Show Notes
Former pro-cyclist Jimmy Whelan reveals where he intends to run his debut marathon later this year – you’ll have to listen to find out! Dialling in from his home in Barcelona, Jimmy talks about his transition from pro cycling to a brief stint as a triathlete and his newfound status as a professional runner sponsored by Salomon. He’s never been happier as an athlete! And we tap into what that’s all about. We talk about his breakout 61:37 half marathon in Valencia, the disappointment of Berlin half, the chatter centred on his scorching potential, and why he’s not afraid to say big goals out loud, including his ambition to be in the marathon conversation for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Jimmy also gives us a unique window into pro cycling on the European circuit. Aside from the joys of long group rides, living in Europe and café stops, the other headlines are: stress, contract pressure and terrifying crashes, which all ultimately pushed him away from the sport and back towards his first love of running. It’s a full-circle moment for Jimmy, and what a pleasure it was to talk through his evolution and reinvention as an athlete on the pod! Enjoy! -- James “Jimmy” Whelan is an Australian athlete whose career has spanned professional cycling, triathlon and now distance running. Jimmy made a real statement last year when he ran a 61-minute half marathon in Valencia, attracting the attention of the athletics community and major sponsors alike. Now signed with Salomon, and coached by Andy Henderson, Jimmy has his sights set on the marathon distance, hoping to make his debut later this year. Jimmy’s professional cycling career included affiliations with renowned teams such as Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, Anicolor/Tien21 Cycling Team and EF Pro Cycling. Jimmy is currently based in Barcelona, Spain. -- Subscribe to Run With It wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss a thing! -- Check out Jimmy’s YouTube: youtube.com/@jimmywhelan -- Follow us on Instagram: @jimmywhelann @runwithit.pod @elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer
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Ten years after winning Melbourne Marathon, Thomas Do Canto returned last weekend to run the fastest marathon of his life: 2:10:35, finishing second behind Eliud Kipchoge. At 40, the Sydney podiatrist and dad of two is feeling more motivated than ever – and suddenly that Olympic ambition feels a little closer. Tom takes us inside a memorable Melbourne morning, from sharing the lead pack with Kipchoge, Jimmy Whelan and Reece Edwards, to knowing when to back off, the mind-blowing crowd support, and an emotional finish in the MCG. We also chat about the turnaround from Sydney Marathon, the illness that threatened his Melbourne plans, and how a disappointing race in Ballarat and turning 40 sparked a renewed determination. Away from racing, there’s plenty of shoe chat, the story of meeting his wife Lana at Parkrun and an honest look at fitting elite running around work and family life. You’ll love this chat with Tom! -- Run With It acknowledges the Wadawurrung People, the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, and pays our respects to Elders past and present. -- Subscribe to Run With It wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss a thing! -- Follow us on Instagram:@runwithit.pod@thomasdocanto@elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan BeacomGraphic design by Kate Scheer
The Queen of Consistency gets her marathon breakthrough! Izzi Batt-Doyle joins Elise after running 2:20:38 at Chicago Marathon on Sunday, finishing sixth and taking 46 seconds off the previous record held by Jess Stenson.We dissect the years of work behind the scenes and why doing fewer kilometres this time helped Izzi get more out of herself when it mattered. Izzi describes a mindset shift that focused on running her best rather than targeting the record, she tells us how she quietened the outside noise (bye bye Strava) and how fiancé Riley Cocks authentically stepped into the role of coach (and pacer on the historic record-breaking day).We get into the race itself: managing the heat, nailing her fuelling, passing four women in the final mile and realising the record was hers with 200 metres to go. With Riley pacing and her mum Rosey waiting at the finish, it’s a day Izzi calls the best of her life! Loved this chat with IBD! -- Run With It acknowledges the Wadawurrung People, the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, and pays our respects to Elders past and present. -- If you liked this conversation, go back and listen to Episodes 2 and 46 of Run With It for more of Izzi! Subscribe to Run With It wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss a thing! -- Follow us on Instagram: @izzibattdoyle @runwithit.pod @elisebeacom Watch Izzi's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IzziBatt-Doyle -- Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer
The big names for this week’s Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival have been trickling in, but now the full elite fields are out – and there’s plenty to get excited about. Competition Director Tim Crosbie joins Elise to unpack who’s lining up across the marathon, half marathon and 10km.From the GOAT Eliud Kipchoge and Jimmy Whelan’s marathon debut to Sinead Diver’s Melbourne Marathon return in a women’s race that’s almost impossible to pick, we explore the contenders and match-ups to watch. Brett Robinson headlines the men's half marathon (with a potential last-minute addition looming large), Georgia Grgec brings recent form from the World Half Marathon Championships, Nedd Brockmann chases a sub-30-minute 10km, and Tim gives us the rundown on the course changes. -- Run With It acknowledges the Wadawurrung People, the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, and pays our respects to Elders past and present. -- Subscribe to Run With It wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss a thing! -- Follow us on Instagram:@runwithit.pod@crosbietim@elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan BeacomGraphic design by Kate Scheer
Ellie Pashley returns to Run With It, and she’s got a pretty damn good reason to celebrate. At Sydney Marathon, she ran 2:28:28 to finish 9th overall, claim the Australian Marathon Championship and clock her fastest marathon since 2019. Ellie joins Elise to rewind a year that included giving birth to her second child Bobby, her first ever marathon win at Ballarat and a near perfect race execution in Sydney that reminded her what she’s capable of. She shares how she handled the moment Caitlin Scott pulled away, why she chose to race without a watch, and how she found her rhythm again after a tough patch midway through the race. With her confidence back and another PB feeling possible, Ellie talks about choosing races that excite her and why Boston is still calling her name. Such a fun chat with Ellie (good luck with lobbying for the swimming pool)! -- Run With It acknowledges the Wadawurrung People, the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, and pays our respects to Elders past and present. -- Subscribe to Run With It wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss a thing! -- Follow us on Instagram:@runwithit.pod@ellieopash@elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan BeacomGraphic design by Kate Scheer
Erchana Murray-Bartlett has never been afraid of a big challenge. She ran 150 marathons in 150 days from the tip to the toe of Australia, raised money and awareness for the Wilderness Society, and later ran as an independent candidate in the federal election. Now, her record-breaking journey has been captured in the new documentary 150, directed by filmmaker Ryan Kennedy (who is also Erchana’s husband), and narrated by Australian TV show host and journalist, Osher Günsberg. Erchana reflects on the physical pain, mental monotony and unforgettable encounters behind her incredible feat, now immortalised on film. She shares how her love for Australia’s wildlife and the wild places that gave the challenge a deeper purpose. We also talk about the coincidental timing of Nedd Brockmann’s run across Australia, Erchana’s path from football to marathon running, life as a new mum and her general tendency to operate on “vibes”. FILM SCREENING: If you want to see the 150 film and you live close to the Surf Coast, Run With It and Torquay Run Club are hosting a screening (details below):Bells Beach Brewing, Torquay VICThursday 8th October, 6pm Live Q&A with Erchana, followed by the film screeningPrize giveaways from Mikro Coffee Roasters, Tarkine and The Running Company Torquay Tickets available for $12 at fan-force.com/screenings/150-bells-beach-brewing/ -- Run With It acknowledges the Wadawurrung People, the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, and pays our respects to Elders past and present. -- Subscribe to Run With It wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss a thing! -- Follow us on Instagram: @erchana_ @runwithit.pod @elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer