Running
The #1 Running Scientist Who Helped Eliud Kipchoge Break 2 Hours In The Marathon Shares What Actually Makes Runners Faster — And What Most Are Getting Wrong
THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST›
Apr 1, 20261:11:54
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Episode Notes
A sub-2-hour marathon was supposed to be impossible. Then Dr. Brad Wilkins built the mathematical model that proved it wasn't, and Nike handed him the keys to make it happen.
In 2017, Kipchoge ran 2:00:25 at Breaking2—25 seconds short. Close enough to prove the science was right. Two years later, the 1:59:40 happened in Vienna. The blueprint Wilkins built made that possible.
Now he's back in a university lab asking an even bigger question: what is the actual ceiling of human performance? Spoiler: he doesn't think there is one.
From the gut bacteria influencing your race day performance, to the hormone data that's about to change how women train forever, to the super shoe numbers the industry doesn't want you to see, Dr. Brad Wilkins is bringing the actual science, not the headlines.
He'll tell you why your wearable is lying to you, why your brain quits long before your body has to, and why most of what you've heard about VO2 max, altitude, and recovery is noise dressed up as wisdom.
Ten years inside Nike's most secretive labs. Forty-plus published manuscripts. One bold claim: humans have no limits.
This is the episode that changes how you train.
Tap into the Dr. Brad Wilkins Special.
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"The #1 Running Scientist Who Helped Eliud Kipchoge Break 2 Hours In The Marathon Shares What Actually Makes Runners Faster — And What Most Are Getting Wrong" is an episode of THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST. Runtime 1 hr 11 min. Published April 1, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.
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Quick FAQ
- When was this episode published?
- April 1, 2026.
- How long is this episode?
- 1 hr 11 min.
- What podcast is this from?
- THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST. Browse the full back catalog on the show page.
- What does this episode cover?
- THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST covers running. This episode runs on the show's regular cadence.
