News

Marathon Talk Episode 50: Ray Flynn

It’s with a heavy heart that we wave au revoir to Paris for the Olympics, but what a thrilling anthology of racing stories it’s written for us.

Not only do we debrief all the quintessential moments from the games on Marathon Talk this week, but off the back of THAT men’s 1500m, we speak with the agent for all three medal winners - Irish Mile Record Holder, Ray Flynn!

Listen on

1. Spotify
2. Apple

3. Amazon

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

  • 0:00 - This episode’s opening ceremony features Deena’s incredible experiences at the games in Paris, and which stories stood out to her and Martin throughout the games
  • 11:05 - It’s a packed news round up this week with the best from Hassan’s stellar sprint in the marathon, 1500m rivalries, a look ahead to the Paralympics, and what YOU could qualify for in LA 2028…
  • 37:35 - The agent for ALL the men’s 1500m medal winners, Olympian, and Irish Mile Record Holder Ray Flynn is our fabulous guest on the show, sharing the secrets behind managing three of the world’s top athletes

Episode highlights

“I have been fortunate enough to make three Olympic teams, 2000, 2004 and 2008. I had never been to an opening or closing ceremony, and so we went to this one, and I now regret not going before!” - 5:30 - Deena Kastor

“For me, there was a little bit of a moment where I thought, Hassan almost cut Assefa out at that point. From there, the race was over, because it's 26.2 miles of racing, but a split second of who makes a pinch point in the racing line with the finish so close...” - 17:30 - Martin Yelling

“Your entire childhood, your entire career, you're aspiring to represent your country at the Olympic level. But then the other side of you is like, this is my body. I have to take really good care of it, is it worth the risk?” - 29:45 - Deena Kastor 

“The men’s 1500m promised and delivered everything and more - the personalities, the rivalries, the drama, and who’d have thought how that last 150m would be?” - 39:50 - Ray Flynn

“Marathon season is a completely different vibe from the track. In some ways, it's less pressure, there are less people really at the elite level who we're working with. I really look forward to it.” - 1:00:00 - Ray Flynn

Episode keywords

Marathon talk, abbott world marathon majors, marathon running, distance running, endurance marathon, marathon training, endurance training, london marathon, berlin marathon, boston marathon, chicago marathon, tokyo marathon, new york marathon, six star finisher, paris olympics, paris 2024,

Links & references

Abbott World Marathon Majors
https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

https://www.instagram.com/wmmajors/

Martin Yelling
https://www.instagram.com/martinyelling/

Deena Kastor
https://www.instagram.com/deena8050/

Ray Flynn
https://www.instagram.com/raypflynn/

Share this post

Other news

Cover image of Marathon Talk Episode 77 featuring TeamGB star Phily Bowden

Episode 77: Phily Heads To The Windy City | Marathon Talk meets Phily Bowden

On this episode, as excitement builds ahead of next week’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon, we meet with UK athlete Phily Bowden to talk about how her preparations for the race have gone, and more on how, as an elite athlete, the mental side to race preparation is as vital as the physical preparation.
Marcel Hug wins the 2025 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

Hug & Schar sweep wheelchair races in Berlin

Swiss pair make it 17 Berlins crowns between them
Sabastian Sawe wins the 2025 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

Sawe sets world lead in searing Berlin heat

London champ adds Berlin to burgeoning marathon record