Set the Pace

The first-ever video version of Set the Pace launches this week at the Peloton Studios in NYC, as Rob and Becs interview Queens-born N.O.R.E., who burst onto the scene in the late 1990s as one half of the hip-hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga. He went on to a successful solo career, and most recently, became the co-host of the popular podcast Drink Champs, where he interviews rap legends over a few drinks. Find out how this hip-hop veteran went from “Noreaga” to “marathon runner,” and why he’s embracing health and wellness with the same passion that he’s brought to his music career. When his homie Busta Rhymes asked him, “What do you do this for?” N.O.R.E. said he runs to “be a better version of me.” Plus, a few weeks ago, Meb caught up with NYRR member Noah Perez, a young runner who took up the sport on a whim and dove in headfirst, drawn by the challenge and competition. The more he ran, the more running became something deeper. 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.DISCLAIMER  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining the show this week is Deborah McFadden, a trailblazer in disability rights who played a key role in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). At 23, while in graduate school, Deborah was struck with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare illness that causes paralysis. Facing intense discrimination, Deborah became determined to fight for disability equality and was later appointed U.S. Commissioner of Disabilities under President George H.W. Bush. The ADA transformed public life by mandating curb cuts, ramps, accessible restrooms, and equal access to education and employment. Deborah is the mother of Paralympic athletes Tatyana and Hannah McFadden. During a humanitarian trip to Russia, Deborah met six-year-old Tatyana, a child with spina bifida living in an orphanage. Deborah brought her home to the U.S., later adopting Hannah from an orphanage in Albania. Determined to give her daughters equal opportunities, she fought for inclusive school sports—leading to the Tatyana’s Law, which guarantees equal athletic opportunities for students with disabilities.Today's Member Moment is with Kristian Ramos and stay tuned for a special Meb Minute with HSS all about crosstraining for runners, featuring Mohammad Saad, PT, DPT .FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTokSUPPORT: 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.

Emmy award-winning filmmaker Rudy Valdez joins Rob to talk about directing “Final Finishers,” a new documentary that premiered at the Tribeca Festival and marks the launch of NYRR’s in-house studio, East 89th St Productions. The film highlights the incredible journeys of the back-of-the-pack runners—whose stories of grit and determination embody the spirit of what it takes to run 26.2 miles. Rudy shares insights on the collaborative nature of filmmaking, what drew him to the project, the importance of inclusive storytelling, and how the experience inspired him to start training for a marathon himself on November 2 at the TCS New York City Marathon. And for this week’s Member Moment, Meb interviewed Anne Giovanoni, a New York City Marathon streaker with 16 finishes under her belt who was so inspired by the determination of the final finishers that she became a supporter of the documentary. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTokSUPPORT: 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.

Olympian Nikki Hiltz returns to Set the Pace after a record-breaking year of headline-making races and personal milestones. When they last joined the podcast, Nikki was on the verge of earning a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics—where they made history as the first openly transgender and nonbinary American to reach an individual Olympic final. Nikki joins Becs to talk about setting records on the track and taking on the challenge of competing in the Grand Slam Track series. They also share their advocacy work through events like the Flagstaff Pride 5K, which has raised over $170,000 for The Trevor Project. Plus, this week’s Member Moment features Mauricio Blandino, who joined Achilles International after a long journey recovering from a traumatic brain injury. He leads the New York City chapter of the Brain Injury Association, helping other brain injury survivors find community and support in their recovery.Listen to our last interview with Nikki here - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-with-nikki-hiltz-trailblazing-pro-middle/id1703616687?i=1000659605577FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTokSUPPORT: 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.

Joining Rob and Becs this week is New York Giants legend and longtime runner Tiki Barber. Tiki shares what inspired him to run his first New York City Marathon in 2014 and going on to complete over 15 marathons, including races in Boston, Big Sur, and Jerusalem with hopes of running all Abbott World Marathon Majors. He talks about how the “beauty of running is the encouragement you get” from the spectators, unlike football where you may get booed by the crowd, which he lightheartedly admits he’s experienced a few times. Tiki also discusses his work with Team for Kids and Achilles International and what’s next for him, including being a guide runner at the NYRR Staten Island Half. Plus, Rob and Becs reflect on the loss of running pioneer and NYRR Hall of Fame member Nina Kuscsik who passed away last week. And this week’s Meb Minute is all about training smart in the summer months.Read more about Nina Kuscsik here - https://www.nyrr.org/run/photos-and-stories/2025/nina-kuscsik-womens-distance-running-pioneer-and-legendFOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTokSUPPORT: 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.

In this special Father’s Day episode, Rob is joined by NYRR board member and marathoner Juan Uro who shares how running gave him the motivation to keep moving after losing his 6-year-old son, Bautista. Earlier this year Juan completed the World Marathon Challenge—running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days—in memory of Bauti, as he affectionally refers to his late son. Throughout the 5-day, 20-hour challenge, his wife Mariela and daughter Isabella cheered him on from their home in NYC. Juan says running was a way for him to deal with grief, giving him a reason to get out of bed almost every morning and move forward, even in the darkest days. Plus, this week’s Member Moment spotlights nonbinary champ Galo Vasquez, a SUNY New Paltz alum who has dominated NYRR’s nonbinary division, winning both the United Airlines NYC half and the RBC Brooklyn Half.   Juan Uro and 7 Marathons in 6 days: (04:42)Galo Vasquez - Non-binary Champion: (43:34)HSS's Yukiko Matsuzaki - Adolescent Athletes: (53:37)  FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTokSUPPORT: 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.

Broadcaster and Olympian Carrie Tollefson steps in to host today's interviews with the two Mastercard New York Mini 10k Champions, Susannah Scaroni and Hellen Obiri. Also joining Carrie, is the 2nd place pro-finisher and new American record holder for the course, Weini Kelati. Champ Hellen Obiri Joins Carrie: (01:19)6 Time Champ Susannah Scaroni: (08:13)Fastest American Weini Kelati: (17:15) FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTokSUPPORT: 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.

It all started with a devastating diagnosis in the fall of 2020. Multiple chemo treatments, a stem cell transplant and many marathon finish lines later,  Peter joins NYRR CEO Rob Simmelkjaer for a special LIVE  taping of 850 Million Reasons to Run.   Rob and Peter  dive into  the “memento mori” moment that reframed the meaning of Peter's life, turning a business leader into a global philanthropist with one singular quest- to turn his new found love of running into a global movement to empower life-saving medical research.   Let's unlock money for medical research!  Learn More, and Sign Up here-  https://www.beyourpossible.com/runforresearch New York Road Runners does not benefit from Be Your Possible donations or unlocked funds. NYRR is elevating Peter's story as part of our joint vision to create positive change through running. Signing up for Be Your Possible's Run For Research  is free to all  - there is no financial obligation for any runner who chooses to participate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from the annual TCS New York City Marathon Partner Forum, Rob is joined by Anne Valentzas, Senior Vice President of Consumer Marketing and Sponsorships at Mastercard, where she spearheads the global Priceless program, curating experiences that connect cardholders to culture, sport, and sustainability initiatives. This Saturday is the Mastercard New York Mini 10K Women’s Race and Anne, who is an avid runner, ran her first Mini 10K in 1996. The race brings an incredible professional field, including 2022 TCS New York City Marathon winner Sharon Lokedi who also won the United Airlines NYC Half in March in an event-record time of 1:07:04. In April, she not only won the Boston Marathon but shattered the women’s course record with a 2:17:22 finish. She joins Rob and Anne to talk about her preparation leading up to the iconic Mastercard New York Mini 10K. You can find our February 27th, 2025 interview with Sharon Lokedi Here - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/olympian-sharon-lokedi-is-inspiring-the-next/id1703616687?i=1000696486824 or anywhere you get your podcasts!FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTokSUPPORT: 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.

What happens when the person who saves your life is someone you’ve never met? A year after his transplant, Peter is finally allowed to contact the donor whose stem cells now run through his body and an eight‑page letter, dashed off at 38,000 feet, transforms into the meeting of two, forever connected humans. How do you pay it forward after the unthinkable? What do we owe others when someone else's good deed changes a man, a family and a future, forever? For Peter, the answer is RUN.   Let's unlock money for medical research!  Learn More, and Sign Up here-  https://www.beyourpossible.com/runforresearch New York Road Runners does not benefit from Be Your Possible donations or unlocked funds. NYRR is elevating Peter's story as part of our joint vision to create positive change through running. Signing up for Be Your Possible's Run For Research  is free to all  - there is no financial obligation for any runner who chooses to participate. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.