Sifan Hassan

In this special instant reactions episode, Marathon Handbook’s Editor-in-Chief Michael Doyle and News Editor Jessy Carveth break down all the drama from the 2025 London Marathon just hours after the race wrapped.

From Tigst Assefa’s women’s-only world record to Eliud Kipchoge’s twilight career run, plus shocking moments like Sebastian Sawe’s controversial race-winning move — we dive into all the elite races, surprises, disappointments, and behind-the-scenes insights from London.

Jessy, fresh from the media center in London, shares insider takes you won’t hear anywhere else.

🎥 Also check out our full London Marathon Watch Along Replay on our YouTube channel!
https://youtube.com/live/R7E8R59jVro?feature=share

⏱ Chapters and Timestamps

00:00 – Intro + Wahoo Kickr Run Sponsor Read
02:00 – Sensational Vibes in London: City Takeover and Massive Crowds
05:00 – Behind the Scenes at London: Emotional Finishes and Media Center Insights
08:00 – Women’s Elite Race Breakdown: Tigst Assefa’s World Record Performance
15:00 – Sifan Hassan Struggles: Dissecting a Disappointing Day
20:00 – Elite Women’s Field Analysis: How Missing Stars Changed the Race
25:00 – Men’s Elite Race Breakdown: The Kipchoge Question
30:00 – Is Eliud Kipchoge Past His Prime?
35:00 – Jacob Kiplimo’s Promising Debut
40:00 – Sebastian Sawe’s Controversial Feed Zone Move
45:00 – Biggest Winners of the Day
50:00 – Biggest Disappointments and Tough Days
55:00 – Biggest Surprises and Burning Questions
1:00:00 – New Balance Gear: Hits and Misses at London Expo
1:05:00 – Closing Thoughts: Who’s Chasing Sub-2 Hours Next?

#LondonMarathon #MarathonRunning #TigstAssefa #EliudKipchoge #SifanHassan #RunningCommunity #MarathonTraining #RunningPodcast #RunnersOfYouTube #LondonMarathon2025

In this week’s episode, we dive into the breaking news that Faith Kipyegon—the triple Olympic 1500m champion and world record holder—is set to chase history in June with an attempt to become the first woman ever to break four minutes for the mile. We break down Nike’s Breaking4 announcement, the science behind the attempt, the pacing strategy, and whether it could redefine what’s possible in women’s distance running.

Plus, we shift gears to preview what might be the greatest men’s marathon field ever assembled: the 2025 London Marathon. From Kiplimo’s debut to Kipchoge’s return, Sawe’s rise, and Olympic triathlon champ Alex Yee taking on 26.2—this race is packed with storylines and implications for the season ahead. We also discuss why Sifan Hassan may be the heavy favorite on the women's side.

We close with quick hits from the upcoming Xiamen Diamond League, where Faith Kipyegon opens her season and Olympic champions square off in the field events.

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Thanks to LMNT for sponsoring this video! Head to https://DrinkLMNT.com/FLO to get your free sample pack with any purchase. Tim Rowberry is the coach of Olympic and World Champion Sifan Hassan. She won six Olympic medals. In Tokyo 2020, she earned gold in the 5k and 10k, plus a bronze in the 1,500m. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, she won gold in the marathon, bronze in the 5k, and bronze in the 10k. Absolutely mindblowing how Sifan and Tim pulled that off. She also won her first 2 marathons in London and Chicago. 

Tim is a thoughtful, curious, and highly analytical coach who blends science, psychology, and intuition to bring out the best in his athletes. We dive into his coaching philosophy, his approach to developing athletes over time, and the key lessons he’s learned working at the highest level of the sport.

 

Watch this full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LzQK5Am2qyQ 

 

 

 

CHAPTERS:

• 0:00 – Tim Roberry’s coaching approach and working with Sifan Hassan
• 2:51 – How Tim started coaching Sifan Hassan
• 4:57 – Life and training camp experience in Kenya
• 7:37 – Keeping training fun and interesting
• 10:56 – Intuition as a coach and building a feedback loop with athletes
• 12:38 – Understanding your range: short vs long distance performance
• 17:27 – How Tim and Sifan adapt training flexibility
• 23:26 – Adjusting speed workouts based on Sifan’s readiness
• 25:26 – Pushing vs backing off: how Tim reads the athlete
• 29:40 – Lowering intensity and building volume
• 33:36 – What data really matters in elite performance
• 36:05 – The role of food in training, racing, and everyday performance
• 38:15 – Advice Tim would give to his younger self
• 39:28 – How race day at London Marathon unfolded for Tim as a coach
• 45:13 – Tim’s behind-the-scenes view during Sifan’s marathon
• 48:15 – Tim’s perspective on Sifan’s historic win
• 51:00 – Tim’s mindset tips for first-time racers
• 52:19 – How Sifan bounced back from the 10,000m fall in Budapest
• 55:14 – Common mistakes runners make
• 57:03 – Where to find Tim
• 57:44 – Tips to become a stronger, healthier, and happier athlete

 

FIND TIM ROWBERRY:

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rowberry 

 

RUNNERS MENTIONED: 

► Sifan Hassan - https://www.instagram.com/sifanhassan 

► Eliud Kipchoge - https://youtu.be/7E6TNeoOC3Y  

 

YOU CAN FIND ME, COACH FLORIS GIERMAN HERE: 

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► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/florisgierman 

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► Podcast: https://extramilest.com/podcast/ 

 

 

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ABOUT THE EXTRAMILEST SHOW: A podcast and YouTube channel where host Floris Gierman interviews world class athletes, coaches and health experts on the topic of how to become a stronger, healthier and happier athlete.

 

 

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Recovery is the key to supporting your best marathon performance, and in this episode, Paula Radcliffe and Christopher Thompson sit down with elite physiotherapist Gerard Hartman—a man whose legendary hands have kept 61 Olympic medalists in peak condition! Gerard shares expert insights on stretching, strength work, and why massage isn’t just for fixing problems—it’s a tool for longevity in running. Plus, Paula reflects on her Tokyo Marathon recovery and what she learned the hard way. Any questions, please email us: hello@paulasrunpod.com Timecodes: 3:45 – Paula’s Tokyo Marathon recovery update – lessons learned 9:30 – Why massage is essential, even when you’re not injured 18:15 – How elite athletes recover: Stretching, strength & alignment 28:50 – The impact of carbon plate shoes on injury risk 35:00 – The one exercise every runner should be doing for strong feet 45:20 – Listening to your body: Why small niggles matter 52:10 – Heart rate concerns? What to check before race day 1:00:00 – Training during Ramadan – Special insight from Sifan Hassan 1:02:44 – Meet Isaac: A powerful story from Children with Cancer UK This podcast proudly supports Children with Cancer UK - Britain's leading childhood cancer charity supporting families and research since 1988. Sadly ten children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK and it is the biggest cause of death in young people under the age of 15. Donate today: https://bit.ly/4h5SoXU to help the charity succeed in its mission to ensure every child and young person survives cancer. To find out more about Children with Cancer UK and see how else you can get involved or get the support you need please visit https://www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk/ Paula's Marathon Run Club is a Viral Tribe Entertainment Production. Exec Produced by James Carpenter and Jon O'Donnell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“It’s still scary. It doesn’t matter how many marathons you run, you’re going to be scared. The brain is scared of struggling for two hours, struggling for three hours. You’re going to suffer. You have to focus on one thing for two hours.”

Few athletes embody the spirit of curiosity and courage quite like Sifan Hassan. From her historic triple attempt at the Tokyo Olympics to her remarkable gold medal in the marathon and double bronze on the track in Paris, Hassan has redefined what’s possible in distance running. Today, she joins The CITIUS MAG Podcast to reflect on the extraordinary highs and grueling challenges of her career, including the mental toll of her Olympic triples and her triumphant return to the marathon at London in 2023. Hassan also shares her ambitious plans for 2025 and beyond, from chasing Ruth Chepngetich’s stunning 2:09:56 marathon world record to potentially attempting an unprecedented four major marathons in one year. What drives someone who has already achieved so much? Hassan’s answer is as compelling as her racing: it’s not about being the GOAT — it’s about pushing the limits of what she can do. Get ready for an inspiring conversation with one of the most curious, fearless, and boundary-pushing athletes of our time.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram 

Guest: Sifan Hassan | @sifanhassan on Instagram

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Jason and Kevin discuss the results of the Valencia Marathon, Letsile Tebogo and Sifan Hassan taking home World Athletics Athlete of the Year awards, the big winners of the NCAA Cross Country Championships and a proposed treadmill world championships.

Show Notes

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