In this new “Running: State of the Sport” podcast, George and Amby chat with legendary U.S. runner, Don Kardong. Don finished 4th in the controversial 1976 Olympic Marathon--we talk a lot about that.

He also founded and race-directed the huge Lilac Bloomsday 12K in Spokane, Washington, and has finished the race himself 48 years in a row. A leader in the transition from “shamateurism” to open, professional road-racing, Don served as president of the Road Runners Club of America in the 1990s.

Other topics covered in this podcast

# How Don finished third in the 1976 Olympic Trials Marathon

# What he learned by racing against the likes of Steve Prefontaine and Frank Shorter

# His early 1970s training--up to 140 miles a week!

# Why he wishes he had brought a bronze medal back home from Montreal

# The joys of organizing a mega road race

# What Spokane’s city leaders thought when he told him the new 12K in 1977 would be called “Bloomsday”

# Don’s favorite stories among the many he wrote for Runner’s World and other running magazines

# His funny ice-cream quote that is most often repeated back to him

# What life lessons he learned from running

Where to find “Running: State of the Sport”

Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”

With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

Apple

Spotify

Audible

Pandora

I Heart Radio

YouTube

"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.

"Run Long, Run Healthy" is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners.

This week, George and Amby discuss the recent Boston and London Marathons--always highlights of the spring running season, and this year was no exception.

Both George and Amby were in Boston for the marathon, with Amby running and finishing for the 28th time. They didn't jump over the pond to London for that big event (with 53,000 runners), but followed it closely on streaming services and various Internet coverage.

Amby described his Boston run that included too-little training and a too-fast start. You'd think a guy would learn at some point. But he did have an ulterior motive. He also noted that his favorite runner in Boston was little-known Mark Bauman, from Michigan, who reached the Boylston St. finish line for the 55th year in a row. That's a world record for Boston ... or anywhere else.

George said he and others were surprised that the men's elite field allowed winner Sisay Lemma to build such a huge lead midway. After all, he had run 2:01:48 in Valencia just 5 months earlier.

George also noted that Hellen Obiri has now won 3 major marathons in a row--Boston-New York-Boston--which makes her a definite gold medal threat in the Paris Olympics this summer.

The thrilling sprint finish to the women's race in London made George suggest that the Olympic Marathon might be equally as close. Women's marathon racing has become much more competitive in recent years.

Amby took the opportunity to point out that his friend Jeannie Rice set yet another World age-group record (75-79) when she clocked a 3:33:27 in London. Rice has now won an age-group title in all 6 World Marathon Majors.

George and Amby also discussed everything from runners' church services in Boston, to Dave McGillivray, Meb Keflezighi, CJ Albertson, and Edna Kiplagat's amazing and still-continuing podium conquests in World Marathon Majors races.

Where to find “Running: State of the Sport”

Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”

With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

Apple

Spotify

Audible

Pandora

I Heart Radio

YouTube

"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.

Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners.

In this podcast, George and Amby speak with Meb Keflezighi about his astounding win in the 2014 Boston Marathon, and how it changed his life. Meb's story--from Eritrea to Italy to the U.S.--is quite well known now, but always mesmerizing to hear in his own voice and words.

Meb is running Boston again in 2014, both to mark the 10th anniversary since 2014, and also to raise funds for his Meb Foundation, which promotes youth health, education, and fitness. (See below for a link where you can donate.)

Anytime you need a little inspiration for an upcoming marathon or big effort of any kind, this is a great place to start. Meb will definitely get you pumped up.

Go here to support Meb's Boston 2024 run, and his Foundation.

Follow Meb on Instagram.

Where to find “Running: State of the Sport”

Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.”

With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

Apple

Spotify

Audible

Pandora

I Heart Radio

YouTube

"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.

Run Long, Run Healthy is Amby’s weekly newsletter with the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners.