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Update Your Playlist With Tunes That Pump up the World’s Best Runners​

Find out what music motivates Molly, Meb, and Des for a big race.

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Runner Playlists
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Maybe you’re doing some shakeout miles along the Charles River before the Boston Marathon, or maybe you have a nice long run to get through this weekend at home. Either way, Spotify has partnered with John Hancock to give you an idea of the music that has inspired some of the best U.S. runners competing in Monday’s Boston Marathon. You can either find the playlist that meets your specific run goals at runeliteplaylist.com, or peruse the songs that motivate runners like Shalane, Meb, and Des here.

Desiree Linden Is For Real

Boston Marathon Playlists
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Linden has always impressed with her love of music, and this roundup of indie rock and country cuts works just as well when you’re chilling out on the weekend.

https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/hiytvrpio9bj9izn6vqoemj5l/playlist/3AqCYqQG5kSTVqMsKASi16

U Can’t Touch Meb Keflezighi

Boston Marathon Playlists
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Though he retired at the NYC Marathon last year, Meb is running the 2018 Boston Marathon for team MR8. We love his mix of classic rock, hip hop, and soul.

https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/hiytvrpio9bj9izn6vqoemj5l/playlist/4ygWGbzZnOMXbRVFL4vgeZ

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Shalane’s End Game Is a Boston Win

Boston Marathon Playlists
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All eyes are on Flanagan after her 2017 NYC Marathon win. For inspirational tunes, she’s been turning to T-Swift. As she said in the April issue of Runner’s World: “I’m kind of obsessed with Taylor Swift right now.”

https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/hiytvrpio9bj9izn6vqoemj5l/playlist/6cqFzGikSSEPsugJWkfkhR

Molly Huddle Is Ready to Light It Up

Boston Marathon Playlists
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Huddle flashes her speed over every distance, so it’s not surprising to see she mixes up the tempo of her running playlist.

https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/hiytvrpio9bj9izn6vqoemj5l/playlist/6g6LjSxXm5voYw4RJfzJ4X

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Dathan Ritzenhein Knows It’s Not Over

Boston Marathon Playlists
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Though an injury kept him from the starting line of the 2018 Boston Marathon, Dathan Ritzenhein’s mix will power you through faster workouts.

https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/hiytvrpio9bj9izn6vqoemj5l/playlist/6u2vhYA1UapcJJqed3qc4v

Headshot of Brian Dalek
Brian Dalek
Director of Content Operations Runner’s World & Bicycling

Brian has spent more than a decade focused on creating compelling news, health, and fitness content—with a particular interest on enthusiast activities like running and cycling. He’s coordinated coverage of major events like the Paris Olympics, Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, and Tour de France, with an eye toward both the professional race and the engaging stories readers love. 

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Runner Playlists
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