{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/e421d786-ec36-4148-aa99-7a3b2928a779/69f2153ebe5ab6849c580451?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Why runners are getting faster","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62e286a934d4d9fe5e874247/1777472676957-b0e28bb7-3bdf-461c-a912-7d37da167a1b.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Sporting history was made at this year’s London Marathon as Sabastian Sawe became the first man to finish a competitive race in less than two hours. How are elite athletes getting so much faster? We investigate how <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/02/21/do-better-shoes-help-you-run-faster?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=babbage&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">runners</a> are harnessing the <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/12/26/what-is-the-best-way-to-train-for-a-marathon?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=babbage&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">science</a> of physiology and the technology of shoes to increase their speed. Plus, how anybody can train for a marathon—or just <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/01/02/can-high-intensity-interval-training-get-you-fit-in-a-hurry?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=babbage&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">get fit</a> fast.</p><p><br></p><p>Guests and hosts:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Ainslie Johnstone, <em>The Economist</em>’s data and science correspondent</li><li>Tim Cross, senior science writer and author of the <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/newsletters/well-informed\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">“Well Informed” newsletter</a></li><li>Host: Alok Jha, <em>The Economist</em>’s science and technology editor</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>London Marathon</li><li>Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3</li><li>Exercise hacks</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Audio and commentary taken from the BBC's live coverage of the London Marathon, April 26th 2026.</p><p><br></p><p><em>Transcripts of our podcasts are available via </em><a href=\"http://economist.com/podcasts\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>economist.com/podcasts</em></a><em>.</em></p><p><br></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href=\"https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</em></a><em>.</em></p><p><br></p><p><em>For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our </em><a href=\"https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>FAQs page</em></a><em> or watch </em><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>our video </em></a><em>explaining how to link your account.</em></p>","author_name":"The Economist"}