Rephonic
Artwork for Marathon Talk
Abbott World Marathon Majors
Marathon Running
New York City Marathon
Boston Marathon
Running
Tokyo Marathon
Marathon
London Marathon
TCS New York City Marathon
Eliud Kipchoge
Sydney Marathon
TCS London Marathon
Berlin Marathon
Marathon Training
Sifan Hassan
Nutrition
Hydration
Olympics
TCS Sydney Marathon
Mental Health

Marathon Talk has returned in 2022 as part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors family. Hosted by Martin Yelling and the great Deena Kastor, every two weeks we'll bring you news, views and some amazing guest interviews from across the world of marathons and running.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes706Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RunningFitnessHealth & FitnessSports

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Artwork for Marathon Talk

Latest Episodes

As the 2026 Abbott World Marathon Majors season returns after its summer break, attention turns to the TCS Sydney Marathon.

Joining us on this week's show, we welcome a legend of Australian marathon running. Lisa Weightman is an Olympian, represent... more

We're getting ready to take a short break for the summer, but as is now tradition, we're joined by David Macnamara from Abbott World Marathon Majors for our mid-season quiz.

Have Martin and Deena been paying attention over the last 12 months, and c... more

On this week's episode of Marathon Talk, we're joined by comedian Paul Tomkinson, who is here to tell us all about this new book, Running Through Sand, an ageing runner's tale of running the Marathon Des Sables, frequently described as the toughest m... more

On this week's show, we're joined by Clark Gardner, CEO of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. This week, Cape Town became the 8th Abbott World Marathon Major. Clark is here to give us the lowdown on the event that took place last month, the process of be... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

David Macnamara
Head of Content, Quizmaster for the episode
Abbott World Marathon Majors
Episode: EP94 | It's Time To Get Quizical! - Martin and Deena take on our mid-season quiz.
Paul Tomkinson
Comedian and award-winning author
Author of Running Through Sand and Aging Comedians, Ill Thought Out Ultra in Sahara
Episode: EP93 | Running Through Sand - Marathon Talk meets Paul Tonkinson
Clark Gardner
Chief Executive Officer, Sandlem Cape Town Marathon
Sandlem Cape Town Marathon
Episode: EP 92 | Cape Town Is A Major!
Dani Coyle
Chief Operating Officer, Abbott World Marathon Majors
Abbott World Marathon Majors
Episode: EP 92 | Cape Town Is A Major!
Brett Clothier
Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit
Athletics Integrity Unit
Episode: EP91 | Catching The Cheats - Marathon Talk meets Brett Clothier of the Athletics Integrity Unit
Paula Radcliffe
Former world-record holding elite marathoner featured in the film
Paula Radcliffe/Chasing Stars documentary
Episode: EP90 | Paula Radcliffe Chasing Stars - Behind the Scenes at the World Premiere
Pat Odom
Director of Paula Radcliffe, Chasing Stars
Storyview Productions
Episode: EP90 | Paula Radcliffe Chasing Stars - Behind the Scenes at the World Premiere
Sean Ingle
Guardian Sport journalist
The Guardian
Episode: EP89 | Sabastian Sawe Smashes The World Record in London
Bill Rodgers
Four-time Boston and New York winner, renowned as Boston Billy
Former elite runner
Episode: EP88 | Meeting A Boston Marathon Legend | Marathon Talk Meets Bill Rodgers

Hosts

Martin Yelling
Host of Marathon Talk, long-time broadcaster and commentator on running.
Deena Kastor
Co-host of Marathon Talk, Olympic medalist and prominent endurance runner.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Calling all runners

    Love this podcast! It’s entertaining and the guests are so inspiring. Deena and Martin do such a great job of recapping the Abbott World Majors and give great advice in the training talk. If you are a runner you need to listen to this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jill Runs
    Canada2 years ago
  • Informative & Inspiring!

    Like tour guides and trusted friends, Deena and Martin bring us inside the stories and to the heart of what inspires marathon runners. With their unique perspectives and insights, they enlarge our understanding and enrich our experience.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mafia x
    United States2 years ago
  • Marathon Talk Continues to Inspire and Inform!

    I have listened to Marathon Talk for years and have always enjoyed elite runner Martin Yelling and his inspiring weekly guests. Now with co-host Olympic medalist, Deena Kastor, Martin continues his friendly and engaging conversation on a whole new level. I learn so much every episode about the news in the world of athletics, get great training advice and enjoy interviews with uplifting athletes, coaches and fascinating figures in the marathon world. I look forward to each and every episode!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    daliwillis
    United States2 years ago
  • A great episode on Kelvin

    I thought the guests and discussion on the career and legacy of Kelvin Kiptum was a wonderful way to pay tribute to him.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DC7780
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Great subject but audio is rough

    The poor audio needs to be addressed. Would be great to have a running podcast in the rotation but the poor sound quality makes this hard to listen

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    RaychelB
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans highlight banter and host chemistry as a key strength that keeps long-running episodes engaging.
Some critique recent format changes but applaud continued focus on running culture and storytelling.
Many appreciate the benchmark value of athlete and organizer perspectives on major races.
A few listeners feel sponsorship mentions affect perceived independence, though content remains informative.
Listeners praise the show's accessibility and depth, with guests delivering actionable training and race insights.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#62
United States/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#38
United Kingdom/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#110
Canada/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#52
Australia/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#154
Germany/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#181
France/Sports/Running

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

EP94 | It's Time To Get Quizical! - Martin and Deena take on our mid-season quiz.
Q: What is the average time of a six-star finisher in Berlin?
Two hours, forty-three minutes and something seconds (approximate on-site reading)
EP86 | How To Get Into Every Major
Q: What should listeners know about securing entries to the London Marathon and other majors if they miss the public ballot?
London offers non-public ballot routes such as charity programs, core operators, and age-based options for British nationals; tour operators can improve standing in the waiting list, and the Gold Club lottery provides another pathway with member-specific draws. Sponsorships and sponsor-led spot allocations also appear, so listeners should stay alert for sponsor opportunities.
EP86 | How To Get Into Every Major
Q: How does the Boston Marathon entry process differ from other majors, especially for international runners?
Boston relies heavily on a time-qualifying standard for age groups, with entries awarded to the fastest qualifiers until spots run out. Charity runners also play a critical role, and there are additional avenues like road-to-the-majors draws and Tour operator partnerships. The Road to the Majors virtual challenge can unlock extra ballot slots for the Boston Marathon.
EP86 | How To Get Into Every Major
Q: What are the most viable routes to get into the Tokyo Marathon, and how does the charity program differ from the ballot?
The traditional ballot remains a standard path, but the charity option is very accessible; it requires pledging a donation upfront and then fundraising later, which can open up entry while shifting the timing away from immediate fundraising. Other programs include One Tokyo membership challenges and sponsor-backed slots, such as RunKeeper and ASICS, offering additional opportunities.
EP85 | Marathon Talk meets Allie Bailey, on how mindset is vital in endurance running.
Q: How can someone distinguish between a healthy personal goal and a destructive need for validation?
Allie Bailey discusses the difference between goals that come from a genuine love for running and those driven by external validation, emphasizing the importance of finding intrinsic motivation and joy in the process rather than chasing medals or external praise.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Marathon Talk

What is Marathon Talk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on the world of long-distance running, with a strong focus on major marathons, training insights, and race strategies. Across episodes, topics include major events like the Abbott World Marathon Majors, race logistics, elite performances, and interviews with athletes, organizers, authors, and governance figures. The format often blends news, practical training talk, and deep-dive conversations with guests who illuminate running culture, sport politics, and the human stories behind endurance performance. A notable strength is its long-running host duo complemented by high-profile guests, giving listeners access to behind-the-scenes looks at major races and strategic insights for both participants and followers of the sport.... more

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How many subscribers and views does Marathon Talk have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Marathon Talk has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Marathon Talk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Marathon Talk:

1. Paula's Run Club
2. Runner's World Podcast
3. Marathon Training Academy
4. Marathon Handbook Podcast
5. The Running Channel Podcast

How many episodes of Marathon Talk are there?

Marathon Talk launched 17 years ago and published 706 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Marathon Talk?

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What guests have appeared on Marathon Talk?

Recent guests on Marathon Talk include:

1. David Macnamara
2. Paul Tomkinson
3. Clark Gardner
4. Dani Coyle
5. Brett Clothier
6. Paula Radcliffe
7. Pat Odom
8. Sean Ingle

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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