Set the Pace

NYC Running Legend Gordon Bakoulis on a Lifetime in Women's Running 26.06.2026 54min

New York Road Runners’ Gordon Bakoulis joins Set the Pace this week to talk with Rob about her legendary career as both an elite athlete and NYRR’s editorial director. Gordon qualified for the Olympic marathon trials in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 and was a finalist in the 1992 U.S. Olympic 10,000m trials. As she looks ahead to retirement after nearly 24 years at New York Road Runners, she reflects on the organization’s continued commitment to innovation and inclusion and why she believes those values will continue to shape its future. Gordon also shares her remarkable running journey—from discovering the sport as a teenager during the running boom of the late 1970s to joining the Atalanta NYC run club and competing at the highest level. She discusses her experience as a running coach and explains how helping others pursue their goals continues to inspire her.  Tickets are now on sale  for the 2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships!  NYRR members Get a 10% off discount code. Find your discount code on your Haku dashboard.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rerun the Mastercard New York Mini 10k 06.06.2026 46min

Join Ali Feller from Ali on the Run and Aisha Praught Leer from Citius Mag as Set the Pace, Presented by Peloton Reruns the MastercardNew York  Mini 10k. Whether you ran the race or have FOMO for not being there, this episode is for you! Tune in for post-race interviews with the Mastercard New York City Mini 10K champions, to hear what it took to break the tape at this iconic race. Following in their footsteps, thousands of runners also crossed the finish line with goals of their own. Three of those runners share their stories of strength, grit, and resilience.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peloton’s Selena Samuela on Motherhood, Mental Health, and Finding Her Way Back to Running 28.05.2026 56min

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and throughout the month we’ve been sharing stories about running and mental well-being. We also celebrated Mother’s Day, and for many members of our community, running, mental health, and motherhood are deeply intertwined. In this week’s episode, Rob and Becs speak with Peloton instructor Selena Samuela, who opens up about raising identical twin girls, Stella and Frankie, and the mental and physical challenges of returning to movement postpartum. Selena reflects on body image, motherhood, rebuilding fitness slowly, and her powerful mantra: acceptance is not the same as complacency. Now, 24 weeks after giving birth, she’s back teaching live at Peloton and rebuilding her running day by day.  NOTE: This episode explores one runner’s journey with fertility, pregnancy, and childbirth   WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE   FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Becs Gentry Walked Away from Road Racing - and Fell Back in Love with Running 21.05.2026 53min

This week, Rob turns the mic on Becs to talk about her next adventure. Becs opens up about the highs and lows she’s experienced with running since completing the Great World Race over a year ago. She shares how she stepped away from road racing, rediscovered her love of the sport through trail and ultra running, and embraced a less pressure-filled approach to training and competition. After years away from the trails, Becs returned to the sport by taking on the Napa Valley Trail Marathon in March, followed by the Canyons 50K in April. Check out this episode to hear about her journey into the ultrarunning world, how she’s adapting her Peloton classes to reflect the challenging elevation of trail racing, and her next challenge. WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Relive the RBC Brooklyn Half Race-Day Vibes 16.05.2026 53min

Joining Rob live from the RBC Brooklyn Half After-Party at Maimonides Park is special guest Camila Ramón, a Peloton instructor and recording artist who was one of the thousands of runners crossing the finish line on Coney Island. Born in Buenos Aires, Camila moved to Miami when she was seven. She teaches cycling, treadmill, and strength training in English and Spanish as Peloton's first bilingual instructor. Also joining the show is HSS physical therapist Carrie Whitelam, an orthopedic clinical specialist and certified athletic trainer who works closely with runners on the importance of recovering after races. Plus, hear from other runners as they share their race-day stories of grit and heart. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Behind the Scenes of NYRR’s Trip to Kenya 30.04.2026 57min

Winning a major marathon goes way beyond the podium for a Kenyan athlete—it reaches their families, their communities, and entire towns. But for the women, success can also put them in danger. Check out this week’s episode as Rob joins a roundtable discussion led by NYRR's Head of Content Matthew Singer along with Chief Diversity Officer Erica Edwards-O'Neal and Director of Professional Athletes Dorian Kail—all reflecting on their trip to Eldoret, Kenya this past February. The group visited training camps, sat down with champions, and toured a children's hospital built with funds raised by TCS New York City Marathon charity runners. They also spent time with Tirop's Angels, an organization founded in honor of Agnes Tirop—a world-class runner who was murdered by her partner in 2021. Gender-based violence is something many women in Kenya face, and in some cases, it is their athletic success that makes them a target. New York Road Runners will continue to work with Tirop’s Angels and the organization’s founder, Viola Cheptoo.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everything You Need to Know about the RBC Brooklyn Half 23.04.2026 1h 3min

Watch this episode on YouTube Joining Rob and Becs this week is NYRR Chief Event Production Officer and Race Director Ted Metellus, breaking down everything you need to know about the RBC Brooklyn Half, from the new expo location at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park to essential race-day logistics such as getting to your corral with plenty of time to spare for a stress-free arrival. Ted and Rob share course insights, including tackling the hills in Prospect Park before exiting onto Ocean Parkway for a long straightaway toward Coney Island. Ted also notes that the finish line has moved approximately 200 feet south, past the pedestrian bridge. He explains why it’s worth staying for the After-Party at Maimonides Park to relax with a hot dog and a beverage. Plus, Becs offers tapering advice to help release any nervous energy as race day approaches.      FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Behind the Scenes of the New Balance Marathon Relay 19.04.2026 1h 2min

More than 600 runners from over 24 teams descended on The TRACK at New Balance to cover 26.2 miles — but instead of slogging through city streets, this one was 211 laps on a banked 200m indoor track. And Rob and Meb were in the center of it all, interviewing runners right off the track including Ali Feller, Olympians Kim Conley and Aisha Praught Leer, Endorphins Running founder Tyler Swartz, Boston's Matt Prichard, The Megs from Believe in the Run, and many more. Watch what what happens when you put Olympians, first-timers, and everyone in between on the same track at the same time in pursuit of 26.2 — relay style.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exciting Changes Are Coming for Set the Pace 02.04.2026 37min

This episode of Set the Pace marks an exciting new chapter for the show as Rob and Becs explain how the podcast is evolving to focus more deeply on what matters most: the transformative power of running. Guided by the mission to build healthier lives and stronger communities, this shift brings more intentional, story-driven content. While episodes will no longer be released weekly, listeners can expect deeper storytelling, multi-episode series, race insights, and behind-the-scenes perspectives. This is not just a podcast about running, but about how running changes lives. Plus, Meb Keflezighi is back on the podcast to talk about what he’s been up to lately—from his work with the Meb Foundation and appearances at major races to celebrating personal milestones and his dedication to coaching runners of all ages.   FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Wittenberg - Leadership, Legacy, and Leveling the Running Playing Field 26.03.2026 51min

Mary Wittenberg, former New York Road Runners President and CEO, joins Set the Pace this week as part of our celebration of Women’s History Month. After becoming a partner at a law firm in New York City, she pivoted to pursue her passion for sports, joining New York Road Runners in 1998. A dedicated runner, she won the 1987 Marine Corps Marathon and competed in the 1988 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. During her tenure, Mary guided NYRR and the New York City Marathon through a decade of significant growth and in 2002 was part of a pivotal decision to introduce a women-only professional start ahead of the men, giving them more visibility with the spectators and news media. In recognition of Women’s History Month, Mary reflects on the continued need for greater equity in sports, noting that while progress has been made, there is still more work to do to ensure equal opportunities for women on the playing field.   FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Life After the NFL: Justin Britt Tackles the United Airlines NYC Half 19.03.2026 57min

Former NFL center Justin Britt, who spent most of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, joins Rob and Becs on Set the Pace this week. Justin ran the United Airlines NYC Half in 1:31:11, coached by professional distance runner Emily Venters, who finished the race in 1:09:46, placing 10th in the women’s field. For Justin, running has helped him navigate a rocky transition to life after the NFL. For Emily, coaching is a way to give back to the running community. The conversation explores the unlikely partnership between an NFL veteran learning from a young professional runner, what it’s like to tackle tough training, and how running motivates athletes at different stages of their lives. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half Champions Conquered the Course 15.03.2026 44min

In this special race-day episode of Set the Pace, hosts Olympian Carrie Tollefson and CITIUS MAG's Kyle Merber interview the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half champions—Eden Rainbow-Cooper, Daniel Romanchuk, Hellen Obiri, Adriaan Wildschutt, and Daniel Mata—who led more than 30,000 athletes from the start in Prospect Park, across the Brooklyn Bridge, through Manhattan, and to the finish in Central Park.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the News Desk to the Start Line: ABC’s Liz Cho and Mike Marza Take on the United Airlines NYC Half 12.03.2026 53min

Joining Rob and Becs this week are Liz Cho and Mike Marza, anchors for ABC7 Eyewitness News. Together, they report on the events that shape daily life across the five boroughs. There will be more than 30,000 stories at this weekend’s United Airlines NYC Half—the kind of stories today’s guests usually spend their days telling. But this weekend, instead of covering the stories, they’ll be part of the action as they step away from the newsroom to take on 13.1 miles. Liz was part of the ABC relay at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, which she followed up with running the NYRR Midnight Run, and Mike ran the TCS New York City Marathon for the first time in 2025. They talk about the excitement of running in New York City and what they’re most looking forward to on race day.   FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everything You Need to Know about the United Airlines NYC Half - 2026 05.03.2026 56min

New York Road Runners’ Chief Event Production Officer and Race Director, Ted Metellus, joins  Becs to talk all things United Airlines NYC Half. This year’s race is set for Sunday, March 15, and Ted has all the answers to questions about race week and race day. Learn the deets about bib pickup at the Expo (in a new location at the Javits Center!), getting to the start, navigating the iconic course from the Brooklyn Museum to Central Park—including crossing the Brooklyn Bridge again this year—managing post-race reunion, and more. Whether you’re running, spectating, or tuning in, you’ll be well-prepared.    FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Vital Importance of Safety for Women Runners 26.02.2026 45min

This episode discusses sexual violence, which may be triggering or distressing for some listeners. In this episode, New York Road Runners leaders Christine Burke and Erica Edwards-O’Neal explore runner safety—particularly for women—through global and local lenses. Reflecting on a recent trip to Kenya, they share their experience meeting with Tirop’s Angels, an organization that combats gender-based violence. Christine and Erica then interview Jean Knaack, CEO of the Road Runners Club of America, who discusses the need for a systemic approach to safety in running clubs, emphasizing proactive leadership, clear codes of conduct, and shared responsibility—particularly encouraging men to understand the distinct safety concerns women face. A second conversation spotlights Ashley Raymond and Meagan Doyle, co-founders of Safely, a company that makes safety products including the Sidekick, a compact, five-in-one self-defense tool designed with runners in mind. While acknowledging women shouldn’t bear the burden of protection, they advocate preparedness, education, and practical tools to help women feel confident and secure.   FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from Kenya with Marathon Champ Sharon Lokedi 19.02.2026 22min

In this special episode of Set the Pace Rob sits down with Sharon Lokedi, TCS New York City Marathon champion, at her mother’s home in Eldoret, Kenya. Lokedi reflects on her journey from training on Kenya’s red clay roads to winning major marathons, and what it means to inspire other Kenyan runners. She shares how Kenya’s deep-rooted running culture fuels her motivation as she prepares to defend her titles at the United Airlines NYC Half in March and the Boston Marathon in April. Lokedi also speaks candidly about competition, pressure, and using her platform to support organizations addressing gender-based violence, including Tirop’s Angels, an organization created by friends and family of Agnes Tirop, who was killed in Kenya just weeks after breaking the 10K road running world record in 2021.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Jordan Metzl on the Science of Running Motivation 12.02.2026 56min

This week, Rob and Becs are joined by Dr. Jordan Metzl, a sports medicine physician at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) who has treated thousands of runners. A runner himself, Dr. Metzl has completed dozens of marathons and multiple Ironman triathlons. His new book, “Push: Unlock the Science of Fitness Motivation to Embrace Health and Longevity,” draws on research, patient stories, and his own experience to examine how motivation shapes long-term health. The book offers a practical mental and physical roadmap to help readers build a sustainable exercise plan and rediscover their love of movement. Dr. Metzl also reflects on what it means to keep moving as runners age, evolve, and sometimes struggle to stay motivated. He dedicates the book to his father, an Austrian immigrant and Holocaust survivor who earned his medical degree and practiced pediatrics in Kansas City for more than 50 years—an example that inspired Dr. Metzl and his brothers to become physicians themselves.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Every Runner Can Learn From Olympian Grant Fisher 05.02.2026 1h 3min

Two-time Olympian Grant Fisher joins Set the Pace this week in a live interview with Rob, recorded on January 30 at the TCS New York City Marathon Partner Forum in NYC. Grant was in town preparing for the Millrose Games, where he was set to race the Wanamaker Mile, but after our interview, he scratched due to illness. In the conversation, Grant shares what excites him about making his road racing and half marathon debut at the United Airlines NYC Half. The Stanford grad also reflects on long-term running goals and how he balances his love of the sport with his commitment to his fiancé and their future together. Grant’s thoughts on uncertainty, decision-making, and knowing when to step back offer meaningful lessons for runners at every level. To help break this down, NYRR’s Coach Ben Delaney provides some insight on how to recognize when it’s time to listen to your body and say, “today is not my day.” FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s New and What’s Next for New York Road Runners' Members 29.01.2026 52min

This week, Rob is joined by New York Road Runners Chief Marketing and Digital Officer Juliette Morris for a special Town Hall edition of Set the Pace where they talk about what’s happening across the entire organization. Rob addresses some of the most common questions and concerns raised by the running community, from race access and registration demand to new processing fees and the growing popularity of the 9+1 program. He breaks down the realities behind park permits, race capacity limits, and fairness for participants, while sharing steps NYRR is taking to create more opportunities for runners at every level. The conversation also highlights the organization’s nearly $1 billion annual economic impact on New York City and what that means for local communities. Later in the episode New York Road Runners Co-Head of Marketing Strategy Emily Casey joins the show to unveil, alongside Juliette, NYRR’s new “Believe in Every Step” brand identity and logo, exploring the thinking behind the rebrand and what it represents for the future.Note - for clarity, in addition to advance registration access to the non-drawing Five-Borough Series races, all members will also now have advance registration access to the following 2026 races: NYRR Mindful 5K NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop 10K New Balance 5th Avenue Mile FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special Live Taping of Set the Pace with Olympian and Peloton Instructor Alex Karwoski 22.01.2026 56min

Check out this special episode of Set the Pace taped live at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square. Hosts Rob and Becs sit down with Olympian and Peloton instructor Alex Karwoski, who represented the U.S. in the men’s eight at the Rio Games and later served as an alternate for Tokyo. Since his last appearance on the show in August 2024, Alex has completed the TCS New York City Marathon twice, added strong performances at the 2025 Fred Lebow Half Marathon and the United Airlines NYC Half, and this weekend will toe the line once more at the Fred Lebow Half Marathon in Central Park. Off the course, Alex is also navigating the joys of being a new dad.Rob and Becs also welcome Cathy Wysin, PT, DPT, from Hospital for Special Surgery. An avid runner who’s completed multiple marathons, Cathy brings a passion for sports medicine and orthopedic injury rehabilitation. She shares expert tips for tackling the hills of the Fred Lebow Half Marathon course. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.