Today in Running History

Hillary Barrett

While there is no shortage of podcasts that focus on the mechanics of running, I was surprised to find very little that looks at the history of our sport. I created the daily podcast “Today In Running History” to fill this space. In eight minutes or less, listeners will learn the backstories and lasting impact of some of the biggest names and milestones in running history, plus some they might not know about yet. Like the sport itself, Today In Running History is for all of us, from passionate and facts-obsessed sports-history geeks to the most casual of newbies.

  1. 6D AGO

    S4E3 - Bill Dellinger & his last shot at Olympic glory

    Today is Friday, October 10th, 2025, and this month in 1964, after 2 lackluster Olympic performances, American Bill Dellinger came out of retirement at the geriatric age of 30 to win a bronze medal in the 5,000m at the Tokyo Olympics.   In this episode, we will learn more about Dellinger’s incredible comeback story, sit down with his nephew to hear what Bill was like off the track, and discuss the lasting legacy of Dellinger’s 91 year life.   It is #FueledFriday, which mean's that today's episode is sponsored by Fuel Goods! This is the sports nutrition marketplace and monthly subscription service that I've been using for the past 3 years to make sure I'm properly fueled for all of my runs.   All new subscribers to the RunnerBox by Fuel Goods will automatically receive $10 to spend on anything at the marketplace, and listeners of Today in Running History can save $10 off your first box by using my code "HILLARY10" at checkout. Check out the Fuel Goods website here!   This episode and every single other was edited and produced by my good friend Rob Garcia, who many know by his own ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast "Rob on the Run"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you are looking to get into the podcasting or Youtube space, but need some help on the technical side, I HIGHLY suggest reaching out to Rob. His email is robontherunpodcast@gmail.com   And as always, if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠runningupthathillary@gmail.com⁠

    23 min
  2. 6D AGO

    S4E2 - first and only Olympic medal for the country of Djibouti

    Today is Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 and this week in 1988, Ahmed Salah won a bronze medal in the men’s marathon at the Olympics in Seoul, which was the first and only Olympic medal ever won by the country of Djibouti.   In this episode, we'll learn more about Salah, his country, and why that Olympic podium was so significant.   It's #Tattoosday, and listeners of Today in Running History can save 20% off your order using my code "Hillary" at checkout. ⁠⁠⁠Here is the link⁠⁠⁠ to MyRaceTatts.   This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rob on the Run on Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or on Instagram as @robontherunpod.   If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share, then connect with me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram as well at @running_up_that_hillary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or check out my website at runningupthathillary.com.    Bibliography:   https://web.archive.org/web/20200417173730/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1988/ATH/mens-marathon.html https://web.archive.org/web/20070608102447/http://www.athlerecords.net/Records/AFRIQUE/PLEINAIR/RECDJIBOUTI.txt https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/hussein-ahmed-salah https://web.archive.org/web/20161203220336/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/sa/ahmed-salah-1.html https://www.reddit.com/r/Somalia/comments/1czykg4/how_to_become_a_champion_ahmed_salahs_untold/ https://www.olympics.com/en/news/djiboutis-42-kilometre-run-to-olympic-glory https://www.olympics.com/en/news/djiboutis-42-kilometre-run-to-olympic-glory

    11 min
  3. OCT 4

    S4E1 - Hal Higdon interview - 94 years of running wisdom

    Today is Friday, October 3rd, 2025 and this week in 2016, legendary runner and writer Hal Higdon published his book “Run Fast,” a comprehensive guide for runners looking to improve their speed and reach new PRs.   In this episode, I sit down with Higdon himself to discuss a few of the incredible contributions he’s made to the world of running in his 94 years of life so far.   For more information on his books, app, and training program, please check out Hal Higdon's website here.   It is #FueledFriday, which mean's that today's episode is sponsored by Fuel Goods! This is the sports nutrition marketplace and monthly subscription service that I've been using for the past 3 years to make sure I'm properly fueled for all of my runs.   All new subscribers to the RunnerBox by Fuel Goods will automatically receive $10 to spend on anything at the marketplace, and listeners of Today in Running History can save $10 off your first box by using my code "HILLARY10" at checkout. Check out the Fuel Goods website here!   This episode and every single other was edited and produced by my good friend Rob Garcia, who many know by his own ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast "Rob on the Run"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you are looking to get into the podcasting or Youtube space, but need some help on the technical side, I HIGHLY suggest reaching out to Rob. His email is robontherunpodcast@gmail.com   And as always, if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠runningupthathillary@gmail.com⁠

    20 min
  4. OCT 2

    September 20, 1942 - first postpartum world record set by Fanny Blankers-Koen

    Today is Saturday, September 20, 2025, and on this day in 1942, Dutch phenom Fanny Blankers-Koen set her first world record since becoming a mom 13 months earlier on her way to becoming the Female Athlete of the Century.   In this episode we'll learn more about Blankers-Koen, the only woman in history to win 4 gold medals at a single Olympics, and hear why that first postpartum world record was so unprecedented.   It is #SaltySaturday, which means that this episode is sponsored by SaltStick. The summer heat is not going anywhere any time soon, which means that we all need to be replenishing electrolytes lost in sweat.   The FastChews from SaltStick are my personal favorite way to get electrolytes in mid-run, and they come in some great flavors, plus caffeinated and uncaffeinated versions, too! Listeners of Today In Running History can save 20% off of your order using⁠⁠ this link⁠⁠.   AND, as I mention in this episode, SaltStick's sister brand Bonk Breaker is discontinuing their energy bars. Until they are gone for good, you can get a box for free with ANY Bonk Breaker purchase (I love the OMG! Chews) by using the code "ONELASTBOX" at checkout here.      This episode and every single other was edited and produced by my good friend Rob Garcia, who many know by his own ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast "Rob on the Run"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you are looking to get into the podcasting or Youtube space, but need some help on the technical side, I HIGHLY suggest reaching out to Rob. His email is robontherunpodcast@gmail.com   And as always, if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠runningupthathillary@gmail.com⁠

    15 min
5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

While there is no shortage of podcasts that focus on the mechanics of running, I was surprised to find very little that looks at the history of our sport. I created the daily podcast “Today In Running History” to fill this space. In eight minutes or less, listeners will learn the backstories and lasting impact of some of the biggest names and milestones in running history, plus some they might not know about yet. Like the sport itself, Today In Running History is for all of us, from passionate and facts-obsessed sports-history geeks to the most casual of newbies.

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