Man listening to a running podcast while running|Phone with headphones

February 15, 2021

The 38 best running podcasts recommended by runners

There are few things more comforting than sticking on a podcast and heading out the front door for a run. Unlike music, running to a podcast offers total escape and often you’ll find that you’ve completed your run before you know it.

That said, finding the right podcast for running is tough and constantly searching through the sea of choices can often result in giving up and turning back to your trusty old running playlist.

However, as with movies or tv series, a recommendation makes you all the more likely to give it a try. So, given a lot of us at Let's Do This like running, I decided to ask around, and really get to the bottom of what podcasts people are listening to while running. Here's our list of the best running podcasts, recommended for runners, by runners. We hope you enjoy it.

Running Podcasts

I thought it made sense to start a post about running podcasts, with podcasts about running. That might seem obvious, but of all the recommendations that came in only 20% were running podcasts. The other 80% fell into other categories of more general podcasts that people just love listening to while running.

Koopcast

Here, Coach Jason Koop tackles all the topics of the ultra running world, with no holds barred. On the list of running podcast recommendations, this came in high, with particular reference to Koop’s smooth voice and array of highly qualified guests.

Best for: The ultimate running coach podcast

The Rich Roll Podcast

Rich Roll is a plant-powered ultra-athlete and all-round inspirational figure. In his podcasts he connects with some amazing guests to take a deeper look into wellness topics.

Best for: Long runs, with episodes often 90 mins +

Trail Runner Nation

I love trail running, so perhaps I am biased. Admittedly, Don and Scott talk a lot about trail running and the amazing things people are doing within the sport. But there is plenty on there for all runners - so don’t be put off if you’re not a trail runner!

Best for: Well, trail running of course

Humans of Ultrarunning

There is nothing quite like listening to the tales of ultrarunners. Their stories are raw, their recants are honest, and there’s not a host in the world who is more passionate about running than Candice Burt.

Best for: Zoning out on a long run

Running on Om

Despite its name, this isn’t all running. The podcast centres on women within endurance sport and the outdoors more generally, in an effort to dive into the connection of mind, body, and soul.

Best for: Post or pre run

Another Mother Runner

I have to admit, this one was a recommendation. From who? You guessed it, my mother. Having only just got into running, my mother finds the podcast informative, relatable, and inclusive.

Best for: Recommending to your mother

Run to the Top

Run to the Top offers a broader overview of the running world. With 5 new episodes per week, you can expect to hear from health scientists, expert nutritionists, and the latest running news.

Best for: Unleashing your inner running geek

The Runner's World UK Podcast

Runner's World weekly podcast episodes are released every Tuesday and take a look at everything that's going on in the world of running. The tone is friendly and informal, but the content informative and opinionated. If you're here to learn more about running and its latest quirks, then definitely give this a try.

Best for: Short, sharp lunch time runs

A Runner's Life Podcast

Join Marcus Brown - commonly referred to as Marathon Marcus - in his weekly instalments which explore individual runner's lives and what being a member of the running community means to them. I love this podcast for running, and at about an hour an episode, it's ideal for a medium distance run.

Best for: Realising the similarities that all runners have

Sport Podcasts

Of course, running podcasts are just the tip of the iceberg. . There are a whole host of general sports podcasts out there that can supply an endless stream of inspiration and entertainment while you’re running.

The Edge with Joey Barton

Joey Barton, English football’s eternal villain. If you’ve not heard of him, Barton is a love / hate type of figure. True to form, his podcast gives open and honest accounts of the successes and failures behind elite performance in sport.

Best for: Running a PB or training for an event

The Grade Cricketer

This one is niche, but we don’t mind that. If you don’t like cricket, then I’d suggest you keep scrolling. The Grade Cricketer is a comedy podcast about the broken dreams of young kids wanting to play high-level sport, but who never quite got there - I’m sure many of us can relate here.

Best for: Taking it easy on a cool-down run

30 for 30 Podcasts

From the producers of the 30 from 30 documentary series, the podcast is great for all sports fans. It offers an insight into how sports more generally have impacted society and the way we live.

Best for: Despite its name these are mostly ~ 1 hour in length - so a long-ish run

Laughter Permitted with Julie Foudy

Former US football team captain, Julie Foudy, interviews a whole host of iconic sporting figures - delving into their sporting careers and how these intersected with normal life. Very funny.

Best for: A friday afternoon run

Watts Occurring

This recommendation came in from the audience. Described as chilled Welsh humour, with the odd bit of cycling the podcast is hosted by Welsh cyclists Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe.

Best for: Cooling down on the exercise bike after a tough gym session

Inspiring Podcasts

Running can be hard, and often requires motivation. Often this motivation is fueled by your go-to pump up playlist. But trust me, the right podcast can inspire and motivate you while running as well as any playlist.

Desert Island Discs

Desert Island Discs is THE podcast. Created by Roy Plomley in 1942, the podcast has since been hosted by Michael Parkinson, Sue Lawley, Kirsty Young, and Lauren Laverne. Guests share songs and stories about their lives, before being cast away with one song, a book, and a luxury.

Best for: Running (seriously, these are great for any run, any time, any place)

Happy Place, Fearne Cotton

Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place speaks to inspirational guests about their lives. Not the regular day-to-day, but changes they’ve made to their own situations or how they’ve helped others to see the world in a new light. If you have to listen to one episode, I’d recommend Kirsty Young’s - where the tables are turned on the former Desert Island Discs presenter.

Best for: Stress relieving running after a long day

Unlocking Us

Perfect for when you need a positive pick-me-up and want to feel like you’re running with a friend. I could write an entire paragraph about Brene Brown’s credentials alone, but in short she’s a best selling author and researching with a gift for interacting with her topics and guests.

Best for: When you’re really low on running motivation

How to fail with Elizabeth Day

In running, sport, and life, failure is a regularity. We often shy away from the topic; Day does the opposite, celebrating failure and the lessons that can be learned from it.

Best for: Sustained running motivation

The Makers Podcast

Conversations with entrepreneurs, athletes and actresses (think David Gandy, Chris Robshaw, Mindful Chef CoFounders) focused on mental health and success. This came in high on the recommendations.

Best for: Midweek running

Business Podcasts

Ever looked at a business and asked yourself the question, why didn’t I think of that? Well, you’re not alone. Luckily, there are a number of great podcasts which can explain precisely why you didn’t think of it and detail the stories behind the names. This category was extremely popular.

How I built this, Guy Raz

How I Built This gives you a closer look at how some of the world’s most well-known companies came into being. It’ll quickly confirm that it’s about a lot more than just having a good idea.

Best for: Running motivation to get back to your desk and start a business

Masters Of Scale - Reid Hoffman

Interviews with the founders of a variety of key startups like Shopify, Slack, Google, Bumble. Guests dive into challenges they faced, and how they overcame them to scale into the multimillion dollar companies they are today.

Best for: That billion-dollar idea in the shower after running

How I grew my brand - Piper

Get ready for 1-1 interviews with a number high profile entrepreneurs about how they built their brands. Highlights were Bloom and Wild, Deliciously Ella, Propercorn.

Best for: Running off the Sunday blues

My First Million

No idea is a bad idea. Listen to two successful entrepreneurs - Shaan and Sam - having uncensored brainstorming sessions with a new guest each week. Importantly, these guys actually know what they’re talking about.

Best for: Scribbling down ideas while still you have runner’s high

The Pitch

Imagine Dragon’s Den, but a podcast. The Pitch throws you into the unknown and fascinating world of startups; taking a deeper look at what investors really want to see, and how entrepreneurs sell their dreams.

Best for: Weeknight runs - these episodes are addictive

The Venture

Each episode takes you on a journey into the lives of corporate entrepreneurs and how they designed, built and scaled their companies.

Best for: Running your own business

Best of the rest

As mentioned earlier, the majority of podcasts I was recommended didn’t actually involve running. This last section is like a box of chocolates; some make people laugh, some bring the daily news, some simply offer new perspectives. The one thing they all have in common is that they are all recommended for, you guessed it, listening to while running.

No such thing as a fish

These guys are great, and topped the ranks of best podcasts amongst the Let’s Do This team. Each week, Dan, James, Anna, and James (the writers of QI), give a run down of their favourite weird and wonderful facts from the last 7 days.

Best for: Lunch time running to take your mind off work

My dad wrote a porno

Imagine the worst written porno of all time… now imagine the author is your dad. This podcast is sheer comedy gold. If you’re ever feeling a bit down or demotivated for running, this is guaranteed to perk you up.

Best for: Weekend running when you have no worries in the world

Getting curious with Jonathan Van Ness

Van Ness’ interview style is inquisitive and his positive energy infectious, making this podcast feel uplifting despite covering some important topics.

Best for: Learning something new while running

Today in focus

Produced by The Guardian and released every weekday, Today in Focus takes a deeper look at the major news story of the day. These short 20 - 30 minute episodes offer a wealth of information and perspective on important current affairs.

Best for: Morning running to get your daily news digest

The Inquiry - BBC World Service

These easily digestible 20 minute debates unpack 1 headline from current affairs each week. Topics like 'What will Donald Trump do next?', 'Should we ban billionaires' or 'How soon can we go carbon zero' give you a flavour of what this podcast is all about.

Best for: A quick 5k

Grounded with Louis Theroux

New for lockdown, this is Theroux at his best. Louis unpacks the life stories of a number of high-profile celebrities, charting the inevitable ups and downs that come with fame. It's worth listening to Louis Theroux's desert island discs as well.

Best for: At ~ 1 hour these make for a good 10k

Table Manners

Join Jessie Ware and her mum at their dinner table for this light-hearted podcast. Touching on arts, music, family, and culture this podcast really does feel like you’re eavesdropping on dinner table chat.

Best for: Unwinding after a long run

Reply All

In theory, this is a podcast about the internet, but in practice it’s so much more than that. Hosted by PJ Vogt, Alex Goldman, and Emmanuel Dzotsi, Reply All takes a deeper look at modern life during the age of tech.

Best for: Learning something completely new while running

Radiolab

We live in a strange world, that much is clear. Hosts Jad Abumrad, Lulu Miller, and Latif Nasser challenge predetermined views about how the world works, through provocative and investigative journalism.

Best for: Running a new route and broadening your horizons

This American Life

Get ready for stories - well-researched, well-presented stories. I really mean that, these guys won the first-ever Pulitzer Prize for a radio show / podcast. This is 21st century journalism at its finest.

Best for: A slow, recovery run - you’ll want to pay attention to these

Heavyweight

Heavyweight takes guests back to the one moment in their lives that they wish they could change. I have to say, this one comes highly recommended, and to quote the referee: ‘if you’ve not listened to the Rob episode you HAVE to have that experience in your life.’

Best for: A nostalgic run

More Perfect

This one comes from the producers of Radiolab (also recommended above). The podcast dives into the Supreme Court and the stories that lie behind its biggest decisions.

Best for: Running while learning

Science VS

Struggling to discern fact vs fiction these days? If so, I’d give this a listen. The hosts dive into commonly held opinions, strip them down, bolster or bust them and finally, replace them with scientific facts.

Best for: not running away from the truth

Can't see your favourite podcast for running? Let us know in the comments and we'll add it in!

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The Challenges Women Face in Running and How It Impacts Participation

Running is often lauded as one of the most accessible sports—just lace up your trainers and go. However, for many women, the barriers to participation go far beyond the logistical. While safety concerns are frequently highlighted, deeper systemic issues like access to the sport and unequal treatment are also preventing more women from running. It was a topic keenly discussed at our In Her Stride panel held at the end of November, with key members of the female running community including Sophie Power, Tasha Thompson, Rehana Mawani and Emily Shane.

Before we kick things off however, we should highlight that female participation in running events is growing, and this is a great thing! According to data from Let’s Do This, women in their 20s are the fastest-growing demographic in event participation this year. However despite this, women are still 16% less likely to run every week compared to men. This disparity is particularly striking given that women report higher levels of personal benefits from running, such as improved fitness, better sleep, and reduced stress.

The reasons for this are complex and personal, however we have broken down three key challenges discussed during our panel and the solutions explored that could help address them.

1. The Pressure of Pace

One of the biggest hurdles for many women is the pressure to run faster. Despite the average UK woman’s running speed of 06:37 min/km (according to Strava), most run clubs don’t cater to this with the slowest pace often around 6 minutes per km. Add to this the relentless focus on personal bests and fast times on social media, and it’s no surprise that many women feel too intimidated to join in.

Thankfully, there are starting to be more people rebelling against this speed obsession, including our panelist, Emily Shane. Emily has been leading the charge to encourage more women to disregard pace and focus on the experience of running to drive uptake amongst women. Initiatives like events without cutoff times and more inclusive pace groups at running clubs are vital to creating a more welcoming environment and broadening the benefits of running to the experience and community.

2. Perception of Sport in Schools

One of the topics hotly discussed was how for many girls, the barriers to enjoying physical activity start at school. Puberty, coupled with changing bodies and fluctuating emotions, can make sports feel daunting and uncomfortable for teenage girls. Research highlights this disparity: only 38% of girls enjoy sport and exercise compared to 53% of boys, and just 26% of girls feel confident in physical activity versus 43% of boys.

The panel emphasised the need to address this such as:

Introducing a wider variety of sports and fitness activities to cater to different interests
Providing more supportive and confidence-boosting PE kits.
Showcasing more female role models in sport to inspire young girls.

By addressing these issues at the school level, we can foster a love of sport that lasts into adulthood.

3. Treatment at Events

This is a topic that panelist Sophie Power, founder of SheRACES is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about. Even at organised running events, women often experience unequal treatment. From “unisex: t-shirts (which are actually designed for men) to a lack of sanitary products in portaloos, these "small things" can collectively make women feel like an afterthought. Prize money inequality and rigid event policies—like no deferral options for pregnant or postpartum women—further highlight these disparities.

Thankfully, initiatives like the 50:50 campaign by Threshold (a campaign to get 50% of women at Ultra startlines vs. the current average of 30%) and the advocacy work of SheRACES are driving change, and there are many amazing event organisers such as Maverick, Threshold, Why We Run and many more, that are working hard to make their events are inclusive as possible for women.

Despite these challenges, the panel and attendees felt overwhelmingly optimistic about the future of running for women and the benefits it brings us. Progress is being made, however we all need to add our voices to the conversation to help more women get into the sport and reap the benefits.

Some Helpful Resources‍

Here are a few helpful resources. This list isn’t exhaustive by any means, however is a good starting point for those looking for inspiration on where to start.

Female friendly events:

Female Only Run Clubs

From Radio to Race Day: Hattie Pearson’s Path to Endurance Event Glory

Hattie Pearson is the type of person who doesn’t just dabble in fitness (or most things…!) She dives in headfirst, often with no hand-holding (except, perhaps, metaphorically). From her first triathlon in 2021 to a series of jaw-dropping endurance feats in 2024, she’s been redefining what’s possible with determination, community, and a big ‘YES’ attitude.

Just say YES

Hattie’s ‘yes’ streak started when a friend and her decided to do a sprint triathlon together. “We had such a great time,” Hattie recalls, “and I was like, I want to do more of this.” That spark quickly turned into a blaze of ambition. By the following year, she was competing in Outlaw triathlons and even signing up for a full-distance Ironman—before completing her first half-distance event. “I didn’t give myself the choice to not carry on,” she says.

The Power of Community

For Hattie, discovering the 10IronWomen network—a group committed to gender parity in triathlons—was a game-changer. “It’s amazing to see a community encouraging women and non-binary folk to show up,” she explains. “Seeing others doing it made me think, I want to be a part of this.” That sense of solidarity and shared purpose has been a recurring theme, whether she’s lacing up for a winter triathlon in the Alps or a grueling ultra-marathon closer to home.

A Year of Big Goals

This year, Hattie set herself a dizzying list of challenges. She swam 500 kilometers (yep, that’s half a million meters!) and tackled a range of events, including a winter triathlon complete with ski touring, the Étape du Tour cycling challenge, and her first ultra-marathon. Each was hard in its own way—whether it was battling snowy trails with crampons or smashing out seven-and-a-half-minute miles for 13.1 miles. But for Hattie, the difficulty is the point. “Every time I achieve something I thought was impossible, I remind myself: I can do hard things.”

Balance and Burnout

With goals that ambitious, fitting it all in can be a challenge. Early mornings help. “I’m one of those people who can get up at 5:00 a.m,” Hattie admits, however it also takes a lot of discipline. With her work on Hits Radio starting later in the day, she carves out time for training, dog walks, and the occasional tantrum over broken goggles. “I’ve definitely had those ‘forgetting-my-swimming-costume’ moments,” she laughs. But her key to staying motivated is simple: keep it fresh and fun. Whether it’s joining her triathlon club for training or trying a completely new event, keeping it fun and different is the secret to staying motivated and on track to reach your goals.

Advice for Aspiring Endurance Athletes

For anyone looking to follow in her footsteps (or strokes), Hattie has this advice:

Be patient. Results don’t come overnight, and the journey is as important as the destination.
Stop comparing. “Your journey is completely your own. Social media only shows the highlights,” she reminds us.
Find your community. Whether it’s a running club, a neighbor for early morning jogs, or an online network, accountability and camaraderie make all the difference.

What’s Next for Hattie?

In 2025, Hattie plans to tackle her first multi-day event, the Monster Triathlon. Admittedly it is as scary as it sounds, kicking off with a 5K swim in Loch Ness, followed by a 1,000-kilometer bike ride to Windsor, and wraps up with a casual 50K run to London(!). Her goals also include more open-water swimming, trail running, and maybe—just maybe—an even bigger endurance challenge. (Though definitely not swimming the English Channel: “No way am I swimming through jellyfish without a wetsuit!”)

Hattie Pearson’s journey is more than a personal triumph. It’s a testament to the power of showing up, saying yes, and proving that with the right mindset, anything is possible. Whether you’re tackling your first 5K or dreaming of an ultra-marathon, Hattie’s story is proof that the finish line is worth the hard miles. And when you cross it? You’ve won your race—medal or not. 🏅

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Make your own electrolyte drink

Why spend on expensive sports drinks when you can make a natural, hydrating electrolyte drink right at home? With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a refreshing blend packed with essential minerals and hydration-boosting properties. Perfect for fueling your workout or post-run recovery, this homemade option keeps it natural, affordable, and effective.

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Ingredients:

1 pinch of high-quality sea salt
Small piece of fresh ginger, peeled
500ml coconut water (e.g., Rebel Kitchen)
Juice of 1 lime
Fresh mint leaves

Instructions:

Prepare Salt & Ginger: Add a pinch of sea salt and the peeled ginger to a blender.
Add Coconut Water & Lime: Pour in the coconut water, squeeze in the lime juice, and add a few mint leaves.
Blend & Serve: Blend until smooth, pour into a glass, and garnish with extra mint. Enjoy your refreshing, hydrating drink!

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