Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

When runners talk about “bucket-list marathons,” the conversation almost always begins — and ends — with the Abbott World Marathon Majors: Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, London, Tokyo, and Sydney. But here’s the truth: some of the fastest, most historic, and most enjoyable marathons in the world aren’t Majors at all.

In this episode, I’m joined by my older brother, Kevin Beatty — a 2:21 marathoner & cross country coach at Loyalist College — to shine a light on excellent marathons beyond the Majors that deserve your attention.

Kevin brings both historical perspective and recent experience, having run between 2:35–2:40 at races like Houston, CIM, and Grandma’s in his late 40s. Together we cover:

✨ How the World Marathon Majors came to be — and why “Major” doesn’t always mean fastest or most prestigious
✨ The hidden challenges of racing the Majors (logistics, late start times, athlete area waits)
✨ International marathons worth traveling for — from historic courses like Athens and Fukuoka to PR factories like Valencia and Seville
✨ U.S. “shadow majors” such as CIM, Grandma’s, Houston, and Honolulu
✨ Canadian favorites region by region, plus hidden gems like Petit Train and Georgina
✨ Why boutique marathons like Erie, PA or Queen City can give runners double BQ opportunities
✨ New models like The Marathon Project and McKirdy Micro Marathon

If you’ve ever felt like the World Majors were the only marathons that mattered, this conversation might just expand your horizons — and your race calendar.

Kevin's previous episodes on Inspired Soles:

• Ep 3 | Treating Running Like a Sport
• Ep 78 | Pacer for Carolyn’s Las Vegas 10k Win
• Ep 176 | US Olympic Marathon Trials Recap

Connect with Carolyn & Inspired Soles:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin
• Browse 250+ episodes in the archives
• Subscribe, rate & review to support the show

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Matt Fitzgerald is the bestselling author of more than 30 endurance-sport books, including 80/20 Running, How Bad Do You Want It?, and his captivating memoir Running the Dream. In this episode, we dive into what it means to go all-in on a bold running goal, why goal setting is such a deeply human instinct, and how the ability to “compete against ourselves” is a surprisingly recent development in the history of sport.

Matt also opens up about his own journey as a masters athlete, including training for the Javelina 100 miler just seven weeks before lining up at The Marathon Project, where he’s chasing a sub-3 marathon at age 54. We talk about his battle with long COVID, the book he’s currently writing on masters running, and his Dream Run Camps in Flagstaff, Arizona, which give everyday runners the chance to experience life as a “fake pro runner.”

If you’ve ever wondered why your running goals matter so much — even when no one’s paying you to chase them — you won’t want to miss this conversation.

Connect with Matt:

• Website: mattfitzgerald.org
• Dream Run Camp: dreamrun.com
• Instagram: @endurance_mastery
  
  

Resources & Related Episodes:

• Ben Rosario on Inspired Soles: The Marathon Project Returns in 2025
• Running the Dream
• Run Like a Pro (Even If You're Slow)

Connect with Carolyn & Inspired Soles:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin
• Browse 250+ episodes in the archives
• Subscribe, rate & review to support the show

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Pacing a marathon is simple in theory but brutally hard in practice. Go out too fast, and the fire-breathing dragons will find you in the final 10K. Go out too cautiously, and you’ll spend the last miles wondering if you left time on the table.

In this episode, I’m joined by Jeff Cunningham — a lifelong runner, NCAA Academic All-American, and coach of countless Boston Marathon qualifiers and multiple U.S. Olympic Trials qualifiers. Jeff has a gift for blending humor with hard truths, and today he breaks down why pacing is the most important (and most misunderstood) part of the marathon.

We discuss:

• Why you can undo 16 weeks of training in the first 45 minutes of the race
• How to build trust in your fitness so you don’t panic early
• The psychology of pacing and emotional momentum
• Why finishing strong is far better than blowing up
• Jeff’s signature advice on patience, perspective, and keeping the long view

If you’re running a fall marathon, this conversation will fire you up and give you the tools to run your smartest race yet.

Connect with Jeff:

• Instagram: @jdcunningham97
• Bat City Track Club
• Cunningham Running
  
  

Resources & Related Episodes:

• Jeff on Relay with Peter Bromka: Beware of the Dragons
• Inspired Soles Episode with Polly
  (Jeff’s Canadian elite athlete)

Connect with Carolyn & Inspired Soles:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin
• Browse 250+ episodes in the archives
• Subscribe, rate & review to support the show

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.