Best Running Podcasts 2026
Long runs need entertainment. Music gets repetitive after 90 minutes, audiobooks require too much focus when youâre fatigued, and running in silence sounds nice in theory until youâre staring down mile 15 of a solo 20-miler. Podcasts hit the sweet spot - engaging enough to keep your mind occupied, passive enough that you can zone out when you need to, and they actually teach you things about the sport youâre spending all this time doing.
Iâve listened to hundreds of hours of running podcasts during training blocks, and these five are the ones I keep coming back to. Each serves a different purpose, and together they cover everything from elite racing analysis to practical training advice to the gear debates we all secretly love.
Comparison Table
| Podcast | Host(s) | Primary Focus | Episode Frequency | Episode Length | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Running Channel | Rick, Anna, Andy | Gear reviews + training tips | 2x/week | 30â60 min | Gear nerds and visual learners |
| Ali on the Run | Ali Feller | Runner stories + interviews | Weekly | 60â90 min | Inspiration and community |
| Marathon Talk | Martin & Tom | Race coverage + training | Weekly | 60â90 min | Marathon-focused runners |
| Science of Ultra | Shawn Bearden | Sports science + ultrarunning | 2x/month | 60â120 min | Evidence-based training geeks |
| Strength Running | Jason Fitzgerald | Training methodology | Weekly | 30â45 min | Practical training advice |
The Running Channel Podcast
What it is: The audio companion to the popular YouTube channel, hosted by Rick, Anna, and Andy - all competitive runners with different specialties. The podcast covers shoe reviews, training tech, race previews, and general running culture.
Why it works for runners: If youâre the type who reads shoe reviews and watches unboxing videos, this is your podcast. The hosts test gear extensively and give honest opinions, including when popular products donât live up to the hype. Their shoe roundups and GPS watch discussions are genuinely useful for buying decisions.
Beyond gear, they cover training topics in an accessible way - not too scientific, not too superficial. Their race recaps bring you into major events even if you werenât there, and their chemistry makes 45 minutes fly by on a tempo run.
Best episodes to start with: Their annual shoe awards episode, any GPS watch comparison episode, or their marathon training series for first-timers.
Listen while: Doing easy runs or long runs where you want to stay engaged without needing deep focus.
If their gear discussions spark buying decisions, youâll want decent earbuds that stay put. Our best running earbuds 2026 guide covers sweat-proof options that wonât fall out during intervals.
Ali on the Run Show
What it is: Ali Feller interviews runners of all levels - from Olympic athletes to back-of-the-pack marathon finishers, running industry figures, coaches, and everyday runners with compelling stories. The tone is warm, conversational, and genuinely curious.
Why it works for runners: Running can feel lonely, especially during solo training blocks. Aliâs show makes you feel connected to a broader running community. The interviews go deep - not surface-level âhow was your race?â but real conversations about struggles, setbacks, mental health, body image, and what running means to people beyond the finish line.
The range of guests is a strength. One week itâs a 2:08 marathoner discussing elite training. The next week itâs a runner who completed their first 5K after cancer treatment. Both episodes feel equally valuable because Ali finds the universal thread in every story.
Best episodes to start with: Any episode featuring a runner whose story resonates with your current phase - first marathon, comeback from injury, chasing a BQ, running through parenthood.
Listen while: Long easy runs where you want companionship without needing to concentrate on details.
Marathon Talk
What it is: Martin Yelling (coach and commentator) and Tom Williams (recreational runner turned marathoner) discuss all things marathon - race previews, training talk, event coverage, and listener Q&A. Theyâve been at it for years and have a natural rapport that makes the show feel like overhearing two running friends at a coffee shop.
Why it works for runners: If youâre training for a marathon, this is the most consistently relevant podcast. Every episode touches on marathon preparation, racing strategy, or event culture. The mix of Martinâs coaching expertise and Tomâs everyman perspective means advice is both evidence-based and practical.
Their race coverage is excellent - detailed previews of major marathons (London, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, NYC) with course breakdown, conditions analysis, and elite field previews. Even if youâre not running those specific races, the strategic insights apply to any marathon.
Best episodes to start with: Their pre-race strategy episodes before any major marathon, or their annual training plan discussion at the start of marathon season.
Listen while: Marathon pace runs or long runs. The content is directly applicable to what youâre doing.
Science of Ultra
What it is: Dr. Shawn Bearden interviews sports scientists, coaches, and medical professionals about the science behind endurance running. Despite the name, much of the content applies to all distance runners, not just ultrarunners.
Why it works for runners: If youâve ever wondered âwhy does this training method work?â or âwhat does the actual research say about X?â, this podcast answers those questions with real data. Episodes cover topics like heat adaptation, altitude training, gut training for nutrition, sleep and recovery, strength training for runners, and injury prevention.
The interviews go deep. These arenât 5-minute segments - Shawn spends 60â120 minutes with each guest, getting into methodology, study design, and practical applications. Itâs the most information-dense running podcast available, and the quality of guests is exceptional.
Best episodes to start with: The episodes on gut training for fueling, heat acclimatization, and strength training for distance runners. All directly applicable regardless of your race distance.
Listen while: Easy recovery runs or non-running time (commute, chores). The content is dense enough that youâll want some mental bandwidth available.
Strength Running Podcast
What it is: Jason Fitzgerald - running coach with a focus on injury prevention and structured training - delivers focused episodes on specific training topics. Less interview-based, more direct coaching.
Why it works for runners: Jasonâs approach is practical and actionable. Each episode tends to focus on one topic (tempo runs, injury prevention, race fueling, speedwork progression) and gives you concrete takeaways. He doesnât pad episodes - theyâre 30â45 minutes and every minute has content.
His philosophy centers on building resilient, strong runners through proper training progression, strength work, and avoiding the common mistakes that lead to injury. If youâre injury-prone or want to train smarter, his content is directly applicable.
Best episodes to start with: His episode on the most common marathon training mistakes, his strength training for runners primer, or his running form analysis episodes.
Listen while: Short easy runs or warm-ups. Episodes are short enough to finish in one run.
How to Listen While Running
The logistics of podcast listening during runs matter more than people think:
Earbuds That Stay Put
Nothing ruins a run like constantly re-seating falling earbuds. For long runs especially, you need earbuds that are sweat-proof and secure. Check our best running earbuds 2026 guide for options, or if you prefer over-ear for ultramarathon distances, our best wireless headphones for long runs guide has you covered.
Bone Conduction for Safety
If you run on roads or shared paths, bone conduction headphones (like Shokz OpenRun) let you hear traffic and other runners while listening to podcasts. Safer than in-ear options for road running.
Download Before You Go
Streaming podcasts on cellular drains your phone battery and can cut out in areas with poor coverage. Download episodes on WiFi before your run. Every podcast app supports this.
Speed Adjustment
Most podcast apps let you play at 1.2xâ1.5x speed. I find 1.2x works well during easy runs - slightly faster without sounding unnatural. At 1.5x, you can get through more content but may miss nuance.
Building Your Running Podcast Rotation
You donât need to subscribe to all five. Pick based on what you need:
- New to running? Start with Strength Running (practical advice) and Ali on the Run (community/inspiration).
- Gear obsessed? The Running Channel is your primary, supplemented by episodes from others when they review products.
- Marathon training? Marathon Talk for specific marathon content, Strength Running for training methodology.
- Science nerd? Science of Ultra for deep research dives, Strength Running for practical application.
- Need motivation? Ali on the Run for stories that remind you why you run.
For beginners building their full running setup (gear, apps, community), our best running gear for beginners guide covers the essentials.
Other Podcasts Worth Mentioning
These didnât make the main five but deserve recognition:
- The Morning Shakeout - Mario Fraioli interviews coaches and elites with thoughtful depth
- Running Rogue - Community-focused with practical training discussion
- Ten Junk Miles - Ultrarunning culture with humor and authenticity
- Trail Runner Nation - Excellent for trail and ultra-specific content
- Clean Sport Collective - For anyone interested in anti-doping issues in running
Frequently Asked Questions
Are running podcasts better than music for long runs?
Neither is universally better - it depends on the run and your preference. Podcasts work better for steady easy runs and long slow distance where your brain needs stimulation but your body is on autopilot. Music tends to work better for tempo runs, intervals, and race efforts where you want rhythm and energy rather than information. Many runners alternate: podcast for the first 10 miles, then music for the last 6 when fatigue makes concentration harder.
Will podcasts slow me down during speed work?
Probably yes. Research shows that music with a strong beat can slightly improve performance during hard efforts through rhythmic synchronization. Podcasts donât offer this - if anything, engaging content might distract from maintaining hard effort. Save podcasts for easy days and use music or nothing for speed sessions.
How do I find running podcast episodes about my specific race?
Search within Marathon Talk or The Running Channel for your race name - they often cover major events in pre-race preview episodes. You can also search the podcastâs website for specific topics. For smaller races, local running clubs sometimes have their own podcasts or social media content worth exploring.
Is it rude to wear earbuds at parkrun or group runs?
At parkrun, single-earbud use is common and generally accepted - just keep the volume low enough to hear marshals. For group runs where the point is socializing, earbuds signal that you donât want to talk, which defeats the purpose. Read the room: competitive solo runs are fine with earbuds; social group runs, skip them.
Can I learn enough from podcasts to self-coach a marathon?
Podcasts provide excellent education but canât replace a proper training plan. They help you understand training principles, avoid common mistakes, and make better decisions about your preparation. But they canât give you personalized weekly programming. Use podcasts to become a more informed runner, then apply that knowledge within a structured plan (whether from a book, app, or coach).