Explore every episode of the podcast In The Beginning | Australian Running and Endurance Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP112 — NOOSA TRI CANCELS THE SWIM FOR SHARKS: SHOULD THEY HAVE? | 06 Nov 2026 | 01:18:12 | |
Noosa Triathlon Series: for the first time since 1983, Noosa cancelled the swim. A lifeguard told one athlete she could duck in for a pre-race wee, "just don't go too deep because the sharks are like right there". Courtney's team, The Imposters, wins the teams race. Liam snaps his chain in front of thousands in the Legends race and finishes on a borrowed mountain bike. Andreas Almgren wins New York on his marathon debut, and Haftu Strintzos runs fifth. HYROX goes in under World Triathlon. Then your Noosa stories: a 100 km/h tandem goal down Garmin Hill, three triathlons with zero swims, the drafting row and the $455 entry fee. The drafting debate is told by someone who admits he drafted, in a floral suit. Tell us in the comments: drafting at Noosa — part of the deal at 8,500 people, or should officials crack down? The Real Science of Sport on the Jepchirchir case: Apple Podcasts Matt Hauser on Noosa Fitness Christmas: Instagram HYROX and World Triathlon partnership: World Triathlon Noosa swim cancelled: ABC News Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava CHAPTERS 0:00 Sharks cancel the Noosa swim 9:27 The Imposters win the teams race 12:07 Liam's snapped chain 20:16 Where's Noosa's elite depth gone? 23:15 Volunteering at the kids' race 25:43 New York: Almgren wins on debut 26:36 Doping and the Real Science of Sport 35:53 New York's brand activations 42:06 HYROX joins World Triathlon 44:19 ASICS everywhere, no super shoes 48:08 Your Noosa race stories 1:10:28 Is Noosa getting too expensive? | |||
| EP111 — NOOSA TRI WEEK, A SYDNEY MARATHON EPO CASE & COURTNEY'S 30 YEAR OLD RECORD FALLS | 30 Oct 2026 | 00:55:59 | |
Noosa Triathlon Series: 8,500 athletes on the start list for Noosa weekend and 58% of them first-timers, and Courtney explains why three Noosa titles are still what people remember him for. Liam's in for HYROX Brisbane with his wife, Courtney gets caught shirtless in the Nerang trails after swearing he never runs without one, and the boys pick through Sydney Marathon winner Peres Jepchirchir's provisional EPO suspension, an AI count of every shoe at mile 21 of the Marine Corps Marathon, and Courtney's 30-year school 3000m record finally falling. Plus Liam's liver specialist asks him "when did you put the weight on?", and Kilian Jornet on eating real food. Two blokes who actually race, on a doping story, a shoe count and a weigh-in nobody else would admit to on air. CHAPTERS 0:00 Noosa by the numbers 4:18 Liam's Noosa plan and the wetsuit rule 9:45 Liam's HYROX Brisbane announcement 12:33 What Noosa means to triathlon 18:34 Caught on camera: Supercars grid and Nerang trails 23:08 Sydney Marathon winner suspended for EPO 31:48 AI shoe count at the Marine Corps Marathon 38:09 Remember the name: a 30-year school record 44:32 Resting heart rate on dating apps 46:14 "When did you put the weight on?" 51:04 Kilian Jornet's nutrition rules 55:01 Shout-outs and sign-off Tell us in the comments: racing Noosa this weekend? Drop your goal time and we'll read out the best ones next week. Read Kilian's article: Nutrition: focus on the basics Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 110 - NOOSA STOLE OUR CHRISTMAS | 23 Oct 2026 | 00:55:31 | |
Courtney's been within 30 seconds of his predicted time at the Gold Coast Marathon, Bridge to Brisbane and the Melbourne half, so he's 80/20 against flying to Kobe to run a time he already knows. Liam ran the Blackall 100 21K after hosting Birds of Tokyo, a 9pm drive to Mapleton and four hours' sleep in the back of the car. Plus listeners tell Courtney they do care about his age group, his 2017 Strava KOM on Bimberi Peak, Australia's running capital, Noosa Tri borrowing "Christmas for triathletes", and this week's Local Legend Peter Hancock, 12 years of daily swims in Armidale. Follow Local Legend Peter: @platocean Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| BONUS EP — NOOSA RACE WEEK: A WORLD CHAMPION’S COACH ON SWIM, BIKE, RUN & RACE MORNING | 20 Oct 2026 | 00:43:07 | |
Noosa Triathlon is 11 days away, so we’ve pulled the best of coach Dan Atkins from last year’s Road to Noosa series into one episode, in race order. Dan is an Olympic coach and coaches world champion Matt Hauser, and he takes you through the whole course: reading the ocean and getting through the surf, swimming wide of the turn cans, spinning the first 10K of the bike, getting down Garmin Hill, running the first KM 10% slower, and the food, sleep, race breakfast and Saturday jobs for these last 10 days. Follow Dan Atkins on Instagram @danatkinstraining Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 109 - NIKE MELBOURNE MARATHON & KIPCHOGE | 16 Oct 2026 | 01:10:41 | |
Courtney ran 1:16:37 in the Nike Melbourne Marathon half, with a negative split and second in his age group, and insists nobody cares about the second bit. Both of us met Eliud Kipchoge: Courtney got his structure question answered on the finish line at the MCG, and Liam's phone tried to answer for him mid-Q&A.
Plus Melbourne vs Gold Coast as a city marathon, Kipchoge's start-line mindset, the Alphafly 3 vs 4 one-shoe-each test, Izzi Batt-Doyle's national record, Kona, and this week's Local Legend, Declan Magill, who ran 2:41 pushing his daughter Hazel. Follow Declan and Hazel: @runningforhazel Donate to Declan's Dylan Alcott Foundation fundraiser: Running for Hazel Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP108 — WHEN DID KIPCHOGE LAST HATE RUNNING? | 09 Oct 2026 | 01:01:01 | |
A fitness influencer with 530,000 followers rode the back of a bike at 38km in Berlin and posted a PB. Courtney reckons the brands should be checking who they sign. It's Melbourne race week. Courtney's still not sure he can hold a half marathon flat out, Liam has a question loaded for Eliud Kipchoge's breakfast, and someone has just done 35 laps of Nerang's Goat Loop, 245km in 50 hours. Plus Liam's back on the trails at the Blackall 100, Nine takes the athletics rights from Seven, this week's Local Legend Jaime Casciaro, and Greg Norman now follows Liam on Instagram. Follow Jaime: @jaimecasciaro Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 107 - LIAM SAYS SORRY: THE DNF TAX IS DEAD | 02 Oct 2026 | 00:54:06 | |
Liam opens with an apology. His DNF tax went down like a lead balloon, and his wife says he doubled down when Courtney called it. Then it's shoes: Courtney's Teams call with Eliud Kipchoge, the $500 Nike Apex that won't land here until 27 January, why the podium comes down to who brands pay, and whether Adidas' Gear Shift is the new Reebok Pump. Plus a tribute to Pat Clohessy, a verified-PR fix for Strava, the Stawell Gift winner losing his $40k, and Melbourne runner Amy Robinson as this week's Local Legend. Amy Robinson on Instagram Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP106 — BREAKFAST WITH KIPCHOGE & A 2:20 RADIO RECORD | 25 Sep 2026 | 01:05:53 | |
Liam wants anyone who DNFs a sold-out marathon to pay 25% more to enter next year, refunded when they finish. Courtney isn't buying it. Also in this one: Liam's off to Melbourne for breakfast with Eliud Kipchoge, Nike's Alphafly 4 finally goes quiet, a Titans rookie's reported $600k deal next to Hayden Wilde's prize-money run, and a BBC radio producer's 2:20 live-broadcast half marathon record that Liam reckons he'll beat by Monday. Plus a listener puts up Upper Coomera grinder Dezi as one to watch for Brisbane 2032. Send us your under-the-radar runners. The record Liam's chasing: BBC: Presenter may have set half-marathon world record Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 105 - NOBODY THOUGHT THEY HAD TO WRITE THAT RULE DOWN | 18 Sep 2026 | 01:13:21 | |
Courtney went 33:53 at Bridge to Brisbane — and raced the whole thing without pacing off his watch. Liam did his first SwimRun on the Gold Coast and came back with three lessons, one of them being that pride will cost you a race. We also get into who actually won Bridge to Brisbane as a brand, why Hyrox owed its athlete a duty of care, whether an actor in a betting ad devalues women's sport, Salomon signing a five-year deal with Ironman, and the guessing game about where world record pace really falls off. Two blokes who went out and did something on the weekend, talking about it honestly. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| BONUS EP: OUTBACK MIKE AT THE SUNRAYSIA SAFARI RALLY, MILDURA | 15 Sep 2026 | 00:28:21 | |
Recorded from the front seats of a Subaru Outback Wilderness on a live rally course at the Sunraysia Safari in Mildura, with Mike Atkinson AKA Outback Mike — Alone Australia Season 1 runner-up, survival expert and former military pilot. Mike was removed from Alone at day 64 sure he had more in him, spent 50 days on the Great Barrier Reef in a dugout canoe he built, and is about to take an electric Subaru Trailseeker from Birdsville to Mount Dare across the Simpson Desert, charging it off a generator. We get into building a baseline for hardship, why the athletes who look most reckless are the most calculated, the Tiger Woods focus trick that got Mike through jet training, rites of passage, and how the Altra Lone Peaks felt. No highlight reel. Just someone who's actually been hungry, thirsty and exposed, explaining why that makes the rest of life easier. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP104 — YOU'RE EXERCISING, NOT TRAINING (& THAT'S FINE) ft ADAM GORDON | 11 Sep 2026 | 00:58:58 | |
Adzy Gordon's maths teacher told his parents he'd never be a runner because he was too overweight. He went on to race as a professional triathlete, and now runs the Adzy's Athletes run group out of Main Beach and works on driver fitness in Supercars. With Courtney away, Liam sits down with him to talk why run clubs are the new bowls club, the difference between exercising and training, why he never runs with headphones, the 97kg single-leg press behind every heavy brake, and what it'll take to be on the marathon start line at Brisbane 2032. Plus Liam doubles down on parkrun being the greatest invention of the last 25 years, and nobody talks him out of it. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 103 - SYDNEY MARATHON VS UTMB: WHO ACTUALLY WON THE WEEKEND | 04 Sep 2026 | 01:22:41 | |
Courtney walked off a track session at Pizzey this week feeling better than he has after any run in five years — and he's twelve weeks out from another marathon in the shape he ran the last one. Also in: a voicemail from a sub-3 mate who pulled out at 30k of the Sydney Marathon and felt nothing but relief, Andy Buchanan's $30,000 first-Aussie payday, why Ned Brockman might be a 2032 Olympian (Liam's call: 60% heart, 40% head), the finisher shirt Sydney hands you at registration, and Nike's Pickle Juice shoe. Bridge to Brisbane next Sunday, a 12k swim run the day before, and the Melbourne half on 11 October — all of it out loud, times and all. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 102 - ft MICK KELLY FROM 'WE GOT THE CHOCOLATES' PODCAST | 28 Aug 2026 | 01:02:05 | |
A YouTube compilation of 75-year-olds finishing Ironman made Mick Kelly cry in his living room — six years later he's signed up for a 200-mile race with more elevation than Everest. The We Got The Chocolates host joins Courtney and Liam for the first proper podcaster-on-podcaster episode: the 4:30am bike crash where he lay in the road wondering why he'd bother getting up, the Rainbow Beach vomit video he chose to film, and why he picked a human coach over AI. Plus the Sydney Marathon medal that accidentally featured a stadium in Munich, Mondo Duplantis releasing a pop single, and an honest take on why run clubs aren't for everyone. Two blokes who train talking to a bloke who makes content for a living — and does the training anyway. Mick Kelly on Instagram Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast | |||
| EP 101 — ROGER FEDERER LOST $74 MILLION IN A DAY | 21 Aug 2026 | 01:02:17 | |
Liam made a bold prediction about 'On Running' brand back in January. Last week it cost Roger Federer seventy-four million dollars in a single day. That's the hand-up moment this episode starts on, before the boys get into whether the running world has too much access — Michael Jordan, Bill Murray, and the surfers who reckon marketing is ruining the sport. Plus the six things that make up a premium runner's $1,500 annual budget, Courtney's verdict on Liam's floaty shorts, and why major marathons are just grown up Ooshies. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast | |||
| EP 99 - YOUR AI COACH DOESN'T ACTUALLY KNOW YOU | 14 Aug 2026 | 01:07:24 | |
A running brand where you can't buy the kit until your Strava time says you've earned it — Liam reckons that's a concept, not a gimmick, and Courtney wants in. Liam debriefs his City to Surf TV commentary debut, why Mona's 35-year-old record still runs the whole event, and the Andy Buchanan story that got him into the good books with the Buchanans. Then: the Hyrox founder admits the name came out of a lawsuit and a legal test, a US report puts trail running at $20 billion, and a listener who's sacked two coaches for AI sparks a proper conversation about whose running it actually is. Plus Australia's toughest foot race: 63.5kg of wheat, one kilometre, and the world's smallest mountain. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 98 — INFLUENCERS BRING REACH, ATHLETES BRING TRUST | 07 Aug 2026 | 01:04:01 | |
Everyone does the Mona Fartlek. Almost nobody does it properly — and Courtney admits he's one of them, letting his floats slide into jogs so the reps look quicker. From there it's Keely Hodgkinson's new Nike signature collection and what it says about where athlete branding is heading, plus the sharpest line either of us has read this year: influencers bring reach, athletes bring trust, and confusing the two is why sports marketing is a mess. Also: the world's-fittest-person fallout, a hurdler breaking records on a Maccas order, and Liam's proposal that any café charging eight bucks a coffee should have to show its working. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 97 - WHO IS THE FITTEST PERSON ON EARTH? | 31 Jul 2026 | 01:14:30 | |
Who is genuinely the fittest person on Earth: Tadej Pogačar, Kilian Jornet, a CrossFit champion or someone else entirely? Courtney and Liam unpack Australia’s Commonwealth Games dominance, Dean Boxall’s extraordinary medal haul, Lockie Kennedy’s breakout performance and Sydney Marathon’s new AI mindset coach. There’s also run-club controversy in Bali, Courtney’s Running of the Bulls survival story, a proposal for $3,000 premium marathon toilets, Liam confronting his open-water fears and a huge City2Surf broadcasting announcement to finish. Subscribe and join the In the Beginning family for more Australian running, endurance sport and the occasional completely unhinged scheme. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 96 - FINDING FINISH LINES & THE 2AM DRUG TEST | 24 Jul 2026 | 01:04:48 | |
Courtney and Liam are back covering the strange space after a major race — when the finish line is gone, motivation dips and it’s time to find the next target. They unpack the simple five-minute rule for getting yourself out the door, debate whether ASICS has officially overtaken Nike, and ask whether wearing event merchandise after race weekend is acceptable behaviour. Plus, the Tour de France’s controversial 2am drug test, Courtney’s unforgettable drug-testing experience inside a moving train toilet, the story and storytelling behind a historic mile performance, Commonwealth Games noise and the latest Clydesdale running challenge. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 95 - THE SLUSHY MACHINE ULTRA | 17 Jul 2026 | 01:06:58 | |
Courtney's had enough of blokes walking around town in Alphaflys, and it kicks off a proper deep dive — from a Runners World piece on desexualising athletics broadcasts, to Nike ACG's slushy-machine aid station truck, to a full stats rabbit hole across soccer, AFL and NRL fitness tests. Then it's a full Gold Coast Marathon wrap: run club flag culture, the Official Unofficial account calling out dodgy Strava times, a blind runner's finish line moment, and the birth of a new ITB tradition — "In The Beginning Rules Apply." Plus Liam's new post-Miler goal and early guesses at Courtney's next marathon. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 94 - THE MARATHON IS DONE. NOW WHAT? | 10 Jul 2026 | 00:55:00 | |
The Gold Coast Marathon is done, the legs are cooked, and Courtney is already quietly looking towards another marathon in November. This week, Liam and Courtney unpack what proper marathon recovery should actually look like — from the science of damaged muscles and suppressed immunity to Michael Shelley’s far simpler philosophy: go on holiday, have a beer and let the brain switch off. They also reflect on a huge Gold Coast weekend, the messages from runners who used the podcast to get to the start line, Haftu Strintzos’ record-breaking run, why Australia might be in a golden generation of distance running, and why our best athletes still need bigger stories and personalities around them. Plus: is Gold Coast now officially Australia’s fastest marathon, what identity should Melbourne own, the rise of matching run-club outfits, a new capture-the-flag race concept, Tour de France chat, and the dream runners Liam and Courtney want on the podcast next. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| THE MARATHON EXPERIMENT: 2:42:10, THE LESSONS & THE NEXT ONE | 07 Jul 2026 | 00:48:04 | |
The 2026 Gold Coast Marathon Series has crossed the finish line. Courtney is officially a marathon finisher, stopping the clock in 2:42:10 in his first proper race marathon. But this is not a victory-lap episode. It is the full, honest breakdown of the experiment: the conservative start, the 28km stitch, the legs that faded from 35km, the nutrition that worked, the training volume that did not quite stack up, and the one major thing Courtney would change next time. Liam and Courtney also unpack a massive weekend for the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon, with records falling, crowds building, Broadbeach and Miami pumping, and the race cementing itself as Australia’s place to run fast. Most importantly, they land on the lesson every marathoner eventually learns: training doesn’t lie. The first marathon is done. The next one is already being plotted. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| EP93 - GC MARATHON WEEKEND, $100 CARBON & RUN CLUB CAPTURE THE FLAG | 03 Jul 2026 | 01:04:05 | |
It's Gold Coast Marathon eve and Courtney's quietly walking back his pace targets — head-to-toe black, poppers prepped, and a new plan to cruise rather than chase. The boys break down the elite fields, debate whether run-club flags are peak cringe or peak belonging (the answer surprises them), and dig into why Chinese shoe brands like Li-Ning are about to disrupt running the way they disrupted cars: on price. Plus Cam Myers' 1500 record, the Commonwealth Games mile swap, the "which sport scares you most" ranking, and a packed listener mailbag heading into race day. Find Courtney on course if you can spot him. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 92 - THE FINAL WEEK BEFORE GOLD COAST MARATHON | 26 Jun 2026 | 01:07:25 | |
One week. That's all that's left to Gold Coast Marathon. Courtney is officially into taper mode ahead of his first marathon, and Liam finally puts a prediction on the table. But should marathon runners even be obsessed with finishing times? The boys dive into what has changed most in running over the last decade, why modern shoes have completely changed the sport, why "finding your race" matters more than chasing a number, plus listener questions, Nike's new gear, shark sightings, the future of HYDROX, and plenty more. With the Gold Coast Marathon just days away, this is the final honest check-in before race day. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| GOLD COAST MARATHON SERIES - COURTNEY'S RACE DIARY MONOLOGUE | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:28:50 | |
Two weeks to go. With Courtney heading away on holidays, this week's Gold Coast Marathon Series is a little different. Instead of the usual chat with Liam, Courtney jumps behind the microphone solo while driving back from his final marathon session to take you inside his final major marathon workout before race day. From a 30km marathon session with the crew to pacing battles with Tim Rigby, nutrition experiments, caffeine strategy, heart rate lessons and the biggest learnings from "The Experiment", this is an honest look inside the final stages of marathon preparation. If you're racing the Gold Coast Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km or 5km, there's plenty here to help you navigate the taper. In this episode:
Good luck to everyone lining up on the Gold Coast—we'll see you on the start line. | |||
| EP 91 - WORLD MAJORS, MARATHON MIND GAMES & THE FINAL COUNTDOWN | 19 Jun 2026 | 01:03:21 | |
Cape Town joins the World Marathon Majors, Sydney gets shuffled down the calendar, and suddenly the running world is staring at nine majors instead of six. With the Gold Coast Marathon now just weeks away, Liam and Courtney dive into the changing marathon landscape, training realities, race-day decisions, headphone debates, city-vs-city marathon rivalries, and whether the running boom is still climbing. Plus, Courtney reflects on life away from structured training, Liam gets serious about marathon preparation, and the boys unpack some listener ideas that could make race day even more interesting. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| GOLD COAST MARATHON SERIES - COURTNEY'S "EXPERIMENT" HITS CRUNCH TIME | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:39:48 | |
With just two and a half weeks until the Gold Coast Marathon, the countdown is officially on. Courtney breaks down his biggest marathon session of the block - you can find it here on STRAVA A 28km workout, what the data says about his fitness, and why travel, poor sleep and questionable nutrition are making this marathon build anything but textbook. Liam puts him on the spot about goal pace, race-day expectations and whether a 2:37 marathon is really on the cards. The boys also chat tapering, trusting the process, Strava misconceptions, and the reality of balancing marathon training with work, travel and life. If you're lining up for the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon, Half Marathon or Southern Cross University 10km, this is the perfect reality check as race day rapidly approaches. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 90 - CLAUDE AI x STRAVA THINKS COURTNEY IS COOKED | 12 Jun 2026 | 01:10:27 | |
The boys are back and counting down to the Gold Coast Marathon. Courtney has been feeding 14 years of Strava data into AI to see what it thinks he's capable of running on the Gold Coast. The results? Surprisingly accurate on his injury history… and wildly wrong on his marathon prediction. Meanwhile, Liam accidentally finds himself making national news after pitching a bizarre solution to the Logies hosting dilemma, proving once again that "Liam's Schemes" might be Australia's most dangerous think tank. They also dive into:
Plus plenty of laughs, running chat and countdown nerves as marathon season gets real. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| GOLD COAST MARATHON SERIES - IN THE SCIENCE LAB AT SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:30:26 | |
Three and a half weeks out from the Gold Coast Marathon and the boys take the podcast on the road to the Southern Cross University Exercise Science Lab. Courtney feels right at home amongst the VO₂ testing gear, altitude bikes and sports science equipment as he reconnects with one of his first sports scientists from over 25 years ago. Alongside Dr Luke Del Vecchio, the conversation dives into the science behind endurance performance, strength training for runners, emerging sports technology and why a little time in the gym might be the missing ingredient in your marathon prep. The trio explore how everyday runners can benefit from the same principles used by elite athletes, discuss the role of exercise physiologists and unpack some of the fascinating technology shaping the future of endurance sport. From VO₂ max testing to wearable technology, this episode is packed with practical insights for runners chasing their next breakthrough. If you're racing Gold Coast Marathon weekend, Southern Cross University will also be bringing its Recovery Hub to the finish precinct, with exercise science, osteopathy, naturopathy and allied health support available to help runners recover after their event. Plus, learn more about the university's Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology programs and upcoming Open Day at the Gold Coast campus - https://www.scu.edu.au/open-day/ Whether you're chasing a PB, tackling your first marathon or simply fascinated by the science of human performance, this is your final science-backed tune-up before race day. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 89 - THE SUN GOT BEATEN & THE CHAINSAW CAME OUT | 05 Jun 2026 | 00:51:34 | |
Red Bull Race The Sun is done — and Courtney is running on fumes, half an hour of sleep and one very useful chainsaw. This week on In The Beginning, Courtney breaks down the madness of directing one of Australia’s most unique endurance events: fallen trees, flooded roads, teams chasing sunrise, one team beating the sun by just 16 minutes, and another missing it by only four. Liam and Courtney also dive into the new wave of running events, treadmill “ultras”, the Guardians League surf racing concept, shoe brand battles at marathons, sporting fashion, Liam’s post-ultra knee reality check, and Courtney’s Gold Coast Marathon experiment as race day gets close. From trail nerds to HYROX crews, gym runners, influencers and everyday runners, this episode lands on one big point: running has room for everyone. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| GOLD COAST MARATHON SERIES - BENITA’S FINAL MARATHON REALITY CHECK | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:46:02 | |
With just over four weeks to go until the Gold Coast Marathon, Benita Willis from Lace Up Running is back to bring some calm, clarity and hard-earned marathon wisdom. Courtney opens up on his “every second day” marathon experiment, the long runs he’s finally banked, the shoes he’s chosen and the pace he’s thinking about for race day. Benita talks recovery after marathons, why recreational runners still need a proper break, how to handle the half-marathon/full-marathon double, and why conservative pacing might be the smartest move of all. There’s also chat about Lindsay Flanagan returning to the Gold Coast, super shoes, race-day recovery, carb loading, Courtney’s Nike Alphafly debut, and the eternal battle between running smart and listening to the idiot yelling “go faster” from the fence. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 88 - RED BULL RACE THE SUN, RAIN BOMBS & MARATHON MADNESS | 29 May 2026 | 01:04:10 | |
Courtney is stressed, Liam is chirpy, and Episode 88 lands right in the middle of a massive endurance week. We dive into the chaos behind Red Bull Race The Sun, the weather worries, Gold Coast Marathon chat, Andy Buchanan feedback, Liam’s post-UTA reflections, and the countdown to Courtney’s first race marathon. Big week, big rain, big pod. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| ANDY BUCHANAN - THE AUSSIE MARATHON RECORD HOLDER IS COMING BACK TO DEFEND HIS GOLDIE HALF MARATHON CROWN | 26 May 2026 | 00:37:40 | |
Half marathoners — this one is for you. Andy Buchanan is back on In The Beginning — and this time we’re going straight to the top. The fastest Australian marathoner ever joins Courtney ahead of the Gold Coast Marathon weekend to talk all things half marathon, marathon training, race-day pacing, super shoes, his YouTube journey, and why the half marathon is a completely different beast to the full. Andy explains why marathon training can feel “chill” compared to the brutal intensity of half marathon sessions, shares his key marathon workouts, gives practical advice for everyday runners, and reveals why he’s heading back to the Gold Coast hoping to run even faster than last year’s course record. Follow Andy on Youtube Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 87 - GOLD COAST MARATHON 'EXPERIMENT' UPDATE: SIX WEEKS OUT & THE MARATHON PANIC BEGINS | 22 May 2026 | 01:02:08 | |
Liam is back from the 100 miler and learning the fine art of actually resting, while Courtney’s Gold Coast Marathon experiment hits the six-weeks-to-go mark. The boys talk marathon goals, heart-rate reality checks, trail shoes, the running boom, London Marathon’s two-day idea, race-day filming etiquette, fake bibs, and why the Gold Coast Marathon might need a baby blue “first marathon” bib for Courtney. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| SPECIAL EP: LIAM FLANAGAN - UTA MILER, NO SLEEP & HE FINISHED THE DAMN THING | 19 May 2026 | 01:09:44 | |
Liam Flanagan is officially a miler finisher. Fresh off 161km through the Blue Mountains, Liam sits down with Courtney to unpack the full UTA miler experience — the brutal lows, the hallucinations, the knee that stopped working, the wife who refused to let him quit, the crew that saved him, and the moment it stopped being about time and became purely about finishing. A huge episode on endurance, friendship, ego, support crews, suffering, and why sometimes the best stories come from the deepest holes. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 86 - 160K TO GO: LIAM’S LAST CHAT BEFORE UTA | 14 May 2026 | 00:43:38 | |
It’s race week for Liam’s UTA 100 miler in the Blue Mountains. The training is done, the mandatory gear is checked, Nick is locked in as crew, and now the hardest part might be waiting for the start line. Courtney and Liam talk race-week impatience, the reality behind ultra prep, poles, pacing, family priorities, community support and the mental trick of “chunking” 160km into people and moments. Plus, Courtney recaps Wings for Life, the boys dive into Adidas v Nike marketing wars, Liam unveils another running scheme, and the In The Beginning family sends Liam into the Blue Mountains with plenty of love. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| GOLD COAST MARATHON SERIES - ALLIE LYNDON - THE ROAD FROM SLSC QUEEN TO MARATHONS | 12 May 2026 | 00:43:49 | |
Former elite Ironwoman Allie Lyndon joins the Gold Coast Marathon Series with one seriously interesting story. After years in surf lifesaving — including chasing the Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series, racing the Coolangatta Gold, and building a huge endurance engine — Allie is now all in on running. She’s a mum of two, juggling training around family life, shift work, a cleaning business, and the chaos of everyday life, but she’s also aiming very high. After winning the T100 Gold Coast 10km and running 1:18 for the half, Allie is now preparing for her first Gold Coast Marathon with a goal of going sub-2:35. And she’s not afraid to say the big stuff out loud: LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 are not off the table. In this episode, Courtney and Liam chat with Allie about:
A brilliant chat about ambition, family, endurance, and why it’s still okay to chase something for yourself. Keep up with Allie on Instagram Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 85 - LIAM’S 100 MILER IS HERE & THE BEGINNER RUNNER TOOLBOX | 08 May 2026 | 00:58:15 | |
Liam is one week out from his 100 miler and the reality is starting to bite. This week on In The Beginning, Courtney is back from Europe and the boys dive into Liam’s final UTA 160km race prep — nutrition bags, mandatory gear, night running, salt and vinegar chips, Pop-Tarts, crew spreadsheets and the growing nerves before heading to the Blue Mountains. Courtney also shares what he learnt running in Europe with some of the best trail and endurance athletes in the world, including one big reminder for everyday runners: fast runners don’t always run fast. The boys also build the unofficial In The Beginning Welcome to Running Kit Bag — the simple things every beginner runner actually needs before overcomplicating the sport. Also in this episode:
Links mentioned: Southern Cross University — The Final Kick: Getting You Race Ready Johan Botha — Heysen Trail FKT tracking / route info Wings for Life World Run Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| GOLD COAST MARATHON SERIES - THE 'COURTNEY EXPERIMENT' UPDATE | 05 May 2026 | 00:33:55 | |
JET LAG, RHYTHM RUNNING & HALF MARATHON FUEL — GOLD COAST MARATHON SERIES Courtney is back from Europe, jet lagged and already testing the rules of his marathon experiment. This week we talk travel fatigue, why international flights can hit like a hard session, Courtney’s mountain running detour through Austria, and the big lesson he’s learning eight weeks out from Gold Coast: rhythm running matters more than ego pace. We also get into practical half marathon and marathon tips — race nutrition, treadmill training, and why hills can be a smart strength tool if used properly. Plus, Liam reveals a very specific rumoured Courtney marathon goal… and it is spicy. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast | |||
| EP 84 - BEST MARATHON TRAINING TIPS HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2025 GOLD COAST MARATHON SERIES | 01 May 2026 | 01:27:17 | |
Courtney is in Salzburg while Liam is off the tools for the week, so we’re bringing back the best educational moments from the 2025 Gold Coast Marathon Series. This episode pulls together the key advice from Benita Willis, Britt Caling and Michael Shelley — covering goal setting, pacing, long runs, injury risk, recovery, nutrition, race morning, warm-ups, cadence and how to approach the Gold Coast Marathon course. Whether you’re chasing your first marathon finish, aiming for a PB, or trying to sneak under three hours, this is a proper practical refresher before the big day. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| BENITA WILLIS - HALF MARATHON FOCUS - GOLD COAST MARATHON SERIES 2026 | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:48:51 | |
The Gold Coast Marathon Series continues with Benita Willis from ‘Lace Up Running’ back in the coach’s chair. With around 10 weeks to go, Benita breaks down where half marathon and marathon runners should be right now, how to structure the week, why hills matter, how to use parkrun properly, when to practise nutrition, what to do about niggles, and how to keep the whole build in perspective. Liam also gets Benita’s take on London Marathon’s sub-2 breakthrough, super shoes, Courtney’s “experiment”, training around travel, and why the half marathon deserves way more respect. A proper practical one for anyone building toward Gold Coast. | |||
| EP 83 - COURTNEY ATKINSON "THE INTERVIEW" - OLYMPICS, REGRETS, RED BULL & THE MINDSET BEHIND IT ALL | 24 Apr 2026 | 01:06:19 | |
A different one this week. After 83 episodes, Liam turns the mic fully onto Courtney Atkinson for the most in-depth chat we’ve ever had about his career, mindset and life in elite sport. From the proudest win of his life in a schoolboys 3000m, to the biggest regrets of his Olympic career, to the handshake deal that started a 25-year relationship with Red Bull — Courtney opens up on the moments, decisions and personality traits that shaped everything. There’s stories about racing Simon Lessing as a teenager, the mentality that both helped and hindered him, why he never fully accepted help, what drove him, whether he fulfilled his potential, and why he still believes building a huge aerobic base is one of the best gifts you can give a young athlete. If you’ve ever wondered what really made Courtney Atkinson tick — this is the episode. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| GOLD COAST MARATHON SERIES 2026: WE’RE BACK | 21 Apr 2026 | 00:32:48 | |
The Gold Coast Marathon Series is back for 2026. After an unforgettable first year following Bronte’s journey from half marathoner to marathon finisher, Liam and Courtney return with Benita Willis from Lace Up Running, more first-timers, more experts, more half marathon focus and a brand new challenge for Courtney — The Experiment. Whether you’re chasing the full, the half or just trying to make it to the start line healthy, this is your kickoff. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 82 - NO PHONES, NO CUPS, NO EXCUSES | 17 Apr 2026 | 01:05:41 | |
Courtney checks in from Hervey Bay after a few days boating on the west side of Fraser Is, while Liam gives a proper update on Miler training, his crew chief and why this week finally felt like a turning point. The boys rip into some of the wildest stories in sport right now — robot half marathons in China, Paris Marathon going cup-free, the no-phone magic of The Masters, Hyrox taking over, and why Gout Gout continues to dominate headlines every time he steps on the track. Plus, with the Gold Coast Marathon now inside 12 weeks, the big build officially starts next week. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 81 - WHEN TRAINING GETS TOUGH | 10 Apr 2026 | 01:06:41 | |
Every runner knows the feeling — the body is holding up, but the mind starts to feel the grind. This week the boys unpack the ups and downs of a big training block, from breakthrough sessions and building fitness to the mental fatigue that can creep in when the repetition starts to bite. Liam reflects on his biggest week yet in the lead-up to the miler, while Courtney shares why time away from consistent running has him craving every session. A broad chat on motivation, mindset, consistency and the reality of chasing big endurance goals. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 80 - DID LONDON MARATHON STEAL LIAM’S IDEA?! + WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN IS HERE COMING | 03 Apr 2026 | 01:05:37 | |
London Marathon has gone two days… and Liam reckons they’ve pinched the idea straight from the podcast. This week the boys step into the “courtroom” to argue the case after London announced plans for a two-day marathon event — something first floated on In The Beginning back in Episode 60. From there it rolls into one of the biggest conversations in running right now:
Plus a big Wings for Life World Run call-out — get involved, run for those who can’t, and be part of one of the best community events on the calendar. WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN CTA:Join the team and run with us. Every dollar goes towards spinal cord injury research - INFO HERE Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP 79 - T100 WRAP, NOOSA 50K PAIN & THE WOOLWORTHS HOKA ERA | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:55:19 | |
A French sailor exposes a warship on Strava, Cam McEvoy breaks a super suit record, Liam survives the Noosa 50K and suddenly realises the Mylar is no joke. Plus T100 wrap-up, listener shoutouts and a yarn about Woolworths selling HOKAs. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP78 - JUST US AGAIN: NOOSA TRAILS, AFL CHAOS & THE HARRY GARSIDE HANGOVER | 20 Mar 2026 | 01:10:14 | |
Liam heads into the Noosa 50K Ultra while Courtney makes the call to skip the T100 10K and protect the bigger goal ahead. The boys are back without guests and straight into the kind of running chat they do best — from Noosa race plans, biggest-ever training weeks and listener warnings, to trail events, local race shoutouts and the weird realities of bush poos mid-run. They also reflect on the Harry Garside episode, especially the loss of structure elite athletes face once the goalposts disappear, and why that hits harder than most people realise. There’s AFL chat too, with the Gold Coast Suns looking seriously dangerous, the Scott Pendlebury tribunal drama, and an early grand final prediction. On the running and athletics front, they unpack Eliud Kipchoge choosing Melbourne Marathon for his Oceania stop, Sh’Carri Richardson heading to Stawell, and why athletics in Australia feels like it’s building real momentum again. Plus: expo merch reviews, listener shoutouts, Alex Yee sightings, Stawell hype, Savannah Bananas chat, influencer nonsense, and why sometimes the best training decision is just to calm down and stop acting like you’re a pro. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| HARRY GARSIDE: OLYMPIC BOXING BRONZE TO T100 TRIATHLON - FEAR, FREEDOM & FINDING THE FIRE | 17 Mar 2026 | 01:01:52 | |
Olympic boxing medallist Harry Garside jumps into the endurance world ahead of the T100 weekend — and it’s not just about fitness. From boxing’s biggest stage to trail ultras, marathons, and now the T100, Harry opens up on chasing discomfort, losing identity, and why fear is the real opponent. We dive into:
This is one of the most raw and honest chats we’ve had — about sport, identity, and doing hard things for the right reasons. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| EP77 - HOLLY RANSON "THE MINDSET OF ULTRA RUNNING" | 13 Mar 2026 | 01:13:35 | |
Australia’s Female Ultra Runner of the Year Holly Ranson joins the podcast after dragging Liam out for a brutal Gold Coast run in 33-degree heat. From sailing dinghies to chasing the Western States dream, Holly shares the winding path that led her into trail running and ultra endurance. The conversation dives deep into the mental side of racing — including her concept of “mind experience”, how athletes deal with suffering, and the techniques she uses when the mind starts telling you to quit. Holly also opens up about stepping away from full-time work to chase the Western States goal, the realities of funding an ultra career, and why sometimes the best race plan is simply to trust the training and enjoy the day. You can support Holly towards Western States glory - HERE - Follow Holly on Instagram @hollyrranson Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||
| ASH GENTLE & JOSH AMBERGER: TRIATHLON, T100 AND THE PREGNANCY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING | 10 Mar 2026 | 01:07:57 | |
Australian triathlon star Ash Gentle and Josh Amberger join the podcast ahead of the T100 Gold Coast — and share a deeply personal moment. For the first time publicly, Ash opens up about the couple expecting a baby after experiencing miscarriage, how that journey has reshaped their perspective on sport and life, and what the future holds. We also dive into the rise of the T100 series, Ash’s incredible comeback to middle-distance racing, and life as one of triathlon’s most recognisable couples. Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast Courtney on Strava Liam on Strava | |||