The Best Athletics Podcast

In this episode, Aubrey (@bigger.than.running) sits down with Nick Bester (@justalilbester), founder of Best Athletics (@bestathleticsuk), for an honest and energising conversation about the running journey and everything that comes with it.

From humble beginnings to performance running, they dive into:

It’s real talk about the highs, the hard bits, and why this sport is bigger than running.

Founder of Best Athletics, Nick Bester, catches up with standout BA athlete Christa Cain fresh off her incredible performance at the 2025 Island Games—where she brought home three golds and a bronze and set a 10,000m record.

They chat about:

Follow Christa’s journey

@christasjc 🇮🇲 Island Games Champion 🏃‍♀️ 5K: 16:33 | 10K: 34:53 | HM: 75:27 | Marathon: 2:37:25

In this episode of the Best Athletics Podcast, Nick Bester sits down with rising athlete Jack Kavanagh to unpack his journey from casual runner to serious competitor. Jack shares how he got into the sport, the year on year progression that’s propelled him forward, and what a typical high mileage training week looks like.

They dive into:

Give it a listen on your easy runs or during your c...

In this episode, Nick chats with elite South African distance runner Adam Lipshitz fresh off a standout performance at one of the most competitive London Marathons to date.

They dive into:

Finishing 12th in London – was a top 10 on the cards? Adam’s early start in running and when he knew he had real potential? Whether he balances work or lives solely off professional running. His recent switch to adidas – and how that transition’s going. The reality of drug testing in elite running + experiences with PED offers. What it’s like training in Umhlanga. Does he ac...

Nick Bester, founder of Best Athletics, sits down with Cole Gibbens following his remarkable debut at the London Marathon, where he clocked an impressive 2:16:52 to finish 25th overall. They unpack how the race unfolded, what Cole expected going in versus how it played out, and the kind of brutal 200km training weeks it took to get there. Cole shares insights into his strength work for injury prevention, his journey from his very first 5K to now, and how he manages the balance between creating content, working, and training at an elite level. They also talk about his long-term ambitions...

Founder of Best Athletics, Nick Bester welcomes Dr. Cuan Wayne Coetzee, DC – pain management expert, movement longevity specialist, and author of Why Movement is Medicine. This podcast is your go to resource for smarter training between the training. From optimising off-season mindset to managing tendon recovery, balancing cross-training and nutrition, and knowing how often to race, Dr. Cuan breaks it all down with a focus on sustainable performance and long-term health. Whether you're chasing marathons or just running for life, learn how to move well, recover better, and train for the long game.

In this inspiring episode, Nick Bester sits down with Lucy - this year’s fastest non-elite runner at the London Marathon, finishing in an incredible 2:30. They dive into her race day experience, how she handled the heat, and whether she’d have preferred the elite women’s start. Lucy opens up about her training routine, her roots with Herne Hill Harriers, and what it might take to make the leap to pro. Tune in to hear what’s next for this rising star in the UK distance scene!

Episode 15 of The Best Athletics Podcast

In this episode of the Best Athletics Podcast, Nick Bester founder of Best Athletics sits down with Luke Vanderfeen Running Physiotherapist from The Running Room to dive into all things running, recovery, and injury prevention.

Luke shares his insights on RED-S, overcoming injuries, and balancing strength training with high mileage. Plus, they answer your top listener questions, covering topics like:

Nick Bester, founder of Best Athletics chats with his very own athlete Christa Cain after breaking the Isle of Man Women's Marathon Record in the Valencia Marathon in an impressive 2:39:10. It has been one smashing year for Christa. Listen along to hear all about her journey and what is to come in 2025.

Nick Bester, founder of Best Athletics chats with Cian Oldknow - A very talented athlete who was the first South African in the Olympic Marathon! This episode delves into her experience in the OIympic Marathon Race - You won't believe what she has to say!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/paradise-island License code: MC1LBQ4WGVN1YOKM

In this episode of the Best Athletics Podcast Nick Bester speaks with Piet Wiersma - This years winner of the Comrades Marathon!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/paradise-island License code: MC1LBQ4WGVN1YOKM

In this weeks episode Nick Bester chats to Amie Walker, a full time Best Athletics employee, Running Coach and Distance Runner after returning from her trip to the ‘Home of the Champions’ in Iten, Kenya. Amie shares with us her experience of running with the Kenyans, key learnings from her experience, effects of training at altitude and how a typical week of training compared to her home town of London. The podcast also shares everything going on in the world of Best Athletics. Nick also brings onto the podcast one of our amazing members, Tom Penzer Adams as he chat...

Episode 10 of the Best Athletics Podcast - Founder of Best Athletics Nick Bester chats with Mark Lewis a huge fitness YouTuber. Nick and Mark delve into the attempt of the Kipchoge Challenge, how the world of YouTube algorithms and editing works, Runners mentality and when his next race is. There are lots of useful nuggets in this conversation and some key takeaways. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/paradise-island License code: MC1LBQ4WGVN1YOKM

Episode 9 of the Best Athletics Podcast welcomes 2:16 Marathon Runner Charles Lawrence. Charles recently broke the 50 Mile world record in the Tunnel Hill 50 Miles in Vienna, Illinois in an incredible 4:48:21. Nick Bester speaks with Charles who gives us an insight into his journey of breaking the 50 mile world record including how he approaches his training, the 13 months of managing injury whilst hitting cross training hard and achieving his Olympic qualifying time in the marathon! Charles also shares his everyday nutrition as well as his fueling strategies for the marathon and his 50 miler. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat...

In this weeks episode, we have our very own Best Athletics Coaches, Anya Culling and Natalie Bunce chatting with Welsh Marathon Runner Natasha Cockram following her GB representation in the World Championships in Budapest a few weeks ago. Natasha is one incredible athlete, she had represented Wales with an astonishing PB of 02:26:00 in Valencia and finished 12th in last summers Commonwealth Games. This episode covers everything from; Race day mindset, Recovery and fuelling to Natasha's typical training week and some of her favourite sessions! Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/paradise-island License code: MC1LBQ4...

This week, Nick Bester and Anya Culling give us a race recap as sub elite runners following the Berlin Marathon. One of the fastest courses made for a crazy weekend in the world of running, with around 44 Best Athletics runners racing and a new women's marathon world record! Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/paradise-island License code: MC1LBQ4WGVN1YOKM

Nick Bester welcomes our guest Olympian and sub 2.10 marathon runner Stephen Scullion. This conversation delves into all of Stephen's no nonsense advice to improving your marathon PB especially for Nick in the lead up to chasing his sub 2.20 marathon coming up next weekend in Berlin. Stephen advises where Nick should best focus his efforts on in his training and recovery as a athlete based in London without access to altitude and regular lactate testing. Stephen shares his wealth of knowledge with Nick all around Altitude Training, Saunas, Lactate Testing, Benefits of Cold Therapy for recovery. Finally revealing his best...

The fifth episode of The Best Athletics Podcast features a conversation with Nick Bester talking to Michael Brandt, 2.42 marathon runner, co-founder + CEO of Health Via Modern Nutrition H.V.M.N. They discuss the use of the Ketone-IQ shots in the world of endurance sport. Nick shares with us his insights into this very exciting product in enhancing his physical and mental performance in training. Currently in his build up to the Berlin Marathon (24/09/23), Nick is only looking for an extra 9 seconds to knock off his current PB to reach that sub 2.20! Michael believes that with the Ketone shots...

Coach Dan Barratt and Samantha Mare share their favourite 'Top Ten Marathon Training Tips" as we begin to head into peak marathon season. Following a Coaches Corner Q+A and a round up of what is happening in the Best Athletics World!

The top ten tips include; Marathon block planning, long run practice, sweet spot to increase your weekly mileage, how to hydrate sufficiently, fuelling for training, running at target marathon zone, strength work, fitting running into your life, planning your biggest run 4 weeks out from race day and finally never trying anything new on race day...

In Episode 3 of the Best Athletics podcast, Founder Nick Bester and Best Athletics coach and registered nutritionist Sam Mare catch up with our first special guest, NN Running and Nike elite marathon runner Jake Smith! We chat about his recent experience of dealing with injury, adapting to cross-training and his running comeback. We also get to find out about Sam’s journey with Best Athletics and what’s coming next!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/paradise-island License code: MC1LBQ4WGVN1YOKM

In this week's episode Coaches Dan Barratt and Anya Culling bring you our first instalment of Coaches Corner! Answering questions submitted by our members, Dan and Anya cover a range of running topics, some June highlights and updates on what's going on in the club this week!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/paradise-island License code: MC1LBQ4WGVN1YOKM

In this week's episode Coaches Dan Barratt and Anya Culling bring you our first instalment of Coaches Corner! Answering questions submitted by our members, Dan and Anya cover a range of running topics, some June highlights and updates on what's going on in the club this week!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/paradise-island License code: MC1LBQ4WGVN1YOKM

In our very first episode, podcast hosts and Best Athletics coaches Nick Bester, Anya Culling and Dan Barratt discuss the birth of the Best Athletics podcast and their running and coaching journeys so far including Anya's recent 2:34 England debut at Copenhagen marathon and Dan's first year as a Best Athletics coach. Tune in to hear the discussion on all things Best Athletics, recent race results and what's next in the Best Athletics world!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/paradise-islandLicense code: MC1LBQ4WGVN1YOKM