Marathon Talk

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 marathon on earth.
We also have a quick roundup of everything happening in the marathon world, including big news from the TCS London Marathon.
Order Running Through Sand here.
On this episode of Marathon Talk:
00:00 - Intro
07:51 - The 2027 TCS London Marathon confirmed as a two-day event
15:41 - Comrades Marathon
18:43 - Update from the Tokyo Marathon
21:55 - Interview with Paul Tonkinson‍
Links & References:
Abbott World Marathon Majors
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Marathon Talk
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Martin Yelling | Instagram
Deena Kastor | Instagram
Paul Tonkinson | Instagram

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 becoming a Major and to look back on the events of October last year, when Cape Town's dream hung in the balance.
Links & References:
Abbott World Marathon Majors
Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Marathon Talk
Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Martin Yelling | Instagram
Deena Kastor | Instagram

On this episode of Marathon Talk, Martin and Deena have an in-depth decision with Brett Clothier, Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit. Brett and his team lead the way in ensuring marathon running is a clean sport, and we wanted to invite him on to tell us more about the work his team does and the work organisations like Abbott World Marathon Majors and World Athletes support in this ongoing battle.
‍Links & References:
Abbott World Marathon Majors
Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Marathon Talk
Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Martin Yelling | Instagram
Deena Kastor | Instagram
Athletics Integrity Unit | Instagram

We were in attendance at the premiere of the new Paula Radcliffe film, Chasing Stars, and we were joined by the film's director Pat Odom, to hear more about its making.
We close the show with a Q&A that Paula gave with British running great Steve Cram.
Watch Paula Radcliffe - Chasing Stars now on YouTube.
On this episode of Marathon Talk:
00:00 - Intro
06:10 - Still reflecting on the 2026 TCS London Marathon
25:26 - Deena speaks with director Pat Odom, the man behind the lens of Paula Radcliffe - Chasing Stars
49:21 - Q&A from the premiere of Paula Radcliffe - Chasing Stars
Links & References:
Abbott World Marathon Majors
Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Marathon Talk
Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Martin Yelling | Instagram
Deena Kastor | Instagram
Pat Odom | Instagram

Only one place to start, on Sunday, Sebastian Sawe produced a performance that will be talked about until the end of time, becoming the first man to ever run a sub-2 hour Marathon in a competitive race.
We have reaction and analysis from an historic day in London.
On this episode of Marathon Talk:
00:00 - Intro
00:49 - We discuss the historic performance from Sabastian Sawe at the 2026 TCS London Marathon
29:13- Danny Coyle, COO at Abbott World Marathon Majors joins us to give his sights into the day from the grandstand. 
39:09 - Sean Ingle offers his thoughts on what Sawe's performance means for the wider sport of marathon running.
59:46 - We have a quick look back at the 2026 Boston Marathon
Links & References:
Abbott World Marathon Majors
Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Marathon Talk
Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Martin Yelling | Instagram
Deena Kastor | Instagram
Sean Ingle | Instagram