When LA saw the first ever Olympic women’s marathon champion, it was none other than this week’s Marathon Talk guest who crossed the line first - Joan Benoit Samuelson.

An icon in the sport and Deena’s greatest mentor, she joins us on the podcast this week to share her remarkable relationship with the sport, and the power of storytelling within it.

Elsewhere in the show, the Diamond League gives us record-breaking runs and a tantalising preview of Paris, while Training Talk is all about refinding your speed this summer!

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - Martin & Deena return to share their holiday weekend escapades, riding adventures, and how Martin is ‘irritating George Clooney’

• 5:15 - In the news this week, we recap the Diamond League’s biggest stories, from the new Women’s 10,000m record to the Kerr vs Ingebrigtsen tussle, and how it all points towards an unmissable Paris 2024

• 20:45 - Training Talk is timely as ever this week, with a look over how to redefine your legs over the summer break, and refinding your pace as a way to prepare for the marathon season ahead

• 27:35 - The indomitable Joan Benoit Samuelson is our very special guest as we chat to her about the camaraderie en route to becoming 1984’s Olympic Champion, Joan’s love for storytelling in the sport, and her journey to achieving her 6th Star - plus so much more!

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

What better time to exhibit the extraordinary mental benefits of running than during Mental Health Awareness Week.

That’s been a huge focus for this week’s Marathon Talk guest, Runner’s World’s Mallory Creveling, who’s been working on a must-read piece of work on wellness - ‘The Runner’s World Guide to Mental Health’.

Learn more on this week’s podcast, where we also share the best path to recovery from unexpected injuries, peek ahead at Bekele vs Kipchoge, and bring you some superb 6 Star Stats.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - At the top of the show we check in with Martin & Deena’s recent antics, from Deena’s L.A. trip to Martin’s camping escapades and an unfortunate injury

• 6:15 - In the news this week, we FINALLY get a preview on Bekele vs Kipchoge at Paris 2024, some shocking revelations about Kipchoge’s recent abuse, and we crunch the numbers on the 6 Star Statistics from the past season

• 19:50 - Training Talk this week hits a personal point for Martin, with the best methods for recovery if you’ve picked up an unexpected niggle

• 27:50 - Runner’s World Deputy Editor of Health & Fitness Mallory Creveling joins Deena to share their remarkable recent work for mental health, and Mallory’s own journey discovering the mental benefits of running

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

What a story Anya Culling written, from humble beginnings to the elite field in a matter of years.

She plans to continue her upward trajectory as her tale was one of so many stunning performances from the recent TCS London Marathon!

Anya joins us as we debrief a weekend that gave us a new women’s-only WR, a moving success story for friend of the show Sam Perkins, and Training Talk tackles the three things EVERYONE should do after a spring marathon…

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 0:00 - We intro the show with some personal stories away from the sharp end of the London Marathon field, like Sam Perkins’ emotionally charged triumph and Martin’s tips for ‘calf-wrestling’

• 9:35 - It’s a packed roundup this week, with a world record-setting performance from Peres Jepchirchir, a stunning showing with two British men in the top 4, and so much more

• 28:40 - Training Talk is short and sweet this week, with three quickfire things that any runner should do in the wake of a spring marathon

• 31:45 - The marvellous Anya Culling talks us through the journey from a 2019 first-timer to becoming one of Britain’s fastest women in the marathon

Marathon Talk is proudly powered by Abbott World Marathon Majors, who create, build and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community. Learn more at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/