{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Running Story | Marathon Handbook News","title":"London Two-Day Marathon Plan? Emma Bates Sponsor Drama & More Race Chaos","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/bca4af4b\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1755,"description":"Come to our LIVE SHOW in Boston! Join Alex, Katelyn and Michael and some very special guests, + giveaways and prizes! 📅 Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m 📍 Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street 🎟️ It's free to attend, but make sure to RSVP now, as space is limited: https://forms.gle/sFk28hfMYznrsNxMA Boston Article: https://marathonhandbook.com/could-boston-marathons-qualifier-problem-be-solved-by-going-two-days/ Michael and Jessy are back with the top five running stories of the week — and there's a lot to unpack. Before they dive in, a quick celebration: Jessie ran her debut half marathon over the weekend, clocking a 1:34 after just six weeks of run training. Not bad for a professional cyclist. Story 1: London Marathon Eyes 100,000-Runner, Two-Day Event The Guardian has reported that the London Marathon could expand to a two-day, 100,000-runner event as early as 2027. The proposal would see the men's and women's elite races split across Saturday and Sunday, each with 50,000 mass participants. With 1.1 million ballot applicants this year and London's status as the world's largest single-day charity fundraiser, the upside is enormous — but the logistical hurdles are just as big. London Marathon Events has not confirmed or denied the report. Story 2: Emma Bates Claims She Was Dropped by Sponsor for Being Pregnant In an Instagram video, American elite marathoner Emma Bates revealed that her nutrition sponsor UCAN ended their partnership after she told them she was pregnant. UCAN pushed back, saying the decision was made in September 2025 — before they knew about the pregnancy — as part of a broader strategic shift away from elite athlete sponsorships. With no clear evidence either way, it's a he said/she said story that has stirred significant debate in the running community. Story 3: US Half Marathon Championship Controversy Gets More Complicated Following the Atlanta debacle where lead runners Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Edna Ker were sent off...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/iqDGe9DxDpY1l8BoQxgoESNXN2Mwe1NlegSGpqvPTMk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hOTUx/YWQ1MDRiMDExMGFm/OWEwMDIxMGM0ZTFl/M2NkMC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}