Recorded LIVE at Trident Booksellers on Newbury Street the weekend of the 2026 Boston Marathon.

Michael, Katelyn, and Alex open with a first-hand recap of Alex's chase at a sub-14 elite 5K on Boston weekend — missing shoe bag included — and break down the biggest storylines of race weekend: the deep American elite field, Nike's "Runners Welcome, Walkers Tolerated" Newbury Street stunt, and the quiet disappearance of the traditional Boston expo.

Bobbi Gibb — the first woman to run and finish the Boston Marathon, in 1966, 1967, and 1968 — joins us for an extended conversation about falling in love with the race as a spectator in 1964, driving alone across the country in a VW microbus, the BAA rejection letter that told her women were "physiologically incapable" of running a marathon, hiding in the bushes in Hopkinton in her brother's Bermuda shorts, being embraced by the Wellesley scream tunnel, bleeding through her blisters down Boylston, and meeting Governor Volpe at the finish line in the moment that changed running forever. She also sets the historical record straight, talks about her sculpture now installed at mile zero in Hopkinton, and shares her philosophy of love, truth, and the end of the "war between the sexes."

1968 Boston Marathon champion and Marathon Handbook Editor at Large Amby Burfoot helps guide the conversation, offers a few stories of his own (including how many carbs he took in during his winning run — spoiler: zero), and makes the case that Bobbi may be the most important runner in the history of the marathon.

Then Brooks athlete, 6x Boston Marathon runner, 50K world record holder, and indoor marathon record holder CJ Albertson joins the stage. He walks us through leading Boston for 21 miles in 2021 on his birthday, the homemade plywood sauna he built for $200, putting bricks under his treadmill for downhill simulation, ingesting 120 grams of carbs per hour, why he writes workouts on the fly, and his plan to finally nail the last five miles of Boston on Monday.

The show closes with a listener Q&A covering recovery, ideal training partners, mid-race voice memos, rest days, what a great spouse does during marathon training, and favorite pre-race dinners.

It's Boston Marathon week and we are absolutely fired up. In this mega preview episode, Michael Doyle, Katelyn Tocci, and Alex Cyr break down everything you need to know about the 130th Boston Marathon: from navigating race-day logistics and the expo, to pacing the notoriously tricky course, to our boldest hot takes and elite race storylines.

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Whether you're toeing the start line in Hopkinton, cheering from Wellesley, or watching from home, this is your complete guide to Marathon Monday.

🗓️ Marathon Handbook Boston Weekend Events

We have a packed weekend of events — here's what's happening and how to find us:

• Friday evening: Live podcast recording at the BAA Fan Fest at City Hall Plaza, 6:30 PM. Come watch us improvise live — no prep, pure chaos.
• Saturday morning: Alex races the B.A.A. 5K at 8:00 AM in a stacked elite field (yes, really — and yes, he'll be lapped).
• Saturday evening: Our Mile Zero live event at Trident Booksellers & Cafe on Newbury Street, doors at 5:00 PM. Now beyond sold out! Special guest: elite American runner CJ Albertson, plus prizes, giveaways, and a mystery second guest who is an absolute Boston Marathon legend.
• Sunday morning: Free community shakeout run at the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street, 10:00 AM. No sign-up required — just show up. Look for Katelyn in her blue 2003 Boston Marathon jacket.
• Monday: Our live Watch Along Show streams on YouTube and at marathonhandbook.com all morning. Join us from the Trident Booksellers venue or watch from home. We'll be doing live updates, real-time coverage, and our Instant Reaction podcast immediately after the race.

Patriots Day is almost here — and Michael and Jessy are in full Boston Marathon mode.

In this episode, they break down the five biggest stories heading into the 130th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20th, before laying out their bold picks for the men's and women's race winners and top American finishers.

Story 1 – Kipruto vs. Korir: The Headliner MatchupPast champion Benson Kipruto (Boston 2021, Chicago 2022, Tokyo 2024, New York 2024) returns to face defending champion John Korir in what shapes up as the defining men's storyline. Their personal bests are separated by just eight seconds, but as Michael and Jessy discuss, Boston is never won on speed alone — Newton Hills, race tactics, and championship experience are just as decisive.

Story 2 – Can Anyone Beat the Defending Women's Champion?The defending women's champion is the heavy favourite, but with her fiercest rival Helen Obiri absent from the field this year, the dynamic shifts. Does she need that neck-and-neck rivalry to bring out her best? Jessy breaks down the closest challengers on paper, including Irene Cheptai and Worknesh Edesa, and why Emily Sisson is the American name to watch.

Story 3 – Top American Men: Who Steps Up with Manz Out?American record holder Conner Mantz is a DNS due to injury — a big blow, but the American men's field still has plenty to get excited about. Michael and Jessy spotlight Zha Alby (2:05:45 at Houston this year and ascending fast), Clayton Young (crashing into Boston off an abbreviated build but motivated by a fresh move to Brooks), and breakout names Ryan Ford and CJ Albertson — who'll be joining the team at their live Saturday event on Newbury Street.

Story 4 – Emily Sisson, Fiona O'Keefe & a Stacked American Women's FieldIs this finally Emily Sisson's signature Boston moment? Or does Fiona O'Keefe — Michael's sleeper pick and someone who was genuinely in contention to win New York last fall — steal the spotlight? The pair also make the case for Susanna Sullivan (low-key, deadly), Jess McClain (due a big day after a brutal run of bad luck), and the ever-reliable Sarah Hall.

Story 5 – The Dark Horse: Nicholas Kipkorir's Marathon DebutJessy's personal favourite storyline. The 27-year-old Kenyan ran 58:08 at the Lisbon Half Marathon this year — second behind Jacob Kiplimo's world record — translating theoretically to a 2:01:12 marathon equivalent. He's never run a marathon. Boston is his debut. Will his track speed and raw talent carry him, or will the Newton Hills claim another rookie? Either way, this is the subplot to watch.