2025 Running Year in Review (Part 1): Records, Rivalries & Scandals

In Part 1 of our 2025 Year in Review, the Marathon Handbook team breaks down the biggest storylines from January through July. We open with Conner Mantz’s American record in Houston (01:30), then move into February’s world-record spree — from Yared Nuguse’s indoor mile to Jacob Kiplimo’s 56:42 half marathon (10:10). We relive the March Tokyo Marathon (11:40), then the Boston–London doubleheader in April, including John Korir’s dramatic win (16:00) and the Obiri–Lokedi showdown (17:30). We examine whether the marathon majors have grown too big (26:30) before heading into the mountains for a brutal no-finisher Barkley year (30:00). June brings Nike’s Breaking4 experiment with Faith Kipyegon (34:40), followed by her 1500m world record rebound (42:00) and Beatrice Chebet’s stunning sub-14 5K (49:00). We wrap with Western States, UTMB (53:00), and July’s devastating revelation: Ruth Chepngetich’s doping ban and its implications for the sport (1:00:00). Part 2 (Aug–Dec 2025) arrives next week.Part 2 (August–December) drops next week!This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: ⁠ livemomentous.com Questions about training, race previews, or to send us your hot takes? Email us at podcast@marathonhandbook.com . Leave us a voice memo for our mailbag episodes: marathonhandbook.com/podcast Instagram: @marathon.handbook Facebook: @marathonhandbook Join 265,000+ runners getting our daily newsletter: marathonhandbook.com/newsletter Like, subscribe, and drop your questions in the comments. Audio version available wherever you get podcasts + watch the video version on Spotify. Subscribe on YouTube for weekly running deep dives.