Emma B opens up to Chris Evans on Virgin Radio about marathon podcast

Virgin Radio UK presenter Emma B has spoken candidly on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show about her new visualised podcast, I Can Run A Marathon.

The weekly podcast in partnership with the British Heart Foundation, follows Emma’s journey from new runner to marathon debutant, with episodes released every Thursday for the next 16 weeks.

Speaking to Chris Evans this morning, Emma explained that the project is rooted in a deeply personal period of her life and marks a major turning point after several challenging years.

“I got breast cancer in 2021. This was towards the end of this midlife absolute storm – having kids either side, looking after elderly parents, and life doing what life does… it was just a catalogue of ‘When is this going to stop?’,” she said.

Emma told Chris that the impact of that period left her feeling stuck and disconnected from herself for a long time.

“I found the corner of my sofa, and I stayed there for like three years. I didn’t move; I drank way too much red wine. It was the pits; it was awful,” she added.

The new podcast documents Emma’s training for the iconic 26.2-mile London Marathon, using Chris Evans’ classic running book 119 Days to Go as a guide throughout the series.

Each episode combines honest updates from Emma with expert advice, as well as uplifting conversations with guests who have overcome major personal and physical challenges.

Emma told listeners that rebuilding her fitness felt like the biggest obstacle she faced after treatment and recovery.

“The biggest challenge for me was getting my fitness back – and what a better way to do that than signing up for one of the most epic marathons in the world! I grabbed it with both hands,” she said.

Beyond the physical challenge, Emma said the podcast is about representation and changing perceptions.

“It’s so important for me to share that journey on the podcast to shout about how anything is possible,” she explained. “Particularly for a demographic that I’m part of who are underrepresented; pre- and post-menopausal women in their late 40s and 50s, and to show that we’re more than just mums, wives and workers. Bring it on!”

The series also features inspirational stories from guests including Helen Thorn from Scummy Mummies, model and runner Nell McAndrew, Olympic long-distance athlete Eilish McColgan, and Vernon Thomas, the 81-year-old Team GB duathlete who competed in the very first London Marathon.

Their stories sit alongside Emma’s own account of training, setbacks, motivation, and determination.

By sharing her experience publicly, Emma says she hopes to encourage others to rethink what is possible at any stage of life.

I Can Run A Marathon is available now on podcast platforms and YouTube, with new episodes released every Thursday.