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In this week's episode, we look at what went down at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, as Tigst Assefa comes within seconds of an historic win, but has she sacrificed too much in pursuit of the record? And speaking of Berlin, our guest Sam Griffiths was in the German capital this weekend. The Brecon-based runner finished a very respectable 81st place on Sunday, but the story of how he got there is truly inspirational. We've also got a preview of next week's Bank of America Chicago Marathon. On this episode of Marathon Talk: 00:00 - Intro 04:42 - We review the 2026 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 20:03 - We meet Sam Griffiths, who ran a 2:20:26 in Berlin at the weekend, but whose story is so much more.  58:13 - We preview the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Links & References: Abbott World Marathon Majors | Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Marathon Talk | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Martin Yelling | Instagram Deena Kastor | Instagram Sam Griffiths | Instagram

With the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON on the horizon, we met a man who is aiming to make it Seven-In-A-Row, the most dominant athlete in the world, a man with over 40 Abbott World Marathon Majors titles to his name, the Swiss Silver Bullet, Marcel Hug. And staying with wheelchair racing, we're joined by London Marathon's Head of Disability, Michelle Weltman, who has an update for us on how the season has gone as competition steps up with 3 races to go. On this episode of Marathon Talk: 00:00 - Intro 05:35 - Marathon Talk meets Marcel Hug 35:30 - Michelle Weltman from London Marathon Events joins us to give us an update on the elite wheelchair season.  51:30 - Preview of the 2026 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Links & References: Abbott World Marathon Majors Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Marathon Talk Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Martin Yelling | Instagram Deena Kastor | Instagram Marcel Hug | Instagram

This past weekend, the 2026 TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS took place, and we have all the news from a big weekend of racing. There have also been some pretty seismic events in the world of long-distance running in the past fortnight, so we'll be taking a look at them too, plus we're joined by US TV personality Matt James, live from Sydney, to hear more about his marathon journey. On this episode of Marathon Talk: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Martin and Deena talk about UTMB and more 05:52 - Yomif Kejelcha breaks the Half Marathon World Record in Buenos Aires 07:53 - Sabastian Sawe pulls out of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 10:35 - A review of TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS with David Macnamara from Abbott World Marathon Majors in Sydney 25:48 - Marathon Talk meets Matt James 54:06 - Wrapping up Links & References: Abbott World Marathon Majors Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Marathon Talk Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Martin Yelling | Instagram Deena Kastor | Instagram Matt James | Instagram

As the 2026 Abbott World Marathon Majors season returns after its summer break, attention turns to the TCS Sydney Marathon. Joining us on this week's show, we welcome a legend of Australian marathon running. Lisa Weightman is an Olympian, representing Australia at the Beijing, London, Rio and Tokyo Games and has also competed at multiple World Championships and Commonwealth Games. We've also got news from the European Championships in Birmingham, and Martin & Deena share stories from their recent trip to Boulder, Colorado. All this, and more, on the latest episode of Marathon Talk. On this week's show: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Martin and Deena tell us about what they have been up to while we've been off 09:48 - European Championships 13:58 - A recap of the Abbott World Marathon Majors series so far 17:33 - TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS race preview 23:00 - Marathon Talk meets Lisa Weightman 57:34 - Wrapping up Links & References: Abbott World Marathon Majors Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Marathon Talk Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Martin Yelling | Instagram Deena Kastor | Instagram Lisa Weightman | Instagram

We're getting ready to take a short break for the summer, but as is now tradition, we're joined by David Macnamara from Abbott World Marathon Majors for our mid-season quiz. Have Martin and Deena been paying attention over the last 12 months, and can they answer David's moderately difficult questions?  Who will be this year's winner? Find out on the latest episode of Marathon Talk. 00:00 - Intro 08:48 - Round 1 | Tokyo 11:20 - Round 2 | Boston 15:31 - Round 3 | London 21:41 - Round 4 | Cape Town 24:33 - Round 5 | Sydney 29:34 - Round 6 | Berlin 34:25 - Round 7 | Chicago 40:05 - Round 8 | New York Links & References: Abbott World Marathon Majors Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Marathon Talk Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Martin Yelling | Instagram Deena Kastor | Instagram

On this week's episode of Marathon Talk, we're joined by comedian Paul Tomkinson, who is here to tell us all about this new book, Running Through Sand, an ageing runner's tale of running the Marathon Des Sables, frequently described as the toughest marathon on earth. We also have a quick roundup of everything happening in the marathon world, including big news from the TCS London Marathon. Order Running Through Sand here. On this episode of Marathon Talk: 00:00 - Intro 07:51 - The 2027 TCS London Marathon confirmed as a two-day event 15:41 - Comrades Marathon 18:43 - Update from the Tokyo Marathon 21:55 - Interview with Paul Tonkinson‍ Links & References: Abbott World Marathon Majors Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Marathon Talk Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Martin Yelling | Instagram Deena Kastor | Instagram Paul Tonkinson | Instagram

On this week's show, we're joined by Clark Gardner, CEO of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. This week, Cape Town became the 8th Abbott World Marathon Major. Clark is here to give us the lowdown on the event that took place last month, the process of becoming a Major and to look back on the events of October last year, when Cape Town's dream hung in the balance. Links & References: Abbott World Marathon Majors Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Marathon Talk Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Martin Yelling | Instagram Deena Kastor | Instagram

On this episode of Marathon Talk, Martin and Deena have an in-depth decision with Brett Clothier, Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit. Brett and his team lead the way in ensuring marathon running is a clean sport, and we wanted to invite him on to tell us more about the work his team does and the work organisations like Abbott World Marathon Majors and World Athletes support in this ongoing battle. ‍Links & References: Abbott World Marathon Majors Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Marathon Talk Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Martin Yelling | Instagram Deena Kastor | Instagram Athletics Integrity Unit | Instagram

We were in attendance at the premiere of the new Paula Radcliffe film, Chasing Stars, and we were joined by the film's director Pat Odom, to hear more about its making. We close the show with a Q&A that Paula gave with British running great Steve Cram. Watch Paula Radcliffe - Chasing Stars now on YouTube. On this episode of Marathon Talk: 00:00 - Intro 06:10 - Still reflecting on the 2026 TCS London Marathon 25:26 - Deena speaks with director Pat Odom, the man behind the lens of Paula Radcliffe - Chasing Stars 49:21 - Q&A from the premiere of Paula Radcliffe - Chasing Stars Links & References: Abbott World Marathon Majors Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Marathon Talk Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Martin Yelling | Instagram Deena Kastor | Instagram Pat Odom | Instagram

Only one place to start, on Sunday, Sebastian Sawe produced a performance that will be talked about until the end of time, becoming the first man to ever run a sub-2 hour Marathon in a competitive race. We have reaction and analysis from an historic day in London. On this episode of Marathon Talk: 00:00 - Intro 00:49 - We discuss the historic performance from Sabastian Sawe at the 2026 TCS London Marathon 29:13- Danny Coyle, COO at Abbott World Marathon Majors joins us to give his sights into the day from the grandstand.  39:09 - Sean Ingle offers his thoughts on what Sawe's performance means for the wider sport of marathon running. 59:46 - We have a quick look back at the 2026 Boston Marathon Links & References: Abbott World Marathon Majors Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Marathon Talk Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Martin Yelling | Instagram Deena Kastor | Instagram Sean Ingle | Instagram

As attention turns to Monday's Boston Marathon, we have a full preview of the race, including a look at who we think could be wearing their golden laurels on Boylston St. this Patriots' Day.  And as race weekend approaches, I had the privilege to catch up with a true Boston legend. Bill Rodgers joins us to share valuable insights into the course and discuss his highly decorated career in this sport. And finally, for anyone in Boston this weekend, Elizabeth Pehota from Abbott World Marathon Majors will be joining us to share more about everything happening on race week in Beantown. All this, and more, on Marathon Talk. On this episode of Marathon Talk: 00:00 - Intro 01:57 - We preview the 2026 Boston Marathon 13:40- Deena meets a Boston legend, Bill Rodgers joins us on Marathon Talk  40:42 - We meet Elizabeth Pehota who will be fronting the Inside The Majors series in Boston 52:45 - Martin and Deena wrap up the show Links & References: Abbott World Marathon Majors Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Marathon Talk Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Martin Yelling | Instagram Deena Kastor | Instagram Elizabeth Pehota | Instagram

We had hoped this week's episode would offer a fascinating insight into the preparation of an elite athlete as they geared up for their next race; however, fate conspired against us, and the day after we recorded it, Conner Mantz had to withdraw from the 130th Boston Marathon. He did, however, allow us to still publish this episode, and we thank him for that. Hopefully, you'll still enjoy our conversation with the US Marathon record holder and gain some insight into his mindset as he approaches his next major. Also on the show, we're joined by author Raz Rauf, who has a new book out called This Is Running: A Celebration of the World of Running, exploring the culture, history, brands, races and people behind it. All this, plus a round-up of the biggest stories in the sport on episode 87 of Marathon Talk. Order your copy of This Is Running here.    On this episode of Marathon Talk: 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - Something has gotten Martin very excited. 04:39 - Deena was in Chicago for the Shamrock Shuffle 08:47 - We discuss a 2-Day TCS London Marathon in 2027? 11:56 - Deena speaks with Conner Mantz 31:41 - Martin interviews author Raz Rauf about his new book 53:20 - Martin and Deena wrap up the show Links & References: Abbott World Marathon Majors Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Marathon Talk Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Martin Yelling | Instagram Deena Kastor | Instagram Raz Rauf | Instagram

The question everyone wants to know: just how do I get a bib for any of the Majors? We're joined by a Majors veteran, Rob Dalto, to talk us through all the ways you can earn your place at one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Plus, we have lots of news from around the marathon world. On this episode of Marathon Talk: 00:00 - Intro 00:50 - Deena tells us all about her time at the LA Marathon 02:41 - News Round-Up: LA Marathon  11:57 - Jacob Kiplimo breaks the half marathon world record in Lisbon 13:47 - Fotyen Tesfay of Ethiopia wins Barcelona 2:10:53, 2nd fastest marathon time 18:53 - Eliud Kipchoge to run the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 20:24 - Shanghai passes stage one of AWMM candidate assessment 21:52 - Dave is joined by Rob Dalto to talk about how to get into every Abbott World Marathon Major 46:00 - Martin and Deena wrap up the show Links & References: Abbott World Marathon Majors Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Marathon Talk Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Martin Yelling | Instagram Deena Kastor | Instagram Rob Dalto | Instagram

On this bumper edition of Marathon Talk, Martin & Deena cover all the news in the marathon world, as a new series is announced and a legend leaves us. We're first joined on the show by trailer runner, coach and author Allie Bailey to hear more about how mindset is vital in endurance running. And to wrap up the show, David Jackson, The Breathing Coach joins us to talk about how long distance runners can use breathing exercises to improve their running efficency. You can buy Allie's new book: 31 Days David's book is available to buy here: Breathe Smarter, Run Stronger. Breathwork To Transform Your Running On this episode of Marathon Talk: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - What Has Been Happening? 04:29 - Round-Up Of News From The Marathon Running World 19:33 - Marathon Talk Meets Allie Bailey 40:58- David Jackson Speaks To Martin About This New Book And More Links & References: Abbott World Marathon Majors Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Marathon Talk Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Martin Yelling | Instagram Deena Kastor | Instagram Allie Bailey | Instagram David Jackson | Instagram

Our first Marathon Talk Extra of the new season, and on this Tokyo Special, Martin and Deena are joined by David Macnamara from Abbott World Marathon Majors, and they look back on a great day of racing, which saw Tadese Takele, Brigid Kosgei, Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner claim victory in the Japanese capital. David also gives some insight into what the race week has been like and makes a frankly embarassing attempt to speak Japanese. See if you can figure out who wrote this bit! All this, and more, on Marathon Talk Extra!