Marathon Talk

Running is truly for everyone, and there’s no greater champion for that notion than the remarkable Haroon Mota. A 6 Star Finisher, Founding Director of Active Inclusion Network, and huge advocate for running within the Muslim community, Haroon joins us on Marathon Talk to share his experiences of training through Ramadan. We’re also hot off the back of Paris, so we hear Deena’s exciting experiences and the standout stories from the race, plus a segment of training talk with some quick top tips for race day success. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - We kick off with Deena’s exhilarating Paris Marathon experience, and some tips for those of you looking to do the same next year 16:00 - Rounding up the big stories from Paris, including a sprint finish, debutant winner, and looking ahead to Eilish McColgan’s big London debut 30:00 - Training Talk this week covers 5 quick tips to see you through the big day if you’ve been training for a spring marathon 34:20 - An uplifting interview with Haroon Mota, who shares the intense discipline for runners during Ramadan, becoming a voice for underrepresented runners, and what makes London such a special race 1:16:40 - Wrapping up the show with a look ahead to London, Boston and Easter Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

Everything that Regina Fleming does in running, she had lying within from the start. So ask yourself: What do you have inside of you that’s yet to be discovered?   Regina dubs herself an ‘accidental runner’ - an accident which very recently became a stunning 6 Star Finisher’s medal…   Deena chats to Regina in an inspiring interview this week on Marathon Talk, where we also talk about trusting the taper in Training Talk, final figures on the record-breaking Tokyo race, and much more!   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Opening up with Deena’s successful ‘panic training’ for Paris, and inspiring stories from the LA marathon, where she commentated 11:25 - The biggest stories we’ve yet to hear from Tokyo, including the final tally of record-breaking 6 Star Finishers, plus a scintillatingly close NYC half marathon in the wheelchair division, and possibly the most bizarre race ever devised… 21:40 - Training Talk: The Taper, how to trust in the preparations you’ve made and taper successfully to recharge ahead of the Spring marathon season 29:45 - An uplifting interview with marathon royalty, recent 6 Star Finisher Regina Fleming, who shares some of her most remarkable stories, gruelling finishes, work for representation, and more 1:05:35 - Closing out with a look ahead to Deena’s upcoming Paris marathon, plus her preparations and targets for the race   Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/  

Tokyo was an exhilarating weekend of marathon racing, with a remarkable Guinness World Record to boot - never have more 6 Star Finishers been crowned in a single race! Being a part of that record is a privilege that Dr Steve Sigmund experienced, and we chat to him on Marathon Talk this week to understand his heartwarming journey to that finish line. Beyond the 3,000 new 6 Star Finishers, we cover the spectacular sprint finish, more preparation tips for your next spring marathon, national record-breaking runs, and so much more… In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Deena’s preparation (or lack thereof) for Paris and Martin’s parkrun gains 9:40 - Rounding up Tokyo’s staggering runs and sprint finishes, plus a look at Eilish McColgan’s chances in the TCS London Marathon next month 24:50 - Training Talk: we’re guiding you towards a spring marathon, looking at speed sessions in your final 6 week runup 31:00 - Deena talks to the incredible Dr Stephen Sigmund, who balanced emergency work with training, and joined the world record breaking Tokyo race to achieve his 6 Star Finish Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

The final stretch of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships race in Bathurst was fraught with drama, and with the marathon route in Budapest revealed, it’s a big week in the running world. We’ve got a ram-packed episode of Marathon Talk this week with a look at the all-important long run in your marathon training, and the single fall that cost the Bathurst race.  On top of all the news and training talk, we have a fantastic interview with the incredible Alfred Scaletta who’s set to finish his 72nd marathon in Tokyo as a 6 Star Finisher, 46 years after his first Chicago. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Catching up on the previous fortnight, including a heartwarming bike ride for a friend with an unfortunate, recent diagnosis 10:20 - We bring all the news from Bathurst’s dramatic World Cross Country Championships 28:45 - Training Talk: we look at the long run, and how you can experiment with it to improve your race day 37:10 - Alfred Scaletta shares his 72 marathons’ experience, 46 year journey to a 6 Star medal, and lucky escape from the tragic events of Boston 2013 1:05:30 - Wrapping up with well-wishes for those noble Tokyo marathoners in March Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

Mary Ngugi is not only an accomplished marathoner, but a force of nature, a catalyst for change, and an inspiration both throughout her racing and beyond.   Having launched Nala Track Club, she’s creating opportunities for young girls in Kenya with the potential to achieve similar success.   We hear from Mary on the podcast this week, as we also take a look at the stellar elite field for London, Tokyo’s record-breaking run next month, and how much race pace you’re really sacrificing by missing out on training sessions.   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Martin & Deena catch up and share their experiences with unique run plans and strength training 13:43 - Rounding up news on the recently announced elite field for April’s TCS London Marathon, and Tokyo’s Guinness World Record-breaking run next month 21:10 - Training Talk: New research on how much impact a run of consistent missed sessions can have on final race pace 29:05 - Mary Ngugi’s inspiring interview, discussing her start in distance running, advantages of training as a team, and remarkable activism work with Nala Track Club & Women’s Athletic Alliance 1:01:00 - Closing out with celebrations for two important, special birthdays   Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

For anyone needing inspiration to smash a PB this year, the story of the 2022 AWMM 40-44 Age Group World Champion is one to behold.   The race was only Gary Laybourne’s fourth marathon, and he came home in a stellar 2:21:07 - it’s a privilege to hear from him on this week’s Marathon Talk, as he shares his background in triathlon, and the training that helped him fulfil his potential.   Also in episode 9, it’s time to build patient progress in February if you’re lining up an April race, we cover some record breaking news from two incredible Aussies, and mull over a shocking start to the recent Valencia 10k.   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Cold running essentials, the shocking start to Valencia’s recent 10k, two Australian women’s new records, and much more 17:20 - Training Talk, covering the lead up to a spring race with a look at how your February, March and April should be shaping up and where to focus 25:30 - A conversation with the AWMM Age Group World Champion, Gary Laybourne about his remarkable entry into the marathon scene, charitable work with Coach Core, and specific sessions that help him maximise his potential 48:40 - Rounding up the episode with a look at the new Majors magazine   Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

It’s a new year, and Marathon Talk is starting strong with a record-holding star whose standout performance in Chicago set the US marathon record - Emily Sisson.   This episode is PERFECT for shaking off the post-Christmas dust, as we hear from Emily how she trains to achieve her stunning results, and Martin & Deena run through how to pick a running plan that works for you!   All this, and more on Sydney’s push to secure Kipchoge for their 2024 race, a beloved Boston canine spectator, and the close of the Age Group World Rankings.   In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Rounding up the winter break, news on Sydney’s 2024 race, and the Spencer the Golden Retriever’s latest battle 13:30 - Training talk; how to find a training plan that works for you, whatever event you’re planning to build up to 33:00 - US record-holder Emily Sisson on owning your training plan, how to uphold good habits, her staggering Chicago run, and buildup to the Boston Half 1:02:30 - Closing out the show with some final tips on maintaining motivation in the dark, cold, rainy months   Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

You don’t need to have set personal best times this year to find a success story, and it’s those success stories that’ll help drive you to glory in 2023. The year’s end marks a wonderful time for Martin and Deena to look back over 2022, and help you use your highlights, achievements, struggles and ambitions to plan for a marvellous year ahead! In this episode of Marathon Talk: 7:30: How Deena reflected on her performances during her most successful seasons 10:45: The questions you should ask yourself to extract the most value from the past year 26:15: Projecting forward and setting your sights on success in 2023 31:20: A very special 6 Questions for a 6 Star Finisher 32:50: Highlighting the staggering number of national records set this year, and wrapping up the running year Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

Success isn’t earned by deep pockets, but by heart, determination and mindset. Such is the winning mentality of Commonwealth gold medallist, JohnBoy Smith. Recalling his call-up for Team GB in Tokyo and some of the greatest challenges he’s overcome, JohnBoy joins us for a fascinating discussion in the latest episode of Marathon Talk. We also take a look at the fastest ever 2nd half run in Valencia, the scintillating European Cross Country race in Turin, and how Boston is set to tee up a clash of the titans between Kipchoge and Chebet. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Adverse weather running and England’s recent world cup woes 6:00 - Rounding up Valencia’s fastest ever second half, and the exhilarating European Cross Country in Turin 20:05 - Team GB’s JohnBoy Smith on winning Commonwealth Gold, finding sources of drive & inspiration, and accessibility for budding young wheelchair athletes 53:30 - 6 Q’s with a 6 Star Finisher, and preparing to reflect on 2022 Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

Gina Little is a true inspiration, and a lesson in longevity, having achieved her 6 Star Finisher’s medal at 77 years young! She carries with her the true spirit of the sport, and stories of such a strong running community. We hear from Gina having completed her 602nd marathon, plus a roundup of stories including the life-saving marathoner, an intriguing sub-3:30 time set while chain smoking, and how to use cross country in your spring marathon build up. In this episode of Marathon Talk: 0:00 - Deena’s recent Mammoth Turkey Trot, and the World Cup rivalry across the pond 7:30 - A roundup of a remarkable chain smoking marathoner, real life superhero saving two lives in the Monterey Half Marathon, a huge incident in Troy, and how to use cross country in your marathon prep 21:20 - The oldest 6 Star Finisher, Gina Little, on her 600+ marathons, affinity to London’s race, and the secrets to her longevity 51:10 - 6 questions for a 6 Star Finisher, and looking forward to the holidays with the 12-day Christmas Tree running challenge Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/