Set the Pace

Find out what it’s like to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days as Becs recaps her amazing experience tackling The Great World Race. She reflects on what inspired her to take on the challenge and how it played out from Antarctica to Miami. From heading to Antarctica a day early to avoid an impending storm to running loops on a track in Australia and back-and-forth repeats in Istanbul while dodging fishing lines to fighting humidity and near-triple-digit temps, Becs learned so much about herself and the power of resilience. Tune in to find out how she was able to push through even while struggling with a foot injury, GI issues, and major doubts. Also, hear from Hillary Kupish who secured the top overall finisher spot at The Great World Race (with Becs a close second) after having run the TCS New York City Marathon just 10 days before.  FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok SUPPORT: 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.

This week, Becs and Rob are joined by Phoebe Robinson, the writer, comedian, and actor who folks may know from the show 2 Dope Queens. Phoebe is also a two-time marathoner, finishing the Boston Marathon and the TCS New York City Marathon within a year and a half. Find out how she got her start doing standup in NYC and how taking a run/walk class led her to train for a marathon. And Meb talks with Scottie Nelson, who ran his first marathon in 2023 and four months later competed in the 2024 U.S. Olympic marathon trials. Scottie was the top Front Runners NY finisher at the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. Meb also provides some tips for dealing with the post-marathon blues. Plus, don’t forget to tune in next week when Becs talks about her amazing marathon journey taking on 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok SUPPORT: 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 us for this special Thanksgiving week episode is Kathleen Wright, the director of production operations at Macy’s and the woman responsible for orchestrating the magic behind the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Since 1924, the parade has delighted New Yorkers and folks across the country and will be celebrating 100 years in 2026; the parade was canceled for three years during World War 2. Kathleen is a marathon runner too, having run the TCS New York City Marathon multiple times, and notices the similarities between the parade and the marathon when it comes to bringing community together, including thousands of volunteers who turn out to help. Many are Macy’s employees and their families who return each year as part of their Thanksgiving traditions. And for our Member Moment, Meb talks with the winner of the Every Woman’s Marathon in Savannah, Khia Kurtenbach. Khia reflects on how her mother, an avid marathoner herself, inspired her to run the distance. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok SUPPORT: 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.

This week Rob is joined by Sara Vaughn, the top American woman finisher at this year's TCS New York City Marathon where she delivered an impressive performance with a time of 2:26:56. She was a late addition to the race after being sidelined by Covid in the lead up to the Chicago Marathon. Sara transitioned from being a middle-distance runner to the marathon and won the 2021 California International Marathon in her marathon debut. She’s crushing it while balancing life as a mother of four and a full-time real estate agent in Boulder, Colorado. Tune in to hear her race-day strategy and how she was able to stay with the lead pack even while not looking at her watch. Also joining the podcast is NYRR member Maryann Gong, the top woman finisher from the Central Park Track Club and a 15-time NCAA Division III All-American runner. LINKS:Find your push. Find your power at onepeloton.com/race-training FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok SUPPORT: 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.

Rob hosts solo this week as Becs heads to Cape Town, South Africa to embark on The Great World Race where she’ll run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days. We'll start off with a special message from Becs, direct from Cape Town as she embarks on her great adventure. Then, joining the show this week is David Jones, who walked 17 miles through the wreckage of Hurricane Helene because he was determined to make it to his daughter's wedding. He talks about his harrowing experience walking in the middle of night with just his cell phone flashlight guiding the way. That journey became a viral sensation, and NYRR first noticed his story because he did that walk wearing a TCS New York City Marathon jacket. We invited him to run this year’s marathon, which he did while fundraising for TCS New York Marathon Charity partner, the American Red Cross. Plus, Meb’s Member Moment features Sofia Camacho Ferral, the winner of this year’s non-binary division at the marathon and what it’s like being an accomplished marathoner and drag performer. LINKS:Donate to David's Red Cross Fundraising page HERE! FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok SUPPORT: 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.

This week Becs is joined by Ted Metellus, the TCS New York City Marathon race director, for a roundup of this year’s marathon, including highlights of the day and record-breaking numbers. Also on the show is comedic actor Randall Park. This multifaceted talent is known for his unforgettable roles in both TV and film, including Louis Huang in Fresh Off the Boat and Jimmy Woo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This past weekend, Randall took on a different challenge by completing the TCS New York City Marathon at the age of 50, raising money for KultureCity, a nonprofit focused on sensory inclusion. Randall’s 12-year-old daughter is on the autism spectrum and has sensory needs. He not only ran for her but also for his father who passed away this year. Our Member Moment features Cynthia Marfori-Gordon, a race walker who completed her 14th New York City Marathon last Sunday, and a special Meb Minute, with HSS's Anil Nandkumar standing in for Meb to talk about Recovery.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok SUPPORT: 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 marathon-day edition of Set the Pace, Rob interviews 2024 TCS New York City Marathon champions Sheila Chepkirui, Abdi Nageeye, Daniel Romanchuck and Susannah ScaroniFOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok SUPPORT: 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 TCS New York City Marathon–weekend edition of Set the Pace, guest-host and Olympian Carrie Tollefson interviews the 2024 USATF 5K champions, Annie Rodenfels and Ahmed Muhumed, and three-time youth girls champ, Zariel Macchia, at the finish line of the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K, which hosted the race in New York City this morning!FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok SUPPORT: 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.

Five-time Olympian and TCS New York City Marathon Grand Marshal Gabby Thomas joins Rob and Becs on part two of this week's episode of Set the Pace, recorded live from the Citizens Stage at the TCS New York City Marathon Expo presented by New Balance. Both Rob and Becs were at Stade de France to see Gabby's epic gold medal run this past summer, and Gabby shares with them everything she was thinking out on the track that magical night, and everything she did for the three years leading up to that single moment to prepare for the run of her life. Join Rob, Becs, and Gabby for this live discussion about running and what it takes to make your dreams come true, and find out if Gabby has her eyes on 26.2 anytime in the near future.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok SUPPORT: 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.

Join us live from the Citizens Stage at the TCS New York City Marathon Expo, presented by New Balance, for this interview with the incomparable George Hirsch, one of the founders of the Five-Borough Marathon. No one can talk about the history of running like George. He has the best stories about how running has grown from a niche sport into a worldwide phenomenon, how Fred Lebow managed the start lines way back when, and about some of the superstars of world running in their youth. Also, he has the best running meet-cute you've ever heard. Join Rob and Becs as they present George with the Abebe Bikila Award in the first part of this two-part episode of Set the Pace.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok SUPPORT: 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.