Never Run Alone — Listen to the Podcast

Never Run Alone

#71 in Running · 🇩🇰 #104 in Running · 🇦🇺

About the show

Never Run Alone is a podcast exploring the definitions of the word "run", through the eyes, mind and souls of humans refusing to stand still.

Newest episodes

Olympic 2028 Standards, Plus our Predictions and Prophecies for Running

Nov 13, 2026 49 min

It is Never Run Alone. A one on one this week with Kris and Rien going mic to mic to share thoughts on some predictions for running in the coming years. Some interesting takes (says the bloke writing this which was one of the blokes on the pod - rich!) We’ll let you decide… Outside of those, we also discuss the Olympic 2028 standards which having increased significantly, make a lot more sense with the official statement being made. Who’d have thought? There’s plenty more in this ep of the pod with Kris Farrenkothen and Rien MacDonald. Enjoy! Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Breaking Down How We Ran the 2026 New York City Marathon as Sub-Elites

Nov 6, 2026 1 hr 1 min

It is Never Run Alone. Today on the podcast we welcome from New York City, our two sub-elite starters, Cam and Sissi who both ran on a magical day on Sunday. Cam finished 36 overall and 2nd Australian behind the fastest Aussie to ever run a marathon, Haftu Strintzos, and our Queen Sissi finished New York for the 2nd year running, and her 8th marathon since starting this whole marathon thing back in 2024. Sissi has to dip toward the end so you may notice her gone, and then being there briefly before being gone again - the magic of show biz. But please enjoy all that and more with Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Sissi Bergman with host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

New York City Marathon 2026 Finish Line Recap from our Two Sub-Elite Starters

Nov 3, 2026 14 min

It is Never Run Alone. The 2026 New York City Marathon finish line recap straight from Central Park as Cam Merrick and Sissi Bergman share with us some raw thoughts following their race day as 61,146 finishers cross that line on an incredible day in New York. For a full debrief, tune in later this week as the pair are joined by Kris and Rien to dissect their races and chat all things NYC in the full show. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

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All episodes

Olympic 2028 Standards, Plus our Predictions and Prophecies for Running

Nov 13, 2026 49 min

Breaking Down How We Ran the 2026 New York City Marathon as Sub-Elites

Nov 6, 2026 1 hr 1 min

New York City Marathon 2026 Finish Line Recap from our Two Sub-Elite Starters

Nov 3, 2026 14 min

New York or Nowhere - The New York City Marathon and Another Kenyan Controversy

Oct 30, 2026 51 min

It is Never Run Alone. It is New York Marathon race week. Cam and Sissi are in the big city for the 56th running of what is probably the biggest and best marathon in the world. And from the sub-elite field no less. How bloody good. They’re joined by an enthusiastic as ever Rien who guides them through a cut up episode where we unpack some fun NYC related warm-up questions and how they’re both feeling ahead of Sunday. Following that, Rien and Cam unpack the controversy around Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir who has been provisionally suspended followed a failed drug test - as has been reported here and many other places. We finished with a New York inspired quiz and as always, buy/sell! All that and some general tomfoolery with Cam Merrick, Sissi Bergman with host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

Under 3 Years From Debut to Sub-Elite: Cam and Sissi Take On New York Marathon

Oct 23, 2026 1 hr 11 min

It is Never Run Alone. A full gang on the pod this week as Cam and Sissi unpack their journey to Sub-Elite in New York, as we’re just 10 days out from arguably the most popular marathon on earth. They duo share their journeys to sub-elite after making their marathon debuts less than 3 years ago. We also answer some fun listener questions and unpack the incredible World Team Championship for Big’s Backyard Ultra 2026. All that and more with Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen and Sissi Bergman with host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

Izzi Batt Takes The Crown as a Special Seth Dominates in Melbourne Mara Madness

Oct 16, 2026 1 hr 47 min

It is Never Run Alone. Well then. What a week! And a huge episode of Never Run Alone to boot. Firstly, thanks to all who came out to our live show on Friday night pre the weekend - we failed to mentioned it on the call, but it was a great show and we loved chatting with you all afterwards. Congrats to all who ran across the weekend too! In this ep, Cam and Rien chat with two special guests! Up first, the newly crowned Australian Marathon Queen, Izzi Batt-Doyle, who ran Chicago Marathon on Sunday night faster than any Aussie female before her in a lightning 2:20:38 to go one better than fellow South Australian, Jess Stenson. She joins us on her first day back in Australia as we fire the questions her way. Following that, we’re joined on the streets by speedster and social short-form dynamo Seth O’Donnell to chat through his win at the Melbourne Half Marathon, on what was a monumentous day with Eliud Kipchoge winning Melbourne Marathon, only to be soured by some unfortunate scenes later in the race. All that and more on a HUGE Never Run Alone with Izzi Batt-Doyle, Seth O’Donnell, Cam Merrick with host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

LIVE SHOW: Pre Melbourne Marathon @ 19-21 w/ Tempo Journal, Steve McKenna and Mack Dewar

Oct 9, 2026 1 hr 6 min

It is Never Run Alone. A live show at 19-21, the home of Tempo Journal ahead of this weekends Melbourne Marathon. Thanks to all who attended! We chat the rise of running and if it's ever going, the media opportunities in the sport, of course this weekends race as well as some rad audience questions. All that and more with Steve McKenna, Mack Dewar and Cam Merrick, with host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

A Marathon Weekend in Melbourne and Chicago as Records are Set to Fall

Oct 7, 2026 57 min

It is Never Run Alone. A short and sharp episode this week ahead of a marathon weekend with Melbourne and Chicago happening this Sunday. We've also got our live podcast happening tomorrow night (Friday night, 9th of October) at the home of Tempo Journal in Collingwood. Full details can be found here. All are welcome! We hope to see you there as Rien and Cam are joined by a few special guests and plenty of audience interaction - hopefully! All that and more with Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Sissi Bergman with host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

Big Marathon Energy - From Berlin To Melbourne And A Trip Down Boston Memory Lane

Oct 2, 2026 1 hr 12 min

The team recap the chaos of Berlin, hear from Queen Sissi about the girls on parade at the Nike After Dark Sydney Edition, chat about the Melbourne Marathon course updates and reminisce on their Boston Marathon journey as entries have just been confirmed for the 2027 edition. We also of course answer some warm-up questions submitted by you - our amazing listeners - as well as discussing a huge weekend of racing across the world and buy/sell to round out the show. All that and more with host ⁠Cam Merrick⁠, and usual suspects ⁠Kris Farrenkothen⁠, and ⁠Sissi Bergman⁠. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM ⁠us on Instagram⁠, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ Watch and listen on ⁠Spotify⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠ Come one, come all, come running.

A Marathon Journey, From Berlin to Sydney with Charlotte Veitner-Rösch

Sep 25, 2026 1 hr 26 min

It is Never Run Alone. A full house + a brilliant guest this week as we welcome Charlotte (Char_running) onto Never Run Alone. We chatted of course about her running journey, her life prior to it spent playing high level field hockey in Germany and how she managed an incredible debut marathon in Berlin in 2024 but how she’s not been able to better that since. We also of course answer some warm-up questions submitted by you - our amazing listeners - as well as discussing a huge weekend of racing across the world and buy/sell to round out the show. All that and more with Charlotte Veitner-Rösch, Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Sissi Bergman with host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

Women in Sports, Developing Speed and the Long Game of Ultra & Trail Running

Sep 18, 2026 1 hr 14 min

It is Never Run Alone. This week on the pod we’re joined once again by former guest, all round legend, co-founder of Femmi and Nike Pacific Head Run Coach, Lydia ODonnell! Lyds joins us ahead of a big period for Nike in Australia, with After Dark later this month and the Melbourne Marathon taking residence across a full weekend in October! We discuss speed work and how to develop it, the long game of ultra and trail running with all sorts of training, along with a few words on the importance of women and safe spaces in sport. All that and more with Kris Farrenkothen, Sissi Bergman and special guest Lydia ODonnell with host Cam Merrick. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Check out some of Lydia’s great work here. Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

Special Live Pod: Fuel Your Race 2.0 with Grams of Health and Friends of the Pod

Sep 15, 2026 59 min

It is a special live edition of Never Run Alone. Last week in Sydney, we co-hosted our very first live podcast with the legends at Grams of Health, Nikki and Grace, during their Fuel Your Race 2.0 event. After a brilliantly led information session by Grace, Cam and Sissi were joined by 4 experts in differing fields to offer insights into fuelling around races (incase the title didn’t give it away). All that and more with Grams of Health Dietician Grace Liebelt, run coach Matty Abel, Psychologist Harriet Iles and former professional athlete Holly Mills, alongside co-hosts Cam Merrick and Sissi Bergman. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

How We Think About Our Running Recovery and Mental Resilience

Sep 11, 2026 1 hr 4 min

It is Never Run Alone. This week on the pod we’re sans Kris for a 2nd week (running?). We discuss the importance of running recovery with our sweet prince Cam fresh off running home from work, as both Sissi and Rien share more learnings post their Sydney marathon experience. There’s a few rogue listener questions in the warm up (we promise we’re not a conspiracy podcast usually) and some great chat on mental resilience. All that and more with Cam Merrick and Sissi Bergman with host Rien MacDonald. Fuel Your Race 2.0 will be linked here once it’s out on Monday - check back then for an updated link! Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

Sydney Marathon Recap and How To Fuel your Running post Marathons

Sep 4, 2026 1 hr 16 min

It is Never Run Alone. We’re off the back of the 2026 Sydney Marathon and coming to you with a slightly lesser team than usual. Sissi Bergman is out post her enormous effort pacing on Sunday. Kris is out being a Dad / logistics. Hosting is Rien lower on energy than usual, but thankfully with the wonderful Grace Liebelt joining Cam to unpack the marathon that was and discussing how to best fuel in preparation and recovery for a race of any kind, really. We also answer some cracking warm up questions from the audience, as well as a quick word on the goat of BYU’s, Phil Gore. All that and more with Cam Merrick and Grace Liebelt with host Rien MacDonald. Get your Fuel Your Race 2.0 Tickets here! The link has all the details but is on Thursday September 10 at 6pm. Listen to previous episode with Grace; The Underfuelling Epidemic All Things Diet & Nutrition Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

Sydney Marathon Race Week, Strava Fines and Phil Gore Going for 7 Whole Days

Aug 26, 2026 1 hr 5 min

It is Never Run Alone. It is Sydney Marathon Race Week! The vibes are high already and how could they not be with an in person podcast, a marathon to run on Sunday and 40,000 runners converging on one of the worlds greatest cities. There’s plenty happening and we do our best to cover some of it whilst sharing our journey. Thanks for coming along with us and if you see us out there over the coming days, give us a shout! All that and more with Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Sissi Bergman with host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

Hugo Fry on Sub-Elite Running & The Creator Game as Sydney Marathon Nears

Aug 21, 2026 1 hr 29 min

It is Never Run Alone. Some say it’s the eve of the Sydney Marathon - most know it’s over a week away. Good thing we’re a podcast and can edit things out… Whether we do or not is an entirely different proposition. This week, the full squad goes back to back and are joined by the Rice & Repeat king, Hugo Fry who is in town for next weeks Sydney Marathon. We chat his running journey and the balance of creating content with running as a sub-elite, plus pitch him a few CPG ideas. You never know, hey? All that and more with Hugo Fry, Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Sissi Bergman with host Rien MacDonald. Hugo’s YouTube channel Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

Personal Running Warnings, City2Surf Recap and the Sydney Marathon 2 Weeks Out

Aug 14, 2026 57 min

It is Never Run Alone. A full house this week for the pod as we recap an epic City2Surf and discuss the Sydney Marathon now just over 2 weeks out. Crazy how it always sneaks up - or is that just us? As ever we answer some listener submitted warm-up questions and a great trio this week will have you thinking too. We’re also interested in hearing from YOU - the listeners - on your supporter stories as Sydney Marathon looms. We want to get as many people down along the course this year as we can to help grow the sport of running, and by sharing some hilarious/motivating/sad and bad stories about watching people compete in arguably the world’s greatest sport, we can encourage more people to get involved too! Submit yours via our DMs, a voice note or direct to neverrunalonesocials@gmail.com We’re happy to keep any submission anonymous should you wish! All that and more with Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Sissi Bergman with host Rien MacDonald. Check out; Sash Active Cam’s YouTube Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

Notes on Running with Special Guest Josh Lynott ahead of City 2 Surf & Syd Mara

Aug 7, 2026 1 hr 18 min

It is Never Run Alone. The full squad are almost back this week, and we’re joined serendipitously with someone we’re all a big fan of, the creatively omnipresent Josh Lynott. Josh joins the fun as we chat our weeks in running, City2Surf this coming weekend in Sydney, Sydney Marathon being just 3 weeks out and a little on the recent Aussie dominance at the Comm Games. On top of that, some great questions from listeners and of course, buy/sell to round it out and one very much worth listening all the way through for. All that and more with Cam Merrick, Sissi Bergman, Josh Lynott with host Rien MacDonald. Check out; Notes Running Sash Active The Josh Lynott Project Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Come one, come all, come running.

Aussies Dominate the Comm Games and Real Talk on Our Own Running

Jul 31, 2026 1 hr 8 min

It is Never Run Alone. This week on the pod Rien returns for the final Cam 1 on 1 as the boys chat Australian dominance at the Comm Games. The Harbour 10k brought about an Instagram story post from an elite runner prompting Rien to question his running performance and Cam delivers some real talk / therapy that long time listeners of the pod will know is part and parcel of Never Run Alone. All that and more with Rien MacDonald and Cam Merrick. Enjoy! Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Vocalising Goals, Overcoming Plateaus and a Record Breaking Mile

Jul 24, 2026 58 min

It is Never Run Alone. Another combo this week, with a Swedish nature to it as Sissi joins came from her mother land and Cam dons his Swedish hoodie as the pair discuss your weekly dose of running news. They also unpack a slew (that sounds Swedish, right?) of listener questions as well as the big performances from the recent London Diamond League. All that and more with Sissi Bergman and Cam Merrick . Enjoy! Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Comparison Culture in Running and a Deep Dive on London Diamond League!

Jul 17, 2026 49 min

It is Never Run Alone. A deadly duo this week of Cam and Kris as the boys discuss a number of topics across the field of marathon, track and even a bit of trail can you believe? They discuss the comparison culture in running, a deep dive on the Diamond League and how some of the elites are faring there, as well as a potential Kipchoge kick come Melbourne… Enjoy listening to the boys Cam Merrick & Kris Farrenkothen! Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Records on the Gold Coast and Building a Running Academy in Tanzania With Cougar Lutze

Jul 10, 2026 1 hr 19 min

It is Never Run Alone. An enormous weekend on the Gold Coast as several records drop including Izzi Batt ripping the half and the Australian male marathon record being eclipsed by 2 seconds! We discuss that, as well as the iconic Prefontaine Classic in Oregon where Cam Myers became the first Aussie to win the 1,500m plus plenty more of the favourites. We’re also joined for the full episode by special guest, Cougar Lutze. Cougar left a career in architecture in Australia to move to Africa to build Yara Academy, a youth academy for running and academics in Tanzania - the first of its kind. We learn all about what Cougar is up to and and he joins us for the full episode to share more about his running. All that and more with special guest Cougar Lutze, Kris Farrenkothen and Sissi Bergman. Hosted by Cam Merrick. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

2026 Gold Coast Marathon Finish Line Recap

Jul 7, 2026 23 min

It is Never Run Alone. Cam Merrick leads the pod from the finish line of the 2026 Gold Coast Marathon as he’s joined by Sissi Bergman and a dozen other runners in reflecting on the day. Thanks to all who listened, shouted and supported over the weekend, and congratulations to all runners on massive PBs and some huge records dropping on both Saturday and Sunday. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

2026 Gold Coast Marathon | Western States & Tipping in the USA

Jul 3, 2026 1 hr 14 min

It is Never Run Alone. We are just hours out from the 2026 Gold Coast Marathon with both Cam and Sissi aiming to rip the half on Saturday along with a huge contingent of you listeners also running the half. The Sunday, the full marathon and a select group of savages do the double, aiming to complete the 63.3km challenge. All that and more with Rien MacDonald and Sissi Bergman plus host Cam Merrick. Watch the 2025 Gold Coast Half Marathon here. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

The Band Is Back Together! Gold Coast and Sydney Marathon Previews and a New Race Enters The Chat.

Jun 26, 2026 1 hr 19 min

It is Never Run Alone. The full squad returns this week as Rien’s 4 week hiatus at the World Cup ends. We answer some cracking warm-up questions at the top before discussing a big 2nd half of 2026. Gold Coast Marathon weekend in just over a week. Sydney Marathon 9 weeks away. London doubling down, Parramatta half debut and Tokyo announcing 40,000 runners in it’s 20th year. All that and plenty of our own personal running, general banter and a few tasty edits due to some technical glitches. All that and more with special guest Kris Farrenkothen, Rien MacDonald and Sissi Bergman plus host Cam Merrick. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Trackflation and the Ever-Changing Life and Standards of Elite Sport with British Heptathlete Holly Mills

Jun 19, 2026 1 hr 7 min

It is Never Run Alone. This week Cam and Sissi are joined by British Heptathlete turned Marathon runner (via Zone 2) and now aspiring Ironman triathlete, Holly Mills. The three chat multi-sport preferences, personal reflections as well as unpacking Holly’s athletic career which has seen her represent her country at multiple age brackets, as well as at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. As ever, we discuss what we’re running towards in The Long Run and a buy sell to round out the pod. All that and more with special guest Holly Mills, Sissi Bergman and host Cam Merrick. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Iron Deficiency Epidemic, Pre Race Fuelling and Navigating Injuries

Jun 13, 2026 1 hr 13 min

It is Never Run Alone. Don’t be fooled by the line up this week, these 3 know the score. Kris hosts the content queens on all things iron deficiency, fuelling and navigating marathon injures. They discuss upcoming races (a few big trips on the cards) and as ever your favourites top and bottom. All that and more with Ash Wiseman and Sissi Bergman. Hosted by Kris Farrenkothen. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

International Running Day with Four Time Olympian Lisa Weightman

Jun 5, 2026 1 hr 17 min

It is Never Run Alone. This week we’re joined by four time Olympian, Commonwealth Games Medallist, mother, wife and all round legend Lisa Weightman. We chat through her biggest running learnings and failures, the journey of longevity in running - she ran her first marathon at 29 and completed Boston back in April aged 47 - becoming the first person ever to run all 7 Majors plus compete at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and the World Championships. As usual we unpack our own running in the past week and a fun buy/sell as ever. All that and more with Cam Merrick, Sissi Bergman and special guest, Lisa Weightman. Hosted by Kris Farrenkothen. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Audience Mailbag: Running Hot Takes and Horror Stories

May 29, 2026 59 min

It is Never Run Alone. This week we’re sharing our running hot takes and horror stories as well as reading yours. Everything from barefoot running, the Enhanced Games and the influence of social media on running culture. All that and more with Kris Farrenkothen and Sissi Bergman. Hosted by Cam Merrick Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Best Overlooked Marathons as Aussie Athletes Shine Across the Globe

May 22, 2026 1 hr 5 min

It is Never Run Alone and this week we’re chatting marathons outside of the seven majors. Our favourites, what you should look for and plenty more. We surveyed via our Instagram during the week and there’s a load of you running across Gold Coast half and full, Sydney and Melbourne half and full. An exciting 4-5 months in Australian running. But is anyone running Brisbane marathon? Tune in to find out… We also discuss a big fortnight in Australian running, answer your questions at the off and ask Kris if he has remembered a buy or sell. All that and more with Cam Merrick and Kris Farrenkothen. Hosted by Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Ethiopian Running Secrets, The Norwegian Method and Why You Should Never Run Alone

May 15, 2026 1 hr 11 min

This week on the pod we unpack a brilliant article titled The Ethiopian Running Secret. In a world where running is becoming increasingly competitive with data and tracking enabling greater and greater performance through things like the Norwegian Method and companies like WHOOP, it is perhaps the Ethiopians and East Africans who have nailed it all along. We share our thoughts about intuitive running, over optimising and the ultimate question of group running and why you should never run alone! All that and the usual warm up questions, buy/sell and general shenanigans with a trio of Kris Farrenkothen and Sissi Bergman. Hosted by Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

The Art of Spectating, Back Yard Ultras and Cocodona 250

May 8, 2026 1 hr 14 min

This week on the pod the gang discuss the art of spectating as the weekends activities of supporting the latest half marathon in Sydney bring out some fun stories. We unpack a few audience questions during our warm-up as ever to kick things off, along with the pressure to bounce back quickly post race. And finally we finish of Australian athletics, Back Yard Ultra’s with some impressive performances in Melbourne this past week and the enormous Cocodona 250. A guest list this week including Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen and Sissi Bergman. Hosted by Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

A World Record Week as Two Go Sub 2:00 in London Town

May 1, 2026 1 hr 11 min

Well then, what a week of running. Incase you’ve somehow missed it; two incredible men ran under 2 hours in the London Marathon whilst the female record was also broken on an incredible day in this years 3rd Major marathon. All of that plus a few final words on our Boston Build thanks to Oakley Meta, eyes on what’s next and a discussion around super shoes and fuelling. Line up this week of Matilda Donkin and Sissi Bergman with host Cam Merrick. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

2026 Boston Marathon Recap | Our Post Race Reaction From Boston

Apr 25, 2026 1 hr 13 min

It’s finally here - our post race reaction from Boston. Coming to you a little later than usual given the logistics of all of us running and then travelling a day later, but nonetheless a great summation of an incredible day here in Boston, and really, an incredible few months of work. Thanks for all the love and support since the start of this block and we hope you enjoy this audio only episode. A guest list this week including Ash Wiseman, Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Matilda Donkin, Sissi Bergman. Hosted Rien MacDonald. Plus a few words with Ella Boudakin, Bailey Dalton, Josh Wainstein, Belle Hawtin and super woman Kirsty Farrenkothen. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube Cover photo by Kris Farrenkothen

Race Week | For the 130th Boston Marathon

Apr 18, 2026 53 min

WE’RE IN BOSTON! It’s the 130th Boston Marathon and our first as race week is here and it’s a stacked line up on the couch here on Boylston street just 1km (0.6 miles) from the finish line as we unpack the journey to get here. Excuse the interesting audio at the beginning but we hope you enjoy the ep and thank you to all for the brilliant questions via our IG. All that and more with Ash Wiseman, Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Matilda Donkin, Sissi Bergman and host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Taper Time | Two Weeks Out From The Boston Marathon

Apr 10, 2026 59 min

A 5 star line up this week as Ash returns a mere 12 days (at the time of recording) out from the 130th Boston Marathon. It’s taper time and the team chat their highs and lows of the block along with how they’re dealing with the taper. Our next episode will be from Boston so if you have any questions before then, please hit us up via any of the links below! Enjoy the episode! All that and more with Ash Wiseman, Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Sissi Bergman and host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Running Longevity | Olympian Eloise Wellings and 2 Weeks to Boston

Apr 3, 2026 1 hr 26 min

On the pod this week we welcome two-time Olympian and five-time Commonwealth Games runner, mother of 3 and charity co-founder, Eloise Wellings! In the conversation with Elzy we unpack her incredible journey to representing Australia in the 2006 Commonwealth Games after years of heartbreak through injury that would’ve turned most away from the sport. We learn about her perseverance, her mindset when it comes to racing in front of huge crowds, as well as the incredible Love Mercy Foundation that she co-founded over 15 years ago. We also briefly discuss the Ballarat Marathon, along with this past weekends Maurie Plant meet and the Berlin Marathon’s pacer who could’ve/should’ve won it? All that and more with Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Sissi Bergman and host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Boston Beckons | Our Marathon Mindset Mailbag

Mar 27, 2026 1 hr 22 min

This week on the pod, we break down the marathon mindset, answering a slew of questions in an old fashioned mailbag style. Thank you all so much for the incredible questions! We got through most but the others we didn’t, we’ll do our best to answer over the coming weeks as Boston Marathon looms. Less than 4 weeks now and the gang share their weeks of training, as well as giving their time predictions for themselves, and as always, warm-up questions (similarly brilliantly submitted in abundance) buy/sell and another edition of Sissi’s Speed Round! All that and more with Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Sissi Bergman and host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Boston Marathon Building & 3 Time Australian Olympian Pat Tiernan

Mar 20, 2026 1 hr 19 min

This week on the pod, we’re joined by Australian elite runner, Pat Tiernan. Pat is a 3 time Australian Olympian amongst a host of other impressive feats in the running world, and we were stoked to spend some time with him on the podcast unpacking a bit of his running career, plus previewing Boston Marathon where he’s due to run once again this coming April for the 130th edition of one of the world’s most famous marathons. All that and more with Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen and host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Runner First, Influencer Second | Mary McCarthy on Fractures, Content and Online Haters

Mar 13, 2026 1 hr 2 min

This week on the pod, we’re joined by Mary McCarthy who has graced the shores of Australia for the past few months, and our screens sharing her running journey for the last few years. But as it turns out, she’s been running for a tad longer than a few years. We unpack that as well as her recent stress fracture, how her running journey began and the content which has seen her race into the public eye copping some negative attention with her recent injury. All that and more with Cam Merrick, Sissi Bergman and host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Harry Styles is One Of Us and Our Favourite Running Creators

Mar 6, 2026 1 hr 22 min

A full cast this week on the podcast as we discuss our favourite running content and creators in the space, an area we’ve all dabbled in more so in the past few months. We also unpack the incredible Harry Styles x Haruki Murakami interview on Runners World Magazine and the implications it has for running, music, the podcast. All of it. All that and more with Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Sissi Bergman and host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Tokyo Marathon Breakdown | Why Discipline Matters

Feb 27, 2026 1 hr 10 min

Join us as we delve into the Tokyo Marathon, our Boston Blocks and another week of Sissi's Speed Round.In this episode, the crew discuss their marathon training progress, the challenges of weather conditions, mental discipline, and the importance of consistency. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps!Questions? DM [us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/neverrunalone/), and follow us whilst you’re there.Come one, come all, come running.Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening.Listen on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/never-run-alone/id1823577633) Watch and listen on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/7ieYEbVzgnM4OecCoUJGcq?si=19e62dd98ee84252) and [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@never_run_alone)

The Underfuelling Epidemic with Nutritionist Grace Liebelt and Bergman, Merrick and MacDonald

Feb 20, 2026 1 hr 24 min

PLEASE NOTE: In this episode of Never Run Alone, it includes discussion about body image, eating habits, calorie counting, and other topics that might be triggering for some listeners. Please take care while listening, and if you need support, we’ve included some helpful resources in the show notes. After an increase in injuries across the running community both online and in person, we’re joined this week by Nutritionist and Dietician and repeat guest on the pod, Grace Liebelt. Grace joined us back in October 2025, as she was just coming back from an injury herself. In this conversation, the team discuss the best ways to fuel, body image, ‘Skinny Tok’ and other related questions around how they approach their training and living a healthy and happy life. All that and more with Grace Liebelt, Cam Merrick, Sissi Bergman and host Rien MacDonald. If you need more resources around the topics discussed in todays conversation, please check out butterfly.org.au as well as Grace’s Instagram plus gramsofhealth.com and the Grams of Health Instagram Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Developing Speed, Deload Weeks, Winter Olympics and Ultimate Running Tunes with Bergman Farrenkothen Merrick and MacDonald

Feb 13, 2026 1 hr 11 min

Mac is back this week hosting a trio of legends to unpack a host of listener questions as well as how speed work for the crew has developed over the years. We also discuss training with Boston Marathon less than 10 weeks out, our Winter Olympic sport and ultimate running tunes along with the buy/sell of the week. All that and more with Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Sissi Bergman and host Rien MacDonald. Suss The Long Run Playlist here. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Never Have I Ever Been An Instagram Doctor....

Feb 6, 2026 1 hr 2 min

The crew dive into all things Boston Marathon prep, Australian Athletics and a deep-dive on the rise of instagram doctors diagnosing every man and their dog.

Race Prep, Fuelling and Building a Successful Training Plan feat Run Coach Matty Abel with Bergman Farrenkothen Merrick and MacDonald

Jan 30, 2026 1 hr 11 min

Things are heating up ahead of Boston as we get run coach Matty Abel on to discuss all things running preparation, fuelling and how to approach training for a race. Matty is generous with his time and in answering your questions - we hope you enjoy and find them useful in future! All that and more with special guest and run coach Matty Abel along with Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Sissi Bergman and host Rien MacDonald. Visit Matty’s website here. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Big Boston Breakdown and What NOT to do at the Start of a Training Block with Farrenkothen Merrick and MacDonald

Jan 22, 2026 1 hr 6 min

The boys are back with a big Boston breakdown this week, along with sharing personal running goals for this calendar year. In it, they share some key mistakes and learnings they’ve made at the start of training blocks as well as buy/sell and some interesting would you rather’s to kick things off. All that and more with Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen and host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

An Aussie Win at WXC plus the World’s Fastest 10k? with Farrenkothen Merrick and MacDonald

Jan 16, 2026 1 hr 13 min

Just the boys on this weeks ep as we unpack a a fast week of running with 3 major talking points. The World Cross Country Championships in Florida, the Valencia 10k and Houston’s Marathon. As always, a few warm up questions to get us going and a buy/sell that’ll get you talking. All that and more with Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen and host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Are We Sleeping on Japanese Running & The World Cross Country Championship with Bergman, Merrick, Wiseman and MacDonald

Jan 9, 2026 43 min

Our first outing for 2026 as we discuss plenty already happening in the world of running with the Hakone Ekiden last week showcasing the best of university running in Japan and a truly elite level across the nation, we discuss how it’s come to be at a high level. The team also preview the World Cross Country Championships and Sissi also debuts her Speed Round with a flurry of running ‘Would You Rathers’. All that and more with Ash Wiseman, Cam Merrick, Sissi Bergman and host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

Building the Ultimate Runner and our 2026 Preview and Predictions with Bergman, Farrenkothen, Merrick, Wiseman and MacDonald

Dec 30, 2025 1 hr 21 min

We round out 2025 with a full house to preview and predict plenty that is awaiting us in the new year. We discuss building the ultimate runner from other sports, what Aussie records could fall and running trends closer to home. Thanks for listening along with us this year and we hope you all have a safe and fun start to 2026. All that and more with Ash Wiseman, Cam Merrick, Kris Farrenkothen, Sissi Bergman and host Rien MacDonald. Thanks for listening and watching. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you’re consuming the content, and leave a 5 star review - it all helps! Questions? DM us on Instagram, and follow us whilst you’re there. Come one, come all, come running. Please subscribe, rate and review wherever you are listening. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch and listen on Spotify and YouTube

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Podcast details

Created by: Never Run Alone
Status: Active
Latest episode: Nov 13, 2026
Episodes: 105
Release period: Weekly
Avg. episode length: 1 hr 3 min
Explicit: No
Language: English

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