Run Farther & Faster — The Podcast with Coaches Lisa Levin and Julie Sapper

Run Farther & Faster

Coaches Lisa Levin and Julie Sapper provide tips and tricks for running farther, faster, and stronger. After running the Boston Marathon 32 times collectively, Julie and Lisa, along with weekly guests, provide advice for training and racing. While specific to Boston, this podcast is appropriate for runners of all levels and ages.

  1. MAR 20

    Episode 276: Boston Marathon Race Director, Dave McGillivray, Shares How We Can All Finish Strong

    We’re so thrilled to welcome back the legendary Dave McGillivray, who has served as the Boston Marathon race director since 2001. Dave breaks down the key changes to this year’s race, offering clarity into what runners can expect with six waves, rather than four, and how to adjust accordingly. Dave also offers course insight and guidance, along with how he’s training for his 54th consecutive Boston Marathon, which he will run with his three children and astronaut Sunita Williams. As taper begins and nerves set in, Dave shares thoughtful words of encouragement to help runners stay patient, confident, and ready to embrace race day. More about Dave: Dave is the founder and president of DMSE Sports, Inc., a full-service event-management organization. McGillivray has directed or consulted on more than 1,400 events throughout the world including the Boston Marathon, the Beach to Beacon 10K, the ASICS Falmouth Road Race, the Mount Washington Road Race, the Olympic Marathon trials, and the Olympic Games. Dave is also the founder of the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation, which seeks to inspire and empower youth to increase physical activity, expand literacy, and build community and self-esteem through running, reading, and acts of kindness. Dave has completed 173 marathons, including 53 consecutive Boston Marathons. In 1978, he completed an 80-day trek across the United States, running the 3,452 miles from Medford, Ore., to Medford, Mass. to benefit the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dave is on Instagram @dmsedave. Join us for our shakeout run in Boston on Sunday, 4/19 at 8:30 at a new location—338 Newbury Street in front of Trident Booksellers. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at julieandlisa@runfartherandfaster.com or head over to our website. Please follow, share and review our show!

    1h 11m
  2. MAR 14

    Episode 275: Setbacks Provide Data, Not Failure: A Conversation with Tokyo Marathoner, Beth Colling

    This week we are joined by Run Farther & Faster runner, Beth Colling, who at age 57 ran a 3:43 at the Tokyo Marathon, earning her Six Star Medal. But Beth’s journey to that finish line was anything but straightforward. Just one year ago, after a life-altering health setback, she wasn’t sure she would ever run another marathon. Instead of stepping away from the sport she loves, Beth turned that uncertainty into opportunity. Through patience, determination, and the support of her community, she rebuilt her fitness and confidence—ultimately crossing the finish line in Tokyo in 3:43, tying the personal best she set four years earlier. Beth lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she trains with an incredibly uplifting group of masters women who help make the miles joyful and meaningful. She shares how that community, along with a renewed perspective on gratitude and resilience, shaped her comeback. Beyond running, Beth is an accomplished attorney with more than 25 years of experience who has traveled to six of the seven continents, working with organizations to help create infrastructure in developing countries. She’s also a mom of three, who originally began running longer distances after the birth of her third child as a way to carve out a little space—and sanity—amid the chaos of a busy household. In this episode, Beth reflects on perseverance, purpose, and the power of believing that your best days might still be ahead. Join us for our shakeout run in Boston on Sunday, 4/19 at 8:30 at a new location—338 Newbury Street in front of Trident Booksellers. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at julieandlisa@runfartherandfaster.com or head over to our website. Please follow, share and review our show!

    1h 19m
  3. MAR 5

    Episode 274:What Happened at the Atlanta USATF Half Marathon Championships? Allison Mercer Explains

    This week we’re joined by Allison Mercer, a Team USA ultrarunner, championship competitor, and thoughtful voice in the running community, to unpack the controversy that unfolded at the 2026 USATF Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta. Allison is an accomplished distance runner who has represented the United States at the ultrarunning world championships and competed at national championship events herself. Allison is also a leader in the Atlanta running community and served as the three-hour pacer for the marathon event, which occurred on the same day. On race day in Atlanta, chaos erupted in the closing mile when the lead vehicle directed the front pack of women — including Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Ednah Kurgat — off the correct course. The mistake dramatically altered the outcome of the national championship and raised serious questions about race organization, athlete fairness, and accountability.  In response, Allison wrote a widely discussed op-ed for Outside Run analyzing the incident and the reaction that followed. Rather than simply assigning blame, she explored the deeper structural issues behind championship road racing — from course control and race operations to governing-body policies — while urging the running community to pursue accountability without losing perspective on the people involved. In this conversation, Allison brings her experience as an athlete and community leader to share how we can better respond to mistakes in our community. We appreciate Allison’s insight! You can find Allison on Instagram @onewomandanceparty Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at julieandlisa@runfartherandfaster.com or head over to our website. Please follow, share and review our show!

    1h 1m
5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Coaches Lisa Levin and Julie Sapper provide tips and tricks for running farther, faster, and stronger. After running the Boston Marathon 32 times collectively, Julie and Lisa, along with weekly guests, provide advice for training and racing. While specific to Boston, this podcast is appropriate for runners of all levels and ages.

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