The Marathon Des Sables in the Sahara Desert is among the toughest feats any runner can achieve, and fresh from a Top 50 finish is the remarkable Chris Slater.

It’s a privilege and a pleasure to speak with him on this week’s Marathon Talk - his recovery from addiction has led him on an endurance running journey from which we can’t help but be inspired.

Elsewhere in the show, we put the spotlight on Russ Cook for his next adventure, track & field taking centre stage at the next Olympics, and a curious new dating-running series…

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - Kicking things off, Martin and Deena round up their fortnight watching the riveting US Olympic trials, and how they’ve been exploring different running formats

• 12:00 - All the latest in the running world sees a new challenge for the Hardest Geezer Russ Cook, track & field taking top billing in L.A, and a new, faster way to go dating…

• 23:45 - Chris Slater is our incredible guest this week, with not only an inspirational story overcoming addiction, but in doing so he’s an 81 time marathon finisher and is fresh from a remarkable 250km Marathon Des Sables

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

https://www.instagram.com/wmmajors/

Martin Yelling: https://www.instagram.com/martinyelling/

Deena Kastor: https://www.instagram.com/deena8050/

Chris Slater: https://www.instagram.com/chrisslaterrr/

The AbbottWMM MTT Age Group World Championships are nearly upon us - are you ready for the blazing fast field lining up in Sydney?

This week’s Marathon Talk is your chance to put that to the test, as Danny Coyle returns to the podcast as quizmaster, bringing us the stellar stats for those toeing the line in September.

Elsewhere in the running world, we bring you the latest from a record-setting NCAA Championships, the rapid racing we saw in Rome last week, and why Boston’s ‘Spike’ is getting a makeover…

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - Martin & Deena kick off with each others’ chaotic camping stories, and the latest on Martin’s road to recovery

• 10:35 - We round up this week’s news, from a historical NCAA win for Louis Hinchcliffe, the scintillating performances from the European Championships, and Boston’s mascot makeover

• 21:30 - The stats team at Abbott World Marathon Majors has pulled some remarkable facts to prepare you for this year’s Age Group World Championships lineup, and Danny Coyle joins us for a play-along pub quiz spotlighting some of the most incredible performers to toe the line in Sydney

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

When LA saw the first ever Olympic women’s marathon champion, it was none other than this week’s Marathon Talk guest who crossed the line first - Joan Benoit Samuelson.

An icon in the sport and Deena’s greatest mentor, she joins us on the podcast this week to share her remarkable relationship with the sport, and the power of storytelling within it.

Elsewhere in the show, the Diamond League gives us record-breaking runs and a tantalising preview of Paris, while Training Talk is all about refinding your speed this summer!

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - Martin & Deena return to share their holiday weekend escapades, riding adventures, and how Martin is ‘irritating George Clooney’

• 5:15 - In the news this week, we recap the Diamond League’s biggest stories, from the new Women’s 10,000m record to the Kerr vs Ingebrigtsen tussle, and how it all points towards an unmissable Paris 2024

• 20:45 - Training Talk is timely as ever this week, with a look over how to redefine your legs over the summer break, and refinding your pace as a way to prepare for the marathon season ahead

• 27:35 - The indomitable Joan Benoit Samuelson is our very special guest as we chat to her about the camaraderie en route to becoming 1984’s Olympic Champion, Joan’s love for storytelling in the sport, and her journey to achieving her 6th Star - plus so much more!

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

What better time to exhibit the extraordinary mental benefits of running than during Mental Health Awareness Week.

That’s been a huge focus for this week’s Marathon Talk guest, Runner’s World’s Mallory Creveling, who’s been working on a must-read piece of work on wellness - ‘The Runner’s World Guide to Mental Health’.

Learn more on this week’s podcast, where we also share the best path to recovery from unexpected injuries, peek ahead at Bekele vs Kipchoge, and bring you some superb 6 Star Stats.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - At the top of the show we check in with Martin & Deena’s recent antics, from Deena’s L.A. trip to Martin’s camping escapades and an unfortunate injury

• 6:15 - In the news this week, we FINALLY get a preview on Bekele vs Kipchoge at Paris 2024, some shocking revelations about Kipchoge’s recent abuse, and we crunch the numbers on the 6 Star Statistics from the past season

• 19:50 - Training Talk this week hits a personal point for Martin, with the best methods for recovery if you’ve picked up an unexpected niggle

• 27:50 - Runner’s World Deputy Editor of Health & Fitness Mallory Creveling joins Deena to share their remarkable recent work for mental health, and Mallory’s own journey discovering the mental benefits of running

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

What a story Anya Culling written, from humble beginnings to the elite field in a matter of years.

She plans to continue her upward trajectory as her tale was one of so many stunning performances from the recent TCS London Marathon!

Anya joins us as we debrief a weekend that gave us a new women’s-only WR, a moving success story for friend of the show Sam Perkins, and Training Talk tackles the three things EVERYONE should do after a spring marathon…

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - We intro the show with some personal stories away from the sharp end of the London Marathon field, like Sam Perkins’ emotionally charged triumph and Martin’s tips for ‘calf-wrestling’

• 9:35 - It’s a packed roundup this week, with a world record-setting performance from Peres Jepchirchir, a stunning showing with two British men in the top 4, and so much more

• 28:40 - Training Talk is short and sweet this week, with three quickfire things that any runner should do in the wake of a spring marathon

• 31:45 - The marvellous Anya Culling talks us through the journey from a 2019 first-timer to becoming one of Britain’s fastest women in the marathon

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

When you overcome the voice in your head telling you to tap out, that’s where a true champion is made.

Such wise words come from a man whose past does not define his future - double amputee Cedric King is achieving the double this weekend with some huge Boston and London finishes.

His story is pure distilled inspiration; listen this week to learn more, as Martin & Deena also recap the highlights from a blistering Boston race, break down London’s lineup, and bring some post-race focus to Training Talk.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - Martin & Deena touch base on their recent escapades, with some takeaways for those struggling to train through challenging weather

• 4:50 - In a huge roundup, we recap Boston’s biggest stories from a title defence in the women’s race to domination in the men’s and men’s wheelchair races, plus a look ahead to this weekend’s stacked lineup for the TCS London Marathon

• 27:00 - Training Talk this week touches on post-race reconciliation - what should you do with your body and your mind immediately after a marathon, and how do you thank your body for what it’s achieved?

• 31:45 - The remarkable Cedric King joins us to discuss his journey as a double amputee, the battle between talent vs will, and why living in the moment might be the key to distance running success

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

All that running does for wellbeing is well-documented, but Helen Thorn’s marathon journey is an uplifting reminder to us all.

In the wake of a divorce, it became a central tenet to her mental health - now it’s central to her huge goal this year to run Boston and London back to back!

This week’s Marathon Talk shines a light on the mental wellness that so many find in running, we celebrate Jasmin Paris’ stellar Berkley Marathon performance, and Training Talk tackles the tailored tips to a flawless race in Boston.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - We kick off with a poignant recording period for Deena in preparation for Mental Health Awareness Month, and Martin hails the UK’s recent sunny spells

• 6:40 - Rounding off recent stories, we praise Jasmin Paris’ world-first performance in the infamous Barkley Marathon, cover the East African dominance at World Cross, and look ahead to Boston’s promising race

• 18:10 - Training Talk: Boston Edition! Deena shares her invaluable experience for those now entering their taper stage for the race on April 15th

• 22:35 - Helen Thorn joins us in a heartfelt discussion on the power that running has for mental wellbeing, her journey from beginner to marathon finisher, and how she’ll take on the huge feat of Boston and London back to back

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

This week’s guest needs no introduction to Deena - he’s her coach, her husband, and now a Boston Marathon qualifier after an admirable performance in LA.

It’s a joy to catch up with Coach Kastor fresh from his 3 hour and 13 minute run as he shares the unique experience of coaching himself, his best recovery tips, and how to prepare your training cycle for a marathon far into the future.

Elsewhere in the show we spotlight a stacked field for the upcoming London Marathon, and in Training Talk we guide you through the do’s and don’ts of the final phase of your training.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:45 - Deena and Martin catch up on the last two weeks, from the LA Marathon and speaking at UCLA, to Martin’s Purbeck Loop and a sweary sheep-herding story, plus coverage of a staggering new World Record

• 9:50 - We bring the latest on a London Marathon field that’s absolutely stacked with elite runners, and a men’s lineup which will bring us a first-time champion

• 20:00 - Training Talk this week focuses on the do’s and don’ts in the late stages of prep, why ‘less is best’ at this point, and the unexpected power of doing a ‘kit lay’

• 29:10 - Deena’s coach and husband, Andrew Kastor, takes us through his recent LA Marathon experience, how he coaches himself through races, his top recovery advice, and how to build a training schedule to target a marathon 12 months out

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/