RunningStateOfTheSport: April 2024

Boston & London Marathons in Review

This week, George and Amby discuss the recent Boston and London Marathons--always highlights of the spring running season, and this year was no exception.

Both George and Amby were in Boston for the marathon, with Amby running and finishing for the 28th time. They didn't jump over the pond to London for that big event (with 53,000 runners), but followed it closely on streaming services and various Internet coverage.

Amby described his Boston run that included too-little training and a too-fast start. You'd think a guy would learn at some point. But he did have an ulterior motive. He also noted that his favorite runner in Boston was little-known Mark Bauman, from Michigan, who reached the Boylston St. finish line for the 55th year in a row. That's a world record for Boston ... or anywhere else.

George said he and others were surprised that the men's elite field allowed winner Sisay Lemma to build such a huge lead midway. After all, he had run 2:01:48 in Valencia just 5 months earlier.

George also noted that Hellen Obiri has now won 3 major marathons in a row--Boston-New York-Boston--which makes her a definite gold medal threat in the Paris Olympics this summer.

The thrilling sprint finish to the women's race in London made George suggest that the Olympic Marathon might be equally as close. Women's marathon racing has become much more competitive in recent years.

Amby took the opportunity to point out that his friend Jeannie Rice set yet another World age-group record (75-79) when she clocked a 3:33:27 in London. Rice has now won an age-group title in all 6 World Marathon Majors.

George and Amby also discussed everything from runners' church services in Boston, to Dave McGillivray, Meb Keflezighi, CJ Albertson, and Edna Kiplagat's amazing and still-continuing podium conquests in World Marathon Majors races.

Where to find “Running: State of the Sport”

Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”

With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.

Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners.

Meb Keflezighi Interview

In this podcast, George and Amby speak with Meb Keflezighi about his astounding win in the 2014 Boston Marathon, and how it changed his life. Meb's story--from Eritrea to Italy to the U.S.--is quite well known now, but always mesmerizing to hear in his own voice and words.

Meb is running Boston again in 2014, both to mark the 10th anniversary since 2014, and also to raise funds for his Meb Foundation, which promotes youth health, education, and fitness. (See below for a link where you can donate.)

Anytime you need a little inspiration for an upcoming marathon or big effort of any kind, this is a great place to start. Meb will definitely get you pumped up.

Go here to support Meb's Boston 2024 run, and his Foundation.

Follow Meb on Instagram.

Where to find “Running: State of the Sport”

Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”

With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners.

Jenny Simpson

This week, George Hirsch and Amby Burfoot talk with Jenny Simpson, miler turned marathoner--well, almost, as Simpson hasn't finished a marathon yet. But she'll be toeing the start line in Hopkinton on April 15, and she sounds absolutely determined to make it to the Copley-Square finish line.

Simpson explains in this conversation that she never intended for the Olympic Marathon Trials in February to be her first marathon start, but life had other ideas, so that's how things developed. She dropped out of the Trials at about 18 miles, and now thinks she overtrained and overstressed about the 26.2-mile distance.

For a decade, Simpson had been the best USA 1500 meter/miler. She excelled at the global level, winning an Olympic bronze along with a gold and two silvers at the World Championships. She also won the Fifth Ave Mile 8 times.

Even during her track career, Simpson explains, she did a long run almost every weekend. She also attended many marathons with her husband, Jason, a 2:18 runner, and found herself inspired by the tens of thousands of amateur runners who challenged themselves with the marathon distance.

Before speaking with Jenny, George and Amby discussed the biggest recent running news. Amby got a chuckle over his Google News aggregator, which brought him an April Fool's Day story from LetsRun.com. It claimed that Taylor Switft was now dating shot put great, Ryan Crouser, all 6' '7" and 320 pound of him. Take that Travis Kelce!

But Amby turned serious when noting that the BAA/Boston Marathon was putting out press releases listing "5 Reasons for a Clear Course" while a Black running club rejoindered with "5 Reasons for a Cheer Course." Last year there was tension at the Marathon's 21st mile when club members allegedly ran onto the course.

George was impressed by the always strong performances at the World Cross-Country Championships. This year in Serbia, the Kenyan senior women swept the top 5 places--an unprecedented team achievement. Individual champions Beatrice Chebet (Kenya) and Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda) repeated their victories of 2 years ago. The next World Cross meet will be held in January, 2026, in Tallahassee, FL.

Reviewing their conversation with Simpson, Amby said that he appreciated her conviction that a woman athlete could be both a fierce competitor and a good sport at the same time. George liked her fearlessness in stepping up from the mile to the marathon.

You can keep up with Jenny Simpson by following her on Instagram.

Where to find “Running: State of the Sport”

Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”

With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners.

Audio engineering by BJ McGeever.