every Adidas fan is thinking: will the carbon ring and proprietary foam from the world-record-setting Pro Evo 3 ever trickle down to the consumer-friendly Adios Pro 5? Kyron from Trinidad and Tobago floats a spicy idea — should marathons have weight categories like boxing? And Elena asks the question that quietly haunts every training plan: rest day after the long run, or easy run?Before we get to your questions, Alex explains the four stitches on his face (it involves sushi, fainting, and a cautionary tale about being too fit for your own good), Katelyn previews her new YouTube guide for first-time marathoners, and all three of us are racing this weekend — Alex at the Canadian 10K Championships, Katelyn at a 50K in Costa Rica, and Michael at the Cabot Trail Relay in Nova Scotia.Plus: a teaser for Alex's 2026 super trainer rankings video, a plug for the Jakob Ingebrigtsen interview, and a hot-take debate where Michael argues you don't really need rest days and Katelyn says give her a rest day or give her death.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(02:18) Katelyn's new first marathon video(04:17) Alex's sushi restaurant fainting story(10:23) Triple race weekend(17:42) Super trainer roundup teaser(22:31) Followup on the relationships episode(25:53) Q: Cadence vs stride length — Timothy(38:44) Sponsor: Rhythm Health(41:19) Q: Will Adidas Pro Evo 3 tech trickle down? — Paul(52:24) Q: Should marathons have weight categories? — Kyron(1:07:56) Q: Rest day after the long run? — Elena(1:22:51) When do YOU take a rest day?Got a question? Record a voice note at marathonhandbook.com/podcast and we'll answer it on a future episode.

The fall marathon season is already taking shape and Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth are here to break it all down. On this episode of The Running Story, the team runs through the five biggest stories from the past week in running.In this episode:The Soweto Marathon prize-money scandal — six months after the November 2025 race, the winners are still owed roughly $15,000, runners-up about $7,000, and the South African government is now threatening to step in. We unpack the broken sanctioning process, why the doping-results excuse fell apart, and the criminal charges that could be coming for the organizers.Mason Wright runs 1,000 miles on a Utah high school track — 18 days, 13 hours, 11 minutes, roughly 4,000 laps, and only the third person in history to finish the distance on a track. We talk about the mental load, the nerve damage by halfway, and where this fits next to Yiannis Kouros and Ned Brockman.The fall marathon field is set up early: Sabastian Sawe is officially racing the Berlin Marathon on September 27, Yomif Kejelcha is heading to Valencia on December 2 (with a $1 million-euro world-record bonus on the line), and Jacob Kiplimo is reportedly bound for Chicago. Who are we more excited to watch? Can either of them run sub-2 again without the other one in the race?A 15-year-old girl dies at the Leiden Half Marathon — and the conversation about minimum age limits in distance running comes roaring back. We get into how she was able to enter a 16+ race, the differences between European and North American bib pickup and ID checks, and why this debate shouldn't need a tragedy to happen.Sports scientists name the GOATs — a team of 16 researchers, published in Sports Medicine, used Olympic medals, world championship titles, world records, and record longevity to rank running's greatest. Usain Bolt and Faith Kipyegon take the top spots. We debate the men's and women's top five (Bekele, Johnson, Gebrselassie, Nurmi; Dibaba, Fraser-Pryce, Hassan, Ottey), the apples-to-oranges problem of comparing sprinters to marathoners, and the glaring omissions of Eliud Kipchoge and Kelvin Kiptum.Plus: Jessy's impromptu 5K podium ("Running Revenge Vol. 2"), and a preview of the new Alex Cyr / Alexis podcast dropping into this feed soon.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen is one of the most dominant runners on the planet: two Olympic golds, multiple world championship medals, and five world records by age 25. He's also coming back from February Achilles surgery and rebuilding toward a season that could include three more world record attempts.Jessy Carveth sits down with Jakob for a candid, gear-nerd-friendly conversation about how he's actually training right now, what he really thinks of the "Norwegian Method" label, and how he uses lactate testing and elliptical work to keep VO2 high when he can't run. Jakob also breaks down one of the biggest shoe rotations in the sport, his hands-on role developing the Nike Victory spike that helped him break world records, and the new Coros watch he co-designed as part of the Fearless campaign.And yes, we get into the Josh Kerr question. How real is the rivalry? Are they friends? Would they ever line up at a marathon together? Jakob answers all of it, plus opens up about why he sees himself debuting at 26.2 in his late 30s and what fearless actually means to him.In this episode:Inside the Copenhagen Marathon weekend (and his brother's 2:29 debut)Why Jakob wants to wait until his late 30s for the marathonWhat the "Norwegian Method" actually is — and isn'tLactate testing, intensity control & avoiding the most common training mistakeHow he used 14x3 minute elliptical intervals to maintain fitness post-surgeryA full tour of his Nike shoe rotation: Pegasus, Vomero, Structure, Alphafly, Streakfly & VictoryWorking hands-on with Nike R&D on the spike that broke world recordsThe truth behind the Josh Kerr rivalryWhether a Jakob vs. Kerr marathon showdown could ever happenThe new Coros watch & the "Fearless" campaignWhat's next for Jakob the rest of 2026

It's the May Mailbag — and Michael, Alex and Katelyn are getting personal. With their spouses conveniently out of the house, the three of them dig into what it's actually like to be in a relationship with a runner: pace mismatches, "morning person" catfishes, who gets the long-run slot on Sunday, and what happens when your non-running partner slowly, accidentally becomes a runner.SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:Lagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better. Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. Alex also previews his new podcast with his fiancée Alexis — tentatively called "For Better or For Worse" — which follows the two of them training for very different goals (Alex chasing a fast Valencia half; Alexis chasing her first-ever 10K) on the way to their wedding day. Katelyn shares her first non-running vacation in years (Hawaii — and yes, she still snuck in a three-hour long run), and Michael confesses to running shifts with Kelly.Then into the mailbag:— Tibo (36, started running in 2023) asks if there's any science on how much room a late-starter has to keep improving. Spoiler: a lot.— Adam is taking on Endure 24, a 24-hour trail race in the UK, and wants to know what to eat for an entire day of running. Katelyn breaks down her ultra fueling playbook (grilled cheese, quesadillas, Coke and broth all make appearances).— A listener pushes back on a previous comment about London Marathon qualifying times — the team clarifies what they actually meant and pitches a two-day London Marathon format.— Gavin wants a sub-2:50 marathon plan. The crew talks volume, threshold work, periodization and how to graduate from the sub-3 plan.Plus: a teaser of Jessy Carveth's new interview with Jakob Ingebrigtsen, dropping later this week.Got a question or comment? Email [email protected] — or send a voice memo for the upcoming summer voicemail mailbag.Timestamps(02:06) Katelyn's first non-running vacation in years(06:25) Buying super shoes from a Hawaiian beach(09:55) Alex's new podcast with Alexis: "For Better or For Worse"(13:15) Dating a runner vs. dating a non-runner(25:30) Life in a two-runner household(31:30) Whose running takes priority?(35:00) Type A vs Type B runners(40:00) The wedding 5K and the sub-15 curse(46:50) Mailbag: Late-start marathon progression(1:01:00) Mailbag: Fueling for a 24-hour race(1:14:30) Listener feedback on the London Marathon lottery debate(1:24:30) Mailbag: Building a sub-2:50 marathon plan(1:29:00) Jakob Ingebrigtsen interview teaser

Michael and Jessy run through the five most intriguing stories in running this week.Rachel Entrekin became the first woman to win Cocodona 250 outright, demolishing the overall course record and finishing nearly 10 miles ahead of the next runner. We dig into the body-composition science behind why women keep closing — and surpassing — men at extreme ultra distances, and acknowledge the tragic death reported on course.Then to Cincinnati: 22-year-old Sophia Dick says she missed a turnoff at the Flying Pig half marathon and accidentally ran her first full in 3:30 alongside Harvey Lewis on his 100th marathon. Locals say the course is impossible to miss. We weigh the heartwarming version against the conspiracy version.The 2027 London Marathon ballot closed with over 1.3 million entries, nearly 2% of the entire UK population, making a two-day London Marathon feel increasingly inevitable.French star Jimmy Gressier is going after Mo Farah's One Hour Track World Record on September 4th at the Brussels Diamond League final. We talk pace (67-second laps for an hour), venue, and the strange charm of attrition racing.And finally: the IOC has reportedly declined to add cross country running to the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps. Chapters:00:00 Intro: this week's top 5 stories01:26 Rachel Entrekin makes history at Cocodona 25005:40 Sophia Dick "accidentally" runs her first marathon11:18 London Marathon 2027: 1.3 million ballot entries15:10 Jimmy Gressier targets Mo Farah's One Hour Track World Record19:56 Cross country DENIED at the 2030 Winter Olympics23:00 Preview of Next Week

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://⁠livemomentous.comMichael Doyle and Alex Cyr (Katelyn is on a well-earned vacation) reset the Marathon Handbook Super Shoe Power Rankings for Spring 2026. We cover the full overall Top 10, including prototypes, then run a second Top 10 of the most accessible super shoes — the ones you can actually buy.Previous Power Rankings — Winter 2025 (December)1. Adidas Adios Pro Evo 22. Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 33. ASICS Metaspeed Tokyo Sky / Edge4. Nike Alphafly 35. Saucony Endorphin Elite 26. Adidas Adios Pro 47. ASICS Metaspeed Ray8. On Cloudboom Strike LS9. Adidas Adios Pro Evo 110. New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite 52. Current Power Rankings — Spring 20261. Adidas Adios Pro Evo 32. Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 33. ASICS Development Shoe (ME5 Type One / Type P)4. Adidas Adios Pro Evo 25. ASICS Metaspeed Tokyo Sky / Edge6. Nike Alphafly 47. Adidas Adios Pro Evo 18. ASICS Metaspeed Ray9. On Cloudboom Dev 5 (LS)10. Brooks Hyperion Elite 63. Accessible Top 10 — Spring 2026 (shoes you can actually buy)1. Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 32. ASICS Metaspeed Sky / Edge3. Nike Alphafly 34. Adidas Adios Pro 45. Saucony Endorphin Elite 26. Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 47. Hoka Cielo X1 v3.08. New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite 59. Brooks Hyperion Elite 510. On Cloudboom Strike

Michael and Jessy are back after covering Boston and London, and this week's five stories cover everything from a polarizing youth running debate to one of the most shocking marathon debuts in American history.In this episode:An 11-year-old from Indiana, Ben Dick, ran 1:20:14 at the IU Health 500 Festival mini marathon — reportedly the fastest half ever run by a boy his age. He dropped his dad at mile seven. The internet is split. We dig into what happens to these kid phenoms long-term, and why pediatricians (and Jessy's kinesiology background) say the half marathon distance is too much for a developing 11-year-old body.Sprinter Abby Steiner is suing Puma and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, claiming the carbon-plated shoes and spikes she wore caused the foot and Achilles injuries that have kept her off the track since the 2024 Olympic Trials. We unpack the questions this raises about athlete responsibility, sponsor accountability, and how you even quantify a derailed sprinting career.While the running world was glued to Sebastian Sawe's near-sub-two London Marathon, 25-year-old Vinny Mauri quietly ran 2:05:54 at the Glass City Marathon in Toledo, Ohio — the fastest U.S. marathon debut on record. Before the race he joked that if he didn't break 2:16 he wasn't a real marathoner. He broke the course record by more than 13 minutes. Nobody had heard of him. His Twitter feed is mostly Bitcoin memes. Expect a major brand to scoop him up fast.Cocodona 250 has kicked off in Arizona — 253 miles from Black Canyon to Flagstaff with 40,000 feet of climbing and a 125-hour cutoff. Courtney Dauwalter is the clear women's favorite (and looking for redemption after dropping out last year), but the field is deep with Rachel Entrekin, Heather Jackson, and surprise headliner Randy Zuckerberg. The men's race is wide open with Jeff Browning, Joe McConaughy, Ryan Clifford, and Adam Kimble all in the mix.And finally — the running brand quietly dominating the industry isn't Nike, Adidas, or Asics. It's Brooks. Their best quarter ever: 23% global growth, North America up 20%, EMEA up 30%, China up 136%. Eleven straight quarters as the #1 specialty performance running brand in the U.S. Michael shares early thoughts on the unreleased Hyperion Elite 6 (out August), which Jess McClain and Clayton Young raced in Boston.Subscribe to the Marathon Handbook newsletter at marathonhandbook.com/newsletter for new episode alerts and a heads up when The Running Story moves to its own dedicated feed.Follow along on Instagram: @marathon.handbookNew episodes every Monday.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:Lagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better. Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. The two-hour marathon barrier is gone. At the 2026 London Marathon, Sebastian Sawe became the first person ever to run under two hours on a record-eligible course — and Yomif Kejelcha did it too, in his marathon debut.Outside columnist and Endure author Alex Hutchinson joins Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr and Katelyn Tocci to make sense of it.We get into:Why Hutchinson thinks the shoes (the Adidas Adios Pro Evo 3) are still the biggest single factor — and why Nike has lost its grip on the super-shoe raceSawe's astonishing negative split: 60:29 out, 59:01 back, with a final 5K that put him on 1:52 marathon paceWhether the marathon is even the same race anymore — and whether "marathon pace" as a training concept is dyingNorwegian-style threshold blocks vs. classic long marathon-pace workResilience and durability — what they are and how (or whether) you train themBicarb / sodium bicarbonate: the science of why it works, and whether marathoners should botherWhy drafting "like a zombie" might be the most underrated tactic in distance runningWhat's actually possible from here: 1:57? 1:56? Are we further from our potential than we think?The recreational-runner takeaways: shoes, fuel, sleep, and what to skipA wide-ranging, occasionally contrarian conversation about an inflection point that may reshape the sport for the next decade.📚 Books by Alex Hutchinson:Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human PerformanceThe Explorer's Gene📰 Sweat Science Substack: alexhutchinson.net

Three-time Olympic champion Gabby Thomas joins Alex Cyr and Katelyn Tocci to break down the tech, mindset, and training that shape her sprinting career. Gabby explains how super spikes compare to distance super shoes (00:26), why she limits their use in training (01:10), and how wearables and accurate metrics guide sprint performance (01:48). She shares the data she actually watches during workouts (02:40), how she manages recovery and sleep without obsession (04:25), and what it’s like navigating post-Olympic highs and lows (05:30). Gabby gets candid about her “killer instinct” on race day (06:53), her surprisingly zen off-track personality (08:35), and why she’s taking on the 400m next season (09:23). She talks discovering Strava (10:52), balancing joy with competitive drive, her Vogue shoot experience (12:10), and how new leagues like Athlos can empower athletes (14:14). The episode closes with a fun debate on what distance she and Katelyn could race head-to-head (16:29).

Sebastian Sawe just ran 1:59:30 on the streets of London — the first sub-two-hour marathon in history on a sanctioned course. And he wasn't alone. Yomif Kejelcha, in his marathon debut, ran 1:59:41 to make it two sub-2s in a single race. On the women's side, Tigst Assefa lowered her own women's-only world record, with Hellen Obiri running a huge PB just under 2:16 for second.Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr and Katelyn Tocci recorded this instant reaction from Knees Up on Hackney Road, with Jessy Carveth dialing in live from the finish line media center — including a quick word with Sawe himself before the press conference.In this episode:The moment the media center went silent — and then erupted — as Sawe came around the final bendHow a 90-second negative split delivered the first official sub-2Yomif Kejelcha's astonishing marathon debut and what it means for the next decade of the eventTigst Assefa, Hellen Obiri, and the women's race that almost got lost in the sauceThe Adidas Pro Evo 3: why Adidas held it back from Boston, and what it does to the shoe warsWhere John Korir's 2:01 in Boston now sits in the conversationAthlete vs. shoes vs. nutrition: the Maurten data on Sawe's pre-London blockWhether the marathon has finally been "figured out" — and what that means for the rest of usBoston vs. London as a race weekend, the case for a two-day London in 2027, and why this one race may have just changed the sport

Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth sit down for their full elite preview of the 2026 London Marathon, breaking down the top five storylines ahead of Sunday's race.Sebastian Sawe and Jacob Kiplimo headline a men's field that Sawe himself says will require a course record to win: 2:01:25, set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2024. Kiplimo arrives fresh off a ratified 57:20 half marathon world record in Lisbon and a World Cross Country title in January. Sawe is expected to debut the Adidas Adios Pro Evo 3, setting up a head-to-head super shoe war against Kiplimo's Nike Alphafly 4.The women's race took a hit when two major names withdrew, but Tigst Assefa (defending champion and women's-only world record holder) and Helen Obiri make it a showdown worth tuning in for: Obiri finally gets her shot at a flat, fast course after a career built on the hills of Boston, New York, and Paris.In the men's field behind the big two: three former track stars: Yomif Kejelcha, Hagos Gebrhiwet, and Joshua Cheptegei: try to translate their 5K/10K brilliance into 26.2. Cheptegei is still looking to crack the marathon; Kejelcha and Gebrhiwet are both making their debuts.The British field takes a hit with Emile Cairess withdrawing injured, leaving Mohamed Mohamed, Phil Sesemann, and Patrick Dever to chase Mo Farah's national record of 2:05:11. On the women's side, Eilish McColgan enters with a healthy buildup and a European 10K record (30:07 in Valencia) to her name.

It's London week. Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr and Katelyn Tocci deliver the Marathon Handbook one-stop preview of the 2026 TCS London Marathon: course, elites, weather, the jacket design, shoes, ballot drama, and the looming question of whether London Marathon Events can pull off a two-day "Double London" in 2027.What's in this episode:A brief history of London from the 1981 inaugural race (6,255 finishers) through the 1.3 million applicants now fighting for roughly 60,000 spots. Why the ballot has made London the single hardest World Marathon Major for internationals to enter, and how the charity-bib and running-club routes actually work.A course walkthrough of one of running's great spectacles — the staggered southeast start, the 9:05 elite women's gun, Cutty Sark at mile six, Tower Bridge at the halfway inflection, Canary Wharf, Big Ben, and the jaw-dropping finish down The Mall past Buckingham Palace into St. James's Park.Weather check: a probable high-40s to low-60s°F day, sunnier than ideal but dry and low humidity. The crew think we're lined up for a Boston-style "no excuses" day and some serious times.The 2026 New Balance London kit, a.k.a. the "Cheetah Girl" jacket — the crew rate it, debate whether London should have a defined color system, and land on an official Marathon Handbook freshness score.The Adidas Pro Evo 3 is expected to formally launch in London, likely on the feet of Sebastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa. The shoe wars angle, why Adidas held it back from Boston, and what a "win on the shoe" does for the brand narrative.The Double London 2027 rumor: reporting out of the UK suggests London Marathon Events is exploring a two-race weekend. The crew debate every format — men/women split, elite/mass split, same weekend vs two seasons — and Michael lands on an elegant Boston-flavored solution: a qualifying race Saturday for performance runners, the iconic lottery mass race Sunday for everyone else.Predictions and hot takes:Will London break the 60,000-finisher barrier for the first time in history?Does Sebastian Sawe go sub-2 on the London course?Does Tigst Assefa finally take down Paula Radcliffe's 23-year-old course record of 2:15:25?Where does Hellen Obiri land on a flat course she has never run before?Which brand wins the day — Adidas, Nike, or a dark horse?Plus the updated Marathon Handbook World Marathon Majors Power Rankings as of April 22, 2026.Coverage plan for the weekend:The crew will be on the ground Thursday through race day. Shakeout run Saturday at 10 AM in Hyde Park (Serpentine loop) — all welcome. Live watch-along Sunday at Knees Up cafe in Hackney, streaming on the Marathon Handbook YouTube channel as a second-screen companion to the broadcast. Instant Reaction podcast drops the moment the race wraps.

Michael Doyle, Katelyn Tocci and Alex Cyr break down the 2026 Boston Marathon just minutes after the finish. This year's race featured two repeat champions, a course record, a slew of American standout performances and so much more. Over 300,000 runners read our newsletter. Sign up here and get our free book The 26 Golden Rules Of Running: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/Follow us on IG: https://instagram.com/marathon.handbookFollow us on Tikok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marathon.handbookLike us on FB: https://facebook.com/marathonhandbookFollow us on X: https://x.com/MarathonHB

Recorded LIVE at Trident Booksellers on Newbury Street the weekend of the 2026 Boston Marathon.Michael, Katelyn, and Alex open with a first-hand recap of Alex's chase at a sub-14 elite 5K on Boston weekend — missing shoe bag included — and break down the biggest storylines of race weekend: the deep American elite field, Nike's "Runners Welcome, Walkers Tolerated" Newbury Street stunt, and the quiet disappearance of the traditional Boston expo.Bobbi Gibb — the first woman to run and finish the Boston Marathon, in 1966, 1967, and 1968 — joins us for an extended conversation about falling in love with the race as a spectator in 1964, driving alone across the country in a VW microbus, the BAA rejection letter that told her women were "physiologically incapable" of running a marathon, hiding in the bushes in Hopkinton in her brother's Bermuda shorts, being embraced by the Wellesley scream tunnel, bleeding through her blisters down Boylston, and meeting Governor Volpe at the finish line in the moment that changed running forever. She also sets the historical record straight, talks about her sculpture now installed at mile zero in Hopkinton, and shares her philosophy of love, truth, and the end of the "war between the sexes."1968 Boston Marathon champion and Marathon Handbook Editor at Large Amby Burfoot helps guide the conversation, offers a few stories of his own (including how many carbs he took in during his winning run — spoiler: zero), and makes the case that Bobbi may be the most important runner in the history of the marathon.Then Brooks athlete, 6x Boston Marathon runner, 50K world record holder, and indoor marathon record holder CJ Albertson joins the stage. He walks us through leading Boston for 21 miles in 2021 on his birthday, the homemade plywood sauna he built for $200, putting bricks under his treadmill for downhill simulation, ingesting 120 grams of carbs per hour, why he writes workouts on the fly, and his plan to finally nail the last five miles of Boston on Monday.The show closes with a listener Q&A covering recovery, ideal training partners, mid-race voice memos, rest days, what a great spouse does during marathon training, and favorite pre-race dinners.

It's Boston Marathon week and we are absolutely fired up. In this mega preview episode, Michael Doyle, Katelyn Tocci, and Alex Cyr break down everything you need to know about the 130th Boston Marathon: from navigating race-day logistics and the expo, to pacing the notoriously tricky course, to our boldest hot takes and elite race storylines.SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:Lagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better. Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. Whether you're toeing the start line in Hopkinton, cheering from Wellesley, or watching from home, this is your complete guide to Marathon Monday.🗓️ Marathon Handbook Boston Weekend EventsWe have a packed weekend of events — here's what's happening and how to find us:Friday evening: Live podcast recording at the BAA Fan Fest at City Hall Plaza, 6:30 PM. Come watch us improvise live — no prep, pure chaos.Saturday morning: Alex races the B.A.A. 5K at 8:00 AM in a stacked elite field (yes, really — and yes, he'll be lapped).Saturday evening: Our Mile Zero live event at Trident Booksellers & Cafe on Newbury Street, doors at 5:00 PM. Now beyond sold out! Special guest: elite American runner CJ Albertson, plus prizes, giveaways, and a mystery second guest who is an absolute Boston Marathon legend.Sunday morning: Free community shakeout run at the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street, 10:00 AM. No sign-up required — just show up. Look for Katelyn in her blue 2003 Boston Marathon jacket.Monday: Our live Watch Along Show streams on YouTube and at marathonhandbook.com all morning. Join us from the Trident Booksellers venue or watch from home. We'll be doing live updates, real-time coverage, and our Instant Reaction podcast immediately after the race.

Patriots Day is almost here — and Michael and Jessy are in full Boston Marathon mode.In this episode, they break down the five biggest stories heading into the 130th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20th, before laying out their bold picks for the men's and women's race winners and top American finishers.Story 1 – Kipruto vs. Korir: The Headliner MatchupPast champion Benson Kipruto (Boston 2021, Chicago 2022, Tokyo 2024, New York 2024) returns to face defending champion John Korir in what shapes up as the defining men's storyline. Their personal bests are separated by just eight seconds, but as Michael and Jessy discuss, Boston is never won on speed alone — Newton Hills, race tactics, and championship experience are just as decisive.Story 2 – Can Anyone Beat the Defending Women's Champion?The defending women's champion is the heavy favourite, but with her fiercest rival Helen Obiri absent from the field this year, the dynamic shifts. Does she need that neck-and-neck rivalry to bring out her best? Jessy breaks down the closest challengers on paper, including Irene Cheptai and Worknesh Edesa, and why Emily Sisson is the American name to watch.Story 3 – Top American Men: Who Steps Up with Manz Out?American record holder Conner Mantz is a DNS due to injury — a big blow, but the American men's field still has plenty to get excited about. Michael and Jessy spotlight Zha Alby (2:05:45 at Houston this year and ascending fast), Clayton Young (crashing into Boston off an abbreviated build but motivated by a fresh move to Brooks), and breakout names Ryan Ford and CJ Albertson — who'll be joining the team at their live Saturday event on Newbury Street.Story 4 – Emily Sisson, Fiona O'Keefe & a Stacked American Women's FieldIs this finally Emily Sisson's signature Boston moment? Or does Fiona O'Keefe — Michael's sleeper pick and someone who was genuinely in contention to win New York last fall — steal the spotlight? The pair also make the case for Susanna Sullivan (low-key, deadly), Jess McClain (due a big day after a brutal run of bad luck), and the ever-reliable Sarah Hall.Story 5 – The Dark Horse: Nicholas Kipkorir's Marathon DebutJessy's personal favourite storyline. The 27-year-old Kenyan ran 58:08 at the Lisbon Half Marathon this year — second behind Jacob Kiplimo's world record — translating theoretically to a 2:01:12 marathon equivalent. He's never run a marathon. Boston is his debut. Will his track speed and raw talent carry him, or will the Newton Hills claim another rookie? Either way, this is the subplot to watch.

Come to our LIVE SHOW in Boston! Join Alex, Katelyn and Michael and some very special guests, + giveaways and prizes!📅 Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m📍 Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street 🎟️ It’s free to attend, but make sure to RSVP now, as space is limited: https://forms.gle/sFk28hfMYznrsNxMAFive big stories this week — strap in.Des Linden | Marathon des SablesThe 2018 Boston Marathon champion finished 3rd overall at the 2026 Marathon des Sables, a six-day, 250+ km stage race through the Sahara. Her finishing time: 30 hours, 16 minutes, 32 seconds. Even wilder: this was only her second-ever trail ultramarathon, and one of the stages was 100K — more than double her previous longest run ever. Winner Mary-Line Nahon of France took her third MdS title in just under 26 hours. Des lands in Boston next week to pace her husband. No rest for the wicked.Clarke Reynolds | Blind Runner Makes Marathon HistoryBritish runner Clark Reynolds, who has just 5% vision due to retinitis pigmentosa, became the first blind person to complete a marathon using Meta smart glasses and the Be My Eyes app. At the 2026 Brighton Marathon, he was guided by 400 trained volunteers who rotated every 30 minutes via the app, with a physical guide runner alongside as a safety net. A feel-good story of the year contender — and we're hoping to get Clark on the pod soon.World Athletics Marathon World Championships | Our TakeWorld Athletics has announced a standalone World Athletics Marathon Championships launching in 2030, separate from the main World Athletics Championships. Athens is in the running to host, citing the marathon's birthplace. The official reason given? Climate change. Michael isn't buying it. We break down what this could — and should — look like, and why the Tour de France/F1 model is the blueprint they're ignoring.Josh Kerr | Marathon CuriosityOne of the world's premier milers and 1500m runners has publicly expressed his desire to one day run — and win — a World Marathon Major. We dig into the history of track-to-marathon transitions (Kipchoge, Sifan Hassan, Kenenisa Bekele) and why this path is more plausible than it sounds. A marathon Kerr vs. Ingebrigtsen rivalry? We're manifesting it.Gout Gout | 19.67 in the 200m at Age 18The Australian teenage sprinting phenomenon ran 19.67 in the 200m in Sydney — breaking the World U20 record and becoming the first Australian man to break 20 seconds under legal wind conditions. For context: Usain Bolt ran 19.93 at the same age. Gout Gout (G-O-U-T G-O-U-T) is now 16th on the all-time 200m list at 18 years old. Born December 29th, he's one to circle for the 2028 Olympics.

Come to our LIVE SHOW in Boston! Join Alex, Katelyn and Michael and some very special guests, + giveaways and prizes!📅 Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m📍 Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street 🎟️ It’s free to attend, but make sure to RSVP now, as space is limited: https://forms.gle/sFk28hfMYznrsNxMASUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://⁠livemomentous.comLagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better. Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. This week on the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Katelyn Tocci and Alex Cyr pull back the curtain on their personal 5K training journeys — and the result is one of the most detailed, practical running conversations we've had on this show.An ultra runner who resisted speed training for a decade. A half marathon specialist chasing a collegiate dream time. Both took on a 12-week 5K build at the same time, and both have a lot to say about what happened.Resources:Katelyn's Sub-20 5K video: https://youtu.be/tPXSg3od1k0?si=KdVE6pNVQ8pm4xoB5K training plans: https://marathonhandbook.com/trainingplans/5k-training-plans/Marathon Handbook newsletter — nearly 300,000 subscribers: marathonhandbook.comKey topics covered in this episode:Why 5K training benefits runners of all distances, including marathon and ultra runnersHow to structure a 12-week 5K training blockKatelyn's pyramid speed session and Alex's "Prove It" workoutThe 80/20 rule and why easy runs must stay easyManaging peak weeks, deload weeks, and tapering for a 5KKatelyn's full race day account: the nerves, the body cam, the rainy start, and an 18:36 finishRapid fire: sleep, the #1 beginner mistake, embracing 5K intensity, and racing shoe picks (Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite, ASICS MetaSpeed Edge)

Come to our LIVE SHOW in Boston! Join Alex, Katelyn and Michael and some very special guests, + giveaways and prizes!📅 Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m📍 Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street 🎟️ It’s free to attend, but make sure to RSVP now, as space is limited: https://forms.gle/sFk28hfMYznrsNxMAIt's been a dramatic week in the world of distance running and Michael and Jessy are here to break it all down.The biggest headline: Conner Mantz, the American marathon record holder who was one of the most anticipated starters at this year's Boston Marathon, has officially withdrawn with a stress-related injury. It's a significant blow ahead of what was shaping up to be one of the most exciting Boston fields in years.On a more uplifting note, BYU freshman Jane Hedengren continues to rewrite the record books — this time at Stanford, where she clocked 30:46.8 in the 10,000 meters in her very first attempt at the distance, shattering the NCAA Women's record and slotting in at number seven on the US all-time list. She's 18 years old. Remember her name.It was also a huge weekend for 5K records. French star Jimmy Gressier ran 12:51 in León — just two seconds shy of the world record — and set a new European Road 5K mark in the process. Meanwhile, 62-year-old Clare Elms did something arguably even more remarkable, running 17:45 to smash her own age group world record by 20 seconds. Her age-graded score? 104%. Yes, really.Then there's the story that genuinely stopped us in our tracks: Clarke Reynolds, a 45-year-old runner from England with just 5% vision, is preparing to run the Brighton Marathon on April 12th guided entirely by remote volunteers via RayBan Meta smart glasses and the Be My Eyes app — with no in-person guide alongside him. It's a genuine world first, and we're already planning a follow-up with Clarke after the race.And the episode closes on a frustrating note. Albert Korir, the 2021 NYC Marathon champion, has been handed a five-year ban after testing positive three times for CERA: a synthetic blood booster in the same family as EPO. All his results from October 2025 onwards are disqualified, though he retains his 2021 title. It's another painful reminder of the doping cloud still hanging over elite distance running.

Jess McClain is one of the most compelling figures in American distance running right now and this conversation is a perfect example of why.Alex Cyr sits down with the Brooks-sponsored pro for a wide-ranging, deeply honest conversation that covers the full arc of Jess's career: the early promise, the painful burnout that led her to step away from the sport entirely, the unlikely comeback through a casual marathon in Arizona, and the extraordinary run of near-misses and controversies that have defined her return to elite competition.Jess speaks publicly for the first time about being led off course during the USATF Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta — a moment that cost her a shot at the US World Championship team, prize money, rankings points, and potentially shoe contract bonuses. She walks us through exactly what happened on the course, how she handled the chaos in the moment, and what she thinks needs to change so athletes are never left in that position again.She also revisits the Paris situation — being flown over as an Olympic alternate for the marathon, sitting on the bench all week, and being told the day before the race that she wouldn't be needed. And she talks with remarkable grace about finishing fourth at the 2024 US Olympic Marathon Trials, just 15 seconds outside the team.With Boston 2026 on the horizon and a World Championship bid still in play, Jess is as motivated as ever — and as level-headed as you'll find at this level of the sport.Topics covered:Stepping away from pro running and losing the love for itThe Mesa Marathon comeback and rediscovering joy in the sport4th place at the 2024 US Olympic Marathon TrialsBeing flown to Paris as an alternate — and not racingSigning with Brooks and taking ownership of her own careerThe self-coaching period and eventually linking up with David RocheTraining structure: mileage, workouts, and effort-based runningThe Atlanta USATF Half Marathon Championships — being led off courseThe full financial and competitive cost of the incidentSkepticism around elite marathon times and racing with integrityBoston 2026 goals and race strategyThe evolution of women's marathon longevityFast Money RoundFollow Jess McClain on Instagram: @jesstonnPhoto credit: Bryan Garcia LunaMarathon Handbook: marathonhandbook.com

Come to our LIVE SHOW in Boston! Join Alex, Katelyn and Michael and some very special guests, + giveaways and prizes!📅 Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m📍 Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street 🎟️ It’s free to attend, but make sure to RSVP now, as space is limited: https://forms.gle/sFk28hfMYznrsNxMAIt's the final installment of Spring Mailbag Madness, and it's a big one. Michael Doyle and Katelyn Tocci answer 12 listener questions: from Boston Marathon pacing strategy (including why 72% of Boston runners go out too fast and pay for it later) to Achilles injury decisions, Norwegian Singles training, shoe rotation questions and training for a marathon while playing hurling all summer. Yes, hurling.James Copeland’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Norwegian-Singles-Method-Subthreshold-Running/dp/B0G4D8438ZKatelyn’s article about Norwegian Singles:https://marathonhandbook.com/norwegian-singles-training/Send us an audio question:https://marathonhandbook.com/podcast/THIS EPISODE'S QUESTIONS:Nell (17, Swiss Alps) asks: is there an ideal age to start running marathons?Mark asks about the Norwegian Singles method — plus Michael teases a major upcoming announcement involving the man who actually invented it, Marius Bakken.Cynthia (Seattle) sends a voice note with two questions: how does coaching change for experienced runners over 65? And what advice do you have for running safely as a woman in an unfamiliar city?Jason wants to know if the ASICS MEGABLAST and SUPERBLAST 2 are different enough to justify owning both.Chris (Australia) just ran three marathons in six months and now has a 10K on the calendar. Should his training look different?A second Chris asks how to pace Boston with a 10-minute PR on the line — specifically how to survive (and exploit) that notorious opening downhill.Zach shares his ambitious progression plan toward a Boston qualifier and asks if he's being too aggressive.Pat (Ireland, now in Toronto) is moving back to Ireland for the summer and plans to play hurling while also training for the Valencia Marathon in December. Can he do both?Taylor sends a follow-up from the winter mailbag — she's going for sub-3 at Boston and has two questions: should she run slightly faster than her planned pace, and how does she protect her toenails before her August wedding?Deepak is running Vancouver and wants to know if he should push to a faster pace given his recent half marathon time.Zach (a different Zach) has a marathon in less than two weeks and an ongoing Achilles injury. Should he race?An anonymous listener has Achilles tendonitis, a stress reaction in the fibula, and a half marathon registered for April 5th. Same question.Send us your voice notes via SpeakPipe — link at marathonhandbook.com — and email us at [email protected]. We read and answer everything, even if it takes us a little while.Subscribe to our free newsletter at marathonhandbook.com/newsletter — 287,000 runners every morning at 5:05 AM Eastern.

Come to our LIVE SHOW in Boston! Join Alex, Katelyn and Michael and some very special guests, + giveaways and prizes!📅 Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m📍 Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street 🎟️ It’s free to attend, but make sure to RSVP now, as space is limited: https://forms.gle/sFk28hfMYznrsNxMABoston Article:https://marathonhandbook.com/could-boston-marathons-qualifier-problem-be-solved-by-going-two-days/Michael and Jessy are back with the top five running stories of the week — and there's a lot to unpack. Before they dive in, a quick celebration: Jessie ran her debut half marathon over the weekend, clocking a 1:34 after just six weeks of run training. Not bad for a professional cyclist.Story 1: London Marathon Eyes 100,000-Runner, Two-Day EventThe Guardian has reported that the London Marathon could expand to a two-day, 100,000-runner event as early as 2027. The proposal would see the men's and women's elite races split across Saturday and Sunday, each with 50,000 mass participants. With 1.1 million ballot applicants this year and London's status as the world's largest single-day charity fundraiser, the upside is enormous — but the logistical hurdles are just as big. London Marathon Events has not confirmed or denied the report.Story 2: Emma Bates Claims She Was Dropped by Sponsor for Being PregnantIn an Instagram video, American elite marathoner Emma Bates revealed that her nutrition sponsor UCAN ended their partnership after she told them she was pregnant. UCAN pushed back, saying the decision was made in September 2025 — before they knew about the pregnancy — as part of a broader strategic shift away from elite athlete sponsorships. With no clear evidence either way, it's a he said/she said story that has stirred significant debate in the running community.Story 3: US Half Marathon Championship Controversy Gets More ComplicatedFollowing the Atlanta debacle where lead runners Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Edna Ker were sent off course during the US Half Marathon Championships, World Athletics has approved a one-time expanded entry of seven athletes (up from four) for the World Half Marathon Championships this fall. The catch: there will be an A team (four scoring runners) and a B team (three non-scoring runners wearing different kits). The big unresolved question — who earns the A team spots? Michael and Jessie weigh in.🎙️ Listen out this weekend for Alex Cyr's exclusive one-on-one interview with Jess McClain — her first time speaking publicly about the Atlanta controversy.Story 4: Modesto Marathon Winner Disqualified After Lead Bike ErrorBenjamin Enowitz crossed the finish line first at the Modesto Marathon in California — and was immediately handed a DNF. He'd been led short of the halfway turnaround point by the lead vehicle and didn't complete the full distance. It's not the first time the Modesto race has had a lead vehicle incident, and it's part of a wider pattern the team has noticed: course errors caused by lead vehicles are becoming a weekly story in 2026.Story 5: Chaos at China's Shang Do World Heritage MarathonThree separate incidents at the same race in China generated headlines worldwide. First, a runner with the surname Wang stopped mid-race to do the splits and pose for photographers — earning a two-year race ban. Then, a runner named Zang was photographed carrying a clear drawstring bag stuffed with hundreds of free race gels — also disqualified and banned for two years. Finally, a third runner received a lifetime ban from the Chengdu race after a bib-swapping incident.Breaking News (just before recording): Former New York City Marathon champion Albert Korir has reportedly tested positive for EPO or an EPO-derived substance. Full coverage next week.

In this episode, we’re joined by Des Linden — Boston Marathon champion, Olympian, and one of the most respected voices in distance running.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:Saysky makes incredible running gear that our team love. Use code MARATHON15 for 15% off your purchase at https://saysky.comThis episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://⁠livemomentous.comAt this stage of her career, Des is stepping away from elite road racing and embracing something completely different: ultrarunning.She’s preparing for the Marathon des Sables, a multi-day race across the Sahara Desert — and somehow also planning to be at Boston… and London… right after.We cover:Why she’s taking on Marathon des SablesHow her training has changed (heat, weight, and nutrition)Her transition from marathon to ultra distancesThe mindset shift after “retirement” from elite racingBoston Marathon strategy and adviceThe current state of elite runningDoping, trust, and the future of the sportHer podcast with Kara GoucherWhat’s next for her careerThis is a candid, insightful conversation about evolving as an athlete and what comes after you’ve already reached the top.—🎧 Listen to more Marathon Handbook Podcast episodes🏃‍♂️ Training guides, gear reviews & more at Marathon HandbookIf you enjoyed the episode, leave a rating ⭐ and share it with a fellow runner!

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth dive into one of the wildest weeks in running news.We cover a major shake-up ahead of the London Marathon as Sifan Hassan withdraws due to injury — and what it means for the elite field.Then, a controversial NCAA doping case explodes into the spotlight after athletes stage a dramatic podium walk-off in protest.Plus:• A bizarre Strava upload that exposed the location of a French aircraft carrier• Clayton Young’s surprise move from ASICS to Brooks just weeks before Boston• A marathon in China where the winner was literally stopped meters before the finish• We also preview Boston, talk London contenders, and share details about upcoming live shows.

Got running questions? We’ve got answers.In this second March Mailbag Madness episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci tackle listener questions on super shoes, marathon fueling mistakes, hydration myths, and how to break through mental barriers like chasing a sub-3 marathon.We cover:• The BEST super shoes for your next marathon (and how to choose)• Why you might be bonking at 30K (hint: it’s not always hydration)• Carbon-plated shoes for heavier runners• How to bounce back after a failed race• Smart pacing strategies for a sub-3 marathon attemptAnd a fun debate: what should we rename the half marathon?Plus: Alan Turing’s marathon time vs modern runners, fueling strategies, and race-day mindset tips.Chapters:00:00 Intro – Mailbag Madness Returns00:30 Listener Questions Overview (Shoes, Hydration, Fun Topics)05:30 Best Super Shoes for Your First Marathon10:00 Carbon-Plated Shoes for Heavier Runners18:30 Break – Sponsors & Gear Talk21:00 Marathon Bonking: Hydration vs Fueling Explained27:30 Hydration Strategies (Vest vs Aid Stations)29:00 Carbs, Fueling & Avoiding the Wall37:30 Renaming the Half Marathon (Fun Debate)44:30 Alan Turing’s Marathon Time (How Fast Today?)50:00 Sub-3 Marathon Strategy & Mental Game55:00 Overcoming Self-Doubt After a Bad Race01:01:00 Pacing Strategy for Sub-3 Attempts01:02:00 Outro + How to Submit QuestionsSUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:Saysky makes incredible running gear that our team love. Use code MARATHON15 for 15% off your purchase at https://saysky.comLagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better. Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. 📩 Email us your questions here:[email protected] us an audio question here:marathonhandbook.com/podcast👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and drop your questions in the comments!#running #marathon #supershoes #marathontraining #runningtips #sub3marathon

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down one of the most chaotic weeks in running news this year.A little-known Ethiopian runner stunned the world at the Barcelona Marathon, running 2:10:53 in her marathon debut — the fastest debut ever and the second-fastest women’s marathon in history. But with the current world record clouded by doping controversy, what does this performance really mean?We also discuss Eliud Kipchoge’s 2026 race calendar, which includes marathons on three continents: Cape Town, Brazil, and Melbourne.Plus:NYC Half Marathon resultsHelen Obiri’s dominant performanceGrant Fisher’s pro road debutRandi Zuckerberg’s impressive 82-mile FKTNike’s new ultra runner residency programIf you enjoy running news, marathon analysis, and the biggest stories in endurance sports, tune in every week for The Running Story.

In this Mailbag Madness episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci answer listener questions about training, racing, injuries, and running gear.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:Saysky makes incredible running gear that our team love. Use code MARATHON15 for 15% off your purchase at https://saysky.comThis episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://⁠livemomentous.comTopics include building a long-term plan to qualify for the Boston Marathon, whether runners should race a half marathon before their goal marathon, and how hard workouts should feel during a training block.We also discuss returning to running after Achilles and plantar fasciitis injuries, fueling strategies for long runs, and whether runners actually need a shoe rotation to improve performance and reduce injury risk.Questions answered in this episode:How should I structure a multi-year Boston qualifying plan?Is racing a half marathon 8 weeks before a marathon a good idea?How fatigued should you feel during training?How do you safely rebuild mileage after injury?Do runners really need multiple pairs of running shoes?Plus: running stories, weird animal encounters on the run, and Alex’s now-infamous runner feet.Have a question for the show?Email [email protected]

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the five biggest stories shaping the running world.First up: Jacob Kiplimo runs 57:20 at the Lisbon Half Marathon, potentially reclaiming the half marathon world record pending ratification after last year’s controversy over pacing vehicles. Next, Eliud Kipchoge announces he’ll run the Cape Town Marathon, marking the first time the marathon legend will race on African soil in a marathon — and possibly positioning him to become the first eight-star finisher if Cape Town becomes a World Marathon Major. We also dive into two major LA Marathon controversies:A stunning 0.01-second finish after the race leader was misdirected off course near the finishA heated debate after runners who took a heat-relief shortcut at mile 18 were still awarded finisher medals. Finally, the NYC Marathon lottery results are out — and the odds are tougher than ever, with around 1% of applicants accepted.

Connor Mantz is the American marathon record holder, but his journey to the top hasn’t been straightforward.After a breakout 2025 season that included a record-breaking 2:04:43 at the Chicago Marathon, Mantz looked poised for even bigger things. But a sacrum stress fracture forced him off running for nearly three months.In this episode, Alex Cyr sits down with Mantz to talk about his recovery, his build toward the 2026 Boston Marathon, and what it takes to compete with the best marathoners in the world.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:Saysky makes incredible running gear that our team love. Use code MARATHON15 for 15% off your purchase at https://saysky.comLagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better. Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. They discuss:Setting the American marathon record in ChicagoThe injuries that derailed his trainingHow elite runners approach recovery and cross-trainingWhether Americans are closing the gap on East African runnersSuper shoes and how they’ve changed racingDoping concerns in professional runningWhy Utah produces so many elite distance runnersHis long-term goal of winning an Olympic medal in 2028Plus a rapid-fire round covering shoe rotations, breaking two hours in the marathon, and who he trusts most to babysit his future child.00:00 Intro00:47 Meet American Marathon Record Holder Conner Mantz02:30 Injury After Chicago & The Road Back04:30 Running Through Injuries06:30 The Sacrum Stress Fracture Explained11:00 Cross Training While Injured14:30 Returning to Running After 12 Weeks Off17:40 Boston Marathon Build & Training Strategy22:00 Benchmark Workouts Before a Marathon24:00 Can Conner Mantz Win Boston?25:30 Choosing Marathons: Legacy vs Prize Money28:30 Olympic Gold vs Winning a Major31:00 The Sour Patch Kids Doping Scare36:00 Doping in Elite Running44:30 The Enhanced Games Debate49:00 Are Americans Catching East African Runners?54:00 The Super Shoe Effect57:00 Why Some Runners Improve So Fast58:30 What Makes Conner Mantz a Great Marathoner1:00:30 Why Utah Produces So Many Elite Runners1:04:00 Goals for 2026 & Olympic Dreams1:06:00 Rapid Fire Questions1:15:00 Where to Follow Conner Mantz

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth unpack one of the most dramatic weeks in running so far this year.We start in Tokyo, where the first World Marathon Major of 2026 delivered a blistering three-man sprint finish and a stunning women’s course record performance.Then we dive into the chaos at the US Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta, where a lead vehicle reportedly took a wrong turn — costing Jess McClain a national title and a potential automatic World Championships spot.Plus:Ironman bans on-course photography, phones, GoPros, and wearable camera glasses — is this about safety or squeezing athletes into buying official photos?Olympic superstar Eileen Gu’s surprisingly strong running résuméHonoring the legacy of Jeff Galloway, 1972 Olympian and pioneer of the run-walk methodIt’s a packed episode covering controversy, brilliance, and legacy in the running world.Follow the show for weekly deep dives into the biggest stories in running.Read Amby Burfoot's interview with Jess McClain.00:00 Intro2:00 Tokyo Marathon 2026 Recap5:06 Jeff Galloway Remembered (1945–2026)8:15 Eileen Gu: The Elite Runner That Never Was11:25 US Half Marathon Championships Controversy17:54 Ironman Bans On-Course Photography

Recorded moments after the elite races finished, we break down everything from the 2026 Tokyo Marathon. Brigid Kosgei stormed back into world-class form with a stunning 2:14:29 course record (14:25), while Tadesse Takele defended his title in a 2:03:37 thriller that came down to the final meters (23:51). We unpack the women’s race coverage issues and what we missed early (06:16), the bold front-running move that shaped the men’s race (17:58), the Japanese national record battle (26:40), standout performances and surprises (31:03), and what the shoe wars looked like on both podiums (40:00). Plus: our honest take on the broadcast, the app frustrations, and whether Tokyo just moved up — or stayed put — on our personal majors bucket lists (46:24).#tokyomarathon #WMM #WorldMarathonMajors #marathon #running

In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci break down everything you need to know about the first World Marathon Major of 2026: the Tokyo Marathon.We deliver a complete race preview — from course strategy and congestion to race-day weather, elite storylines, and bold predictions. If you’re racing Tokyo, chasing a marathon PR, or just love major marathon season, this is your full guide.We cover race basics and how to watch live (04:37), including start times and logistics, plus just how hard it is to get into Tokyo’s infamous 2% lottery (09:00). Then we dive into a full course breakdown (12:30), race etiquette and on-course rules (17:30), and Tokyo’s unique aid stations and fueling setup (29:10). We analyze the race-day weather forecast and conditions (32:20), and explore Tokyo Marathon history and course records (35:57).On the elite side, we break down the women’s field (41:52), including whether Sutume Kebede can three-peat (43:00), and what Sara Hall racing both Tokyo and Boston means (45:00). We debate why Tokyo still hasn’t produced a world record (48:50) before turning to the men’s field (51:52), the Japanese national record showdown (53:30), and dark horse breakout potential (56:00).Finally, we make our official predictions for the winners (1:02:55) and close with our World Marathon Majors Power Rankings — PB edition (1:09:56), before final thoughts and how to follow the race live (1:18:30).Topics include:• Elite field predictions (men’s & women’s)• Course record potential• The Japanese national record battle• Why Tokyo hasn’t produced a world record• Course strategy & race-day tips• Weather forecast analysis• Is Tokyo secretly the fastest major?• Could Cam Levins break the North American record?If you’re running Tokyo, planning your next major, or gearing up for marathon season — this is your complete race preview.Subscribe, rate, and follow the Marathon Handbook Podcast for weekly running news and marathon analysis.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:Saysky makes incredible running gear that our team love. Use code MARATHON15 for 15% off your purchase at https://saysky.comThis episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://⁠livemomentous.com#tokyomarathon #WMM #WorldMarathonMajors #HarryStyles #marathon #running