Set the Pace

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)

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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 philanthropi...

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...

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 f...

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 ...

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&mdash...

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 Marat...

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 ...

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, ...

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; Al...

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 ...

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 ...

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 Broo...

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 everythin...

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...

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 haulin...

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 Fo...

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 runn...

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 N...