Ali on the Run Show Live in Atlanta + Runners to Watch at the Olympic Marathon Trials

Who else is so hyped on all this Olympic Marathon Trials energy?!

I can’t get enough of these stories. For me, it’s not just about speed and talent. Yes, that’s absolutely a huge part of it. It’s incredible to see people doing remarkable things — “ordinary” people running extraordinarily fast! But I think the reason I’m feeling so much run love and inspiration right now is because of the stories.

Every single person who will stand on that start line in Atlanta in a few weeks is there with a story. For a select bunch, that day will be about the sole goal of finishing in the top three and earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic Marathon Team. It’s a lifelong dream, the culmination or even the beginning of years of hard work.

For others, it’s about the experience. For many, it seems, the biggest goal was qualifying for the Trials, and this race is the victory lap. Everyone has a reason for being there. Everyone has a dream. If I could, I would sit down with all 500+ runners to hear more about every single dream. When did they realize they were capable of being an Olympic Trials Qualifier? Was there someone in their lives who believed in them and told them to go for it? Was the motivation all inherent? What were the challenges on the road to the OTQ? What’s it like being part of America’s fastest marathon, with the country’s most talented distance runners?

I get chills! It’s so exciting, and I’m so looking forward to being in Atlanta for all the action.

If you’ll be in the area, I’m hosting two live podcast events and I’d love to see you there! Here’s everything you need to know:

Ali on the Run Show LIVE at the America’s Marathon Weekend Experience

When: Friday, February 28 @ 10:15 AM

Where: The America’s Marathon Weekend Experience (the expo), Georgia World Congress Center

Who: Some of your favorite past Ali on the Run Show guests who will be running the next day! Lineup includes Kaitlin Gregg Goodman, Amanda Nurse, Ladia Albertson-Junkans, Jenny Donnelly, and Sarah Cummings.

What you need to know: Just show up! This one is free, open to the public, and non-ticketed. It’s on the main stage at the Expo, so just come by and have some fun. The show will run for 45 minutes, and there will be time to meet and hug afterward.

UCAN Presents: LIVE at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials

When: Saturday, February 29 @ 5:30 PM

Where: Sheraton Atlanta Hotel

Who: Carrie Tollefson, Meb Keflezighi, and me! (Plus special guests!) This show will be special because it will be after the race, and we’ll get to hear from Carrie and Meb about their experiences watching from their respective cool-people posts. (If you’ll be in Atlanta, check out Carrie doing live commentary on the race in Centennial Olympic Park!) So basically, come to this to geek out on “what just happened?!” and be in a room filled with people who get it and also want to talk about the race.

What you need to know: Get tickets here! There’s a free option and a $20 VIP ticket option. (VIP gets you closest to the stage, which I recommend — the day the event went live, 200 people signed up! So it’s looking like it’ll be a pretty packed room! Get close! I want to see you!)

But most importantly — the runners! There are so many past Ali on the Run Show guests who will be running at the Trials, and I want to make sure they feel our support in person and from afar. Here’s the full lineup of past guests who will be running in Atlanta. Listen to their episodes, and show them some love!

Neely Spence Gracey: Episode 42 & Episode 201

Allie Kieffer: Episode 46 & Episode 88

Molly Huddle: Episode 51 & Episode 66

Des Linden: Episode 64, Episode 77, Episode 100, Episode 205

Sarah Sellers: Episode 69 & Episode 91

Amy Cragg: Episode 97

Stephanie Bruce: Episode 104 & Episode 206

Sarah Cummings: Episode 112

Kate Landau: Episode 132

Sara Hall: Episode 144

Leigh Anne Sharek: Episode 129 & Episode 145

Jen Bigham: Episode 151

Kaitlin Goodman: Episode 160

Emily Sisson: Episode 169

Molly Bookmyer: Episode 171

Amanda Nurse: Episode 172

Dawn Grunnagle: Episode 173

Ladia Albertson-Junkans: Episode 178

Roberta Groner: Episode 180

Carly Gill: Episode 129 & Episode 182

Jenny Donnelly: Episode 193

Starla Garcia: Episode 200

Let me know if you’ll be in Atlanta. I’d love to see you!