Ep 227 2026 WDW Marathon Winner Matt Hensley
Confetti at the finish is only part of the story. in this episode we sit down with Walt Disney World Marathon champion Matt Hensley. We trace the path from his family running roots. We also explore his college grind to winning the Marathon.
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2026 WDW Marathon Winner Matt Hensley
Matt Hensley, whose path blends legacy, persistence, and smart tactics. He grew up with elite runners as parents. Initially, he resisted the sport in favor of basketball. He found his fire in middle school after being lapped off the track. That sting sparked a long arc through the University of Florida. It led to years of near-misses. He developed a love for the process that outlasts results. He frames running as daily craftwork. Some days the body shows up. Other days it doesn’t. The job is to execute inside the ability you have that day.
Race week brought a unique twist. Hensley’s day job at Roll Recovery stationed him at the expo. He was also park-hopping with colleagues and family. That much time on feet would rattle most plans, but it sharpened his focus. He leaned on environmental data, not vibes, using dew point charts to adjust early rather than pay late. With temps in the low 60s and a sticky atmosphere, he dialed back a few percent from ideal pace. The takeaway is simple: heat and humidity punish denial; accept and adapt.
The chase to the lead unfolded like measured chess. Matt tracked time gaps at known course points. He watched for the front-runner’s bike. He did the hard math that no one enjoys mid-marathon. At mile 20, he finally saw the leader, estimated a minute down, and sensed the possibility. He spotted a brief walk break. Then he made his move with intent. He pressed at roughly 5:30 pace segments to make the pass stick. Afterward, he settled back to sustainable effort. That’s the lesson in racing for place versus time: surges become tools, and assertiveness matters.
Matt’s Coaching Boulder Underground
Beyond the win, Hensley’s coaching work with Boulder Underground ties the arc together. He helps runners at every level. They range from beginners learning run-walk habits to Olympic Trials qualifiers. He focuses on process, environment, and support networks.They uses specialists when needed—PTs, dietitians, sports psychs—and keeps athletes aligned to a North Star goal while stacking sustainable days. His marathon advice arrives in three parts: body, mind, spirit. Physically, plan and practice fueling 60 to 90 grams of carbs per hour. Recognize that newer data may support even more for some athletes. Mentally, find flow through breath, form, and pacing restraint early. Spiritually, anchor to a purpose larger than splits, so when negative thoughts arrive, you still move forward. Woven through are family stories—like a near-miss Guinness record—and community shout-outs that remind us running is richer shared. That is the magic of this episode. It blends actionable tactics with heart. It shows how a champion’s mindset can guide anyone chasing their own 26.2.
The Race Report Sponsored by Stoked Metabolic Coaching
We are joined with Tom Stokes to hear what’s new with him. He updated us on the latest 6-Week Transformation Challenge he is running. Additionally, we will discuss his upcoming big event in November, Running the NYC Marathon.
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