907. Alana Levy, 2:34 Marathoner

"I think one of my biggest problems is I finish every race and think, 'I think I can go faster!'"

If you follow the sport, you probably recognize Alana Levy. The New York City-based runner and member of Brooklyn Track Club is seemingly everywhere these days. From local staple races like the New York Mini 10K and the Fifth Avenue Mile (where Alana just won the open division in a personal best 4:38) to major marathons, like the 2025 Chicago Marathon where Alana earned her Olympic Trials Qualifier, running 2:36:53, to this year's Boston Marathon, where she improved her personal best by more than two minutes, racing in the pro field and finishing in 2:34:50. She's logging 100-mile weeks, winning races, and qualifying for the Olympic Trials Marathon — while working full-time as the director of product management at Pearl Health. In this conversation, Alana talks about her relationship with running and how it has evolved over the years, and about what it's like being a part of the ever-evolving New York City running community.

FOLLOW ALANA @yo_lans

SPONSOR:

• New Balance. Click here to get your hands on the just-released SC Rebel. You're going to love it!
• Lagoon. My favorite pillows and pillowcases! Click here to get the limited edition Ali on the Run x Lagoon Cool Flex Performance Pillowcase (!!!), and use code ALI at checkout for 15% off.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• What's making Alana happy today, and what she's into right now (3:20)
• All about Alana's job as Director of Product Management at Pearl Health (14:55)
• What Alana's relationship with running is like right now (16:55)
• Alana reflects on "Young Lans," her childhood in Chappaqua, NY, and her experience running in college (18:40)
• On graduating from college and trying to figure out what to do next (29:00)
• How Alana has found her place in the New York City running community (35:30)
• How Alana became a 2:34 marathoner (41:25)
• Alana's OTQ journey (44:50)
• What it was like racing the 2026 Boston Marathon in the pro field (56:40)
• What Alana's relationship with running looks like right now (1:04:20)

Follow Ali:

• Instagram @aliontherun1
• Subscribe to the newsletter
• Join the Facebook group
• Support on Patreon

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!