Marathon Talk

The road season is officially upon us, with the first of the World Marathon Majors from Berlin and the upcoming London Marathon this weekend. Scott and McColgan are magnificent in Manchester, there's a DQ at the Bristol Half, marathon great Mary Keitany retires, this week's Training Talk is all about the taper, and Holly catches up with London Marathon debutant Samantha Harrison.

Brighton puts on a marathon-and-a-bit, Vienna's let down by some slightly-too-big shoes, there's a new 5k road record, Scott and McColgan impress at the GNR, and we talk to parkrun COO, Tom Williams, about the return of parkrun around the world.

There's a new women's half marathon world record, the unbreakable 24 hour record is broken, there's incredible results at the UTMB ultra festival as well as a sad tragedy, and London Marathon implements some new changes. Holly catches up with Welsh marathoner Josh Griffiths to talk about his career and future plans, and this week's Training Talk is all about perfecting your race craft after a lay off.

Throughout August, the show is sponsored by Iffley Road, an independent British brand that champions the joy of running. This week, we look back at the endurance performances at the Olympics, the London Marathon reveal their elite field for 2021 and their new date for 2022. Holly catches up with Olympic marathoner Steph Davis, and this week's Training Talk is all about where you should be with just seven weeks to go until the London Marathon.

Thank you to the classic British running clothing company, Iffley Road, for supporting this week's show. Their founder, Bill Byrne, joins us to talk about his love of running and the heritage of the brand. The Olympic Games are here, and we look back at some of the dramas, tears, performances, and stories from events that have excited, inspired, and intrigued. And Martin speaks to Jerry Lockspeiser, author of Running Stories, a book supporting the brilliant Running Charity, and filled with stories of people struggling with self-doubt who put one foot forward and never look back.

We talk all about the upcoming Tokyo Olympics Games, Andy Butchart receives a suspended ban after comments over faked covid tests, and Sir Mo Farah has broken his foot. Holly speaks to Sian Longthorpe about her gender reassignment, and how running has been her saviour. And this week's Training Talk is all about running in the heat.

Martin speaks to Matt Rogan, author of How Sport Can Reboot our Future. After the British trials 65 athletes are selected for Tokyo, Eilish McColgan breaks Paula Radcliffe's 5,000m British record, Beth Pascall wins the Western States 100 in tough conditions, and there's a new Wainwrights record. Plus, Training Talk is all about racing within marathon training.

Thanks to Runderwear for supporting this week's show. Anji speaks to English National Cross Country Champion (and triathlete), Calum Johnson. It's the Team GB Tokyo Olympic trials at the weekend, including one more go for Mo, American 1,500m runner Shelby Houlihan gets four-year ban, and Training Talk looks at kick-starting your autumn marathon build-up.

Holly speaks to British athletics coach and former elite athlete, Jo Wilkinson, there's national track titles and Olympic qualifiers at the Muller Trials in Birmingham, and a new 10,000m women's track world record. Sir Mo Farah suffers a shock defeat, Damian Hall sets a new Wainwright's C2C record, and for this week's Training Talk we discuss our techniques for to improve mental toughness when racing.

Thanks to TRIBE nutrition for supporting this week's show. We remember legendary marathoner and running icon Dr Ron Hill, and revisit his 2011 interview with Tom. John Kelly recaptures his Pennine Way FKT, there's some crazy-fast 800m times at Ostrava, and a tragedy in China. As parkrun COO, Tom also shares his thoughts on parkrun's return. Plus Exhale coffee support Training Talk as we bring you three sessions to knock out before parkrun resumes.