Emma B Launches Marathon Training Podcast With British Heart Foundation | London Marathon 2026
Virgin Radio UK presenter Emma B has officially launched a powerful new visualised podcast series documenting her journey from first training run to the finish line of the London Marathon 2026.
Titled I Can Run A Marathon, the podcast follows Emma as she prepares for her first-ever 26.2-mile race, partnering with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to raise awareness around heart health, resilience, and fitness at every age.
Blending raw personal storytelling, expert guidance, and inspirational guest interviews, the series aims to show that marathon running — and major life goals — are achievable even after serious health challenges and personal setbacks.
A Visualised Podcast Tracking a First-Time Marathon Journey
Unlike traditional running podcasts, I Can Run A Marathon is a visualised series, available both on major podcast platforms and YouTube, allowing audiences to experience Emma’s training in real time.
The podcast spans 16 weeks, with new episodes released every Thursday, charting:
Physical training milestones
Mental barriers and motivation struggles
Injury fears and recovery
Emotional highs and lows
The reality of fitting marathon prep into everyday life
Each episode brings listeners inside the true marathon experience, rather than a polished highlight reel.
Partnering With the British Heart Foundation
The collaboration with the British Heart Foundation adds a deeper purpose to the project.
As one of the UK’s leading heart health charities, the BHF supports research, education, and awareness around cardiovascular disease — a cause that closely aligns with Emma’s personal journey and renewed focus on long-term health.
Through the podcast, the charity highlights:
The importance of heart health at every age
Safe and sustainable approaches to endurance training
The benefits of physical activity for mental wellbeing
Fundraising efforts linked to the London Marathon
The partnership ensures the podcast delivers both inspiration and medically sound advice.
Guided by Chris Evans’ Iconic Marathon Framework
Emma’s marathon preparation follows the principles of 119 Days to Go, the well-known running book by Virgin Radio UK Breakfast Show presenter Chris Evans.
The book offers a structured, realistic training plan designed for ordinary runners, not elite athletes — making it particularly appealing to first-timers.
Throughout the podcast, Emma references:
Weekly mileage targets
Gradual progression strategies
Rest and recovery techniques
Mindset shifts needed for long-distance running
The framework helps ground the series in practicality, ensuring listeners can learn alongside Emma.
Honest Conversations About Progress, Setbacks, and Self-Doubt
A defining feature of I Can Run A Marathon is its honesty.
Rather than portraying marathon training as a linear journey, Emma openly discusses:
Days when motivation disappears
Physical discomfort and fatigue
Moments of self-doubt
Balancing training with work and family life
The mental challenge of starting from scratch
This transparency has already resonated with audiences who see their own struggles reflected in Emma’s story.
Inspiring Guest Line-Up Brings Perspective and Motivation
Alongside Emma’s personal updates, each episode features guests who bring expert insight and lived experience.
Notable contributors include:
Helen Thorn from Scummy Mummies, discussing motherhood, fitness, and finding time for self-care
Nell McAndrew, model and seasoned runner, sharing lessons from years of endurance sport
Eilish McColgan, Olympic long-distance athlete, offering elite-level insight into mindset and resilience
Vernon Thomas, the 81-year-old Team GB duathlete who competed in the very first London Marathon
These voices reinforce the podcast’s core message: there is no single “runner’s body” or age limit for ambition.
A Turning Point After Years of Personal Challenges
Signing up for the London Marathon represents a deeply symbolic moment for Emma.
In recent years, she has navigated:
A breast cancer diagnosis in 2021
Surgery and recovery
The physical and emotional impact of menopause
Caring responsibilities for elderly parents
Speaking candidly on Chris Evans’ Breakfast Show, Emma described feeling disconnected from her former self following her diagnosis — unsure of how to rebuild her strength and confidence.
Training for the marathon, she said, gave her a clear goal and renewed sense of purpose.
“I Needed Something Positive to Focus On”
Emma has explained that rebuilding fitness felt like the greatest hurdle after treatment.
Rather than easing back quietly, she chose one of the world’s most iconic marathons as her comeback challenge.
By committing publicly, she hoped to:
Hold herself accountable
Demystify marathon training
Encourage others facing similar life transitions
Redefine what midlife fitness looks like
The podcast became a natural extension of that decision.
Challenging Stereotypes Around Women and Ageing
A central theme of the series is representation.
Emma has spoken openly about the lack of visibility for women in their late forties and fifties within mainstream fitness media.
Through the podcast, she aims to challenge assumptions that:
Endurance sport is only for younger athletes
Women should “slow down” after a certain age
Recovery and progress are no longer possible midlife
Instead, I Can Run A Marathon positions experience, patience, and consistency as strengths.
More Than a Running Podcast
While running is the backbone of the series, the podcast extends far beyond training schedules.
Recurring themes include:
Mental resilience
Identity after illness
Confidence rebuilding
Community support
Redefining success
This wider emotional lens has helped the podcast appeal to non-runners as well as aspiring marathoners.
A Practical Guide and a Source of Motivation
By combining:
Expert advice
Personal reflection
Real-world challenges
Inspirational stories
the podcast functions as both:
A how-to guide for first-time marathon runners
A motivational series for anyone facing a major life goal
Listeners are encouraged to apply the lessons to their own ambitions — athletic or otherwise.
Where to Watch and Listen
I Can Run A Marathon is available on:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon Music
YouTube (visualised episodes)
New episodes are released every Thursday, counting down to marathon day in April.
Why This Podcast Is Resonating in 2026
The launch taps into several major cultural shifts:
Growing interest in midlife fitness
Increased openness around women’s health
Demand for authentic storytelling
Popularity of endurance challenges as personal milestones
By aligning these trends with a respected charity and a recognisable media figure, the podcast is well-positioned for strong engagement and long-term relevance.
Final Thoughts
Emma B’s I Can Run A Marathon is not just about crossing a finish line. It is about reclaiming identity, redefining limits, and proving that meaningful transformation can begin at any stage of life.
As marathon day approaches, listeners are invited not just to watch Emma run — but to reflect on their own goals, setbacks, and untapped potential.
