Today in Running History
While there is no shortage of podcasts that focus on the mechanics of running, I was surprised to find very little that looks at the history of our sport. I created the daily podcast “Today In Running History” to fill this space. In eight minutes or less, listeners will learn the backstories and lasting impact of some of the biggest names and milestones in running history, plus some they might not know about yet. Like the sport itself, Today In Running History is for all of us, from passionate and facts-obsessed sports-history geeks to the most casual of newbies.
- Update frequency
- every day
- Average duration
- 18 minutes
- Episodes
- 64
- Years Active
- 2025
August 13, 1977 - Dick Beardsley runs first of 13 consecutive marathon PRs
Today is Wednesday, August 13th, 2025 and on this day in 1977, Minnesota runner Dick Beardsley ran his first marathon - the Paavo Nurmi Marathon in Hurley, Wisconsin.
In this episode, we'll hear a…
August 12, 1975 - first sub-3:50 mile, ran by John Walker
Today is Tuesday, August 12th, 2025 and on this day in 1975, New Zealander John Walker became the first human in history to run a mile faster than 3:50.
In this episode, we'll hear about the stray …
August 11, 1984 - Carl Lewis wins 4th gold medal of Los Angeles Olympics
Today is Monday, August 11th, 2025 and on this day in 1984, American athlete Carl Lewis won his fourth gold medal of that year's Olympics, a feat no American had repeated since Jesse Owens in 1936.
…
August 10, 1984 - clash between Mary Decker & Zola Budd during Olympic 3,000m final
Today is Sunday, August 10th, 2025 and on this day in 1984, American Mary Decker and South African Brit Zola Budd collided during the 3,000m final at the Olympics in Los Angeles, leading to Decker dr…
August 9, 1936 - Jesse Owens wins 4th gold medal in one Olympics
Today is Saturday, August 9, 2025 and on this day in 1936, American athlete Jesse Owens won his fourth gold medal at the Olympics in Berlin.
In this episode, we'll learn more about Owens' backgrou…
August 8, 1915 - Jewish American athlete Sam Stoller is born
Today is Friday, August 8th, 2025 and on this day in 1915, Samuel Stoller was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In this episode, we’ll hear about Stoller’s background, meet his would-be teammate, Marty Gli…
August 7, 1948 - Alice Coachman becomes first Black woman to win Olympic gold
Today is Thursday, August 7th, 2025 and on this day in 1948, American high jumper Alice Coachman became the first Black woman from any country to win an Olympic gold medal in any event, setting a new…
August 6, 1958 - ”Golden Mile” when 5 men run sub-4
Today is Wednesday, August 6th, 2025 and on this day in 1958, 5 men ran a mile in under 4 minutes, with the winner setting a new world record of 3:54.3
In this episode, we learn about those 5 men -…
August 5, 1936 - Tidye Pickett becomes first Black woman to compete at the Olympics
Today is Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 and on this day in 1936, Tidye Pickett competed for Team USA in the 80 meter hurdles at the Olympics in Berlin, making her the first Black woman to compete in any O…
August 4, 2012 - "Super Saturday" triple gold for team Great Britain
Today is Monday, August 4th, 2025 and on this day in 2012, Team Great Britain won 3 gold medals within a 44-minute span during the London Olympics.
In this episode, we will hear about these 3 athl…
August 3, 1992 - Derek Redmond tears hamstring but refuses to quit Olympic 400m final
Today is Sunday, August 3rd, 2025 and on this day in 1992, British sprinter Derek Redmond refused to drop out of the 400m Olympic final in Barcelona, after tearing his hamstring mid-race.
In this …
August 2, 1928 - first and ONLY women's Olympic 800m until 1960
Today is Saturday, August 2nd, 2025 and on this day in 1928, 9 women competed in what would be the first and only Olympic 800 meter race for women until 1960.
In this episode, we speak with Maggie…
August 1, 1932 - Photo finish at Olympic 100m final
Today is Friday, August 1st, 2025 and on this day in 1932, Eddie Tolan beat Ralph Metcalfe during the Olympic 100 meter final in the first race determined by photo finish.
In this episode, we'll le…
July 31, 1987 - first Badwater Ultramarathon is won by Eleanor Robinson
Today is Thursday, July 31st, 2025 and on this day in 1987, 5 runners set out to compete in the first ever Badwater Ultramarathon.
In this episode, we'll discuss the origins of "the world's toughe…
July 30, 1958 - decathlete Daley Thompson is born
Today is Wednesday, July 30, 2025 and on this day in 1958, champion decathlete Daley Thompson was born in London.
In this episode, we'll learn a bit about Thompson's background - including the 9 ye…
July 29, 2002 - Suresh Joachim sets 48-hour treadmill world record
Today is Tuesday, July 29, 2025 and on this day in 2002, Canadian Renaissance Man Suresh Joachim set the world record for the furthest distance run on a treadmill in 48 hours.
In this episode, we …
July 28, 1928 - "Flying Finn" Paavo Nurmi begins third and final Olympics
Today is Monday, July 28, 2025 and on this day in 1928, the Olympic Games in Amsterdam began. These were the third and final for Finnish legend Paavo Nurmi.
In this episode, we will discuss Nurmi's…
July 27, 1952 - Emil Zátopek becomes only person to ever win 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon in one Olympics
Today is Sunday, July 27, 2025 and on this day in 1952, Czechoslovakian runner Emil Zátopek became the first and only athlete in history to win the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon within one Olympic Ga…
July 26, 1913 - Canadian legend Gerard Cote is born
Today is Saturday, July 26, 2025 and on this day in 1913, legendary Canadian marathoner Gerard Cote was born in a small town outside of Montreal, Quebec.
In this episode, we will hear about Cote's …
July 25, 1908 - only one man runs Olympic 400m final
Today is Friday, July 25, 2025 and on this day in 1908, Wyndham Halswelle was the only man to run the Olympic 400m final; this remains the ONLY walkover in Olympic history.
In this episode, we wil…