London Marathon Going to 100,000 Runners? Emma Bates Dropped by Sponsor + More Race Chaos

Come to our LIVE SHOW in Boston! Join Alex, Katelyn and Michael and some very special guests, + giveaways and prizes!
📅 Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m
📍 Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street
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This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the five biggest stories in the running world... and it's been anything but a quiet week.

Is the London Marathon about to double in size? A leaked report suggests the iconic race could expand to 100,000 runners over two days by 2027 — splitting the men's and women's elite races across Saturday and Sunday. We unpack the pros (more charity, more coverage, more access) and the very real logistical challenges.

Then, American elite marathoner Emma Bates revealed on Instagram that her nutrition sponsor UCAN dropped her after she announced her pregnancy. UCAN disputes her version of events. It's a messy "he said, she said" situation — and we break it all down.

The US Half Marathon Championships controversy just keeps getting more complicated. After the lead runners were sent off course in Atlanta last month, World Athletics has now approved an expanded 7-athlete team for the World Half Marathon Championships — but who makes the A team vs. the B team? Jess McClain is at the center of it all, and we have thoughts.

At the Modesto Marathon in California, the runner who crossed the line first was disqualified after being led short by the lead vehicle. Again. Plus, chaos at the Chengdu World Heritage Marathon in China: a runner stopped mid-race to do the splits, another hoarded hundreds of free race gels, and a third received a lifetime ban for bib swapping — all at the same event.

And just before we hit record: breaking news that a past New York City Marathon champion has reportedly tested positive for EPO. We'll have the full story next week.

Read Jessy's article on the idea that perhaps Boston should go to two days as well:
marathonhandbook.com/could-boston-marathons-qualifier-problem-be-solved-by-going-two-days

Chapters:
0:00 Intro & Boston Marathon Weekend Live Show
2:00 Jessy's Half Marathon Debut (1:34!) & YouTube Updates
5:00 This Week's Top 5 Running Stories Preview
6:30 #1: London Marathon Plans to Double to 100,000 Runners
11:00 #2: Emma Bates Dropped by Sponsor After Announcing Pregnancy
15:00 #3: US Half Marathon Champs Controversy — Jess McClain & the World Team
21:00 #4: Modesto Marathon Winner Disqualified After Lead Bike Error
23:30 #5: China Marathon Chaos — Splits, Gel Hoarding & Bib Fraud
27:58 Breaking: NYC Marathon Champion Faces Doping Allegation
28:30 Outro &