Marathon Talk Episode 53: Rob Simmelkjaer - New York Road Runners CEO

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As CEO of New York Road Runners, Rob Simmelkjaer has a unique perspective on running in New York.

Whether it's all that happens on race day in November or any of the many NYRR events that occur throughout the year, if you're interested in finding out about running in the five boroughs, Rob is a great person to start with.

As our special guest on this week's Marathon Talk, Rob gives us some wonderful insight into what it's like standing at the helm of one of the biggest races in the world, but also having just become a BMW Berlin Marathon finisher, his athlete perspective of the race is fascinating.

Elsewhere in the show, we hear about Martin's 'rookie' moment as his NYC training hits a stumbling block, we have an uplifting tale of a new Six Star Finisher with COPD, and we wrap up the biggest stories that came from last weekend's BMW Berlin Marathon.

Listen on

1. Spotify
2. Apple
3. Amazon‍

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Watch the show

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In this episode of Marathon Talk:‍
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• 0:00 - We catch up with Deena’s trail running and family’s cross-country escapades and Martin confesses his rookie error…
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• 13:00 - The Berlin Marathon was a fast and fascinating field as ever - we round up the African dominance in the men’s and women’s fields, the Swiss double in wheelchair races, and an inspiring 6 Star Finisher with COPD
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• 25:05 - Rob Simmelkjaer shares his experience in Berlin, weighs in on the power of storytelling in the marathon community, and shares his top tips for the upcoming New York race
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Episode highlights

“In happier news, within a day of Andrew not being accepted into the Boston Marathon next year, our daughter decided to go out for cross country!” - 6:20 - Deena Kastor 

“It was the 50th BMW Berlin Marathon last weekend, of course, always one of the fastest and best supported marathons on the planet, and it celebrated by becoming the biggest marathon in the world, with a massive 54,280 runners crossing the finish line.” - 13:00 - Martin Yelling 

“What an inspiration Russell Winwood is;  so inspiring for all the others suffering with COPD. I love that he said with the 30% of lung capacity that he has, he uses 100% of what he's got, which is so fantastic.” - 21:50 - Deena Kastor 

“I'm just around so many great runners, and I'm running so much. I run so many of our Road Runners races, and that does keep me in reasonably good shape, it just keeps me going.” - 27:25 - Rob Simmelkjaer

“We have over 50,000 runners show up at New York every year, that’s 50,000 stories - doing a better job telling those stories year-in and year-out is something that I really care about.” - 35:50 - Rob Simmelkjaer

“What's amazing about New York is - I always say this about New York, and I mean this both in terms of the marathon and in terms of the city - New York is hard, but it's worth it.” - 52:15 - Rob Simmelkjaer

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,

Links & references
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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/

Rob Simmelkjaer‍
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-simmelkjaer/
https://www.instagram.com/rtsimmel/