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Marathon Talk Episode 6: JohnBoy Smith


Success isn’t earned by deep pockets, but by heart, determination and mindset. Such is the winning mentality of Commonwealth gold medallist, JohnBoy Smith.

Recalling his call-up for Team GB in Tokyo and some of the greatest challenges he’s overcome, JohnBoy joins us for a fascinating discussion in the latest episode of Marathon Talk.

“In the run up to the games, I didn’t have a gym membership. I didn't tell a lot of people but I didn't even have the money to pay £30 a month for a gym membership.” - 27:30 - JohnBoy Smith


We also take a look at the second fastest men's marathon ever run in Valencia, the scintillating European Cross Country race in Turin, and how Boston is set to tee up a clash of the titans between Eliud Kipchoge and Evans Chebet.

“Evans Chebet and Eliud Kipchoge are both signed up for Boston, and to me this is the meeting of the masters. Eliud is a great time trial racer, but Evans is a patient master of tactical running.” - 6:25 - Deena Kastor


In this episode of Marathon Talk:

  • 0:00 - Adverse weather running and England’s recent World Cup woes
  • 6:00 - Rounding up Valencia’s second fastest ever men's marathon, and the exhilarating European Cross Country in Turin
  • 20:05 - Team GB’s JohnBoy Smith on winning Commonwealth Gold, finding sources of drive and inspiration, and accessibility for budding young wheelchair athletes
  • 53:30 - Six Questions with a Six Star Finisher, and preparing to reflect on 2022

Listen on your favorite podcast player

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, johnboy smith, paralympic

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