Socialing the Distance (Full Episode), Episode 128: Anna Hall speaks on the heptathlon

This is Episode 128 of #SoclaingtheDistance, originally shown on May 19, 2023.

Since this broadcast, Anna Hall has won the silver medal in the WC Budapest heptathlon,

set a new AR at the pentathlon, missing the WR by a small amount.

In 2024, Anna Hall, sponsored by adidas, won the U.S. Olympic Trials, after dealing with injuries and

then took a heart-breaking fifth in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

In 2025, Anna Hall went to Gotsiz, the European and spiritual home of the multi-events, to score 7,032 points

in the heptathlon, equalling the second finest performance ever by the multi-event deity Karolina Kluft (Sweden),

and just behind the G.O.A.T. herself, Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

A story: in Eugene at the Worlds in 2022, I was having lunch at the adidas Hospitality House (thanks Danny Lopez, Spencer Nel and

Jennifer Thomas), and Jim Jennings, adidas running shoe guru and JJK show up. I get a few minutes with one of my favorite human beings, JJK, and ask her, ” your thoughts on  Anna Hall?”.  JJK takes nary a moment, smiles broadly and say, ” Anna is the IT girl.” I asked our the world’s greatest to explain. ” Anna has the talent, the work-ethic, the looks, the charm to do it all.” Well, I think that says it.

Anna Hall won the heptathlon in the US champs in early August in 6,889 points, and ths puts her at the top of the medal charts, in my mind, with Nafi Thiam and Katerina Johnson-Thompson.

If you miss one event in #Tokyo2025, please do not let it be the heptathlon!

Special thanks to Anna Hall, who is always a wonderous interview.

Special thanks to Mike Deering/The Shoe Addicts, who edits, manages, curates and does the final production for all RBR podcasts, from #ConvoswLarry, #SocialingtheDistance, #AthleticsChats, Event Previews and Reviews and the #YouTube versions of #CoffeewithLarry!