Marathon Handbook Podcast

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.

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.

A roundup of five blockbuster running stories. Preview of stacked NYC Half matchups and a high‑profile American debut. Discussion of a contentious new women’s 100‑mile world record and its surrounding controversy. Recap of a dominant 800m indoor world record performance. Debate over the unveiled all‑gold Boston Marathon 2026 finisher medal.

They preview the biggest Spring 2026 running shoe releases and the escalating super shoe arms race. They compare ASICS’ Superblast lines and Mega Blast use cases. Aerodynamics and On’s LightSpray tech get a close look. Trends around creative daily trainers, flagship evolution, and whether innovation is leaving everyday runners behind are debated.

A deep dive into Cole Hocker’s blistering 3:45.94 indoor mile and what it means for the global mile scene. Coverage of Faith Kipyegon’s surprise road 10K debut and whether she might move up to the marathon. A viral Super Bowl Strava story and the new On super shoe prototype cleared by World Athletics. The curious case of a runner finishing a 2:36 marathon in full-length jeans.

They break down why the 2026 Barkley run saw nobody finish for a second straight year. Weather chaos, freezing creek crossings, and a shockingly low Loop 1 success rate get close attention. The conversation highlights mysterious reporting, standout women’s showings, and whether the race has become too cruel. They close by wondering what a fair balance and 2027 might bring.

They draft a dream 2026 race calendar, balancing fast marathons and bucket-list trail ultras. Iconic city races like London, New York, Valencia and Rome clash with wildcards such as UTMB, Patagonia ultras and Japanese relay culture. Short festive 5Ks, scenic 10Ks and team relays add flavor. Strategy, travel limits and one-race-per-country rules shape surprising picks.

A controversial men’s half marathon world record is disqualified and the role of pacing vehicles is questioned. A top marathoner appears in a surprising Winter Olympics activation. A brand quietly surges to become the sport’s biggest player. A sprint star debuts at 800m and a track sprinter swaps lanes for a celebrity basketball game.

Running is often called a “cheap” sport — but anyone training seriously knows that’s not the full story.In this episode, the Marathon Handbook team takes on a challenge inspired by listener feedback: build a full year of training, racing, shoes, gear, and nutrition for under $2,000.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:Lagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better. Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. Saysky makes incredible running gear that our team love. Use code MARATHON15 for 15% off your purchase at https://saysky.comWe cover:Realistic race schedules and entry feesHow many shoes you actually needWhere to save (and where not to)Budget alternatives to expensive nutritionSmart strategies for buying last-year’s gearEach host creates a completely different runner avatar — from beginner to experienced marathoner — and defends every dollar spent.If you’ve ever wondered how to make running more affordable without cutting corners that matter, this episode is for you.Chapters/Topics:3:07 The Rules8:22 Goal Races26:04 Shoes46:26 Apparel1:18:13 Tech1:28:40 Nutrition1:40:57 Grand Totals1:42:42 Biggest Splurges1:46:34 Largest Compromise?1:47:27 What Would You Cut?1:48:39 What Would You Upgrade?1:50:23 Budget Advice for New Runners

Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth return with five of the most intriguing running stories of the week:King Charles III makes a surprise appearance at a parkrun in Norfolk (0:56).A billionaire pledges $100M to support U.S. Olympic athletes — with delayed payouts and major conditions (6:16).Sha’Carri Richardson faces legal trouble after being clocked at 100 mph (12:00).Triathlon star Kristian Blummenfelt records the highest VO₂ max ever measured (15:34).16-year-old Sam Ruthe shocks the sport with a historic 3:48 mile in Boston (18:36)Plus, Jessy shares his early picks for the London Marathon.New episodes every Monday evening — subscribe and stay caught up on the running world.