293. 2025 Year in Review – Records, Scandals, and the Road to 2026 | Marathon Running Podcast

In this comprehensive year-end wrap-up, we take a deep dive into the most historic and headline-grabbing moments of the 2025 running season. We celebrate staggering athletic achievements, from Jacob Kiplimo’s sub-57-minute half-marathon world record to Marcel Hug’s unprecedented sweep of all seven World Marathon Majors. This episode also highlights the incredible rise of American distance running, led by Connor Mantz’s record-breaking performances, and the inspiring longevity of "ageless" runners like Gene Dykes and Jeanie Rice. Whether you're tracking elite split times or looking for the next fast "non-major" course like Valencia or Dubai, we cover the data and the drama that defined the year.

Beyond the podiums, we tackle the "not-so-fun" facts and controversies that shook the running community in 2025. Wediscuss the fallout from Ruth Chepngetich’s three-year doping ban, the abrupt weather-related cancellation of the Cape Town Marathon, and the logistical nightmare of the Niagara Falls course error. We also explore the intersection of sports and politics following the arrests at the Kish Island Marathon and the financial collapse of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track series. Closing on a high note, we celebrate Sydney’s induction as the seventh World Major and share our top tips for making 2026 your best running year yet.