Running 3:08/km AND FILMING IT!? Ben Felton's Journey From Chef to Sub-2:25 Marathon

What does it take to run a 2:24 marathon—while filming the entire thing? This week on The Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Ben Felton: chef-turned-sub-2:25 marathoner, elite-level content creator, and the man behind some of the most immersive race footage on YouTube. From cooking in professional kitchens to clocking 3:08/km splits on the road, Ben’s story is one of obsession, reinvention, and pushing both physical and creative boundaries. In this episode, we unpack: 🔥 Running 2:24 while filming every step – how Ben captures the elite racing experience in real time 👟 Carbon plate obsession – honest gear reviews and his verdict on the best shoes for speed 🍳 Kitchen to Kenya – why he swapped the chef’s apron for marathon prep with the world’s best 📹 Filming at race pace – how he balances racing fast with creating first-person content 🎯 London Marathon goals – what it’ll take to beat his PB, and how he’s training for it 🇰🇪 Running with a 2:18 marathoner in flip-flops – behind-the-scenes of training in Kenya Ben’s story is a masterclass in creativity, commitment, and documenting the grind behind big running goals. Enjoy the episode! 🎧 Make sure to subscribe, rate, and share The Runna Podcast to hear more from the world’s best athletes. 🎁 Try the Runna app FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25 → https://www.runna.com/ 📱 Follow us for behind-the-scenes content: Instagram →   / runna   TikTok →   / runna   Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro: Meet Ben Felton - from parkrun to elite-level marathoning 00:01:12 - Early running: School days, football fitness & joining a run club in Sweden 00:03:48 - Starting point: First parkrun in 22 minutes & chasing improvement 00:07:38 - Lockdown transformation: From chef to running YouTube creator 00:08:48 - Going viral: The 5K tips video that changed everything 00:10:45 - Balancing filming and training like a pro 00:13:17 - From 22-minute 5K to 66-minute half marathon in Barcelona 00:17:43 - Training for London: Chasing sub‑2:20 00:20:14 - Life at a training camp in Kenya & the altitude effect 00:22:03 - The carbon flip-flops story & trainer testing insights 00:25:11 - Ben’s first running spike & underrated running pants 00:28:16 - Marathon focus: Sticking to the distance while using 5Ks for speed 00:28:57 - Biggest advice for new runners: Enjoy the process & build gradually 00:30:08 - Coaching Tip of the Week: Plan your sessions like calendar events 00:30:40 - Discussion: Fueling alternatives if you can’t stomach gels 00:34:22 - Fun This or That: Ice cream PBs, carbon flip-flops & gel desserts 00:37:36 - Designing Ben’s dream race: Sweden, 10K, Jakob Ingebrigtsen & Christmas dinner 00:40:14 - Closing thoughts: Documenting the journey & inspiring others