Martin Dugard, author

Marty Dugard began writing for Runner's World in the late 1980s, gained more notice as the best-selling coauthor of Bill O'Reilly's "Killing" series of books--Lincoln, Kennedy, Jesus, etc--and now has returned to running with The Long Run. 

It's a epic, fast-moving history of running (and especially marathon running) from roughly 1970 to Joan Benoit's victory in the 1984 Olympic Marathon, with a few throwbacks to Pheidippides, Bill Bowerman, and others. You'll meet the people and moments that shaped running as we know it today.

Dugard isn't just a writer of historical non-fiction. He's been deeply immersed in running and running culture since his teen years. For the last 15 years, he has been coaching high school cross-country teams in California, several of which have won state championships.

For more on Dugard, you can follow his regular blogs at MartinDugard.com

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download our podcast from Apple, Spotify, 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.

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"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 a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.

Grant Fisher

In this episode of the podcast “Running: State of the Sport,” we interview American superstar Grant Fisher. Fisher is one of the greatest American distance track runners ever.

He has run the fastest American times ever in the 3000, 5000, and 10,000 meters, and he won bronze medals in both the 10,000 and 5000 at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Most recently, Fisher ran his first serious road race in the super-competitive New York City Half Marathon. And he finished the tough course in a fast 60:53, although that was only good enough for 14th place. Now Fisher faces one of the toughest decisions of his running career: Should he switch to the marathon for the 2028 Olympics, or stick with the track? In this pod, he analyzes the pros and cons of his thinking on this important question. Fisher also talks about the full arc of his legendary running career. In high school in Michigan, he won two Footlocker XC Championships, and ran a 3:59 mile. He then ran successfully for four years at Stanford before signing a Nike contract and running with the Bowerman TC. Two years ago, he moved from Oregon to Park City, Utah, to reunite with his former high school coach, Mike Scannell. The pairing has worked well, especially in Paris. The whole running world will be watching Fisher’s racing the next two years as he positions himself for the LA 2028 Olympics. In this pod, he explains where he is today, and where he hopes to go. For more about Fisher, check out his Instagram account.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download our podcast from Apple, Spotify, 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 a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.