Ali on the Run Show

"It's a cool feeling, to feel like you belong somewhere. And I finally feel that way."
At last weekend's TCS New York City Marathon, Jess McClain stormed to a second-place finish, overtaking defending champion Hellen Obiri in the final steps of the race. (A tangent-running queen!) In this conversation, the beloved Brooks-sponsored pro breaks down every part of race weekend, from the omakase, the press conference, and the elite athlete tech meeting, to how she nabbed her first podium finish at a World Marathon Major. Plus, takeaways from the banner day in NYC, the moments she'll remember most, and what it means to "Just be Jess."
SPONSORS: 
Lagoon. My favorite pillows and pillowcases! Click here to take Lagoon's 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you, and use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your next Lagoon order.
Shokz! My favorite headphones! Use code ALI for $10 off your next Shokz purchase. (I love the Open Run Pro 2.)
IN THIS EPISODE:
Jess's snapshot moment from the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, and what's making her happy right now (2:10)
What Jess is consuming and is into right now (6:00)
What life has looked like since finishing the marathon (9:40)
Jess's key takeaways from running the New York City Marathon in 2024 (12:15)
On flat vs. hilly courses (18:35)
Reflections on NYCM training (20:00)
On keeping it fun — and working in addition to running (27:15)
How Jess spent the days in New York leading up to the marathon (34:00)
What it's like at the elite athlete press conference and technical meeting (42:00)
How Jess was feeling on race morning, what the bus ride out to Staten Island was like, and an emotional interaction with Tracy Morgan at the start (52:20)
"Just Be Jess" (59:50)
Jess breaks down her New York City Marathon run, borough by borough (1:01:45)
What happened after Jess finished second at the marathon (1:11:50)
Follow Ali:
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"This is way more stressful than Wicked!"
We returned to Jazz at Lincoln Center for another sold-out live show celebrating New York City Marathon weekend, this time with special guest and Wicked star Jordan Litz! Biggest thanks to New Balance for supporting this show and making it all possible, and thank you so much to everyone in the audience for being the very best. Being serenaded by Fiyero as the sun set over Columbus Circle two days before the marathon? A Friday evening in NYC very well spent!
SPONSOR: 
New Balance: Click here to check out this year's official New York City Marathon collection!
Follow Ali:
Instagram @aliontherun1
Join the Facebook group
Twitter @aliontherun1
Support on Patreon
Subscribe to the newsletter
SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"The energy I give the first athletes when they cross is the same as I give the final finishers." —TCS New York City Marathon Race Director Ted Metellus
Every year on the first Sunday of November, athletes take over the five boroughs for one reason: the TCS New York City Marathon. This episode is your unofficial guide to the iconic 26.2-mile race, which this year is expected to see a record-breaking 60,000 runners on the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course. Two jam-packed hours of New York City Marathon-related information. Let's have some fun! (See you at the finish!)
SPONSORS: 
New Balance: Click here to check out this year's official New York City Marathon collection!
Vuori: Click here to get 20% off your first Vuori purchase. (Get the Villa Widelegs!)
Lagoon: Click here and use code ALI at checkout to get 15% off your next Lagoon purchase. (I'm an Otter!)
In this episode:
New York City Marathon race director Ted Metellus talks about why he's excited for this year's TCS New York City Marathon (6:40)
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon by the numbers (50:40)
Pre-race: how to get in, how to handle feeling overwhelmed by logistics, and how to watch this year's race (57:40)
What you need to know about getting to the start line in Staten Island, and what to do once you're there (1:05:20)
Who to watch in the professional athlete and celebrity fields (1:28:45)
All about the New York City Marathon course (1:41:15)
Welcome to the New York City Marathon finish line — and what happens once you cross it (1:56:35)
Follow Ali:
Instagram @aliontherun1
Join the Facebook group
Twitter @aliontherun1
Support on Patreon
Subscribe to the newsletter
SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"It's less scary if you face it. If you avoid it, it grows. It becomes scarier. Sometimes it's better to just face things head on."
In April 2022, Siobhan Donovan was 33 years old. She was 36 weeks pregnant with her third child when she thought she had a clogged milk duct. It turned out to be stage IV breast cancer that had already spread to her bones. The doctors induced labor, and when Siobhan's son was four days old, she went to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to begin aggressive treatment, starting with 27 grueling rounds of weekly chemotherapy — with a newborn in tow. Siobhan's treatment worked: By 2024, she had achieved No Evidence of Active Disease status, and was training for the Boston Marathon (raising $20,000 for DFCI in the process). But just before the race, she found out her cancer was back. She crossed the finish line, and began another year and a half of chemotherapy. Today, 4.5 years after her initial diagnosis, Siobhan is NED again, and in training mode again: Next weekend, she'll run the TCS New York City Marathon. In this conversation, Siobhan vulnerably revisits the hardest days of her life, talks about where she's at now, and shares her hopes, dreams, and fears for the future. 
SPONSORS:
Shokz" My favorite headphones! Use code ALI for $10 off your next Shokz purchase. (I love the Open Run Pro 2.)
Oofos: The best in the recovery footwear game. Click here to check out Oofos's new CLUB+ line! Your feet are going to be so happy!
In this episode:
What's making Siobhan happy today (3:10)
Why Siobhan is running this year's New York City Marathon (5:20)
What Siobhan's into right now (10:45)
What Siobhan was like growing up, how running came into her life, and how — and why — she became a marathoner (15:40)
Is cancer like a marathon? (33:15)
Reflections on Breast Cancer Awareness Month (38:00)
On receiving a stage IV breast cancer diagnosis at 36 weeks pregnant (42:45)
"Dying was the biggest fear" (52:20)
On being a fighter, a warrior, and a survivor (1:01:10)
Siobhan's advice to caregivers (1:21:45)
Follow Ali:
Instagram @aliontherun1
Join the Facebook group
Twitter @aliontherun1
Support on Patreon
Subscribe to the newsletter
SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"It was nice to be in Chicago and not feel like my life was imploding."
I'm just about recovered from the 2026 Chicago Marathon weekend, where I was in town as a part of the finish line announcing team and co-host of the Champions Reception. That means it's time to recap it all in exhaustive detail. In this solo episode, I'm covering everything I did, everywhere I went, and everyone I saw, from the parties and events to the 5K, the boat ride, and, of course, race day. 
SPONSORS: 
New Balance. Click here to get your hands on the just-released SC Rebel. You're going to love it!
Lagoon. My favorite pillows and pillowcases! Click here to get the limited edition Ali on the Run x Lagoon Cool Flex Performance Pillowcase (!!!), and use code ALI at checkout for 15% off.
IN THIS EPISODE:
What life looked like heading into Chicago Marathon weekend this year, and my history with Chicago (1:15)
Friday: the flight, the Off the Rails live show, and the way-too-late night (15:10)
Saturday: the Abbott Chicago 5K, the breakfast date, the finish line rehearsal, the sushi walk to the Bean, and the best boat ride ever (31:10)
Sunday: the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon (1:05:15)
Monday: the final run, and the trip home (1:34:00)
Follow Ali:
Instagram @aliontherun1
Subscribe to the newsletter
Join the Facebook group
Support on Patreon
SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!