Posted by Gary Robinson on
What do runners like almost as much as running? Talking about running. And what do runners like almost as much as talking about running? Listening to other people talk about running!
If you love a bit of run chat, then a podcast is a great way to get your fix. Perfect for keeping you company on a long, solo run, there are a whole host of audio treats aimed at runners out there.
Whether you’re looking for training advice, motivation, interviews with athletes, kit reviews or just something to make you smile, check out our favourites for size.
Runners World UK podcast
Hosted by Runner’s World staffers Ben Hobson and Rick Pearson, this weekly podcast from the top running mag is a mix of interviews, advice, product reviews and genuinely funny chat.
One episode they’ll be talking to a physio about training for a postponed marathon, the next discussing how impending parenthood is affecting their running and checking out the latest running tech.
They get all the best guests as well – listen to NURRV’s own Community Manager and Run Coach James Poole, talking ultra running and hallucinations here.
Run, Selfie, Repeat
A few years ago, Kelly Roberts says she was absolutely not an athletic person. But after her brother died, she started running to deal with grief.
Now, the US runner’s hilarious podcast is inspiring others to get out and discover the joy of running, too. Each bitesize episode is a pep-talk covering topics including self doubt, post-race blues and whether you can you be overweight and run (answer, yes, of course).
The FIT File with DC Rainmaker and GPLama
If you love a bit of running tech, this podcast is the perfect place to get your geek on.
Ray Maker, of sports tech blog DC Rainmaker, and Shane Miller, of cycling tech site GPLama, go in-depth on the latest sports technology, discussing everything from updated Strava features to new products, tracking metrics on fitness watches and brands changing hardware providers. Tech geek heaven.
Running Commentary
British comedians Paul Tonkinson and Rob Deering are keen runners who, handily for us, love a good natter about running,
Their podcast idea is simple, they go for a run and just chat. Talk ranges from their comedy gigs and how their own running’s going, to injuries, medals and what they’re having for lunch.
Funny and insightful, it feels like running with your mates, particularly when they shout to ‘watch out for that puddle’.
The Rich Roll podcast
Wellness advocate Rich Roll struggled with drugs and alcohol in his 20s but after giving up his addictions, he overhauled his diet and pulled on his trainers.
Now a plant-based runner and Ultraman triathlete (that’s double Ironman distance), in his podcast Rich talks to people conquering amazing endurance feats – like Nick Butter who’s run a marathon in every country in the world – and wellness experts, such as a professor who wants to cure ageing.
Not all podcasts are about running, there’s some art and spirituality in there too, but with more than 500 episodes, you’ll find something for you.
Well Far: The Running Podcast
From the benefits of cross training for runners to syncing the miles to your menstrual cycle, in this accessible podcast, journalist Amy Lane gets the low-down on a host of run-related topics from the experts .
There are plenty of celebrity interviews too as Amy, whose day job is Digital Editor of Women’s Health UK, goes for a run with everyone from Paula Radcliffe to Love Island host Laura Whitmore.
Running for Real
A former Great Britain and Northern Ireland runner, Tina Muir quit elite running in 2017 after struggling with an eating disorder and amenorrhea – she hadn’t had a period for nine years.
Now running for enjoyment, Missouri-based Tina hosts this inspiring podcast with a focus on training tips, the realities of the sport and celebrating body diversity. Elite coaches, running form experts, nutritionists and doctors make regular appearances and past guests include triathlon champ Chrissie Wellington and 2004 Olympic marathon medallist, Meb Keflezighi.
The Morning Shakeout
Running coach and journalist Mario Fraioli started writing a weekly email newsletter about all things running back in 2015. Called the morning shakeout, in late 2017 he added a podcast to the mix.
Episodes include interviews with top athletes, coaches and running personalities covering everything from their motivation and training philosophies to fear of failure. There are regular Ask Mario Anything episodes too, where listeners send in running questions for the San Francisco-based host to answer.
The Bad Boy Running podcast
Running journalists Jody Raynsford and David Hellard created this chatty podcast as an antidote to what they call the ‘dull and dry’ offerings already out there.
Like listening in to a conversation in the pub, the social side of the sport gets just as much of a look in as the technical. Guests tend to have an interesting story to tell, including endurance athlete Ben Blowes – who ran the London marathon with a tumble dryer strapped to his back; Project Awesome founder Danny Bent, who invited a bunch of strangers to run across Iceland; and Adharanand Finn, author of Running With The Kenyans.
Marathon Talk
The UK’s number one running podcast and a hit around the globe, no podcast list would be complete without Marathon Talk.
Hosted by ex-international runner Martin Yelling and parkrun COO Tom Williams, the duo discuss news from the running world – if a shoe’s been banned or a record broken, they’ll be talking about it. There’s a healthy dose of practical training advice too, as well as interviews with elite marathoners and experts, including nutritionists and strength coaches. Friendly asides and in-jokes make it as entertaining as it is informative.
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