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

  1. Conner Mantz: The American Marathon Record, Injury Comeback, and His Road Back to Boston

    5 MAR

    Conner Mantz: The American Marathon Record, Injury Comeback, and His Road Back to Boston

    Connor Mantz is the American marathon record holder, but his journey to the top hasn’t been straightforward. After a breakout 2025 season that included a record-breaking 2:04:43 at the Chicago Marathon, Mantz looked poised for even bigger things. But a sacrum stress fracture forced him off running for nearly three months. In this episode, Alex Cyr sits down with Mantz to talk about his recovery, his build toward the 2026 Boston Marathon, and what it takes to compete with the best marathoners in the world. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Saysky makes incredible running gear that our team love. Use code MARATHON15 for 15% off your purchase at https://saysky.com 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. They discuss: Setting the American marathon record in Chicago The injuries that derailed his training How elite runners approach recovery and cross-training Whether Americans are closing the gap on East African runners Super shoes and how they’ve changed racing Doping concerns in professional running Why Utah produces so many elite distance runners His long-term goal of winning an Olympic medal in 2028 Plus a rapid-fire round covering shoe rotations, breaking two hours in the marathon, and who he trusts most to babysit his future child. 00:00 Intro00:47 Meet American Marathon Record Holder Conner Mantz02:30 Injury After Chicago & The Road Back04:30 Running Through Injuries06:30 The Sacrum Stress Fracture Explained11:00 Cross Training While Injured14:30 Returning to Running After 12 Weeks Off17:40 Boston Marathon Build & Training Strategy22:00 Benchmark Workouts Before a Marathon24:00 Can Conner Mantz Win Boston?25:30 Choosing Marathons: Legacy vs Prize Money28:30 Olympic Gold vs Winning a Major31:00 The Sour Patch Kids Doping Scare36:00 Doping in Elite Running44:30 The Enhanced Games Debate49:00 Are Americans Catching East African Runners?54:00 The Super Shoe Effect57:00 Why Some Runners Improve So Fast58:30 What Makes Conner Mantz a Great Marathoner1:00:30 Why Utah Produces So Many Elite Runners1:04:00 Goals for 2026 & Olympic Dreams1:06:00 Rapid Fire Questions1:15:00 Where to Follow Conner Mantz

    1 h y 15 min
  2. Tokyo Marathon 2026 Preview: Elite Picks, Course Breakdown & Bold Predictions

    26 FEB

    Tokyo Marathon 2026 Preview: Elite Picks, Course Breakdown & Bold Predictions

    In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci break down everything you need to know about the first World Marathon Major of 2026: the Tokyo Marathon. We deliver a complete race preview — from course strategy and congestion to race-day weather, elite storylines, and bold predictions. If you’re racing Tokyo, chasing a marathon PR, or just love major marathon season, this is your full guide. We cover race basics and how to watch live (04:37), including start times and logistics, plus just how hard it is to get into Tokyo’s infamous 2% lottery (09:00). Then we dive into a full course breakdown (12:30), race etiquette and on-course rules (17:30), and Tokyo’s unique aid stations and fueling setup (29:10). We analyze the race-day weather forecast and conditions (32:20), and explore Tokyo Marathon history and course records (35:57). On the elite side, we break down the women’s field (41:52), including whether Sutume Kebede can three-peat (43:00), and what Sara Hall racing both Tokyo and Boston means (45:00). We debate why Tokyo still hasn’t produced a world record (48:50) before turning to the men’s field (51:52), the Japanese national record showdown (53:30), and dark horse breakout potential (56:00). Finally, we make our official predictions for the winners (1:02:55) and close with our World Marathon Majors Power Rankings — PB edition (1:09:56), before final thoughts and how to follow the race live (1:18:30). Topics include: • Elite field predictions (men’s & women’s) • Course record potential • The Japanese national record battle • Why Tokyo hasn’t produced a world record • Course strategy & race-day tips • Weather forecast analysis • Is Tokyo secretly the fastest major? • Could Cam Levins break the North American record? If you’re running Tokyo, planning your next major, or gearing up for marathon season — this is your complete race preview. Subscribe, rate, and follow the Marathon Handbook Podcast for weekly running news and marathon analysis. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Saysky makes incredible running gear that our team love. Use code MARATHON15 for 15% off your purchase at https://saysky.com This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://⁠livemomentous.com #tokyomarathon #WMM #WorldMarathonMajors #HarryStyles #marathon #running

    1 h y 21 min
  3. Boston’s 2026 Medal Revealed, Two World Records & A Wild Week in Running

    24 FEB

    Boston’s 2026 Medal Revealed, Two World Records & A Wild Week in Running

    This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down five of the biggest headlines in distance running. The NYC Half Marathon elite fields are officially set, and the matchups are electric. Grant Fisher makes his highly anticipated half marathon debut, while Sharon Lokedi and Hellen Obiri renew one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries. On the track, Keely Hodgkinson takes down a long-standing 800m indoor world record in dominant fashion. In ultrarunning, Ashley Paulson runs 12:19:34 to break the women’s 100-mile world record — but her past suspension raises questions that the sport can’t ignore. Plus, a Florida man is federally indicted under the Rodchenko Anti-Doping Act in connection with an Olympic sprinter — a case that could have serious implications for elite sport. And finally, the Boston Marathon unveils its 2026 finisher medal. Is it a classic… or a step backward? We debate. Subscribe for weekly breakdowns of the biggest stories in the running world. 0:00 Intro1:15 NYC Half Marathon Preview5:36 Florida Doping Indictment8:05 100-Mile World Record10:51 800m Indoor World Record13:15 Boston Marathon 2026 Medal Debate 📩 Questions about training, race previews, or to send us your hot takes? Email us at podcast@marathonhandbook.com. 🎤 Leave us a voice memo for our mailbag episodes: marathonhandbook.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: @marathon.handbook 📰 Join 265,000+ runners getting our daily newsletter: marathonhandbook.com/newsletter 📬 Subscribe to the Marathon Handbook newsletter for daily training insights

    21 min
  4. Spring 2026 Running Shoe Preview: Super Shoes, New Tech & The Future of Daily Trainers

    19 FEB

    Spring 2026 Running Shoe Preview: Super Shoes, New Tech & The Future of Daily Trainers

    What’s next in running shoes — and are we entering a new era? In this episode, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci break down the biggest Spring 2026 shoe releases and the state of the super shoe arms race. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Saysky makes incredible running gear that our team love. Use code MARATHON15 for 15% off your purchase at https://saysky.com 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. We cover: • ASICS Superblast 3 and the “do-it-all” trainer debate• Salomon’s aerodynamic Phantasm 3 — does aero matter for runners?• On’s LightSpray expansion and what it means for performance footwear• The latest super shoe developments from Adidas, Nike, ASICS, and Puma• Why elite marathoners may be racing in shoes you can’t buy• The rapid evolution of daily trainers• Buy, Hold, or Sell: Our quick takes on the newest releases We also discuss whether brands are innovating too fast, if super shoes are becoming inaccessible, and what everyday runners should actually buy in 2026. If you're training for a spring marathon, planning a fall race, or just trying to keep up with the latest shoe tech, this episode is your complete 2026 preview. Follow Marathon Handbook for weekly running news, race coverage, gear reviews, and training insights. Chapters: 00:00 Intro – Spring 2026 Running Shoe Preview01:30 ASICS Superblast 3 Deep Dive07:30 Superblast 3 vs Mega Blast – What’s the Difference?11:40 Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 (Aerodynamic Super Shoe?)20:30 On LightSpray Update & Cloudmonster 3 Hyper26:00 2026 Running Shoe Trends27:00 Creative Daily Trainers (Brooks, Nike, Saucony, ASICS)33:30 Is the Classic Daily Trainer Dead?38:40 Are Super Shoes Advancing Too Fast?50:30 Super Shoe Watch – Nike Update53:30 On Racing Shoe Updates55:00 Adidas Pro Evo & Mystery 97g Shoe57:00 ASICS MetaSpeed Developments58:30 Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 401:00:00 Saucony, Brooks, New Balance & HOKA Super Shoes01:07:00 Buy, Hold, or Sell – Rapid Fire Shoe Takes01:27:00 Wrap-Up & Where Shoes Are Headed in 2026

    1 h y 28 min

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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

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