The Runna Podcast

Author: Runna

Join Coach Ben Parker and Coach Anya Culling every Friday as they deep-dive into running with Olympians, world-class coaches, and inspiring runners - from Romesh Ranganathan to Alex Yee and Lucy Charles-Barclay. Expect captivating stories, hilarious mishaps, and actionable coaching tips (incl. weekly tips from Olympian Steph Davis) on training, injury prevention, mindset, recovery, and performance. Whether its your first 5K or a marathon PB, well fuel your next run. New episodes every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Language: en

Genres: Running, Sports

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Are Elite Runners Born - or Built? | Jake Wightman, World Champion
Episode 96
Thursday, 5 February, 2026

Are elite runners born, or built?This week on The Runna Podcast, 1500m World Champion Jake Wightman reveals the training secrets and mindset shifts that helped him beat Jakob Ingebrigtsen and conquer the world stage.Jake shares the reality of middle-distance running at the highest level with Coaches Ben and Anya. From the "Nature vs. Nurture" debate and the unique pressure of being coached by his father, to the exact tactics used to win Gold in 2022, this episode is a masterclass in elite performance.Highlights include: 👟 Father-Son Coaching: Navigating a unique dynamic within professional athletics 🧬 Born or Built?: Genetics, rivalry & the "performance-first" mindset🥇 Beating Jakob Ingebrigtsen: The 1500m tactics that won World Gold ⚖️ The Cost of Gold: Navigating injury cycles & finding balance.Whether you're chasing a running PB or just love the sport, you won’t want to miss Jake’s insights on rebuilding after injury and targeting the LA 2028 Olympics! 🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community. 🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26And if you’re just getting started, our New to Running and Return to Running plans are totally free 💛📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.