- A behind-the-scenes look at Nike’s audacious attempt to break one of the most formidable barriers in running—the sub-two-hour marathon. We hear from the elite runners involved, members of the Nike team working on the Breaking2 project, and we provide our own perspective on the attempt. (2:34)
- Inside Broadway’s first a cappella musical—In Transit. We talk to one of the show’s creators, Sara Wordsworth, about how her own running experience helped her create the running storyline that’s in the show. (28:06)
- In the Kick, a pair of classic—and hard to find—running shoes goes for big bucks when up for auction, a runner finds a great way to fit some golf into his run schedule, and more tips for going long on the treadmill. (59:18)
This week’s episode is brought to you by Jabra. Listeners can go to jabra.com/runnersworld to sign up for exlusive discounts and special offers on Jabra products like the Jabra Elite Sport Wireless earbuds.
Breaking2
This past Monday, December 12, after more than two years of research, preparation, and testing, Nike announced its Breaking2 project.
The goal? To surpass the two-hour mark in the marathon faster than anyone thought was possible.
Three Nike-backed athletes—Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia, and Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea—have begun the training phase of the project.
And earlier this month, Runner’s World was given exclusive access to the launch of this initiative. While there are skeptics as to how possible this endeavor is or whether it’s all one ingenious marketing ploy, it’s Nike’s goal to show that there is human potential to go past a barrier many think is unreachable.
What does all of this mean for the running world? We explore that topic in this episode of The Runner’s World Show. Stick with us as the Breaking2 project unfolds over the coming months.
Further reading:
In Transit
In Transit just opened on Broadway this past weekend, on December 11. It’s a groundbreaking show in many ways—it’s the first-ever all a cappella performance on Broadway, the first show with a beat boxer on stage and, as far as the creators know, the first time ever that a long distance runner has been one of the lead characters in a Broadway musical.
This last development came from writer Sara Wordsworth’s experience of becoming a runner and completing the Health & Injuries.
Producer Sylvia Ryerson saw a preview of the show, then sat down with Wordsworth to learn more about how running has influenced her life and her work.
The Kick
Professional Tips on Making Treadmill Running More Bearable:
- The “Holy Grail” of Running Shoes Is up for Auction
- Other Hearst Subscriptions
- 6 The Holy Grail of Running Shoes Is up for Auction
Episode Credits:
The Runner’s World Show is hosted by Editor-in-Chief David Willey.
The podcast is produced by Sylvia Ryerson, Alex Ward, Christine Fennessy, and Brian Dalek.
Interviews on the podcast have been edited for length and clarity. Got a story idea for the show? Send it to [email protected].
Brian has spent more than a decade focused on creating compelling news, health, and fitness content—with a particular interest on enthusiast activities like running and cycling. He’s coordinated coverage of major events like the Paris Olympics, Boston Marathon, Health & Injuries, and Tour de France, with an eye toward both the professional race and the engaging stories readers love.
