On this week’s Runner’s World Show:
- Editor-in-Chief David Willey talks with Amby Burfoot about his start in running, being tailed by rival Bill Clark before Burfoot’s 1968 Boston Marathon win, and the race that means the most to him today. (3:10)
- After a bad marathon, executive editor Tish Hamilton came on the show a month ago to announce to the universe she is backing off her running routine this summer. We catch up with her to see how things are going as she tries to morph into a cyclist. (22:50)
- On the Kick, we talk about a disputed trans-America run, a hotly-anticipated marathon debut, and an emoji you might like. (34:20)
The Day Amby Burfoot Ran Scared
Amby Burfoot calls his buildup to the 1968 Boston Marathon “perfect.”
“I got into a state of flow where everything was effortless and easy,” Amby told David Willey in a recent interview. “I got there once in my life, and it was a month before Boston.”
The buildup was a dream, but the race itself was, at times, a nightmare. Amby first wrote about the experience in our May 2008 issue in a story called Running Scared. In it, he describes the fear he felt as his rival, Bill Clark, stalked him mile after mile after mile.
In an interview that spans his start as a high school runner, his struggle to defeat Clark in Boston, his 53-year running streak of the Manchester Road Race, and his recent Boston tradition, Amby provides a unique perspective on his iconic running life.
Listen to David's full interview with Amby Burfoot:
Getting Comfortable on a Bike
About a month ago, executive editor Tish Hamilton was on the show explaining why she planned to back off her running routine. After a long stretch battling injuries and bronchitis, Tish had a really bad Boston Marathon in April.
“I knew I needed a break from all the hard training,” she says. “So I decided to spend time becoming a better cyclist.”
Tish had tried morphing into a cyclist before, but it didn't work out—for a couple reasons. She and editor Christine Fennessy went to a local park to talk about what went wrong last time, and why, for a runner, adjusting to all the gear is a bit of a process.
Then they went on a ride to see how she’s adapting to life on two wheels, and to learn a few of her tricks to make that life easier.
The Kick
We wrap things up with a few notable stories from the week:
- Runner Attempting Trans-America Record Denies Cheating Allegations
- America’s Most Anticipated Marathon Debut is Happening
- It’s a Girl! Facebook Unveils Female Runner Emoji
Episode Credits:
The Runner’s World Show is hosted by Editor-in-Chief David Willey.
The podcast is produced by Sylvia Ryerson, Christine Fennessy, Brian Dalek, and Mervyn Degaños.
Our theme music is “So I Run” by Thunderhoof.
Interviews on the podcast have been edited for length and clarity. Got a story idea for the show? Send it to [email protected].
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.
