Crossing the 2023 TCS London Marathon finish line as first female Brit in a time of 2:25:59 is no mean feat, and for Samantha Harrison she is still only in the infancy of her running career. From representing Team England at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games to winning a team medal on the international stage at the World Half Marathon Championships, Harrison certainly has an impressive CV, but where did it all start?

Jake Smith is a prominent British long-distance runner currently competing for the dsm-firmenich Running Team.

After a significant career break due to RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) & multiple stress fractures, he made a successful competitive comeback in 2025 & is now targeting the 2026 London Marathon.

As of February 2026, Smith is in a heavy training block, recently completing a high-volume camp in Monte Gordo, Portugal.

London Marathon 2026: He has publicly set a target time of 2:09:29 for the race on 26 April 2026.

Coaching: He is currently coached by the husband-and-wife team of Gav and Jo Pavey.

Immediate Schedule: He is preparing for the Barcelona Half Marathon in February 2026 as part of his build-up.

Lily is an elite British marathoner. She has had a long career which has seen her start on the track with some fantastic performances.

This includes a brilliant bronze medal at the European Cup 10000m in 2015.

She's been 2 times national cross country champion and has represented GB on the track, cross country and road.

Paralympic Gold Medalist, public speaker, ambassador, and marathon runner. James has completed 100 marathons - he's a World Record holder (2:21) and an inclusion and diversity champion. His inspirational, incredible journey just keeps on going.

Wendy Sly MBE is a trailblazer in women's athletics. In 1984 Wendy became the first British woman to win an Olympic medal at a distance of over 800 metres, taking silver in the in the 3000 metres.

As a former professional athlete Becky Lyne has experienced the highs and lows of a career at the top of her game. Her list of achievements includes 4th in the 800m at the 2006 Athletics World Cup in Athens and 3rd in the 800m at the European Championships, Gothenburg , in a season that saw her voted Britain's Female Athlete of the Year.

Two athletics legends, Kriss Akabusi MBE and Jo Pavey MBE together, with a live audience at the Running at 40 Plus awards 2025.

Motivational, inspirational, emotional and more.

It’s a podcast not to be missed.

Since this podcast Innes has competed in the 5000m (Fast5000 in France). She was attempting to break the U20 women's record. This record has stood for 40 years, held by Zola Bud. At the track, the extremely windy conditions on the night made fast times and PBs impossible!

On 15th June Innes made her Diamond League debut in Stockholm in the women's 5000m. A brilliant run, tactically perfect which took on to the podium in 3rd place, beating the reigning British 5000m Champion, Hannah Nuttall into 4th.

Jo and her husband Gav coach Innes, and we have been following her career for several years. Listen to her story so far here!