15 Best Running Podcasts: Roads to Trails

Need something to keep you going on your next run? Whether you are looking for coaches filled with training tips or motivational stories, you can find it all in these best running podcasts. I’ve cycled through so many over the years that this list has changed a few times!I fell in love with listening to audiobooks while running as I trained for my second marathon solo in 2006. Over the years of training that followed, I’ve found podcasts about running are not only more accessible, but provide a different level of motivation than an audiobook.

Over the years I’ve seen running podcasts come and go. I’ve gone through many that just weren’t that great and finally settled on some that are always in my weekly rotation.

There are almost a million podcasts currently available, so I understand how just going through them can be overwhelming. If you’re having trouble narrowing down your options for quality running podcasts, I’ve got you covered.

If you think one is missing from the list feel free to drop it in the comments and help out another runner!

15 Best Running Podcasts

Most of these podcasts are specifically about running,  but others are fitness related, and some just cover all the basic life topics. Either way, these podcast to listen to while running are all guaranteed to get you motivated in one way or another to power through and keep running!

My tastes continue to change and evolve, so this list has been revamped 5 or 6 times now!

I’ve realized that sometimes I’m in the mood for business, sometimes fitness and sometimes a little more lighthearted.

1. Tread Lightly Podcast – Coaches Sharing Tips and Science

If you’re looking to learn to run smarter, and not harder then the Tread Lightly Podcast is the one for you! Hosted by yours truly, Amanda Brooks along with Laura Norris from Laura Norris Running, we aim to bring our combined 20 years of coaching experience to break down common myths, training tips, and more!

Laura recently wrapped up her Master of Science in Applied Exercise Science, on top of 7+ years of coaching experience, while I’ve been using my journalism degree to create running content for millions of readers over the past decade.

By drawing on our personal experiences and expertise as coaches, we provide listeners with practical advice on everything from how to avoid common injuries, to running supplements, training methods, and more.

With a casual conversational style podcast, you’ll feel like you’re listening to your two running besties while they share tons of knowledge, information, and past experiences to help you become a better runner by training smarter.

2. Hit Play Not Pause – Fit Women Over 50

As someone who went through hormonal struggles very early, I am THRILLED that there is a now a podcast focused on peri and post menopausal athletes. They do a great job of digging in to the science and bring in information from Dr Stacy Simms.

There is a lot of sharing stories from athletes, which will give you not just ideas, but hope.

This show has continued to grow and created an entire engaged community because they have hit the mark.

Checkout: Episode 59 Staying on Top Of Symptoms

3. Running Explained Podcast – Coach Interviewing Experts

Coach Elisabeth Scott interviews experts in all different areas of training. You’ll get more tips on fueling, physical therapy, training paces and even treadmill running (hey that’s  me!).

Many of you may have met Elisabeth through her popular Instagram account. She’s taken that to the long form of Podcasting to provide more information.

Checkout: S2/E31 Your Knees and Running with Dr. Lauren LaPierre

4. Ali On The Run – Personable Conversations

In this podcast, journalist and runner Ali Feller chats with runners of all abilities and those with careers in the running industry. Feller is approachable, and her casual interview style helps her guests feel at ease and discuss a variety of topics.

The engaging and thought-provoking interviews she does are the outcome of her stated purpose of learning about the decisions people make and the part running has played in making those decisions.

Checkout: Episode 617 – Cory McGee Rabbitting

5.The Drop by Believe in The Run – Conversational, Race Recaps, Shoe Talks

We know that I do a lot of running shoe reviews around here, but they actually talk about them too! Coming from multiple testers you’ll the low down on shoes, right alongside truly conversational episodes.

Getting to know the hosts, you may hear them share a recap of a big race like Chicago (where they probably hosted a shake out meet up too) and interviews with some top athletes, shoe creators, designers and more. It’s an interesting mix of interviews you may not be hearing elsewhere.

Checkout: Episode 187: Robbie Paterson, Footwear Development, Adidas Adizero Elite Racing

6. The Morning Shakeout – Interviews with High Profile Athletes

I haven’t listened to a ton of these, but one’s that caught my attention to start listening were fabulous.

First there was the multiple chats with Desi, then a talk with Bart Yasso that made me smile for the duration of my run! Hosted by Mario Fraoli a high caliber running coach and writer, they’re usually great insightful conversations.

Checkout: Episode 40 – Desi Linden post Boston win!
She obviously did a lot of shows, but I really enjoyed this one.

7. Trail Runner Nation– Trail Running

Here’s a podcast with a focus on real people doing pretty amazing things. This trail runner podcast is obviously going to offer a lot more for you trail runners with tips that are specific to nutrition, footing, ultra events and more.

Hosts Don Freeman and Scott Warr cover a ton of different topics related to trail running and even focus on issues such as mental focus and pacing strategies that will definitely appeal to all types of runners.

The hosts and their guests are clearly very knowledgeable, but they present information in a fun way and seem to genuinely want to help other people enjoy running.

Checkout: August 9 – Can Failure Make Us More Successful?

8. Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth – Strength Focused

This will not be a podcast for everyone and at first I wasn’t sure it was one for me. In fact, I admit to fast forwarding through a lot of the beginning because I want the meat of the show and not all the chit chat.

BUT especially for runners who may not want to spend time in the gym I think they’re going to really help you embrace the value.

Checkout: Episode 1077 – The 7 Deadly Fitness Lies Sold to Women

9. For the Long Run – Lots of Elite Athletes

Podcaster Jonathan Levitt is one of the most extroverted people I’ve ever met. He’s also a connector. He loves putting people in touch and is a stellar runner in his own right. All of this is why he has some incredible interviews with top athletes in running.

He does a great job of getting in to both the training we’re curious about and their lives, their mindset and more. In more recent episodes, he’s also tackled a lot of  mindset talk and even topics in culture.

Checkout: Any episode with David Roche. There’s also one with a well known Amanda Brooks ;)

10. On Coaching with Magness and Marcus – Get the Sciene

Those who are really in to the deep dive of coaching, techniques, all the science and whys will enjoy this podcast. A few fellow running coaches have told me this is the one that they never miss.

Even as an athlete I think there is a lot to learn here. It’s going to help you better understand your training plan and put all the pieces together.

Checkout: Episode 155: Getting the Most out of People. How to inspire, encourage and sustain excellence.

11. Farewell – The Growth Equation

This s a newer podcast and I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to dive in to more episodes. I think so many of us have realized that we’re training our bodies, but our minds need time.

This is another podcast with Steve Magness, but this time with co-host Brad Stulberg. Many folks really enjoyed their book, Peak Performance, and that’s the launching point for this show.

Checkout: When to Thrive vs Simply Survive

BONUS: Here are 20 podcasts where I’ve been a guest!

12. Run to the Top Podcast – Like Blog Posts in Audio Form

Runners of all skill levels can benefit from listening to Run to the Top, a podcast created to inspire and guide all types of runners.

Each week, Corey Nagler interviews athletes, coaches, scientists, psychologists, nutritionists, and even regular runners. They discuss different topics such as mental preparation, preventing injury, breaking through plateaus, and much more.

Regardless of what you want to know about running, this podcast will most likely have an episode about it.

Checkout: Fascinating Training Lessons from Ethiopian Marathon Runners

13. The Running for Real with Tina Muir – Former Elite Athlete Host

Host Tina Muir has been an elite marathoner herself, giving her a unique insight to the questions to ask her high caliber guests like Meb Keflezighi. Other guests she has on her podcast include runners, coaches, scientists, and even medical providers.

She’s also focused on ensuring each guest is providing value to you and take-aways that will help you improve your own running.

Checkout: August 2019 – Lauren Fleshman: You Can Feel Satisfied and Still Get Better

14. Marathon Training Academy

As the name suggests, this popular podcast is oriented toward runners preparing for marathons and is hosted by running coach Angie Spencer and her husband Trevor.

Episodes are informative but not too serious, and they are packed with knowledge and advice and sometimes even feature high-profile guests!

While some of the content is tailored specifically to marathoners, much of it is applicable to runners of all distances and includes tips on training, nutrition, and injury prevention.

Checkout: February 2023, You’re Capable of So Much More Than You Think You Are

15. I’ll Have Another with Lindsey Hein – Talk to All the Pros

Lindsey has been in the running space as long as I have! Where I went the coaching route, she went on to learn from the best and share that knowledge.

She knows how to host a great interview to pull out fun information and make it relatable to all of us non-elites.

No,I didn’t list the Runner’s World Podcast, not because there is anything wrong with it, but because you likely already tried that running podcast!

Hopefully, I’m giving you some other ideas!

And no I didn’t mention the Another Mother Runner podcast, again not because it’s not good. I really enjoyed it for a time, but as noted I cycle through things and lately it just hasn’t worked for me. I wasn’t getting motivated listening to their daily back and forth.

What running podcasts do you listen to?

Do you like them to be fitness related or not?

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