Today is Thursday, August 21, 2025, and on this day in 1985, Mary Decker-Slaney broke the women’s world record in the mile, further cementing her place as the most accomplished American female middle-distance runner of the 20th century.

In this episode, we will learn more about running prodigy Mary Decker-Slaney, who did SO much more within her decades-long career than simply fall at the 1984 Olympics, as we covered on August 10th.

Today is Wednesday, August 20th, 2025, and on this day in 1922, 77 female athletes competed at the first ever Women’s World Games in Paris.

In this episode, we’ll learn about Alice Milliat, who spearheaded the fight for the inclusion of women’s track and field events in the early 1900s, hear what that first women’s track meet in 1922 looked like, and discuss the role played by the Women’s World Games in the IOC’s eventual capitulation 6 years later.

Today is Tuesday, August 19th, 2025 and on this day in 1946, Amby Burfoot was born in Charlottesville, Virginia.

In this episode, we’ll hear how Burfoot became the first college student to win the Boston Marathon in 1968 and how his career evolved from the running world to Runner’s World in the decades that followed, then welcome Amby Burfoot himself for a conversation about his lifelong love of the sport.

You can find Burfoot's books, including my favorite "First Ladies of Running" here, and check out his current endeavor with Marathon Handbook here.

It's #Tattoosday, and listeners of Today in Running History can save 20% off your order using my code "Hillary" at checkout. ⁠⁠⁠Here is the link⁠⁠⁠ to MyRaceTatts.

This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rob on the Run on Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or on Instagram as @robontherunpod.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share, then connect with me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram as well at @running_up_that_hillary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or check out my website at runningupthathillary.com.

Bibliography:

• https://www.ambyburfoot.com/p/about-amby.html
• Rodgers, B. (2013). "Marathon Man". St. Martins Press

Today is Monday, August 18, 2025 and on this day in 2004, Greek sprinters Katerina Thanou and Kostas Kenteris withdrew from their events at the Olympics in Athens after faking a motorcycle crash to avoid drug testing.

In this episode, we'll learn more about the two disgraced athletes and the crazy idea they came up with in an attempt to bypass the doping tests they knew they would fail.

This episode was edited and produced by my friend Rob Garcia, who many of y'all may know by his own podcast "Rob on the Run". If you are looking to get into the podcasting or YouTube space and need some help on the technical production side, I could not recommend Rob more highly. You can email him at robontherunpod@gmail.com

And as always, if you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to like and subscribe, then connect with me on social media, or email me at runningupthathillary@gmail.com

Bibliography:

• https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/sep/06/costas-kenteris-katerina-thanou-acquitted
• https://www.espn.com/olympics/trackandfield/news/story?id=6265860
• https://www.uol.com.br/esporte/olimpiadas/ultimas/2004/08/13/ult2247u285.jhtm

Today is Sunday, August 17th, 2025 and on this day in 2015, Turkish runner Asli Cakir Alptekin was finally stripped of the gold medal she had cheated her way to winning at the women's 1,500m final at the 2012 London Olympics.

In this episode, we will learn more about Alptekin and the FIVE other women who finished in the top 9 of that race (which has been called the dirtiest in track history) who eventually tested positive for banned substances, plus hear about the British athlete who initially received flack for calling out the doping, but was eventually vindicated.

This episode was edited and produced by my friend Rob Garcia, who many of y'all may know by his own podcast "Rob on the Run". If you are looking to get into the podcasting or YouTube space and need some help on the technical production side, I could not recommend Rob more highly. You can email him at robontherunpod@gmail.com

And as always, if you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to like and subscribe, then connect with me on social media, or email me at runningupthathillary@gmail.com

Bibliography:

• https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/7921579/European-Athletics-Championships-2010-Lisa-Dobriskey-loses-out-to-a-former-drug-cheat.html
• https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/british-athlete-hints-at-foul-play-in-turkeys-gold-27583
• https://web.archive.org/web/20200417174101/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/2008/ATH/womens-1500-metres.html
• https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/apr/26/dirtiest-race-in-olympic-history-womens-1500m-london-2012
• https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/articles/cewlqxkn5x8o
• https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/shannon-rowbury-2012-olympics-1500-meters-medal
• https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/26/sport/shannon-rowbury-london-2012-olympics-spt-intl
• https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/apr/26/dirtiest-race-in-olympic-history-womens-1500m-london-2012
• https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/feb/29/abeba-aregawi-1500m-sweden-suspended
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7679893.stm
• https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/10036563/London-Olympic-1500m-champion-Asli-Cakir-Alptekin-facing-life-ban-after-doping-charge.html
• https://athleticsweekly.com/news/elvan-abeylegesse-gamze-bulut-sanctions-announced-by-iaaf-59374/

Today is Saturday, August 16th, 2025 and on this day in 2008, Jamaican phenom Usain Bolt set the current world record for the 100 meters at the Olympics in Beijing.

In this episode, we talk about Bolt’s origins as a runner, his path to Beijing, and the races that made him a legend.

Today is also #SaltySaturday, which means that this episode is sponsored by SaltStick. The summer heat is not going anywhere any time soon, which means that we all need to be replenishing electrolytes lost in sweat.

The FastChews from SaltStick are my personal favorite way to get electrolytes in mid-run, and they come in some great flavors, plus caffeinated and uncaffeinated versions, too! Listeners of Today In Running History can save 20% off of your order using⁠⁠ this link⁠⁠.

This episode and every single other was edited and produced by my good friend Rob Garcia, who many know by his own ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast "Rob on the Run"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you are looking to get into the podcasting or Youtube space, but need some help on the technical side, I HIGHLY suggest reaching out to Rob. His email is robontherunpodcast@gmail.com

And as always, if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠runningupthathillary@gmail.com⁠⁠

Today is Friday, August 15, 2025 and on this day in 2016, Emma Coburn became the first American woman in history to earn a medal in the steeplechase at the Olympics.

In this episode, we will discuss the history - or should I say "horsestory" - of this event, learn about the doping scandals that tainted the first 2 iterations of the women's Olympic steeplechase in 2008 and 2012, and then hear how Emma Coburn describes her experience winning the bronze at the Rio Olympics.

It is #FueledFriday, which mean's that today's episode is sponsored by Fuel Goods! This is the sports nutrition marketplace and monthly subscription service that I've been using for the past 3 years to make sure I'm properly fueled for all of my runs.

All new subscribers to the RunnerBox by Fuel Goods will automatically receive $10 to spend on anything at the marketplace, and listeners of Today in Running History can save $10 off your first box by using my code "HILLARY10" at checkout.

Check out the Fuel Goods website here!

This episode and every single other was edited and produced by my good friend Rob Garcia, who many know by his own ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast "Rob on the Run"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you are looking to get into the podcasting or Youtube space, but need some help on the technical side, I HIGHLY suggest reaching out to Rob. His email is robontherunpodcast@gmail.com

And as always, if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠runningupthathillary@gmail.com⁠

Bibliography:

• https://web.archive.org/web/20160826083233/https://www.rio2016.com/en/athletics-standings-at-womens-3000m-steeplechase
• https://nationalsteeplechase.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/NSA-History-of-Jump-Racing.pdf
• https://worldathletics.org/news/preview/rio-2016-womens-3000m-steeplechase
• https://worldathletics.org/news/series/emma-coburn-usa-steeplechase

Today is Thursday, August 14th, 2025 and on this day in 2020, after Covid had cancelled nearly every in-person international track competition for 5 months, Ugandan runner Joshua Cheptegei set the world record in the 5,000m at the Herculis Meet in Monaco.

In this episode, we'll hear about Cheptegei's background, how the Covid pandemic derailed the entire world of professional athletics, and how that incredible race played out, culminating in a new world record of 12:35.36.

I am running the 2026 London Marathon for the charity Keep a Child Alive! Check out my fundraising page and consider donating here. All contributions go directly to the cause, and no donation is too small!

This episode and every single other was edited and produced by my good friend Rob Garcia, who many know by his own ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast "Rob on the Run"⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you are looking to get into the podcasting or Youtube space, but need some help on the technical side, I HIGHLY suggest reaching out to Rob. His email is robontherunpodcast@gmail.com

And as always, if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to ⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, or send me an email at ⁠⁠runningupthathillary@gmail.com⁠

Bibliography:

• https://web.archive.org/web/20181119133810/https://results.gc2018.com/en/athletics/athlete-profile-n6025842-joshua-kiprui-cheptegei.htm?source=mobile_app
• https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a33608803/joshua-cheptegei-breaks-5000-meter-world-record-monaco-diamond-league/
• https://worldathletics.org/news/press-release/diamond-league-2020-season-meetings
• https://www.diamondleague.com/news/general/wanda-diamond-league-announces-updates-to-2020-calendar/
• https://www.nnrunningteam.com/team/joshua-cheptegei/