In this week's episode, we look at what went down at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, as Tigst Assefa comes within seconds of an historic win, but has she sacrificed too much in pursuit of the record?

And speaking of Berlin, our guest Sam Griffiths was in the German capital this weekend. The Brecon-based runner finished a very respectable 81st place on Sunday, but the story of how he got there is truly inspirational.

We've also got a preview of next week's Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

On this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 04:42 - We review the 2026 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
• 20:03 - We meet Sam Griffiths, who ran a 2:20:26 in Berlin at the weekend, but whose story is so much more.
• 58:13 - We preview the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

Links & References:

Abbott World Marathon Majors | Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Marathon Talk | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Martin Yelling | Instagram

Deena Kastor | Instagram

Sam Griffiths | Instagram

With the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON on the horizon, we met a man who is aiming to make it Seven-In-A-Row, the most dominant athlete in the world, a man with over 40 Abbott World Marathon Majors titles to his name, the Swiss Silver Bullet, Marcel Hug.

And staying with wheelchair racing, we're joined by London Marathon's Head of Disability, Michelle Weltman, who has an update for us on how the season has gone as competition steps up with 3 races to go.

On this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 05:35 - Marathon Talk meets Marcel Hug
• 35:30 - Michelle Weltman from London Marathon Events joins us to give us an update on the elite wheelchair season.
• 51:30 - Preview of the 2026 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

Abbott World Marathon Majors

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Marathon Talk

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Martin Yelling | Instagram

Deena Kastor | Instagram

Marcel Hug | Instagram

This past weekend, the 2026 TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS took place, and we have all the news from a big weekend of racing.

There have also been some pretty seismic events in the world of long-distance running in the past fortnight, so we'll be taking a look at them too, plus we're joined by US TV personality Matt James, live from Sydney, to hear more about his marathon journey.

On this episode of Marathon Talk:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 00:51 - Martin and Deena talk about UTMB and more
• 05:52 - Yomif Kejelcha breaks the Half Marathon World Record in Buenos Aires
• 07:53 - Sabastian Sawe pulls out of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
• 10:35 - A review of TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS with David Macnamara from Abbott World Marathon Majors in Sydney
• 25:48 - Marathon Talk meets Matt James
• 54:06 - Wrapping up

Abbott World Marathon Majors

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Marathon Talk

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Martin Yelling | Instagram

Deena Kastor | Instagram

Matt James | Instagram