Des Linden & Molly Seidel Enter Ultras, Olympic Trials at 49, and Ed Sheeran Runs?!

Elite marathoners are taking over the ultra world — and one of them is heading straight into the Sahara Desert. In this episode of The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carver break down the biggest running news of the week, including Des Linden’s announcement that she’ll race the legendary Marathon des Sables, and Molly Seidel’s stunning win at the Bandera 50K in her ultra debut. We also cover an inspirational masters performance as 49-year-old Dot McMahon qualifies for her sixth U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, plus a disturbing incident at the Winter Spine Race where runner and human rights activist Sarah Porter was removed after death threats. To wrap things up, a surprising reveal from pop culture: Ed Sheeran says running is his favorite way to stay fit, joining stars like Harry Styles in the running boom. 🎙️ New episodes every week from The Running Story and the Marathon Handbook Podcast. 👇 Let us know in the comments: Who do you think will adapt better to ultras — Linden or Seidel? Which pop star do you want to see become a runner next? Chapters / Topics: 00:00 Intro – This Week in Running News 00:30 Des Linden Announces Marathon des Sables 02:10 Why Marathon des Sables Is One of the Toughest Ultras 03:24 Des Linden Racing with Ultra Champion Magda Boulet 04:30 49-Year-Old Dot McMahon Qualifies for Olympic Trials 05:48 How Fast Is a 49-Year-Old Olympic Trials Marathon? 06:30 Where Will the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials Be? 07:00 Death Threats at the Winter Spine Ultra 08:53 Why Sarah Porter Was Removed from the Race 10:00 Molly Seidel Wins Bandera 50K in Ultra Debut 11:30 Can Molly Seidel Make Western States or UTMB? 13:30 Why Elite Marathoners Are Moving to Ultras 14:28 Ed Sheeran Reveals He’s a Runner 15:30 How Ed Sheeran Uses Running in Daily Life 17:00 Pop Stars, Running Culture, and the Running Boom 18:15 Who’s the Next Celebrity Runner? 18:24 Episode Wrap-Up & Subscribe 📩 Questions about training, race previews, or to send us your hot takes? Email us at podcast@marathonhandbook.com. 🎤 Leave us a voice memo for our mailbag episodes: marathonhandbook.com/podcast📸 Instagram: @marathon.handbook 📰 Join 265,000+ runners getting our daily newsletter: marathonhandbook.com/newsletter #RunningNews #DesLinden #MollySeidel #UltraRunning #MarathonDesSables #OlympicMarathonTrials #MastersRunning #TrailRunning #Ultramarathon #Bandera50K #WinterSpineRace #EdSheeran #CelebrityRunners #RunningPodcast #MarathonHandbook