

Set the Pace
New York Road Runners
NYRR Set the Pace Presented by Peloton is the official podcast of New York Road Runners. Join hosts Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners, and Becs Gentry, Peloton Instuctor, every Thursday in conversation with inspiring athletes, from everyday enthusiasts to elite marathoners, to hear stories of perseverance, drive, and dedication. Each episode also includes an NYRR Member Moment spotlight and pro tip from 2009 New York City Marathon champ and Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 18, 2025 • 1h 4min
Sof Camacho on Culture, Creating Art, and Chasing PRs
This week, Becs speaks with Sof Camacho about Sof's breakout year in distance running—winning the nonbinary division at the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon in 2:31:29 and, just weeks later, finishing the Valencia Marathon in 2:29:15, one of the fastest marathon times ever run by a nonbinary athlete. By day, Sof is chasing PRs and coaching other runners to find their potential; by night, they create art through tattooing as well as performing onstage as their drag persona Xana Whoria. Sof shares why their Mexican heritage inspires them every day and that letting go of perfection helped them push further than they ever imagined. Plus, ultramarathoner Jen Curtis joins the show for this week’s Member Moment. Jen has completed 24 marathons and, earlier this year, took on The Speed Project—a 300-mile race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. She also supports mental health awareness through her family’s nonprofit, 4TeamBrock, dedicated to her brother who struggled with mental health.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 11, 2025 • 1h 8min
Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan Talk 2025 TCS New York City Marathon Debuts
Eliud Kipchoge, the legendary marathon runner from Kenya and multiple world record holder, joins Sifan Hassan, the versatile Olympic champion from the Netherlands, as they gear up for their NYC Marathon debuts. They share insights on their recent races, with Hassan fresh off a Sydney victory and Kipchoge, at 40, maintaining a positive outlook despite questions about retirement. FDNY Battalion Chief Dennis Sweeney also reflects on the community spirit in marathon running, especially as they honor first responders on 9/11's anniversary.

Sep 8, 2025 • 23min
Americans Yared Nuguse and Gracie Morris Win the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile
Check out this exciting episode of Set the Pace as Olympian Carrie Tollefson interviews the winners of the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile. Olympic bronze medalist Yared Nuguse becomes the first American man to win the men’s race since 2016, and Olympic Trials finalist Gracie Morris ran the third-fastest time in the race's history. Hear from both athletes on their thrilling performances at this historic event, which hosted more than 9,000 athletes across 30 heats who braved the rain to race down Manhattan’s iconic 5th Avenue on Sunday. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 5, 2025 • 1h 3min
Olympic Medalist Yared Nuguse on Racing Along Fifth Avenue
Live from the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, hosts Rob and Becs were joined by Olympian Yared Nuguse, who’ll be facing a deep competitive field this Sunday as he makes his debut at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile. The Louisville native once planned to become an orthodontist while studying biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame, before focusing his talent on the track. Nuguse went on to earn bronze in the 1,500 meters at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and, in 2025, set an indoor mile world record at the Millrose Games—his third straight NYRR Wanamaker Mile title. For those listening to this episode on 710 WOR, stay tuned because directly after the show will be live coverage of the 2025 New Balance 5th Avenue Mile!FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 28, 2025 • 53min
From the Mile to the Marathon: How Ellie and Jordan Fisher Balance Parenting, Running, and Giving Back
On this week’s show, Rob and Becs talk with Jordan Fisher—best known for his roles in Broadway’s Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and Moulin Rouge!, as well as Dancing with the Stars —and his wife, Ellie Fisher, who graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in clinical dietetics. This fall, Jordan will line up for the inaugural Broadway Mile at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile while Ellie is training for her first marathon at the TCS New York City Marathon. Both are running their races to raise money for Broadway Cares and the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative. They open up about how they are supporting one another through their training journeys as both parents and partners. And for this week’s Member Moment, Meb talks to Lizzy Blomgren, a golf professional who has spent years teaching and competing in the sport. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 10, she’s learned to balance her athletic career with the daily demands of managing her condition.Support Ellie's Run For Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids Support Rob's 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Run With TFK FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 21, 2025 • 52min
Training for the TCS New York City Marathon with Carl Radke and More!
Bravo TV’s Carl Radke, Peloton instructor Mariana Fernández, and Mallory Kilmer of @runswithMal are all training to run the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. Check them out on this week’s episode recorded live from the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub. Carl is four years sober and was inspired to run the marathon after experiencing the excitement of race day last year while cheering on a friend. He says running has been an amazing resource for his sobriety and recovery. Mallory has built one of New York’s largest free running communities, No More Lonely Runs, and Mariana Fernández, Peloton’s first bilingual instructor, credits her mother for inspiring her to run the marathon.Note: If you choose to wear headphones at a NYRR race, please ensure that you can hear all announcements and remain aware of your surroundings, including other participants, and that the volume is low enough so that the sound is not audible to other runners.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 11min
Conquering Roads and Trails with Peloton's Susie Chan
Joining Rob and Becs this week is British ultramarathon runner, and Becs’ fellow Peloton Tread instructor, Susie Chan. Susie didn’t start running until she was 35, when her brother convinced her to join him for a half marathon. Now, at age 50, she’s completed many marathons, including all six Abbott World Marathon Majors. She went on to conquer the Marathon des Sables, a six‑day, 250‑kilometer race through the Sahara; set a Guinness World Record by running 68.54 miles on a treadmill in 12 hours; and made ultrarunning history as the first European woman to finish all three Badwater Ultramarathon races in the same year. She’s also the award‑winning author of Trails and Tribulations: The Running Adventures of Susie Chan, which won Sports Performance Book of the Year at the 2025 Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards. Plus, this week’s Member Moment features Margaret Schwarz, who completed 20 consecutive New York City Marathons before shifting her endurance focus to open-water swimming. Support Rob's 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Run With TFKFOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 7, 2025 • 55min
Olympian Kenneth Rooks on Resilience, Trusting Faith, and Chasing World Titles
On this week’s show, Rob and Becs are joined by Olympic silver medalist and three-time U.S. steeplechase champion Kenneth Rooks. Kenneth talks about his breakout performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics and what makes the steeplechase such a unique and demanding event. He shares his journey from high school runner to NCAA champion and opens up about his two-year church mission in Uganda—and how faith and resilience have shaped his athletic career. He also talks about what it’s like training in Provo, Utah alongside elite marathoners Conner Mantz and Clayton Young. All three athletes train under coach Ed Eyestone, who helps each find their strengths, which will give Kenneth the confidence to power his finishing kick when he faces the competition at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo next month. Plus, NYRR member Ottilia Demeter speaks with Meb about completing the TCS New York City Marathon wearing a shirt that read, “I am running with a brain tumor. What’s your superpower?” Support Rob's 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Run With TFKFOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 31, 2025 • 57min
Patina Miller, Tony and Grammy Award Winner, Runs for a Cause
This week, Rob announced that he’ll be running the 2025 Chicago Marathon for Team for Kids, with Becs coaching him to a Boston Marathon qualifying time. Tune in to learn what Becs has planned for Rob’s training program. Featured on the show is guest Patina Miller—Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning actor and avid runner. She’s completed the TCS New York City Marathon twice and recently ran the 2025 TCS London Marathon in pursuit of a six-star Abbott World Marathon Majors medal. Tina is also a mother, and this summer, is serving as a mentor for the 2025 cohort of our Run for the Future program. Plus, Meb interviews Leanna Scaglione for this week’s Member Moment. Leanna is the 2025 national ambassador for the Children’s Tumor Foundation and is aiming for her fourth Abbott World Marathon Majors star at the 2025 Berlin Marathon. And don’t miss the launch of our special TCS New York City Marathon Meb Minute series, where Meb counts down the miles to the finish line and offers training tips. WATCH the show on YouTube!!! FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 19min
Top American Marathoner Susanna Sullivan Talks Balancing Teaching and Training
Susanna Sullivan, the top American finisher at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, joins Set the Pace this week to talk about the preparation it took to clock a blazing 2:21:56 finish time. She went on to be the top American finisher at the 2025 London Marathon. Susanna isn’t just one of the fastest American marathon runners around, she’s also a sixth-grade math teacher in Virginia. She shares with Rob and Becs what it’s like to go from teaching pre-algebra during the week to competing against world-class runners on the weekend. Susanna is preparing for the 2025 World Athletics Championships marathon in Tokyo, where she’ll represent Team USA. For this week’s Member Moment, Meb interviews Team for Kids runner Udai Jariwala who, after two knee replacements, ran his first marathon at age 75 at the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. Udai says that running slow has made him a faster runner. Support Rob's 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Run With TFKLearn More about the 2025 Start Line Series FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.