In this special race-day episode of Set the Pace, hosts Olympian Carrie Tollefson and CITIUS MAG's Kyle Merber interview the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half champions—Eden Rainbow-Cooper, Daniel Romanchuk, Hellen Obiri, Adriaan Wildschutt, and Daniel Mata—who led more than 30,000 athletes from the start in Prospect Park, across the Brooklyn Bridge, through Manhattan, and to the finish in Central Park.

In this special race-day episode of Set the Pace, hosts Olympian Carrie Tollefson and CITIUS MAG's Kyle Merber interview the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half champions&mdash;Eden Rainbow-Cooper, Daniel Romanchuk, Hellen Obiri, Adriaan Wildschutt, and Daniel Mata&mdash;who led more than 30,000 athletes from the start in Prospect Park, across the Brooklyn Bridge, through Manhattan, and to the finish in Central Park.

NYRR Set the Pace Presented by Peloton is the official podcast of New York Road Runners. Join hosts Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners, and Becs Gentry, Peloton Instuctor, every Thursday in conversation with inspiring athletes, from everyday enthusiasts to elite marathoners, to hear stories of perseverance, drive, and dedication. Each episode also includes an NYRR Member Moment spotlight and pro tip from 2009 New York City Marathon champ and Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi.

Set the Pace

NYRR Set the Pace Presented by Peloton is the official podcast of New York Road Runners. Join hosts Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners, and Becs Gentry, Peloton Instructor, every Thursday in conversation with inspiring athletes, from everyday enthusiasts to elite marathoners, to hear stories of perseverance, drive, and dedication. Each episode also includes an NYRR Member Moment spotlight and pro tip from 2009 New York City Marathon champ and Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi.

NYRR Set the Pace Presented by Peloton is the official podcast of New York Road Runners. Join hosts Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners, and Becs Gentry, Peloton Instructor, every Thursday in conversation with inspiring athletes, from everyday enthusiasts to elite marathoners, to hear stories of perseverance, drive, and dedication. Each episode also includes an NYRR Member Moment spotlight and pro tip from 2009 New York City Marathon champ and Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi.

How the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half Champions Conquered the Course

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/dc1b3f8c-8a2d-4298-8405-b17000ea5872/clips/51862278-370f-4169-b54b-b40e017dfb48/transcript

Winning a major marathon goes way beyond the podium for a Kenyan athlete—it reaches their families, their communities, and entire towns. But for the women, success can also put them in danger. Check out this week’s episode as Rob joins a roundtable discussion led by NYRR's Head of Content Matthew Singer along with Chief Diversity Officer Erica Edwards-O'Neal and Director of Professional Athletes Dorian Kail—all reflecting on their trip to Eldoret, Kenya this past February. The group visited training camps, sat down with champions, and toured a children's hospital built with funds raised by TCS New York City Marathon charity runners. They also spent time with Tirop's Angels, an organization founded in honor of Agnes Tirop—a world-class runner who was murdered by her partner in 2021. Gender-based violence is something many women in Kenya face, and in some cases, it is their athletic success that makes them a target. New York Road Runners will continue to work with Tirop’s Angels and the organization’s founder, Viola Cheptoo.

FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube
SUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

DISCLAIMER

Winning a major marathon goes way beyond the podium for a Kenyan athlete&mdash;it reaches their families, their communities, and entire towns. But for the women, success can also put them in danger. Check out this week&rsquo;s episode as Rob joins a roundtable discussion led by NYRR's Head of Content Matthew Singer along with Chief Diversity Officer Erica Edwards-O'Neal and Director of Professional Athletes Dorian Kail&mdash;all reflecting on their trip to Eldoret, Kenya this past February. The group visited training camps, sat down with champions, and toured a children's hospital built with funds raised by TCS New York City Marathon charity runners. They also spent time with Tirop's Angels, an organization founded in honor of Agnes Tirop&mdash;a world-class runner who was murdered by her partner in 2021. Gender-based violence is something many women in Kenya face, and in some cases, it is their athletic success that makes them a target. New York Road Runners will continue to work with Tirop&rsquo;s Angels and the organization&rsquo;s founder, Viola Cheptoo. FOLLOW NYRR:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/nyrr/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NewYorkRoadRunners/">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/nyrr">X</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@newyorkroadrunners">TikTok</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@nyrrvideo/podcasts">YouTube</a> SUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/set-the-pace/id1703616687">Apple Podcasts </a>or <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2k1UziVCr4wYtMM5Awr2MA?si=871db22f44c049b1">Spotify</a>. <a href="https://www.nyrr.org/setthepace">DISCLAIMER</a>

Behind the Scenes of NYRR’s Trip to Kenya

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/dc1b3f8c-8a2d-4298-8405-b17000ea5872/clips/cec9bfca-5ece-4f88-8958-b43c00067a91/transcript

Joining Rob and Becs this week is NYRR Chief Event Production Officer and Race Director Ted Metellus, breaking down everything you need to know about the RBC Brooklyn Half, from the new expo location at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park to essential race-day logistics such as getting to your corral with plenty of time to spare for a stress-free arrival. Ted and Rob share course insights, including tackling the hills in Prospect Park before exiting onto Ocean Parkway for a long straightaway toward Coney Island. Ted also notes that the finish line has moved approximately 200 feet south, past the pedestrian bridge. He explains why it’s worth staying for the After-Party at Maimonides Park to relax with a hot dog and a beverage. Plus, Becs offers tapering advice to help release any nervous energy as race day approaches. 

 

 

FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube
SUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

DISCLAIMER

Joining Rob and Becs this week is NYRR Chief Event Production Officer and Race Director Ted Metellus, breaking down everything you need to know about the RBC Brooklyn Half, from the new expo location at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park to essential race-day logistics such as getting to your corral with plenty of time to spare for a stress-free arrival. Ted and Rob share course insights, including tackling the hills in Prospect Park before exiting onto Ocean Parkway for a long straightaway toward Coney Island. Ted also notes that the finish line has moved approximately 200 feet south, past the pedestrian bridge. He explains why it&rsquo;s worth staying for the After-Party at Maimonides Park to relax with a hot dog and a beverage. Plus, Becs offers tapering advice to help release any nervous energy as race day approaches.&nbsp;
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FOLLOW NYRR:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/nyrr/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NewYorkRoadRunners/">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/nyrr">X</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@newyorkroadrunners">TikTok</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@nyrrvideo/podcasts">YouTube</a> SUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/set-the-pace/id1703616687">Apple Podcasts </a>or <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2k1UziVCr4wYtMM5Awr2MA?si=871db22f44c049b1">Spotify</a>. <a href="https://www.nyrr.org/setthepace">DISCLAIMER</a>

Everything You Need to Know about the RBC Brooklyn Half 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/dc1b3f8c-8a2d-4298-8405-b17000ea5872/clips/bc799d96-3f89-46f0-bd7f-b43500393e0a/transcript

More than 600 runners from over 24 teams descended on The TRACK at New Balance to cover 26.2 miles — but instead of slogging through city streets, this one was 211 laps on a banked 200m indoor track. And Rob and Meb were in the center of it all, interviewing runners right off the track including Ali Feller, Olympians Kim Conley and Aisha Praught Leer, Endorphins Running founder Tyler Swartz, Boston's Matt Prichard, The Megs from Believe in the Run, and many more. 

Watch what what happens when you put Olympians, first-timers, and everyone in between on the same track at the same time in pursuit of 26.2 — relay style.

FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube
SUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

DISCLAIMER

More than 600 runners from over 24 teams descended on The TRACK at New Balance to cover 26.2 miles &mdash; but instead of slogging through city streets, this one was 211 laps on a banked 200m indoor track. And Rob and Meb were in the center of it all, interviewing runners right off the track including Ali Feller, Olympians Kim Conley and Aisha Praught Leer, Endorphins Running founder Tyler Swartz, Boston's Matt Prichard, The Megs from Believe in the Run, and many more. Watch what what happens when you put Olympians, first-timers, and everyone in between on the same track at the same time in pursuit of 26.2 &mdash; relay style. FOLLOW NYRR: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nyrr/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NewYorkRoadRunners/">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/nyrr">X</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@newyorkroadrunners">TikTok</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@nyrrvideo/podcasts">YouTube</a> SUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/set-the-pace/id1703616687">Apple Podcasts </a>or <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2k1UziVCr4wYtMM5Awr2MA?si=871db22f44c049b1">Spotify</a>. <a href="https://www.nyrr.org/setthepace">DISCLAIMER</a>

Behind the Scenes of the New Balance Marathon Relay

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/dc1b3f8c-8a2d-4298-8405-b17000ea5872/clips/dc9c90d8-e4cc-4bf2-ba2f-b4310132a53e/transcript

How the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half Champions Conquered the Course

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