Set the Pace

New York Road Runners

NYRR Set the Pace Presented by Peloton is the official podcast of New York Road Runners. Join hosts Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners, and Becs Gentry, Peloton Instuctor, every Thursday in conversation with inspiring athletes, from everyday enthusiasts to elite marathoners, to hear stories of perseverance, drive, and dedication. Each episode also includes an NYRR Member Moment spotlight and pro tip from 2009 New York City Marathon champ and Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi.

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#179
Thursday · 1 hr 3 min
Becs Gentry & Friends Take Us Way Beyond the Marathon Distance
Behind the Scenes of the 2026 UTMB - The world summit of trail running with Becs Gentry, Margot Fleming and Jeremiah Maestre. This week, Rob interviews Becs and friends about their passion for ultramarathon running. Joining the conversation is Margot Fleming, an ultrarunner and coach based in Los Angeles whose father, Tom Fleming, won the New York City Marathon in 1973 and again in 1975. Margot ran the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon, marking 50 years since her father’s first win. Just a few weeks ago, she completed the full 170-kilometer loop of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB). Also joining the discussion is Jeremiah Maestre, who recently completed his first CCC (Courmayeur–Champex–Chamonix) race, a 100-kilometer course that follows part of the UTMB route. A former boxer from Orange County, California, Jeremiah ran his first marathon in Maui in December 2022 and has since completed the Marathon des Sables twice and the Canyons 100 Mile. They discuss what it takes to qualify for these races, the physical and mental demands of running through steep and technical terrain, the difficulty of navigating unpredictable weather, and the logistics of fueling for hours on the trail. They also explore what drew them to trail running and the sense of community, camaraderie, and connection that comes from tackling these challenges. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#178
September 18 · 1 hr 4 min
Everything You Need to Know to Prepare for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon
With the marathon just weeks away, Rob is joined by Ted Metellus, NYRR’s chief event production officer and race director, for a comprehensive guide to race week and race day. They reflect on the significance of the 50th anniversary of the New York City Marathon’s 5-boro course, then dive into everything runners need to know—from special activations at the marathon expo and engaging marathon week events to understanding race-day transportation options, course logistics, and more. Ted and Rob also share tips for first-time and returning runners, including how to plan your race weekend, navigate the course’s bridges and hills, and stay focused on your “why.” Plus, they preview post-race activities and the ways runners, spectators, and the city can come together to celebrate this milestone year. Whether you’re racing or cheering, this episode will help get you ready for November 1. Save 20% on fuel at maurten.com, using the email address you registered with for the marathon. Offer excludes the Bicarb System and cannot be combined with other offers. 2026 TCS NYC Marathon Virtual Training Panel https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tcs-new-york-city-marathon-expert-panel-tickets-1990585352374 FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#177
September 14 · 39 min
New Balance 5th Avenue Mile Champions Jemma Reekie and Marco Langon
New Balance 5th Avenue Mile champions Jemma Reekie and Marco Langon join a special edition of Set the Pace. Wondering what broken nails and diamond bracelets have to do with the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile? Guest hosts Carrie Tollefson (Olympian and host of C Tolle Run) and Ali Feller (host of the Ali on the Run Show) find out on this special episode of Set the Pace, recorded live at the New York Road Runners Run Center featuring the New Balance Run Hub. Carrie and Ali recap race day, then talk with both champions about how each race was won, what the climb and the long finishing straight on Fifth Avenue actually feel like, and what's ahead for each of them this off-season. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#176
September 3 · 54 min
Fueling the Run: What GLP-1 Users Need to Know
For this week’s Set the Pace, NYRR’s Gordon Bakoulis—Coach Gordon to many–steps in to host the show while Rob and Becs are away. Gordon sits down with Heidi Skolnik, a sports nutritionist and exercise physiologist who is also a member of the NYRR Medical Advisory Council, to discuss her newest book, “Your GLP-1 Game Plan: What Your Doctor Didn't Tell You About How to Eat, Move, and Thrive on Weight Loss Medication,” out September 22. Heidi has worked with the New York Giants, Mets, and Knicks, and spent 30 years at the Women's Sports Medicine Center at Hospital for Special Surgery. She explains how these medications can affect appetite, hydration, and fueling—and why runners need to be especially intentional about meeting their nutritional needs. She also addresses common misconceptions and stigma surrounding obesity, body size, and weight-loss medications, emphasizing that health and movement are about much more than weight. Heidi and Gordon discuss how coaches can support runners during workouts, whether the goal is training for a marathon or simply wanting to move more. You can find Your GLP-1 Game Plan: What Your Doctor Didn't Tell You About How to Eat, Move, and Thrive on Weight Loss Medication, on Amazon FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#175
August 27 · 1 hr 1 min
Viola Cheptoo on Fighting Gender-Based Violence and Her Next Big New York Run
In this episode, Rob sits down with NYRR’s Director of Professional Athletes Dorian Kail to preview the pros taking on the TCS New York City Marathon on November 1 and explore what it takes to assemble the field. One of those athletes is Viola Cheptoo, who is gearing up for her return to New York. Cheptoo grew up in one of Kenya's great running families as the younger sister of five-time Olympian Bernard Lagat and has made a name of her own. She finished second in her marathon debut at the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon and ran a personal best of 2:19:05 at the Tokyo Marathon this past March. But Cheptoo’s story reaches far beyond the finish line. In 2021, her close friend and training partner, Agnes Tirop, a two-time world medalist who had just broken a world record, was killed by her husband. Cheptoo turned her grief into a movement by founding Tirop's Angels, an organization fighting gender-based violence by creating resources, including a safe house in Kenya for survivors. Tirop's Angels Back to School 5K https://app.movezengo.com/register?event=tirops-angels-virtual-race FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#175
August 13 · 1 hr 5 min
The Power House that Percy Sutton Built
On this special live show from the Apollo Stages at the Victoria, Rob is joined by co-host Keisha Sutton-James, Percy Sutton's granddaughter and former deputy Manhattan borough president. Together, they sit down with MS NOW political analyst Dr. Basil Smikle Jr., multi-platinum Harlem recording artist FERG; Billy “Mr. Apollo” Mitchell, Harlem Run member and NYRR marketing lead Kristina Lopez, and Run for the Future alumna Katherine Yerolemou to unearth the little-known story of the powerhouse Percy Sutton built in Harlem and beyond. Percy Sutton believed in New York when almost no one else did. A Tuskegee Airman and the attorney who represented Malcolm X, he went on to build a pioneering Black-owned media empire, help create the 5-boro marathon, save the historic Apollo Theater, and claim his seat at the legendary Regency "Power Breakfast." FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#173
August 7 · 54 min
Updates to NYRR Membership and 9+1: Members’ Questions Answered
For this week’s episode of Set the Pace, Rob is joined by NYRR VP of Strategy, Planning & Analytics Matthew Forys to answer members’ questions LIVE about the updates to the 9+1 program and membership. For decades, New York Road Runners has connected its members to races, community, and unforgettable experiences, including the opportunity to earn guaranteed entry to the TCS New York City Marathon through the 9+1 program. As demand for NYRR races has continued to grow, it has become increasingly difficult for members to register for races and volunteer opportunities, limiting access for both those pursuing 9+1 and those simply looking to race throughout the year. In response to member feedback and pilot programs over the past 24 months, NYRR is introducing several changes designed to improve year-round race access while creating a clearer path to completing the 9+1 program. For More information visit: https://www.nyrr.org/run/guaranteed-entry/tcs-new-york-city-marathon-9plus1-program FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#172
July 30 · 1 hr 5 min
Mary Cain’s Atalanta NYC Empowers Young Runners to Thrive
Building on last week’s conversation with Mary Cain, Set the Pace explores how she transformed her experiences into a movement to create a healthier future for girls and women in sport by founding Atalanta NYC, a nonprofit that employs professional runners to achieve their goals while mentoring the next generation. Becs sits down with Atalanta NYC professional athletes Emily Richards, Susan Aneno, and Leah Anderson, along with Executive Director Devon Martin, to discuss creating a team culture rooted in community, education, and movement. Together, they share personal stories of overcoming isolation, cultural expectations, body image pressures, and setbacks. The conversation also highlights Atalanta's work mentoring high school runners in underserved New York City communities, fostering environments where young athletes are empowered to thrive on and off the track. Listen to episode 1 - The Fastest Girl in America: Inside Mary Cain’s “This Is Not About Running” Content note: This episode references the death of an athlete's father. Broader themes covered in the previous episode (Ep 171) include self-harm and suicidal ideation Learn more about Atalanta and donate at https://www.atalantanyc.org/donate FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#171
July 23 · 1 hr 12 min
The Fastest Girl in America: Inside Mary Cain’s “This Is Not About Running” (Part 1)
When The New York Times featured Mary Cain’s Opinion piece, "I Was the Fastest Girl in America, Until I Joined Nike," in 2019, the running world, including elite athletes, was shocked. Behind her record-breaking success was a story of pressure, abuse, and survival. In Part 1 of this special two-part series for Set the Pace, Rob sits down with Mary to discuss her powerful memoir, “This Is Not About Running,” and her experiences as a young professional athlete with the Nike Oregon Project and Coach Alberto Salazar. Mary shares how harmful coaching practices, body shaming, and a culture that prioritized performance over well-being affected her physical and mental health, ultimately leading her to speak out and advocate for change. The conversation explores the lasting impact of those experiences, the importance of recognizing RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), and why creating healthier environments for athletes matters most. Content note: This episode includes discussions of eating disorders, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts that some listeners may find difficult. You can find Episode 1 of HSS's 4 part series on RED-S HERE And hear our interview with Josh Kerr HERE! Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships! NYRR members Get a 10% off discount code. Find your discount code on your Haku dashboard. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#170
July 16 · 58 min
How to Make Summer a Runner's Secret Weapon
This week, Rob and Becs lead a roundtable discussion on how heat and humidity can become a runner’s secret weapon. Whether you're training for a fall marathon or just trying to stay fit in the summer, running in the heat can help make you a stronger and faster in the fall. Joining the conversation is Dr. Eamon Duffy, a sports cardiologist at Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian and a new member of the New York Road Runners Medical Advisory Council. They’re also joined by Dr. Eric Roy, a water scientist who founded the water-filtration company Hydroviv out of his Washington, D.C. apartment in response to the Flint, Michigan water crisis. Hydroviv was later acquired by Culligan®, the official water partner of NYRR. Rounding out the discussion is Coach Ben, NYRR’s Head of Training Programs, who shares practical tips for training in the heat, including why runners should focus on effort over pace. Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships! NYRR members Get a 10% off discount code. Find your discount code on your Haku dashboard. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#169
June 26 · 54 min
NYC Running Legend Gordon Bakoulis on a Lifetime in Women's Running
New York Road Runners’ Gordon Bakoulis joins Set the Pace this week to talk with Rob about her legendary career as both an elite athlete and NYRR’s editorial director. Gordon qualified for the Olympic marathon trials in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 and was a finalist in the 1992 U.S. Olympic 10,000m trials. As she looks ahead to retirement after nearly 24 years at New York Road Runners, she reflects on the organization’s continued commitment to innovation and inclusion and why she believes those values will continue to shape its future. Gordon also shares her remarkable running journey—from discovering the sport as a teenager during the running boom of the late 1970s to joining the Atalanta NYC run club and competing at the highest level. She discusses her experience as a running coach and explains how helping others pursue their goals continues to inspire her. Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships! NYRR members Get a 10% off discount code. Find your discount code on your Haku dashboard. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#168
June 6 · 46 min
Rerun the Mastercard New York Mini 10k
Join Ali Feller from Ali on the Run and Aisha Praught Leer from Citius Mag as Set the Pace, Presented by Peloton Reruns the MastercardNew York Mini 10k. Whether you ran the race or have FOMO for not being there, this episode is for you! Tune in for post-race interviews with the Mastercard New York City Mini 10K champions, to hear what it took to break the tape at this iconic race. Following in their footsteps, thousands of runners also crossed the finish line with goals of their own. Three of those runners share their stories of strength, grit, and resilience. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#167
May 28 · 56 min
Peloton’s Selena Samuela on Motherhood, Mental Health, and Finding Her Way Back to Running
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and throughout the month we’ve been sharing stories about running and mental well-being. We also celebrated Mother’s Day, and for many members of our community, running, mental health, and motherhood are deeply intertwined. In this week’s episode, Rob and Becs speak with Peloton instructor Selena Samuela, who opens up about raising identical twin girls, Stella and Frankie, and the mental and physical challenges of returning to movement postpartum. Selena reflects on body image, motherhood, rebuilding fitness slowly, and her powerful mantra: acceptance is not the same as complacency. Now, 24 weeks after giving birth, she’s back teaching live at Peloton and rebuilding her running day by day. NOTE: This episode explores one runner’s journey with fertility, pregnancy, and childbirth WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#166
May 21 · 53 min
How Becs Gentry Walked Away from Road Racing - and Fell Back in Love with Running
This week, Rob turns the mic on Becs to talk about her next adventure. Becs opens up about the highs and lows she’s experienced with running since completing the Great World Race over a year ago. She shares how she stepped away from road racing, rediscovered her love of the sport through trail and ultra running, and embraced a less pressure-filled approach to training and competition. After years away from the trails, Becs returned to the sport by taking on the Napa Valley Trail Marathon in March, followed by the Canyons 50K in April. Check out this episode to hear about her journey into the ultrarunning world, how she’s adapting her Peloton classes to reflect the challenging elevation of trail racing, and her next challenge. WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE! FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#165
May 16 · 53 min
Relive the RBC Brooklyn Half Race-Day Vibes
Joining Rob live from the RBC Brooklyn Half After-Party at Maimonides Park is special guest Camila Ramón, a Peloton instructor and recording artist who was one of the thousands of runners crossing the finish line on Coney Island. Born in Buenos Aires, Camila moved to Miami when she was seven. She teaches cycling, treadmill, and strength training in English and Spanish as Peloton's first bilingual instructor. Also joining the show is HSS physical therapist Carrie Whitelam, an orthopedic clinical specialist and certified athletic trainer who works closely with runners on the importance of recovering after races. Plus, hear from other runners as they share their race-day stories of grit and heart. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#164
April 30 · 57 min
Behind the Scenes of NYRR’s Trip to Kenya
Winning a major marathon goes way beyond the podium for a Kenyan athlete—it reaches their families, their communities, and entire towns. But for the women, success can also put them in danger. Check out this week’s episode as Rob joins a roundtable discussion led by NYRR's Head of Content Matthew Singer along with Chief Diversity Officer Erica Edwards-O'Neal and Director of Professional Athletes Dorian Kail—all reflecting on their trip to Eldoret, Kenya this past February. The group visited training camps, sat down with champions, and toured a children's hospital built with funds raised by TCS New York City Marathon charity runners. They also spent time with Tirop's Angels, an organization founded in honor of Agnes Tirop—a world-class runner who was murdered by her partner in 2021. Gender-based violence is something many women in Kenya face, and in some cases, it is their athletic success that makes them a target. New York Road Runners will continue to work with Tirop’s Angels and the organization’s founder, Viola Cheptoo. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#163
April 23 · 1 hr 3 min
Everything You Need to Know about the RBC Brooklyn Half
Watch this episode on YouTube Joining Rob and Becs this week is NYRR Chief Event Production Officer and Race Director Ted Metellus, breaking down everything you need to know about the RBC Brooklyn Half, from the new expo location at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park to essential race-day logistics such as getting to your corral with plenty of time to spare for a stress-free arrival. Ted and Rob share course insights, including tackling the hills in Prospect Park before exiting onto Ocean Parkway for a long straightaway toward Coney Island. Ted also notes that the finish line has moved approximately 200 feet south, past the pedestrian bridge. He explains why it’s worth staying for the After-Party at Maimonides Park to relax with a hot dog and a beverage. Plus, Becs offers tapering advice to help release any nervous energy as race day approaches. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#162
April 19 · 1 hr 2 min
Behind the Scenes of the New Balance Marathon Relay
More than 600 runners from over 24 teams descended on The TRACK at New Balance to cover 26.2 miles — but instead of slogging through city streets, this one was 211 laps on a banked 200m indoor track. And Rob and Meb were in the center of it all, interviewing runners right off the track including Ali Feller, Olympians Kim Conley and Aisha Praught Leer, Endorphins Running founder Tyler Swartz, Boston's Matt Prichard, The Megs from Believe in the Run, and many more. Watch what what happens when you put Olympians, first-timers, and everyone in between on the same track at the same time in pursuit of 26.2 — relay style. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#161
April 2 · 37 min
Exciting Changes Are Coming for Set the Pace
This episode of Set the Pace marks an exciting new chapter for the show as Rob and Becs explain how the podcast is evolving to focus more deeply on what matters most: the transformative power of running. Guided by the mission to build healthier lives and stronger communities, this shift brings more intentional, story-driven content. While episodes will no longer be released weekly, listeners can expect deeper storytelling, multi-episode series, race insights, and behind-the-scenes perspectives. This is not just a podcast about running, but about how running changes lives. Plus, Meb Keflezighi is back on the podcast to talk about what he’s been up to lately—from his work with the Meb Foundation and appearances at major races to celebrating personal milestones and his dedication to coaching runners of all ages. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#160
March 26 · 51 min
Mary Wittenberg - Leadership, Legacy, and Leveling the Running Playing Field
Mary Wittenberg, former New York Road Runners President and CEO, joins Set the Pace this week as part of our celebration of Women’s History Month. After becoming a partner at a law firm in New York City, she pivoted to pursue her passion for sports, joining New York Road Runners in 1998. A dedicated runner, she won the 1987 Marine Corps Marathon and competed in the 1988 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. During her tenure, Mary guided NYRR and the New York City Marathon through a decade of significant growth and in 2002 was part of a pivotal decision to introduce a women-only professional start ahead of the men, giving them more visibility with the spectators and news media. In recognition of Women’s History Month, Mary reflects on the continued need for greater equity in sports, noting that while progress has been made, there is still more work to do to ensure equal opportunities for women on the playing field. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube 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. DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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