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The Best Podcasts about RUNNING for runner’s looking for motivation, inspiration and information!

Mar 3, 2021 | Running, Running Advice | 17 comments

Best running podcasts

I listen primarily to podcasts when I run and walk, meaning I get through a lot of content each week. With my new goal to run and walk commute the 2.5+ mile route from the station to work and back, that’s a lot of podcasts! I love True Crime style podcasts (although not when running/walking alone in the dark), This American Life, and have more recently started listening to a lot of business/influencer podcasts however the core of my subscriptions are for running podcasts. They’re motivating, informative and has given me a great insight into professional running, training and coaching. Also I’ve realised, i’ve become a bit of a running nerd…especially in the lead up to the Olympics this summer.

Here are some of my favourite running podcasts, please do let me know yours too, I’m always looking for new podcasts to keep me entertained…

Best Running Podcasts:

Ali on the Run show

I’ve been reading Ali’s blog and listening to her podcast for years, and have also been to a couple of her live shows in NYC, Atlanta and Boston. I love how informal they are, like chatting with old/new friends about RUNNING. Most runners love chatting about all things running, so these make great easy listening if like me you could chat about miles for hours on end. I love her ‘on the job’ series, and enjoy her casual interview style.

I’ll Have Another with Lindsay Hein

Another informal chat style podcast where Lindsey chats with runners from across the world. I’ve listened to her for years and is another podcaster that has become a friend, I have also been on the show – listen to my episode here. She has worked so hard to build her podcast network, and interviewing elite and everyday runners seems to come so easy to her. I loved her conversations with the Hoka One One team in Atlanta before the trails and even more so the follow ups post-marathon. This week I ran listening to her episode with Nicole Monette and love the camaraderie she’s able to build with her guests! I’m so excited for this week’s episode with Ryan Hall to drop!

Cook Eat Run

Is it too much to add my own podcast in here? My weekly episodes discuss common running questions with Registered Dietitians, Nutritionists and Sports Nutritionists to bring evidence based nutritional advice including How to Fuel For a Marathon with Anita Bean, as well as running coaches and everyday runners sharing their journeys, advice and goals. I recently had Amanda Brooks on talking about Low Heart Rate training and slowing down on your easy runs and Sophie Power chatting about her ultra marathons and motherhood.

Suite Run 

I’m actually a guest on this week’s episode of husband and wife, Nat and Jerold’s weekly podcast. For travel enthusiasts this podcast will build some serious wanderlust as runner’s from across the globe share their favourite local running routes, restaurants and things to do in their home cities.

Run Free Podcast

Former elite marathoner, and husband/coach to the second fastest US female marathoner, Ryan Hall’s podcast is full of coaching tips to help runners reach their full potential in ‘sports, running and life’. Alongside running advice, Ryan talks through sleep, nutrition, mindset, injuries and more. I loved his episode with his wife, Sara Hall after her second place finish at the London Marathon 2020.

Citius Mag Podcast

Hosted by Chris Chavez, I was first made aware of this podcast following the US Olympic Marathon Trials last year as Chris interviewed elites and the everyday OTQ runners on race weekend. The episodes provide informal updates about the US running scene; my favourite male runner right now is Marty Hehir, so it’s no surprise this is my best episode.

Best running podcasts

Wearing Aftershokz Openmove wireless bone conduction headphones. These are their lowest price point bone conduction headphones at £79.99 but they don’t compromise on sound quality, fit or performance. They also come in a range of colours including light pink!. These are perfect for listening to podcasts on my running and walking commutes to work, ensuring I can still hear traffic, cyclist and pedestrians to say safe. Whilst not waterproof, they will see you through light rain and of course, sweat. 

For the Long Run 

Jonathan Levitt’s podcast is just like running with a friend, he interviews both elite and average runners (I was actually a guest last month!) and goes beyond the training plans and nutrition talk. Jonathan gets into the nitty gritty of why we run, what challenges we face and what keeps us pushing towards our goals. He’s had some mega elites, such as Shalane Flanagan, my aforementioned fave Marty Hehir & Aisha Praught-Leer (and many more!).

Up and Running Podcast 

I love this casual chatty podcast between Lauren and Abby, both speedy runners and run coaches. They discuss current (mostly US) running news, their own training and racing, share their thoughts on the world of running. You’ll also benefit from their coaches tips and podcast recommendations at the end of the episode.

The Rich Roll Podcast

Although Rich Roll’s podcast isn’t running-specific, he has some great episodes with runners at the  top of their game. He really deep dives with long-form interviews, and lots of the episodes are 2 hours+ so perfect for a long run! His episode with trail running legend Kilian Jornet is a must-listen. His interview with ultra-runner and obstacle course racer is super inspiring too Amelia Boone is super inspiring too. She talks not only about training and racing at an elite level, but about the eating disorder she battled for two decades.

The Morning Shakeout

Mario Fraioli is a well-known name in the running world (if you haven’t already signed up to his weekly email, I highly recommend it). I find his podcasts to be a more serious, analytical view of the running world; chatting with elite runners as well as those behind the scenes that really make the running community, from race directors, photographers and sports writers.

Rambling Runner

Matt’s podcast promises to be for ‘dedicated and motivated amateur runners who are working hard to get better and achieving inspirational results while balancing running with the rest of their lives’, and for me, it does exactly that. He interviews both elite runners (I loved his spin off ‘Road to the Olympic Trials’) everyday runners, those who worked their way to an OTQ, BQ and beyond. I really like this episode with Stephanie Bruce. 

Best running podcasts list

Running On Om

Running On Om, hosted by Julia Hanlon, focuses on sharing empowering, uplifting and inspiring stories from women who have committed their lives to endurance sports and the outdoors. Stand out episodes with Courtney Dauwalter where she talks about embracing the pain cave in ultra-ultra-ultra endurance running (think 200 mile plus races) or Molly Seidel opening up about how she navigates mental health alongside professional running. 

Well Far

Amy Lane’s awesome podcast interviews British runners and experts in the running field to help answer questions such as ‘how to find the right sport’s bra’, ‘how to deal with negative voices in your head’, and ‘how to come back from injury’. She’s also shares ‘Well Far Workouts’ including guided stretches, hill sprints and strength workouts. We went for a run together to record an episode (Paula Radcliffe was on the week after me!!)

Running for Real

Ex-Professional runner, Tina Muir (who I’m lucky enough to call a friend) talks with experts in their field discussing all things running related – from the importance of sleep, training your brain as a runner, and tips for the weights room. She also chats with runners, industry leaders, innovators and those making a difference in the running community.  I find Tina’s to be more of a serious, information sharing podcast than some of the other running podcasts that I listen to and I have learned so much. I found her episode right at the beginning of Coronavirus last year with Dr Emily Stoneman brought a lot of insight during a time where the media was going mad and there was so much misinformation out there.

A Runner’s Life

I had Marcus Brown on my podcast a couple of months ago and I love his perspective on running, training and balancing life. He works full time, has two kids and has managed to bring his own marathon time from a 5hr to a sub 3hr finish. How he manages to fit in his weekly podcast into life, I have no idea, but it’s brilliant. He interviews race directors, running experts and coaches as well as speedy marathoners and ultra runners on his weekly podcast.

RunPod 

Jenni Falconer is a pro at chatting on radio so it comes as no surprise that her podcast is slick, professional and entertaining. I really enjoyed her episode with Seb Coe, discussing not only his career and experiences as a runner in the past and now, but also London 2012 and the Tokyo Olympics (fingers crossed, happening this year). She has a heap of celebs on the show, both professional runners and well known singers, designers, actors, chefs and more…all with one thing in common….the love of running!

The Run Duo 

Atlanta based hosts, India and Tommy are hilarious to listen to and make me want to go for a run with them in real life (i actually met India in Atlanta at the Olympic marathon trials last year). They chat about their own training and racing, local running news as well as interview great guests such as Dinee Dorame, Peyton Thomas and Sarah Canney.

wireless earphones for runners

Bad Boy Running

I’m going to be honest, the Bad Boy Running podcast is a bit love it or hate it – there are a lot of in-jokes and some pretty non-PC humour at times. However, if you get into it, hosts Jody and David interview some really interesting guests like Barkley Marathons organiser Laz Lake (who rarely does any publicity) and Jay Ell Alexander who talks about Black Girls Run. It’s refreshing to get a less serious take on some aspects of running! Another one that’s good for long runs, with 2 hour+ episodes.

Another Mother Runner

One that was brought to my attention when I asked for running podcasts on twitter. Hosted by Sarah Bowen Shea, this marathon veteran chats with a rotating group of co-hosts and expert guests, discussing all training, nutrition, motivation and mental toughness, as well issues such as stomach problems, snot rockets etc. I was actually a guest on their podcast a while ago – you can listen to my episode here. It was so fun to record with them, just like chatting with old friends.

Marathon Talk

Lots of you love this podcast, and I have to admit, it took a while but it’s grown on me (I think because it’s quite different to a lot of the other running podcasts I listen to). Presenters Martin and Holly chat about recent running news, interviews with elite runners and celebrate listener’s marathon time in the Listener Podium.

CTolle Run

Carrie Tollefson is a former middle distance elite runner, and was voted fourth most beautiful athlete in the world by Sports Illustrated in 2006, and now works in broadcasting, covering high profile events like the Olympic marathon trials. I’ve been to her live shows and she is so enthusiastic,  personable and knowledgable about our sport.

Rogue Running

I really like the straight talking approach that host Chris brings to the show, both in terms of run coaching but also to his reviews of races, elite athletes and interviews (like this one a while ago with Allie Kieffer). I find myself binge listening to these when I’m feeling really into running, as they are full of knowledge and advice you can bring to your own training. Also, I have a lot of episodes to catch up on…perfect for those run commutes!

podcast for runners

What are your favourite running podcasts? I’m always keen to find new ones to add to my list! 

17 Comments

  1. Karen (@_karenbee_)

    You’ve got a pretty good list! Some of these I’ve listened to, whilst some are new to me – I’ll have to check those out! You might also like Nicole Antoinette’s Real Talk Radio podcasts… they’re amazing!

    Reply
    • Cathryn

      I love her podcast, especially her Soberversary and her PCT episodes!

      Reply
  2. Lisa @ TechChick Adventures

    Great list – they are all the same as mine other than the last two! Too funny. It’s been a lot of fun listening to Ali’s voice because I’ve read her blog for so long now.

    Reply
  3. The Running Princess

    Ooh great recommendations. I listen to a few of those and may just check out some of the others now. You might also enjoy the Tough Girl podcast. Sarah Williams wants to motivate women and girls and the podcast provides great role models in the interviews with women who have taken on some incredible challenges. The running ones are always great, but to be honest I’ve enjoyed them al even when it’s been about a sport I know little about.

    Reply
  4. Cathryn

    I like most of those (one I can’t STAND). The Tina Muir one always makes me giggle because the introduction is this massive American ‘Now….let me introduce your host…..Tina MUUUUIIIIIRRRR’ and then you hear her sweet, apologetic British voice saying ‘hi’.

    I love Ali’s podcast!

    Reply
    • charlotte

      Haha I’m wondering if the one you don’t like is the one I’m thinking of 😉 xx

      Reply
      • Tina Muir

        hehehehehehe 🙂 This made ME giggle!

        Reply
  5. Hannah

    Thanks for these! The only one I listen to is Marathon Talk so look forward to downloading the others!

    Reply
  6. Hannah

    Ali on the Run is great. I used to listen to Marathon Talk but not for a while now – sort of dropped to the bottom of my list. I do love Running is Bullshit, RunPod, and With Me Now (about parkrun).

    I’ll give Well Far a listen – I prefer British podcasts with people I’ve heard of, so this might be perfect!

    Reply
    • Hannah

      Just realised this is an old article so that other Hannah commenting above may well be me!! Back in the day when I hadn’t discovered most running podcasts and you probably introduced me to Ali on the Run!

      Reply
      • charlotte

        Haha I’ve updated the post to include new podcasts, current faves and removed some of the ones I don’t listen to anymore! But glad you’ve found Ali on the Run and that you enjoy it so much!

        Reply
  7. Holly

    Thanks for the Marathon Talk shout out. Just for future reference I am the co host of the show with Martin Yelling we also record with Tom, Tony and sometimes Anji

    Reply
    • charlotte

      Sorry Holly, this is an updated old post! Have edited the Marathon Talk section and thanks for letting me know x

      Reply
  8. Marita

    Love wellfar! Thanks for the list, I’m subscribing to them all now x

    Reply
  9. This Chap Runs

    I’m loving A Slice of Pie – while not specifically running based it focuses on the Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) and covers loads of great bits about the psychology of sports / exercise and business.

    Reply
    • charlotte

      Ooh that sounds really interesting! Will add that to my list, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  10. Rebecca

    The only podcast I listen to is Free Weekly Timed which is a parkrun podcast. I find the stories about other runners inspiring but also enjoy picking up tips on new parkruns to try

    Reply

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