Joining Rob and Becs this week is British ultramarathon runner, and Becs’ fellow Peloton Tread instructor, Susie Chan. Susie didn’t start running until she was 35, when her brother convinced her to join him for a half marathon. Now, at age 50, she’s completed many marathons, including all six Abbott World Marathon Majors. She went on to conquer the Marathon des Sables, a six‑day, 250‑kilometer race through the Sahara; set a Guinness World Record by running 68.54 miles on a treadmill in 12 hours;...
Aug 14, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 121
On this week’s show, Rob and Becs are joined by Olympic silver medalist and three-time U.S. steeplechase champion Kenneth Rooks. Kenneth talks about his breakout performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics and what makes the steeplechase such a unique and demanding event. He shares his journey from high school runner to NCAA champion and opens up about his two-year church mission in Uganda—and how faith and resilience have shaped his athletic career. He also talks about what it’s like training in Pro...
Aug 07, 2025•55 min•Ep. 120
This week, Rob announced that he’ll be running the 2025 Chicago Marathon for Team for Kids, with Becs coaching him to a Boston Marathon qualifying time. Tune in to learn what Becs has planned for Rob’s training program. Featured on the show is guest Patina Miller—Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning actor and avid runner. She’s completed the TCS New York City Marathon twice and recently ran the 2025 TCS London Marathon in pursuit of a six-star Abbott World Marathon Majors medal. Tina is also a mo...
Jul 31, 2025•57 min•Ep. 119
Susanna Sullivan, the top American finisher at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, joins Set the Pace this week to talk about the preparation it took to clock a blazing 2:21:56 finish time. She went on to be the top American finisher at the 2025 London Marathon. Susanna isn’t just one of the fastest American marathon runners around, she’s also a sixth-grade math teacher in Virginia. She shares with Rob and Becs what it’s like to go from teaching pre-algebra during the week to competing against world-clas...
Jul 24, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 118
The first-ever video version of Set the Pace launches this week at the Peloton Studios in NYC, as Rob and Becs interview Queens-born N.O.R.E., who burst onto the scene in the late 1990s as one half of the hip-hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga. He went on to a successful solo career, and most recently, became the co-host of the popular podcast Drink Champs, where he interviews rap legends over a few drinks. Find out how this hip-hop veteran went from “Noreaga” to “marathon runner,” and why he’s embracing ...
Jul 17, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 117
Joining the show this week is Deborah McFadden, a trailblazer in disability rights who played a key role in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). At 23, while in graduate school, Deborah was struck with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare illness that causes paralysis. Facing intense discrimination, Deborah became determined to fight for disability equality and was later appointed U.S. Commissioner of Disabilities under President George H.W. Bush. The ADA transformed public life by mand...
Jul 10, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 116
Emmy award-winning filmmaker Rudy Valdez joins Rob to talk about directing “Final Finishers,” a new documentary that premiered at the Tribeca Festival and marks the launch of NYRR’s in-house studio, East 89th St Productions. The film highlights the incredible journeys of the back-of-the-pack runners—whose stories of grit and determination embody the spirit of what it takes to run 26.2 miles. Rudy shares insights on the collaborative nature of filmmaking, what drew him to the project, the importa...
Jul 03, 2025•51 min•Ep. 115
Olympian Nikki Hiltz returns to Set the Pace after a record-breaking year of headline-making races and personal milestones. When they last joined the podcast, Nikki was on the verge of earning a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics—where they made history as the first openly transgender and nonbinary American to reach an individual Olympic final. Nikki joins Becs to talk about setting records on the track and taking on the challenge of competing in the Grand Slam Track series. They also share their a...
Jun 26, 2025•57 min•Ep. 114
Joining Rob and Becs this week is New York Giants legend and longtime runner Tiki Barber. Tiki shares what inspired him to run his first New York City Marathon in 2014 and going on to complete over 15 marathons, including races in Boston, Big Sur, and Jerusalem with hopes of running all Abbott World Marathon Majors. He talks about how the “beauty of running is the encouragement you get” from the spectators, unlike football where you may get booed by the crowd, which he lightheartedly admits he’s...
Jun 19, 2025•57 min•Ep. 113
In this special Father’s Day episode, Rob is joined by NYRR board member and marathoner Juan Uro who shares how running gave him the motivation to keep moving after losing his 6-year-old son, Bautista. Earlier this year Juan completed the World Marathon Challenge—running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days—in memory of Bauti, as he affectionally refers to his late son. Throughout the 5-day, 20-hour challenge, his wife Mariela and daughter Isabella cheered him on from their home in ...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 112
Broadcaster and Olympian Carrie Tollefson steps in to host today's interviews with the two Mastercard New York Mini 10k Champions, Susannah Scaroni and Hellen Obiri. Also joining Carrie, is the 2nd place pro-finisher and new American record holder for the course, Weini Kelati. Champ Hellen Obiri Joins Carrie: (01:19) 6 Time Champ Susannah Scaroni: (08:13) Fastest American Weini Kelati: (17:15) FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok SUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy ...
Jun 07, 2025•32 min•Ep. 111
It all started with a devastating diagnosis in the fall of 2020. Multiple chemo treatments, a stem cell transplant and many marathon finish lines later, Peter joins NYRR CEO Rob Simmelkjaer for a special LIVE taping of 850 Million Reasons to Run . Rob and Peter dive into the “memento mori” moment that reframed the meaning of Peter's life, turning a business leader into a global philanthropist with one singular quest- to turn his new found love of running into a global movement to empower life-sa...
Jun 06, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Live from the annual TCS New York City Marathon Partner Forum, Rob is joined by Anne Valentzas, Senior Vice President of Consumer Marketing and Sponsorships at Mastercard, where she spearheads the global Priceless program, curating experiences that connect cardholders to culture, sport, and sustainability initiatives. This Saturday is the Mastercard New York Mini 10K Women’s Race and Anne, who is an avid runner, ran her first Mini 10K in 1996. The race brings an incredible professional field, in...
Jun 05, 2025•40 min•Ep. 110
What happens when the person who saves your life is someone you’ve never met? A year after his transplant, Peter is finally allowed to contact the donor whose stem cells now run through his body and an eight‑page letter, dashed off at 38,000 feet, transforms into the meeting of two, forever connected humans. How do you pay it forward after the unthinkable? What do we owe others when someone else's good deed changes a man, a family and a future, forever? For Peter, the answer is RUN. Let's unlock...
Jun 04, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Ninety nine seconds—that’s all Peter’s lungs can manage on his first post-transplant run. But the shock of those agonizing 200 meters ignites an out‑loud promise to himself: Peter pledges he will run the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon, just 12 weeks away. Starting with small steps, Peter shrinks the city into single‑block laps, keeping the memory of coughing up blood in reserve as inspiration to keep moving forward, step by step, to the start line on Staten Island. Race day erupts in tears and ...
May 30, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Tune into this week’s episode as Rob and Becs are joined by Slow AF Run Club founder Martinus Evans—an author, advocate, and someone who's made the sport of running so much more inclusive. Back in 2012 while working 10-12 hours a day at a sales job, he hurt his hip and went to his doctor for a checkup. The doctor told him he was fat and needed to lose weight. Martinus told the doctor he was going to run a marathon—and a year later, he did. Martinus is one of the featured runners in a new film pr...
May 29, 2025•52 min•Ep. 109
A Tour de France postcard is all Peter clutches as he steps back through the hospital doors, determined to earn a permanent cure. He’s about to take on the most demanding stage yet, flanked by bossy nurses, amazed pulmonologists, his devoted cavapoo, and his wife, Torun—all rooting for him along this personal, indoor Tour. (It will feel like the toughest climb—until he laces up for the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon…but that’s the next episode.) This Tour de France doesn’t just aim to save Pete...
May 28, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 2
We're so excited to announce our brand new audio docuseries, NYRR Set the Pace Presents: 850 Million Reasons to Run, the first audio documentary from East 89th St Productions, an NYRR Studio. Meet Peter Kirk - a father, a New Yorker, and a runner - who found himself facing something far bigger than 26.2 miles. 850 Million Reasons to Run is the true story of Peter's journey—not just to the start line of the TCS New York City Marathon, but back to life itself. It’s about what happens when everythi...
May 23, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 1
This week, Shaunta-Maé Alexander joins Becs to talk about her path to healing and embracing the sport of running even after living with Crohn's disease and surviving countless medical setbacks, including two episodes of paralysis. Growing up in foster care and enduring abuse, Shaunta-Maé looked to her faith for guidance and turned to sports and acting as outlets to cope and heal. A children's book author, an actress, and mentor, this past March, she completed the United Airlines NYC Half just tw...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 108
In this special live episode recorded LIVE from the RBC Brooklyn Half After-Party at Maimonides Park, we celebrated an incredible race day with a very special guest — Alan Bersten. Best known for his dazzling performances on Dancing with the Stars, Alan has been wowing audiences since 2017, even taking home the Mirrorball Trophy with Bachelorette star Hannah Brown. A lifelong dancer and So You Think You Can Dance finalist; Alan has mastered styles from ballroom to Bollywood. Today, he took on a ...
May 17, 2025•32 min•Ep. 107
This special episode comes to you live from the RBC Brooklyn Half Pre-Party, Presented by New Balance. Hosts Rob Simmelkjaer and Becs Gentry go behind the scenes with the sub-elite field lining up for Saturday’s race. Dorian Kail, NYRR’s Director of Professional Athletes, breaks down the time standards and perks of becoming a “seeded” athlete. Alana Levy, the fastest New York City woman at last year’s TCS New York City Marathon, shares how she leveled up from casual runner to toeing the line wit...
May 16, 2025•31 min•Ep. 106
This week, Rob is joined by marathon mom Carey Socol for this special Mother’s Day episode. Carey’s been a New York Road Runners member since 1999 and has run 74 marathons and 64 half marathons, many while raising children. She shares how running helped her manage the stress and anxiety that came from working a full-time job while also parenting. Carey attributes Jeff Galloway’s Run Walk Run method to helping her mentally and physically prepare for races and staying motivated to run most days of...
May 08, 2025•54 min•Ep. 105
With just over two weeks until the RBC Brooklyn Half, Rob is joined by Ted Metellus, NYRR’s chief event production officer and race director, to discuss important updates to the race. In response to survey results, this year's race will have four start waves to ease course crowding and allow for an easier flow at the start, and the RBC Brooklyn Half Pre-Party will have extended hours to make it easier for people to visit Brooklyn Bridge Park on the Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday before race day....
May 01, 2025•33 min•Ep. 104
This week, Becs is joined by Peloton instructor Kirra Michel who leads us all on a meditation specifically for runners. Kirra's grounded presence has inspired thousands through her yoga and meditation classes. Born in Santa Cruz, California, Kirra moved with her family coastal town of Lennox Head, Australia when she was just three months old. Her childhood was filled with movement, from surfing, dancing, and gymnastics to everything outdoors. She moved to New York in her 20s and discovered the t...
Apr 24, 2025•56 min•Ep. 103
Just two days before the 129th Boston Marathon, we recorded a special live episode of Set the Pace at the Citizens House of Blues in Boston. With co-host Sam Ryan—four-time Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster and Boston Marathon runner—we dive into the racing mindset, the power of community, and what it means to cover the sport from both sides of the finish line. Then, legendary BYU coach and two-time Olympian Ed Eyestone joins us to talk about coaching elite American marathoners (including Co...
Apr 20, 2025•56 min•Ep. 102
April is Global Volunteer Month and this week Rob and Becs interview three NYRR Volunteer Hall of Fame Inductees about their years of experience helping out at the New York City Marathon and Open Run. David Csillan has spent more than 35 years safeguarding the health of runners as a medical volunteer, becoming an essential part of the marathon's medical team. Larry Sillen has volunteered since 1979, handing out bibs and even hauling water from fire hydrants. Now 80 years old, Larry is a familiar...
Apr 17, 2025•42 min•Ep. 101
This week we celebrated the 100th episode of NYRR Set the Pace live at the Public Theater in NYC. Rob and Becs kicked off the show by bringing back the podcast’s very first guest, Meb Keflezighi, a 2004 Olympic silver medalist in Athens who in 2009, became the first American since 1982 to win the New York City Marathon, and in 2014 became the first American man to win the Boston Marathon since 1983. He also started the Meb Foundation, whose mission is to promote youth health, education, and fitn...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 100
If you are training for spring marathons, this one is just for you! Settle into your long run with this week’s special long edition of Set the Pace featuring a few incredible guests. Cory Wharton-Malcolm, Apple Fitness+ trainer, running coach, and author of the book, All You Need Is Rhythm & Grit brings joy and inclusivity to a sport that can often feel very intimidating and continues to be a positive force in the UK running community and beyond. Former hockey player turned long-distance run...
Apr 03, 2025•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 99
Joining Rob and Becs this week is celebrity stylist and marathon runner Kwasi Kessie whose influence spans both the fashion and sports worlds. Kwasi outlines his journeys in both fashion and running and shares his experience styling athletes like 100-meter Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles. He also reflects on his own experience on the roads, starting from when he was a kid running with NYRR and going on to complete 11 consecutive New York City Marathons. Kwasi grew up in Harlem and attributes hi...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 98
This week, Becs interviews Jersey Shore’s Vinny Guadagnino about his transition from reality TV star to long-distance runner. Vinny completed the United Airlines NYC Half this past Sunday and ran his first marathon last November at the TCS New York City Marathon, fundraising for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Vinny talks about the joy of training in NYC and how running helps support his mental health. Tune in to hear why he loves running in the summer and about his favorite post-rac...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 97
