The Running Story | Marathon Handbook News

Marathon Handbook

The weekly running news show from Marathon Handbook senior news editor Jessy Carveth and Editor-in-Chief Michael Doyle

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36 episodes
Updated Monday

Episodes36

Newest first

Monday · 34 min
Boston Marathon Adds a Lottery, Sub-2 Marathon Officially Ratified & UTMB Backlash
Boston Marathon just added a second-chance lottery for runners stuck in the qualifying gray zone... and that's just the start. This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the BAA's new 1,000-spot lottery for rejected BQ qualifiers, Sebastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa's newly ratified world records from London (plus why Jacob Kiplimo's half marathon record is still stuck in limbo), Aurélien Sanchez's stunning new Pacific Crest Trail FKT, Hunter Woodhall's controversial disqualification at the USATF Para Outdoor Championships, and the Chamonix mayor's push to shrink UTMB after residents said they "despise" the race. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:30 Boston Marathon's new lottery for rejected BQ qualifiers, explained 10:08 Sebastian Sawe & Tigst Assefa's world records officially ratified 16:49 Aurélien Sanchez sets a new Pacific Crest Trail FKT 20:20 Hunter Woodhall disqualified at USATF Para Outdoor Championships 23:53 Chamonix's mayor wants to shrink UTMB — residents "despise" the race 32:58 Outro Subscribe to our newsletter: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/ Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub Shop Marathon Handbook merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com
July 25 · 32 min
Chicago Marathon 2026 Elite Field Preview
Jacob Kiplimo returns to defend his Chicago Marathon title, but can he break two hours without Kejelcha and Sawe pushing him like they did in London? Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the full 2026 Chicago Marathon elite field: the men's race, the wide-open women's field led by Brigid Kosgei and dark horse Sharon Lokedi, the American record chases on both sides, Galen Rupp's masters record bid, and their bold winner predictions. Chapters: 0:00 Intro: previewing the 2026 Chicago Marathon elite fields 1:05 Can Jacob Kiplimo run sub-2 in Chicago? 3:10 Men's elite field breakdown (Kiprotich, Mengesha, Mateiko, Takele) 5:15 The Nike Alphafly 4 shoe story 6:58 American men's record chase: Hicks, Maury, Clayton Young 9:10 Galen Rupp's masters record bid 10:13 Women's elite field: Brigid Kosgei headlines 11:00 Why Sharon Lokedi could be the real favorite 14:30 Hellen Obiri, Ruth Chepngetich and the tainted world record 16:30 American women: Sarah Hall, Des Linden chase the masters record 19:41 Susanna Sullivan and the top American storylines 20:57 Predictions: women's race winner 22:57 Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub Shop Marathon Handbook merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com 👉 Tell us in the comments: does Kiplimo run sub-2, and who wins the women's race?
July 20 · 31 min
Josh Kerr & Keely Hodgkinson's HUGE Wins, New Running ADHD Study + Track & Field Broadcast Rules
Josh Kerr just did the unthinkable: he broke the men's mile world record in London, erasing Hicham El Guerrouj's 27-year-old mark. Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the race, plus the rest of this week's biggest stories in running: Keely Hodgkinson's statement win (and new Nike collection), Conner and Kylie Mantz welcoming their first child days after Kylie's jaw-dropping pregnant mile, a new study linking ADHD and endurance running, and the controversial new broadcast rules shaking up European track and field. Jesse also reveals her results from an all-out 1K time trial attempt. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:47 Josh Kerr breaks the mile world record in London 7:41 Keely Hodgkinson's huge 800m win + new Nike collection 13:11 Conner & Kylie Mantz welcome their first child 16:54 New study links ADHD and endurance running 20:01 Europe's controversial new track & field broadcast rules 27:25 Jessy's all-out 1K time trial result Articles Links: https://marathonhandbook.com/hodgkinson-broeders-bol-london-800m/ https://marathonhandbook.com/kylie-mantz-baby-william/ https://marathonhandbook.com/kylie-mantz-pregnant-mile/ https://marathonhandbook.com/keely-hodgkinson-nike-signature-collection/ https://marathonhandbook.com/ebu-womens-athletics-coverage-guidelines/
July 13 · 31 min
Dauwalter’s Brutal Hardrock Win, Kipchoge in Brazil, and Why Messi Never Runs
Courtney Dauwalter breaks her own Hardrock 100 course record while sick on the trail, and Ludo Pommeret wins his third straight at age 50. Eliud Kipchoge’s seven continent world tour rolls through Brazil. Emmanuel Wanyonyi breaks a 1K world record that stood since 1999. Barkley founder Laz Lake voids two backyard ultra world records. And Jessy went down a Strava rabbit hole to find out which Tour de France riders and World Cup players actually run, including one stat about Lionel Messi that will change how you watch him. Drop your prediction in the comments: Jessy is running an all-out 1K this week. Guess her time! Chapters: 00:00 This week’s stories snapshot 03:40 Hardrock 100: two course records and a brutal day for Dauwalter 08:50 Kipchoge’s world tour stops in Brazil 14:31 A 1K world record falls after 27 years 18:41 Laz Lake voids the backyard ultra world records 22:50 Do Tour de France riders and World Cup players actually run? 26:43 The Messi stat 30:33 Big announcement: a second episode every week Read Jessy’s reporting on all of this week’s stories at marathonhandbook.com Articles referenced: https://marathonhandbook.com/kipchoge-porto-alegre-world-tour/ https://marathonhandbook.com/how-fifa-players-train-lessons-for-runners/ https://marathonhandbook.com/world-cup-players-strava-census/ https://marathonhandbook.com/tour-de-france-riders-who-run/ https://marathonhandbook.com/pommeret-hardrock-100-third-win/ https://marathonhandbook.com/wanyonyi-1000m-world-record/ https://marathonhandbook.com/running-with-partner-vs-alone/ Subscribe to The Running Story podcast feed on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and leave us a five star rating and review!
July 6 · 27 min
7-Eleven Sues Nike, a Sub-2:30 Treadmill Marathon, & Kipchoge's Wife Runs Again
This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down five huge stories from the running world: 7-Eleven's lawsuit against Nike over a suspiciously familiar Air Max 95 colorway, Eliud Kipchoge's wife Grace Segut lining up for her second marathon, an American's jaw-dropping sub-2:30 marathon workout on a Planet Fitness treadmill, the new "lactate gel" fueling technology taking over marathons and the Tour de France, and the stacked elite fields just announced for the December Valencia Marathon. Chapters: 0:00 This Week's Biggest Running Stories 1:27 7-Eleven Sues Nike Over Air Max 95 "Slurpee" Colorway 4:34 Kipchoge's Wife Grace Segut Returns for Porto Alegre Marathon 7:25 Sub-2:30 Marathon... on a Treadmill?! Vincent Morey's Wild Workout 12:14 Lactate Gels Explained: The New Marathon Fueling Hack 19:25 Valencia Marathon 2026 Elite Field: Tigst Assefa, John Korir & More 25:50 Your Predictions & Final Thoughts Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub Shop Marathon Handbook merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com Let us know in the comments: would you try a lactate gel in your next race, and who do you think comes out on top in Valencia this fall?
July 5 · 22 min
This Will Be The Race Of The Year
Valencia just dropped its elite headliners for the December 2026 marathon, and it might be the biggest race of the year. Thomas Watson and Jessy Carveth break down why Valencia, not a World Marathon Major, has become the sport's premier speed showcase, built around a €1 million bonus for anyone who breaks the world record. On the men's side, Yomif Kejelcha (runner-up to Sebastian Sawe's sub-2 in London) is set for a showdown with defending champion John Korir, fresh off his Boston course record. Alexander Mutiso and Dawit Wolde lurk as dark horses. On the women's side, all eyes are on Fotyen Tesfay, who ran the second-fastest marathon in history (2:10:51) in her Barcelona debut, and defending champ Joyciline Jepkosgei. Thomas and Jessy dig into the tech arms race (super shoes, lactate gels), why organizer Juan Roig (the billionaire behind Mercadona) has built Valencia around pure speed instead of major-marathon spectacle, and why Nike's biggest names are notably absent from the field. Plus: quick-fire predictions, and Thomas reveals he's got his own bib for race day. The Valencia Marathon takes place December 6, 2026. Chapters: 00:00 Why Valencia could be the race of 2026 00:50 Valencia announces its elite headliners 02:25 Setting up a Kejelcha vs. Korir showdown 04:08 Two near-misses with marathon history 05:15 How Kejelcha is building toward December 06:17 Super shoes, lactate gels and the tech arms race 07:28 Dark horse alert: Alexander Mutiso 08:16 The women's field: Fotyen Tesfay chases the world record 09:41 Wiping the slate clean on a tainted world record 10:37 Why Valencia isn't chasing World Major status 11:34 Juan Roig's €1M bonus and his dream for the city 12:16 Meet Juan Roig, the "Sam Walton of Spain" 13:57 Pure racing over spectacle — and a new ballot system 16:30 Quick-fire predictions: the men's race 17:25 Quick-fire predictions: the women's race 18:21 Will more big names join before the October field release? 19:01 Nike's curious absence from the elite list 20:03 Thomas's own Valencia bib, and closing thoughts Jessy's Interview: https://marathonhandbook.com/inside-the-two-year-courtship-that-brought-yomif-kejelcha-to-the-valencia-marathon/
July 3 · 34 min
Sydney Marathon 2026 Elite Preview: Jepchirchir, Simbu & Predictions
The 2026 TCS Sydney Marathon just dropped its elite fields and it's the deepest lineup in the race's history. Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down every big name in the men's and women's fields, the biggest storylines heading into Sydney's second year as a World Marathon Major, and their way-too-early predictions for who wins on August 30. Reigning world champions Alphonce Simbu (Tanzania) and Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya) headline both fields, going up against defending champion Hailemaryam Kiros, course-record chaser Sisay Lemma, and a stacked chase pack. Michael and Jessy dig into whether Sydney's 2:06:06 and 2:18:22 course records are about to fall, why this field proves Sydney is maturing into a true World Marathon Major, and why the Sydney Opera House finish line might be the most beautiful in the sport. Chapters: 0:00 Intro: Sydney's Deepest Elite Field Yet 1:16 Men's Field: Sisay Lemma, Simbu & the Depth Chart 6:44 Men's Storyline: Is the Course Record in Danger? 7:44 Women's Field: Peres Jepchirchir Headlines 13:46 Women's Storyline: Why Jepchirchir Is the Favorite 15:00 Big Picture: Sydney Matures as a World Marathon Major 18:13 Best-Case Scenario for Race Organizers 20:30 Growing Australia's Elite Marathon Pipeline 23:00 Chasing Faster Times: Comparing the Majors 24:21 The Most Beautiful Finish Line in the Majors? 29:40 Way-Too-Early Predictions: Who Wins Sydney? 33:00 Outro & How to Follow Our Sydney Coverage
July 1 · 31 min
Western States 100 World Records, IOC Pays Olympic Athletes & Upcoming IKEA Marathon
Another big week in running news! Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the wild weekend at the Western States 100 where Vincent Bouillard became the first man under 14 hours and Jen Lichter took down Courtney Dauwalter's course record in her 100-mile debut. Plus: new Backyard Ultra world records out of Russia, the first-ever marathon held inside an IKEA store, the IOC's new $10,000 athlete grant program, and Tokyo Marathon's record-breaking $170,000 prize purse. Read our op-ed on the IOC president here: https://marathonhandbook.com/opinion-kristy-coventry-ioc-president-seb-coe-putin-bach/ Chapters: 0:00 Intro: Michael and Jessy swap continents 0:55 This week's top stories 2:11 Western States 100: Bouillard's sub-14-hour record 3:53 Jen Lichter's stunning 100-mile debut course record 8:00 Backyard Ultra world records broken in Russia 13:00 First official IKEA Marathon sells out 18:18 IOC's $10,000 athlete grants — hot take 23:44 Tokyo Marathon's record $170K prize purse and bigger field 27:40 Bonus: new podcast feed + Paris Diamond League recap
June 22 · 25 min
Fake Paramedic CANCELS Dutch Marathon, 8th Grader's World Record & Jenny Simpson Update
This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the five biggest stories in the running world including a scary medical emergency involving one of the greatest track runners of all time, a jaw-dropping performance from an eighth grader, a Dutch marathon canceled over a fake paramedic scam, and why Berlin 2026 is shaping up to be the most anticipated marathon of the fall season. Chapters: 0:00 Intro — Top 5 Running Stories of the Week 1:27 Harry Styles Donates to Charity Runner Lawrence Dennis 5:15 8th Grader Luke Surface Runs World Best 5K (14:25) at Hayward Field 8:16 Dutch Sneak Marathon Canceled — Fake Paramedic Scam Exposed 12:32 Tigst Assefa Returns to Berlin to Chase the Women's Marathon World Record 20:40 Jenny Simpson's Medical Emergency at Sir Walter Miler — Latest Update 23:58 The Running Story Is Getting Its Own Podcast Feed
June 19 · 21 min
BREAKING: 2027 London Marathon Is Going to TWO DAYS: 100,000 Runners, & Ballot Impact
The 2027 London Marathon has officially confirmed it will become a two-day event and Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth are breaking it all down in an emergency episode of The Running Story by Marathon Handbook. On Saturday, April 24th and Sunday, April 25th, 2027, London will host 100,000 runners across two days on the same course, making it the largest marathon event in history and the biggest fundraising event in UK sporting history. Chapters: 0:00 — Breaking news: London Marathon goes to two days 1:09 — What's confirmed: dates, format, course & ballot details 2:26 — Why London made this move (1.33M applicants) 5:19 — The logistics challenge & why it's framed as a one-off 7:26 — Unanswered questions: charity bibs & international quotas 9:08 — Elite field pressure after the historic sub-2 hour marathon 9:57 — A landmark moment for women's marathon coverage 12:03 — Elite wish lists: who needs to race London 2027 13:46 — The money behind running two World Marathon Major days 15:00 — One-and-done or permanent? Jessy's take 16:26 — Will New York, Chicago & other majors follow? 19:13 — Audience question & wrap-up
June 15 · 21 min
The Marathon Lottery Crisis, a 13-Year-Old Mile World Record & Kejelcha's Half Marathon Record Bid
A 13-year-old from Utah just broke a mile world record that had stood since 1973. Plus: Olympic triathlon gold medalists are hitting the track, a runner completed every single street in Chicago, Yomif Kejelcha could break the half marathon world record in Buenos Aires and the marathon lottery crisis is getting very real. Chapters: 0:00 — Intro & show announcements 2:53 — Story 1: 13-year-old Angelina Alder breaks 53-year-old mile world record 5:13 — Story 2: Olympic triathlon champions Alex Yee & Cassandre Beaugrand go to the track 7:35 — Story 3: Joabe Barbosa runs every street in Chicago (4,000 miles in 680 days) 12:00 — Story 4: Yomif Kejelcha targets half marathon world record in Buenos Aires 15:40 — Story 5: The marathon lottery crisis — Copenhagen, London & what's next 20:38 — Outro
June 11 · 24 min
Emergency Pod: Cape Town Is Officially the 8th World Marathon Major | Analysis
It's official, and it's historic: the Cape Town Marathon has been named the 8th Abbott World Marathon Major — the first ever on the continent of Africa. In this surprise emergency episode, Michael Doyle and news editor Jesse Carveth break down the announcement the running world saw coming but couldn't stop talking about (00:37). They walk the full eight-major calendar from Tokyo to New York (01:28), make the case for why Africa was long overdue given that roughly 80% of the world's top 50 marathoners come from the continent (02:23), and explain what the new eight-star medal — and the provisional star for 2025 and 2026 entrants — means for star chasers (03:26). From there, the guys trace Cape Town's meteoric rise from ~16,000 to nearly 30,000 runners (03:59), revisit the brutal 2025 cancellation when severe winds stopped the race roughly 90 minutes before the gun (04:50), and unpack the 2027 ballot — open June 10, closing June 24 — including the decision to reserve two-thirds of entries for African runners (05:55). They dig into the Sanlam sponsorship extension (07:20) and ask the question on everyone's mind: with London drawing 1.4 million applicants, could Cape Town become the single hardest World Marathon Major to get into (08:20)? The conversation gets into the real reason so few races can join the club — the staggering cost of becoming a major, with even Valencia admitting it can't afford the leap (09:32) — plus entry prices (~$220 international vs. ~$48 local), Kipchoge's role as the ultimate ambassador, and how Cape Town defines its own character as a major (11:06). Finally, Michael and Jesse debate whether expansion waters down the brand or makes it truly global (16:18), and look ahead to Shanghai as the near-certain 9th major and the race for the 10th — South America, India, or the Middle East (19:30). They close on the big question: how long can the running boom keep this snowball rolling (22:31)? New episodes of The Running Story drop every Monday afternoon.
June 8 · 23 min
Trump's D.C. Golf Course Could Change the Marine Corps Marathon's Blue Mile, CIM Doubles & Rory Linkletter Goes Trail
This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth dig into five stories you need to know about: from a politically charged threat to two iconic American road races, to a milestone 22 years in the making, to an elite marathoner trading the roads for a near-vertical mountain race. Chapters: 0:00 — Intro & New Independent Podcast Feed Announcement 2:42 — Story 1: Trump Golf Course Threatens Marine Corps Marathon & Cherry Blossom 10 Miler 6:19 — Story 2: Darren Wood Completes 1,000 Parkruns (a World First!) 10:10 — Story 3: California International Marathon Doubling to 40,000 Runners in 2027 13:46 — Story 4: Rory Linkletter's Elite Trail Debut at Broken Arrow Ascent 17:57 — Story 5: Running Speed Dating in Wales
June 2 · 28 min
The Fastest 10K That Won't Count, Kejelcha to Valencia Exclusive, Boulder Boulder DQ & More
A packed week in running. Michael and Jessy cover five big stories including a time that would have rewritten the record books and an exclusive from the CEO of one of the world's best marathons. 0:00 Intro & Jessy's Unbound Gravel 200 3:00 10K in 26:01 — The Fastest in Human History (Unofficial) 5:30 Yomif Kejelcha Signs With Valencia Marathon 6:30 Exclusive Interview: Valencia CEO on the Appearance Fee & World Record Bid 10:08 Could Valencia Become a World Marathon Major? 13:30 Boulder Boulder DQ Controversy Explained 16:59 Was the Runner Warned? The Anonymous Tip 19:00 Bashir Abdi's Race Was 200 Meters Short 24:45 Claire Elms, 62, Sets Age Group World Record for 1500m 27:08 Outro & What's Coming Next
May 25 · 33 min
Cam Hanes Doping Controversy, Enhanced Games & Cape Town Marathon 2026 | The Running Story
Thomas Watson fills in for Michael Doyle this week as he and Jessy Carveth run through five stories dominating the running world right now — from a doping controversy that broke the internet to a heartwarming marathon moment featuring the sport's greatest athlete. Cape Town Marathon emerged as one of the most significant races of the year, not just for the performances on the day but because it represents Cape Town's final year as a World Marathon Majors candidate. Muhammad Esa took the men's title in 2:04:55 — a new course record by nearly three and a half minutes — while Dara Deida won the women's race in 2:23:18. Eliud Kipchoge, competing in Africa for the first time, finished 16th in 2:13:29 as part of what's being called his world tour. The real highlight for Thomas and Jessy? Kipchoge's wife completing her first marathon, with Kipchoge waiting at the finish line. The Cam Hanes vs. Sage Canaday controversy is the most talked-about story in running right now, and for good reason. Elite ultra runner Sage Canaday filed a tip with USADA against 58-year-old podcaster, bow hunter, and social media figure Cam Hanes, after Haynes ran a 2:39 at the Oregon USATF Marathon Championship — a PR by 13 minutes at age 58 — while having publicly acknowledged using BPC-157, a peptide banned under the WADA code. Thomas and Jessy explore the nuance: should the rules apply equally at age group level? Is enforcement even realistic? And what does a 2:39 at 58 tell us about the future of peptides in recreational sport? The Enhanced Games took place in Las Vegas on the night of May 24th. Billed as the "Doping Olympics," the multi-sport competition promised record-breaking performances from athletes using banned substances under medical supervision — and backed by million-dollar prize money. The reality was less dramatic: self-proclaimed clean athletes won most events, just one world record was broken (in swimming), and 250,000 live stream viewers were left with more questions than answers about the event's future. Thomas and Jessy also note the organization's business model — an online supplement store selling the same substances the athletes use — and ask what that means for the enterprise. A Charlotte high school sprinter was disqualified from the anchor leg of the 4x400 relay at the North Carolina State Track and Field Championships after raising his hand and holding up five fingers — ruled as unsportsmanlike conduct. The call wiped out 10 team points and cost his school the overall state title. The video spread to nearly 8 million views on X. Thomas and Jessy unpack the two separate conversations the internet is collapsing into one: was the rule fairly applied, and should the rule exist at all? Emma Bates has signed with NeverSecond as a nutrition partner. This comes months after Bates very publicly fell out with her previous sponsor, alleging she was dropped because she was pregnant — a claim the sponsor disputed. With Bates currently around six to seven months pregnant and not racing this year, Never Second's decision to sign her is being read as both a statement of values and a smart strategic play as the brand looks to expand from trail/ultra/cycling into road running. Chapters: 0:00 – Intro & Jessy's Impromptu 10K (Third Place in Belgium!) 3:36 – Story 1: Cape Town Marathon – Kipchoge, Course Records & World Marathon Majors 9:02 – Story 2: Cam Hanes vs. Sage Canaday – Running's Biggest Doping Controversy 18:06 – Story 3: Enhanced Games Las Vegas – Did the "Doping Olympics" Deliver? 23:56 – Story 4: High School Sprinter Disqualified for Raising Hand at NC State Championships 29:18 – Story 5: Emma Bates Signs with NeverSecond After Sponsor Controversy 32:29 – Wrap-Up
May 18 · 36 min
1,000 Miles on a Track, Sawe to Berlin, Kejelcha to Valencia, Soweto Pay Scandal & Is Bolt the GOAT?
The fall marathon season is already taking shape and Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth are here to break it all down. On this episode of The Running Story, the team runs through the five biggest stories from the past week in running. In this episode: The Soweto Marathon prize-money scandal — six months after the November 2025 race, the winners are still owed roughly $15,000, runners-up about $7,000, and the South African government is now threatening to step in. We unpack the broken sanctioning process, why the doping-results excuse fell apart, and the criminal charges that could be coming for the organizers. Mason Wright runs 1,000 miles on a Utah high school track — 18 days, 13 hours, 11 minutes, roughly 4,000 laps, and only the third person in history to finish the distance on a track. We talk about the mental load, the nerve damage by halfway, and where this fits next to Yiannis Kouros and Ned Brockman. The fall marathon field is set up early: Sabastian Sawe is officially racing the Berlin Marathon on September 27, Yomif Kejelcha is heading to Valencia on December 2 (with a $1 million-euro world-record bonus on the line), and Jacob Kiplimo is reportedly bound for Chicago. Who are we more excited to watch? Can either of them run sub-2 again without the other one in the race? A 15-year-old girl dies at the Leiden Half Marathon — and the conversation about minimum age limits in distance running comes roaring back. We get into how she was able to enter a 16+ race, the differences between European and North American bib pickup and ID checks, and why this debate shouldn't need a tragedy to happen. Sports scientists name the GOATs — a team of 16 researchers, published in Sports Medicine, used Olympic medals, world championship titles, world records, and record longevity to rank running's greatest. Usain Bolt and Faith Kipyegon take the top spots. We debate the men's and women's top five (Bekele, Johnson, Gebrselassie, Nurmi; Dibaba, Fraser-Pryce, Hassan, Ottey), the apples-to-oranges problem of comparing sprinters to marathoners, and the glaring omissions of Eliud Kipchoge and Kelvin Kiptum. Plus: Jessy's impromptu 5K podium ("Running Revenge Vol. 2"), and a preview of the new Alex Cyr / Alexis podcast dropping into this feed soon.
May 12 · 25 min
Rachel Entrekin SHOCKS Cocodona, London Marathon Ballot Breaks 1.3M & Cross Country DENIED at 2030 Olympics
Michael and Jessy run through the five most intriguing stories in running this week. Rachel Entrekin became the first woman to win Cocodona 250 outright, demolishing the overall course record and finishing nearly 10 miles ahead of the next runner. We dig into the body-composition science behind why women keep closing — and surpassing — men at extreme ultra distances, and acknowledge the tragic death reported on course. Then to Cincinnati: 22-year-old Sophia Dick says she missed a turnoff at the Flying Pig half marathon and accidentally ran her first full in 3:30 alongside Harvey Lewis on his 100th marathon. Locals say the course is impossible to miss. We weigh the heartwarming version against the conspiracy version. The 2027 London Marathon ballot closed with over 1.3 million entries, nearly 2% of the entire UK population, making a two-day London Marathon feel increasingly inevitable. French star Jimmy Gressier is going after Mo Farah's One Hour Track World Record on September 4th at the Brussels Diamond League final. We talk pace (67-second laps for an hour), venue, and the strange charm of attrition racing. And finally: the IOC has reportedly declined to add cross country running to the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps. Chapters: 00:00 Intro: this week's top 5 stories 01:26 Rachel Entrekin makes history at Cocodona 250 05:40 Sophia Dick "accidentally" runs her first marathon 11:18 London Marathon 2027: 1.3 million ballot entries 15:10 Jimmy Gressier targets Mo Farah's One Hour Track World Record 19:56 Cross country DENIED at the 2030 Winter Olympics 23:00 Preview of Next Week
May 4 · 24 min
An 11-Year-Old's Viral Half Marathon, Vinny Mauri's 2:05 Debut, Steiner vs. Puma & the Brand Quietly Crushing Running
Michael and Jessy are back after covering Boston and London, and this week's five stories cover everything from a polarizing youth running debate to one of the most shocking marathon debuts in American history. An 11-year-old from Indiana, Ben Dick, ran 1:20:14 at the IU Health 500 Festival mini marathon — reportedly the fastest half ever run by a boy his age. He dropped his dad at mile seven. The internet is split. We dig into what happens to these kid phenoms long-term, and why pediatricians (and Jessy's kinesiology background) say the half marathon distance is too much for a developing 11-year-old body. Sprinter Abby Steiner is suing Puma and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, claiming the carbon-plated shoes and spikes she wore caused the foot and Achilles injuries that have kept her off the track since the 2024 Olympic Trials. We unpack the questions this raises about athlete responsibility, sponsor accountability, and how you even quantify a derailed sprinting career. While the running world was glued to Sebastian Sawe's near-sub-two London Marathon, 25-year-old Vinny Mauri quietly ran 2:05:54 at the Glass City Marathon in Toledo, Ohio — the fastest U.S. marathon debut on record. Before the race he joked that if he didn't break 2:16 he wasn't a real marathoner. He broke the course record by more than 13 minutes. Nobody had heard of him. His Twitter feed is mostly Bitcoin memes. Expect a major brand to scoop him up fast. Cocodona 250 has kicked off in Arizona — 253 miles from Black Canyon to Flagstaff with 40,000 feet of climbing and a 125-hour cutoff. Courtney Dauwalter is the clear women's favorite (and looking for redemption after dropping out last year), but the field is deep with Rachel Entrekin, Heather Jackson, and surprise headliner Randy Zuckerberg. The men's race is wide open with Jeff Browning, Joe McConaughy, Ryan Clifford, and Adam Kimble all in the mix. And finally — the running brand quietly dominating the industry isn't Nike, Adidas, or Asics. It's Brooks. Their best quarter ever: 23% global growth, North America up 20%, EMEA up 30%, China up 136%. Eleven straight quarters as the #1 specialty performance running brand in the U.S. Michael shares early thoughts on the unreleased Hyperion Elite 6 (out August), which Jess McClain and Clayton Young raced in Boston. Subscribe to the Marathon Handbook newsletter at marathonhandbook.com/newsletter for new episode alerts and a heads up when The Running Story moves to its own dedicated feed. Follow along on Instagram: @marathon.handbook New episodes every Monday.
April 24 · 32 min
Top Storylines of the London Marathon: Sawe vs. Kiplimo, Assefa, Obiri & Potential a World Record?
Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth sit down for their full elite preview of the 2026 London Marathon, breaking down the top five storylines ahead of Sunday's race. Sebastian Sawe and Jacob Kiplimo headline a men's field that Sawe himself says will require a course record to win: 2:01:25, set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2024. Kiplimo arrives fresh off a ratified 57:20 half marathon world record in Lisbon and a World Cross Country title in January. Sawe is expected to debut the Adidas Adios Pro Evo 3, setting up a head-to-head super shoe war against Kiplimo's Nike Alphafly 4. The women's race took a hit when two major names withdrew, but Tigst Assefa (defending champion and women's-only world record holder) and Helen Obiri make it a showdown worth tuning in for: Obiri finally gets her shot at a flat, fast course after a career built on the hills of Boston, New York, and Paris. In the men's field behind the big two: three former track stars: Yomif Kejelcha, Hagos Gebrhiwet, and Joshua Cheptegei: try to translate their 5K/10K brilliance into 26.2. Cheptegei is still looking to crack the marathon; Kejelcha and Gebrhiwet are both making their debuts. The British field takes a hit with Emile Cairess withdrawing injured, leaving Mohamed Mohamed, Phil Sesemann, and Patrick Dever to chase Mo Farah's national record of 2:05:11. On the women's side, Eilish McColgan enters with a healthy buildup and a European 10K record (30:07 in Valencia) to her name.
April 15 · 37 min
130th Boston Marathon Preview: 5 Must-Watch Storylines + Our Bold Winner Picks
Patriots Day is almost here — and Michael and Jessy are in full Boston Marathon mode. In this episode, they break down the five biggest stories heading into the 130th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20th, before laying out their bold picks for the men's and women's race winners and top American finishers. Story 1 – Kipruto vs. Korir: The Headliner Matchup Past champion Benson Kipruto (Boston 2021, Chicago 2022, Tokyo 2024, New York 2024) returns to face defending champion John Korir in what shapes up as the defining men's storyline. Their personal bests are separated by just eight seconds, but as Michael and Jessy discuss, Boston is never won on speed alone — Newton Hills, race tactics, and championship experience are just as decisive. Story 2 – Can Anyone Beat the Defending Women's Champion? The defending women's champion is the heavy favourite, but with her fiercest rival Helen Obiri absent from the field this year, the dynamic shifts. Does she need that neck-and-neck rivalry to bring out her best? Jessy breaks down the closest challengers on paper, including Irene Cheptai and Worknesh Edesa, and why Emily Sisson is the American name to watch. Story 3 – Top American Men: Who Steps Up with Manz Out? American record holder Conner Mantz is a DNS due to injury — a big blow, but the American men's field still has plenty to get excited about. Michael and Jessy spotlight Zha Alby (2:05:45 at Houston this year and ascending fast), Clayton Young (crashing into Boston off an abbreviated build but motivated by a fresh move to Brooks), and breakout names Ryan Ford and CJ Albertson — who'll be joining the team at their live Saturday event on Newbury Street. Story 4 – Emily Sisson, Fiona O'Keefe & a Stacked American Women's Field Is this finally Emily Sisson's signature Boston moment? Or does Fiona O'Keefe — Michael's sleeper pick and someone who was genuinely in contention to win New York last fall — steal the spotlight? The pair also make the case for Susanna Sullivan (low-key, deadly), Jess McClain (due a big day after a brutal run of bad luck), and the ever-reliable Sarah Hall. Story 5 – The Dark Horse: Nicholas Kipkorir's Marathon Debut Jessy's personal favourite storyline. The 27-year-old Kenyan ran 58:08 at the Lisbon Half Marathon this year — second behind Jacob Kiplimo's world record — translating theoretically to a 2:01:12 marathon equivalent. He's never run a marathon. Boston is his debut. Will his track speed and raw talent carry him, or will the Newton Hills claim another rookie? Either way, this is the subplot to watch.

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130th Boston Marathon Preview: 5 Must-Watch Storylines + Our Bold Winner Picks