The Fastest Marathon Courses, China's Emerging Shoe Tech, Great Instagram Accounts and more

Mick Fox (2:19 marathoner) and Matt Fox (2:18 marathoner) return with another episode of the Fastest Fox series. They cover the current marathon period with Rotterdam complete and Boston and London just ahead, before moving into debates around race weather, hydration policy, shoe technology, underrated running creators, and where the sport is heading.

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Mick Fox and Matt open the episode by looking at the heart of marathon season, with Rotterdam just completed and both Boston and London coming up next. They discuss how different forecasts can shape not only race-day execution but also the appeal of one event over another, noting that Boston looks relatively cool while London may be much warmer. That leads into a broader reflection on how unpredictable weather remains one of the biggest variables in marathon racing.

The conversation then shifts to the Paris Marathon and its controversial trial of removing cups at aid stations. Mick and Matt question whether the policy, while environmentally motivated, creates unnecessary inconvenience and potential risk for runners trying to hydrate properly during a marathon. They also discuss Paris winner “Cripp,” and use the race to make a wider point that events outside the Abbott World Marathon Majors can still offer fields, atmosphere, and performances that rival the biggest races in the sport.

From there, they explore what really makes a marathon feel “major,” including the influence Abbott has had in shaping perception and expansion. They also touch on some of the most popular European races for fast times, especially from an Irish perspective, with Valencia, Seville, Dublin, and Frankfurt all mentioned as strong options depending on goals, timing, and conditions.

The episode also includes discussion around Rotterdam’s 2:03 to 2:04 winning standard and whether modern marathon performances are being driven primarily by shoe advancements. Mick and Matt acknowledge that training, depth, and professionalism all matter, but argue that shoe technology has clearly played a major role in lifting the level of the event and the sport more broadly.

Matt then shares updates from China, where he is researching a shoe brand referred to as “QD,” while also thinking through broader ideas around business, running culture, and product access. That includes discussion of a paid group-run app, the possibility of an online shoe store, and what it might look like to help people access performance footwear that is less visible in Western markets.

Later in the episode, the discussion becomes more personal, moving into the tension between travel and family life, the way sleep and routine are affected by constant movement, and the wider shift on social media toward short-form content. Mick and Matt also spotlight underrated running creators including Dan Nash, Ryan Creech, and Caroline Hassett, before briefly debating Josh Kerr’s mile world record ambitions and whether he could eventually be a serious marathoner. They wrap up by pointing listeners toward the private podcast and deeper training discussion.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Marathon Season Kickoff
00:42 - Boston And London Weather Talk
02:25 - Paris Hydration Controversy
04:21 - Kipruto Wins Paris
05:28 - What Makes A Major
07:05 - Best Races For Fast Times
09:24 - Frankfurt And Dublin Plans
11:00 - Rotterdam And The Shoe Era
12:02 - China Trip And New Shoe Brands
14:59 - Run Meetup App Idea
18:17 - Business Ideas And Family Tradeoffs
20:19 - Travel Struggles And Sleep
23:01 - Parenthood Sleep Stories
24:04 - Sharing the Hard Moments
24:42 - Short Form Takes Over
26:37 - Attention Spans and Algorithms
29:07 - Watching Runners Grow Up
32:21 - Underrated Creator Shoutouts
33:36 - Dan Nash Spotlight
36:44 - Ryan Creech and Real Talent
40:49 - Caroline Hassett Relatable Running
43:20 - Josh Kerr Mile Record Debate
47:36 - Wrap and Private Pod Plug