Listen "126 Marathons, 44 Ironmans: A Lifetime of Running with Mark Kleanthous"
Episode Synopsis
Running since 1980, today’s guest has completed 126 marathons and 44 Ironmans across 22 countries, including two starts at the Ironman World Championships in Kona. He ran the first London Marathon in 1981 and is aiming to return for the 50th anniversary in 2031.We had a chat after Dunstable Downs Parkrun and in this episode, we cover four decades of running: how marathons felt in the days before technology, the pride of competing shoulder to shoulder with athletes like Hugh Jones, the importance of setting new challenges, and what keeps him coming back year after year.We also dive into the mental game of endurance: why resilience often matters more than speed, how to push past the wall, and the lessons he’s learned about motivation, community, and finding balance through sport.This is an inspiring, wide-ranging conversation with someone who has seen running evolve over generations — and who still has unfinished business on the start line.You can find him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ironmate_coaching/
More episodes of the podcast The Pace Invader
Jillian - Running to heal
11/10/2025
Jenny: Running as Therapy
12/09/2025
Matt - Running for Connection
05/09/2025
Tom: From Parkrun to Hi-Rox
24/08/2025
Richard - It's all about focus
16/08/2025
Jason, the Parkrun Tourist extreme
02/08/2025
Just Matt – Back on the Start Line
26/07/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.