Sir Brendan Foster

Notable Quotes

"The thing is that we organise the thing. We lay out the platform and then the public turn up and they make it into whatever it is."

"The best way to do that is to have a target aim for."

Episode Summary

Jenny Falconer welcomes Sir Brendan Foster to RunPod, celebrating the iconic Great North Run, which he founded in 1981 after being inspired by a massive running event in New Zealand. The Great North Run has historically drawn diverse participants, dramatically shifting from a male-dominated field to now having equal representation between genders and younger runners. Brendan recounts the event's roots, emphasizing the camaraderie among participants, irrespective of their skill level. He encourages listeners to join such events for personal challenges and highlights the mental health benefits of running. The conversation veers into Brendan's competitive past, detailing his accomplishments across three Olympics and his time as VP of marketing at Nike. Jenny and Brendan reflect on the community spirit and joy of participating in running events, which have transformed into inclusive activities inviting people of all ages and abilities. They also discuss Brendan's continued love for running, his shift from competitive to recreational activity, and offer motivation for aspiring runners to take the plunge into running events like the Great North Run.

Key Takeaways

The Great North Run has evolved to include a diverse range of participants, with nearly equal representation between genders.
Running events foster a sense of community and provide mental and physical health benefits for participants.
Setting a personal goal can be a powerful motivator for getting active and participating in events.

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