Top American Marathoner Susanna Sullivan Talks Balancing Teaching and Training
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-class runners on the weekend. Susanna is preparing for the 2025 World Athletics Championships marathon in Tokyo, where she’ll represent Team USA. For this week’s Member Moment, Meb interviews Team for Kids runner Udai Jariwala who, after two knee replacements, ran his first marathon at age 75 at the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. Udai says that running slow has made him a faster runner. Support Rob's 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Run With TFKLearn More about the 2025 Start Line Series 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.
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From Rhymes to Runs: N.O.R.E. Sets His Sights on the TCS New York City Marathon
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 health and wellness with the same passion that he’s brought to his music career. When his homie Busta Rhymes asked him, “What do you do this for?” N.O.R.E. said he runs to “be a better version of me.” Plus, a few weeks ago, Meb caught up with NYRR member Noah Perez, a young runner who took up the sport on a whim and dove in headfirst, drawn by the challenge and competition. The more he ran, the more running became something deeper. WATCH the show 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.DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How ADA Hero Deborah McFadden Paved the Way for Disability Equality
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 mandating curb cuts, ramps, accessible restrooms, and equal access to education and employment. Deborah is the mother of Paralympic athletes Tatyana and Hannah McFadden. During a humanitarian trip to Russia, Deborah met six-year-old Tatyana, a child with spina bifida living in an orphanage. Deborah brought her home to the U.S., later adopting Hannah from an orphanage in Albania. Determined to give her daughters equal opportunities, she fought for inclusive school sports—leading to the Tatyana’s Law, which guarantees equal athletic opportunities for students with disabilities.Today's Member Moment is with Kristian Ramos and stay tuned for a special Meb Minute with HSS all about crosstraining for runners, featuring Mohammad Saad, PT, DPT .FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTokSUPPORT: 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.
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Behind the Scenes of “Final Finishers” with Emmy Award-winning Filmmaker Rudy Valdez
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 importance of inclusive storytelling, and how the experience inspired him to start training for a marathon himself on November 2 at the TCS New York City Marathon. And for this week’s Member Moment, Meb interviewed Anne Giovanoni, a New York City Marathon streaker with 16 finishes under her belt who was so inspired by the determination of the final finishers that she became a supporter of the documentary. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTokSUPPORT: 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.
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Running with Pride: Olympian Nikki Hiltz on Representation, Advocacy, and Making History "
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 advocacy work through events like the Flagstaff Pride 5K, which has raised over $170,000 for The Trevor Project. Plus, this week’s Member Moment features Mauricio Blandino, who joined Achilles International after a long journey recovering from a traumatic brain injury. He leads the New York City chapter of the Brain Injury Association, helping other brain injury survivors find community and support in their recovery.Listen to our last interview with Nikki here - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-with-nikki-hiltz-trailblazing-pro-middle/id1703616687?i=1000659605577FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTokSUPPORT: 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.
NYRR Set the Pace Presented by Peloton is the official podcast of New York Road Runners. Join hosts Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners, and Becs Gentry, Peloton Instuctor, every Thursday in conversation with inspiring athletes, from everyday enthusiasts to elite marathoners, to hear stories of perseverance, drive, and dedication. Each episode also includes an NYRR Member Moment spotlight and pro tip from 2009 New York City Marathon champ and Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi.