Marathon Handbook Podcast

We’re back with a full preview of the 2025 Boston Marathon! Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci break down everything you need to know heading into race weekend:

• Start times and how to watch
• Elite field preview + American hopefuls
• Katelyn’s emotional story about her first Boston Marathon in 2003
• Course breakdown + pacing strategy
• Alex’s weather forecast + key advice
• Live show details (Saturday night!)
• Predictions: who’s winning Boston 2025?
  

🎥 Watch our live stream during the race (Monday @ 9 AM ET) right here:
https://youtube.com/live/y5enYRMrI1U?feature=share
How to watch the lives stream and broadcast:
https://marathonhandbook.com/how-to-watch-the-2025-boston-marathon-a-complete-guide-for-spectators-and-viewers/

Amby Burfoot's essay on his most cherished Boston momento:
https://marathonhandbook.com/ive-run-28-boston-marathons-and-i-even-won-one/
Our Ultimate Guide to the Pop-Ups and Shakeout Runs in Boston:
https://marathonhandbook.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-boston-marathon-weekend-pop-up-shops-and-shakeout-runs/

Get fired up with deep insights, pro tips, and the spirit of Boston. Don’t forget to check out our post-race instant reaction episode coming Monday afternoon.

Chapters with Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro + Hosts Check-In
01:20 - Boston Marathon Preview Overview
02:36 - Live Show Announcement
04:25 - Watch-Along Plans for Monday
05:06 - Team Vibes and Schedule
06:27 - Katelyn's Instant Reaction Plan
08:21 - Boston Start Times Breakdown
09:33 - Katelyn's Boston Story (2003)
12:30 - Alex’s Boston Experience
15:51 - Boston Trivia Game
25:04 - Course Strategy + Amby’s Advice Tease
28:38 - Newton Hills & Course Psychology
35:16 - Finish Line Magic
36:08 - Weather Forecast
40:40 - Women’s Elite Field Breakdown
45:33 - Top American Women Picks
48:03 - Women’s Winner Predictions
52:34 - Men’s Elite Field Breakdown
58:06 - Top American Men Picks
1:02:29 - World Marathon Majors Rankings
1:06:52 - Final Thoughts + What’s Next
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https://marathonhandbook.com/trainingplans/marathon-training-plans/
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#BostonMarathon #RunningPodcast #MarathonPreview #Boston2025 #NewtonHills #AmbyBurfoot #HelenObiri #ConnorMantz

The New York City Marathon is Nov. 3, and in this episode our editors Alex, Katelyn and Michael share with you everything you need to know about the New York City Marathon, whether you're running the race this year, or following along at home. First we get the necessary details out of the way: when the race starts, and how to live stream the race.
Then delve right into the significance and crazy history of the New York City Marathon, from it's beginnings with just 127 runners (and only 55 finishers), running loops in Central Park.
We discuss the evolution of the event since its inception in 1970, and the unique challenges of the marathon course. The conversation highlights the marathon's cultural impact, the growth of participation, and the conditions runners can expect on race day. We describe the intricacies of the New York City Marathon course, discussing its challenges and notable landmarks.
We also break down the men's and women's elite fields, and our picks for who will win the New York City Marathon.
Follow our live updates from New York here on race day:
https://marathonhandbook.com/live-updates-the-2024-new-york-city-marathon/

NYC Marathon Race Day Schedule:
Sunday, Nov. 3

• 8:00 a.m. Professional Wheelchair Division
• 8:22 a.m. Handcycle Category and Select Athletes with Disabilities
• 8:35 a.m. Professional Women’s Open Division
• 9:05 a.m. Professional Men’s Open Division
• 9:10 a.m. Wave 1
• 9:45 a.m. Wave 2
• 10:20 a.m. Wave 3
• 10:55 a.m. Wave 4
• 11:30 a.m. Wave 5

Hosts: Alex Cyr, Katelyn Tocci, Michael Doyle, Jessy Carveth
Thanks to our presenting partner, Wahoo. Check out our first look video of the Wahoo KICKR RUN:
https://youtu.be/-IrHrfjvzHU
Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/Xit1_8JfECg

Show Notes:
Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 New York City Marathon:
https://marathonhandbook.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2024-new-york-city-marathon/
Here’s How To Get Into the 2025 NYC Marathon:
https://marathonhandbook.com/nyc-marathon-entry/
Jess McClain Is Out To Prove She’s More than An Alternate:
https://marathonhandbook.com/jess-mcclain-2024-nyc-marathon-interview/
Defending Champions Tamirat Tola And Hellen Obiri Headline Stacked Elite Fields For 2024 New York City Marathon:
https://marathonhandbook.com/2024-new-york-city-marathon-elite-field-list/
Our free marathon training plans:
https://marathonhandbook.com/trainingplans/marathon-training-plans/
Over 160,000 runners read our newsletter. Sign up here and get our free book The 26 Golden Rules Of Running: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/
Follow us on IG: https://instagram.com/marathon.handbook
Follow us on Tikok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marathon.handbook
Like us on FB: https://facebook.com/marathonhandbook
Follow us on X: https://x.com/MarathonHB

Editors Alex Cyr, Katelyn Tocci and Michael Doyle jump into the studio for a their final emergency pod of these Olympic Games, right after the finish of the women's Olympic marathon in Paris on Sunday morning. The final event of the Olympics did not disappoint, delivering a thrilling finish.
SPOILER ALERT: we talk about how the race played itself out, and who won.
Watch a video version of this pod on our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/LBZZl9US_bc
________
Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands put on a show in the final moments of the marathon, out sprinting world record holder Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia for one of the great marathon performances of all time. But it was not without its controvery, as Hassan and Assefa made contact with about 200m to go.
We also discuss Nike's big win, if Hassan is the next Kipchoge, and what happened to American runner Fiona O'Keeffe (and why some are upset about her DNF).
The Women’s Olympic Marathon top 10 Results:
🥇Sifan Hassan 🇳🇱
🥈 Tigst Assefa 🇪🇹
🥉Hellen Obiri 🇰🇪
Sharon Lokedi 🇰🇪
Amane Shankule 🇪🇹
Yuka Suzuki 🇯🇵
Delvine Meringor 🇷🇴
Stella Chesang 🇺🇬
Lonah Salpeter 🇮🇱
Eunice Chumba 🇧🇭
Read our full recap of the 2024 Olympic marathon, plus full results, here:
https://marathonhandbook.com/2024-olympic-women-marathon-results/
Follow our live coverage of the track and marathons here:
https://marathonhandbook.com/live-updates-athletics-track-2024-paris-olympics/

Hosts: Alex Cyr, Katelyn Tocci, Michael Doyle

Our news editor Jessy Carveth joins Michael Doyle to discuss how a recreational runner duped a major news outlet (and donors on GoFundMe) into thinking she will be representing the U.S. at this summer's Olympic Games (00:00:46). Then, they debate whether or not Canadian standout Michael Roth should have been DQed for an "unsportsmanlike" gesture when he won a NCAA conference championship race (00:10:59). They also provide details for "Sprint," the Netflix's upcoming docuseries on track athletes, and talk about if it will propel athletics as "Drive To Survive" did Formula One (00:21:11). And finally, they get into the Paris Games' "anti-sex bed" fiasco (00:38:15).
Hosts: Jessy Carveth, Michael Doyle
Also check out the video version of our pods on YouTube! Find us at: https://www.youtube.com/@marathonhandbook
Over 160,000 runners read our newsletter. Sign up here and get our free book The 26 Golden Rules Of Running: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/
Follow us on IG: https://instagram.com/marathon.handbook
Follow us on Tikok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marathon.handbook
Like us on FB: https://facebook.com/marathonhandbook
Follow us on X: https://x.com/MarathonHB
Marathon Handbook was founded in 2016, with the mission from day one of helping you to run far, set goals and meet them. We provide free and super popular coach-vetted training plans for just about every distance and ability level, from your first 5K to a sub-3 hour marathon, to a 100-miler training plan. We've got you covered. We also follow the latest news and storylines in the running world, and review all the best shoes, running watches and gear on our site and our Youtube channel.
At our heart, we are runners and athletes ourselves – every person on our team is a running coach, distance runner, or certified health and fitness trainer.
#marathon #marathonrunning #londonmarathon #bostonmarathon #running #runningmotivation #newyorkcitymarathon #nycmarathon #bostonmarathon #Olympics #olympicmarathon #nike #hoka #onrunning #brooksrunning #asics #adidasrunning #parisolympics #olympicmarathon

Editors Alex Cyr, Michael Doyle and Katelyn Tocci host an instant reaction episode, live from near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. They break down the phenomenal elite races, as well as Katelyn's experience running the marathon.

Watch a replay of our Watch-Along Live Stream of the Boston Marathon:
https://youtube.com/live/y5enYRMrI1U

⏱️ Timestamps & Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to Boston!
Michael, Katelyn, and Alex reunite for a live post-marathon pod near the finish line.
01:30 – Katelyn’s Boston Marathon Recap
A chaotic start, crowded early miles, fueling on the fly, and a brutally nostalgic homecoming through Newton. Katelyn shares what it’s like to race Boston 20 years after her first time—and why this one was so special despite the cramps, hills, and heartbreak.
14:00 – Can You PR in Boston?
Short answer: probably not. The trio debates the myth of the Boston PR.
16:30 – Marathoning vs. Ultras
Katelyn compares the marathon grind to ultra running—her verdict might surprise you.
⸻

🏃‍♀️ Elite Women’s Race Breakdown (starts at 20:15)
20:15 – High Stakes from the Gun
Buriso and Yehualaw force the pace early; Lokedi comes ready to rewrite her 2024 ending.
22:30 – Revenge and Records
Lokedi outkicks Obiri in a dramatic role reversal from last year and shatters the course record.
26:00 – American Highlights
Jess McClain stars with a 3-minute PR; Des Linden retires with grace.
⸻
🏃‍♂️ Elite Men’s Race Recap (starts at 28:55)
28:55 – Surprise Front Pack
Mantz, Young, Linkletter, and others shake up the race early.
31:00 – John Korir’s Perfect Breakaway
Michael’s pick pays off: Korir surges at mile 20 and holds on for the win.
34:45 – Mantz’s Breakthrough
Almost grabs the American Boston record (2:05:08) and reclaims his Strava crown from Alex.
37:00 – Major PRs + New American Name
Linkletter (2:07:02), Young (2:07:04), and Ryan Ford (2:08:00) impress.
⸻
🏁 Closing Thoughts (starts at 39:00)
39:00 – Favorite Moments & Reflections
Katelyn reflects on letting go of time goals and running with joy.
41:30 – What’s Next
Looking ahead to the 2025 London Marathon and future live coverage.
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#bostonmarathon #2025bostonmarathon