Ali on the Run Show

"The energy I give the first athletes when they cross is the same as I give the final finishers." —TCS New York City Marathon Race Director Ted Metellus
Every year on the first Sunday of November, athletes take over the five boroughs for one reason: the TCS New York City Marathon. This episode is your unofficial guide to the iconic 26.2-mile race, which this year is expected to see a record-breaking 60,000 runners on the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course. Two jam-packed hours of New York City Marathon-related information. Let's have some fun! (See you at the finish!)
SPONSORS: 
New Balance: Click here to check out this year's official New York City Marathon collection!
Vuori: Click here to get 20% off your first Vuori purchase. (Get the Villa Widelegs!)
Lagoon: Click here and use code ALI at checkout to get 15% off your next Lagoon purchase. (I'm an Otter!)
In this episode:
New York City Marathon race director Ted Metellus talks about why he's excited for this year's TCS New York City Marathon (6:40)
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon by the numbers (50:40)
Pre-race: how to get in, how to handle feeling overwhelmed by logistics, and how to watch this year's race (57:40)
What you need to know about getting to the start line in Staten Island, and what to do once you're there (1:05:20)
Who to watch in the professional athlete and celebrity fields (1:28:45)
All about the New York City Marathon course (1:41:15)
Welcome to the New York City Marathon finish line — and what happens once you cross it (1:56:35)
Follow Ali:
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"It's less scary if you face it. If you avoid it, it grows. It becomes scarier. Sometimes it's better to just face things head on."
In April 2022, Siobhan Donovan was 33 years old. She was 36 weeks pregnant with her third child when she thought she had a clogged milk duct. It turned out to be stage IV breast cancer that had already spread to her bones. The doctors induced labor, and when Siobhan's son was four days old, she went to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to begin aggressive treatment, starting with 27 grueling rounds of weekly chemotherapy — with a newborn in tow. Siobhan's treatment worked: By 2024, she had achieved No Evidence of Active Disease status, and was training for the Boston Marathon (raising $20,000 for DFCI in the process). But just before the race, she found out her cancer was back. She crossed the finish line, and began another year and a half of chemotherapy. Today, 4.5 years after her initial diagnosis, Siobhan is NED again, and in training mode again: Next weekend, she'll run the TCS New York City Marathon. In this conversation, Siobhan vulnerably revisits the hardest days of her life, talks about where she's at now, and shares her hopes, dreams, and fears for the future. 
SPONSORS:
Shokz" My favorite headphones! Use code ALI for $10 off your next Shokz purchase. (I love the Open Run Pro 2.)
Oofos: The best in the recovery footwear game. Click here to check out Oofos's new CLUB+ line! Your feet are going to be so happy!
In this episode:
What's making Siobhan happy today (3:10)
Why Siobhan is running this year's New York City Marathon (5:20)
What Siobhan's into right now (10:45)
What Siobhan was like growing up, how running came into her life, and how — and why — she became a marathoner (15:40)
Is cancer like a marathon? (33:15)
Reflections on Breast Cancer Awareness Month (38:00)
On receiving a stage IV breast cancer diagnosis at 36 weeks pregnant (42:45)
"Dying was the biggest fear" (52:20)
On being a fighter, a warrior, and a survivor (1:01:10)
Siobhan's advice to caregivers (1:21:45)
Follow Ali:
Instagram @aliontherun1
Join the Facebook group
Twitter @aliontherun1
Support on Patreon
Subscribe to the newsletter
SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"It was nice to be in Chicago and not feel like my life was imploding."
I'm just about recovered from the 2026 Chicago Marathon weekend, where I was in town as a part of the finish line announcing team and co-host of the Champions Reception. That means it's time to recap it all in exhaustive detail. In this solo episode, I'm covering everything I did, everywhere I went, and everyone I saw, from the parties and events to the 5K, the boat ride, and, of course, race day. 
SPONSORS: 
New Balance. Click here to get your hands on the just-released SC Rebel. You're going to love it!
Lagoon. My favorite pillows and pillowcases! Click here to get the limited edition Ali on the Run x Lagoon Cool Flex Performance Pillowcase (!!!), and use code ALI at checkout for 15% off.
IN THIS EPISODE:
What life looked like heading into Chicago Marathon weekend this year, and my history with Chicago (1:15)
Friday: the flight, the Off the Rails live show, and the way-too-late night (15:10)
Saturday: the Abbott Chicago 5K, the breakfast date, the finish line rehearsal, the sushi walk to the Bean, and the best boat ride ever (31:10)
Sunday: the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon (1:05:15)
Monday: the final run, and the trip home (1:34:00)
Follow Ali:
Instagram @aliontherun1
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Support on Patreon
SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"I took a selfie with Deena and Joanie yesterday! That's the coolest moment of my life. I literally think that was the best two seconds I've ever lived. It's never gonna get better than this."
She's a marathoner — and she's the fastest first-time marathoner in American history! This weekend, Emma Grace Hurley made her much-anticipated 26.2-mile debut at the Chicago Marathon, and she knocked it out of the park. Emma Grace ran 2:20:47, the fastest marathon debut for an American woman, and finished seventh overall. In this conversation, recorded the day after the race, she breaks it all down, from the training and the race plan, to how she felt during both the best and toughest miles of the marathon. 
SPONSOR:
Shokz" My favorite headphones! Use code ALI for $10 off your next Shokz purchase. (I love the Open Run Pro 2.)
Follow Ali:
Instagram @aliontherun1
Join the Facebook group
Twitter @aliontherun1
Support on Patreon
Subscribe to the newsletter
SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"Remember the entire journey, because it's very special."
Welcome to Chicago Marathon week! The 48th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place this Sunday, October 11, and this episode is jam-packed with information you'll want to hear before you head to the start line. (And yes, you really should plan to get there two hours early.) The elite fields are, as always, stacked, and those athletes will be followed by 55,000 of you en route to 26.2-mile glory. Get ready. Get psyched. And get that Goose Island at the finish!
SPONSORS:
Shokz" My favorite headphones! Use code ALI for $10 off your next Shokz purchase. (I love the Open Run Pro 2.)
Oofos: The best in the recovery footwear game. Click here to check out Oofos's new CLUB+ line! Your feet are going to be so happy!
In this episode:
Chicago Marathon executive race director Carey Pinkowski talks about what to expect at this year's race (3:45)
The 2026 Chicago Marathon by the numbers (43:15)
All things pre-race: How to get in for next year's Chicago Marathon, how Chicago is committed to sustainability, and whether or not you can still change your starting corral assignment (49:15)
Who to watch in this year's professional fields (1:00:55)
What to know about getting to the start and navigating the athlete village (1:06:15)
Chris "Coach Worm" Wehrman and Robyn LaLonde talk Chicago Marathon course strategy (1:15:10)
All about the finish line experience (1:44:20)
Follow Ali:
Instagram @aliontherun1
Join the Facebook group
Twitter @aliontherun1
Support on Patreon
Subscribe to the newsletter
SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!