Marathon Handbook Podcast
Marathon Handbook
Marathon Handbook's weekly podcast covers everything you need to know about running, from running your first 5K to qualifying for the Boston Marathon! Each week, our editors chat about what's going on in the running scene, as well as timely training tips, the best new gear, and what's happening at the world's biggest races. We'll cover everything from the Boston Marathon to the Barkley Marathons, often podding live from the most important moments in running! Watch our video podcast each week on YouTube, and listen to it wherever you get your podcasts! Inquiries: podcast@marathonhandbook.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 26, 2026 • 1h 10min
Des Linden on Marathon des Sables, Boston, Ultras & the Future of Running
Des Linden, American marathoner and 2018 Boston champion turned ultrarunner, now tackling stage races like Marathon des Sables. She talks about why she chose MDS, how her training and nutrition adapt for desert and back-to-back racing, the shift from marathons to ultras, pacing strategies for big-city marathons, and views on doping, athlete careers, and content projects.
Mar 23, 2026 • 21min
Sifan Hassan OUT of London + NCAA Doping Scandal, Strava Leak & Race Chaos
A wild week in running news: a top star withdraws from London with an Achilles injury and the field reshuffles. A Strava upload accidentally exposed a French carrier's location. College athletes stage a podium walk-off amid doping allegations. A marathon winner was stopped near the finish, and a pro abruptly switched shoe sponsors ahead of Boston.
28 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 1h 4min
The Best Super Shoes for Everyday Runners, Marathon Bonking & Sub-3 Strategy
They debate which super shoes suit everyday marathoners and how to pick comfort versus speed. They tackle why runners bonk around 30K and whether hydration or fueling is to blame. Practical fueling plans, hydration tricks, and race pacing for a sub-3 marathon get covered. There is also talk about carbon-plated options for heavier runners and how to recover mentally after a tough race.
9 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 24min
Possible Women’s Marathon World Record + Kipchoge’s 2026 Marathon Tour
A shocking marathon debut in Barcelona clocks the second-fastest women's time ever and sparks debate amid a doping cloud. A legendary runner reveals a 2026 itinerary spanning Cape Town, Brazil, and Melbourne. Recaps include a dominant NYC Half performance, a surprise men's winner, an 82-mile FKT, and Nike's new ultra runner residency.
38 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 1h 17min
Mailbag Madness: Boston Qualifying Plans, Tune-Up Races & Shoe Rotation Debate
Listeners ask about building a multi-year Boston qualifying plan and whether to focus on speed or marathon-specific training. The crew debates racing a half eight weeks before a goal marathon and how hard workouts should feel. They cover safely rebuilding mileage after Achilles or plantar issues. A lively discussion covers shoe fit, whether to rotate pairs, and practical rotation strategies.
18 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 28min
Kiplimo’s 57:20 Half Marathon, Kipchoge’s Next Race, LA Marathon Controversies & NYC Lottery Odds | The Running Story
A deep dive into Jacob Kiplimo’s blistering 57:20 half and the pending record ratification. A preview of Kiplimo facing Sawe and what Kipchoge racing Cape Town could mean. Chaos at the LA Marathon with a 0.01-second photo finish and a shortcut medal controversy. The NYC Marathon lottery’s brutal ~1% odds are also discussed.
20 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 1h 15min
Conner Mantz: The American Marathon Record, Injury Comeback, and His Road Back to Boston
Conner Mantz, elite American distance runner and 2025 American marathon record holder, reflects on his sacrum stress fracture and tough recovery. He describes cautious training toward Boston, cross-training strategies while injured, and what shapes his Olympic ambitions. They also discuss super shoes, doping concerns, and why Utah breeds top marathoners.
11 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 24min
US Half Marathon Controversy, Ironman’s Camera Crackdown & Tokyo Marathon Fireworks
A dramatic week in running: a Tokyo marathon decided by a three-way sprint and a new women’s course record. A championship in Atlanta thrown into chaos when a lead vehicle reportedly took a wrong turn. A heated debate over Ironman banning on-course cameras, phones, and wearable lenses. A look at Eileen Gu’s surprising running résumé and a tribute to Jeff Galloway’s run-walk legacy.
28 snips
Mar 1, 2026 • 51min
2026 Tokyo Marathon Instant Reactions
Live reactions to the 2026 Tokyo Marathon split into hot takes on Brigid Kosgei's course record comeback and the men’s photo finish. They dig into the stream and app failures that hid the early women’s race. Conversations cover a bold front-running move that shaped the men’s race, national record battles, surprise standouts, and the visible shoe-brand trends on the podiums.
11 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 1h 21min
Tokyo Marathon 2026 Preview: Elite Picks, Course Breakdown & Bold Predictions
A lively Tokyo Marathon preview covering course layout, congestion and start-line strategy. They talk through on-course fueling, unique Japanese aid stations, and race-day weather risks. The conversation highlights elite storylines like a potential Japanese national record battle and contenders for fast times. They finish with bold winner picks and PR-focused major rankings.
