The CITIUS MAG Podcast | A Running + Track and Field Show (CITIUS MAG)

EMERGENCY PODCAST. We recap Day 7 of the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon. We had to rush back to the house after Team USA swept the men's 200m with Noah Lyles breaking the American record in 19.31 with Kenny Bednarek and Erriyon Knighton taking silver and bronze medals. On the women's side, Shericka Jackson dropped a stunner in 21.45 to lead Jamaica's 1-2 with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

PRESENTED BY TRACKSMITH

CITIUS MAG listeners get a special offer only during the World Championships. Visit Tracksmith.com and use code WORLDS at checkout for 20% off. That’s for all listeners whether you’re new to Tracksmith or if you’re like me and already have a lot of Tracksmith in your closet. For new customers who spend $150 or more, you can receive a free Van Cortlandt Singlet in navy. Go to Tracksmith.com/vcpromo to add your singlet to your cart. When your total cart from other items has reached or exceeded $150, the price will reduce to $0 in the cart.

In addition to our content, Tracksmith partnered with Puma to produce a six-episode podcast series with Pushkin Industries as best-selling author and Revisionist History podcast host Malcolm Gladwell explores the story of the 1960s San Jose State Track and Field team that excelled on the track but also led the protest at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. “Legacy of Speed” features conversations with athletes, journalists, coaches, and documentarians who made it happen

PRESENTED BY HAYWARD MAGIC

@HaywardMagic is the Instagram home for the true track & field diehards, dreamers and fans. Sharing the magic of the sport and elevating the athletes that push it forward. Follow them on Instagram @HaywardMagic.

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Interested in sponsoring the show? Reach out to Chris at chris@citiusmag.com for advertising, sponsorship and partnership offerings.

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“Occasionally we do a really hard workout, but most of the time we just try to stay even-keeled. Two months of consistent training is better than three weeks with two hard workouts but then you're taking a week off because you're dinged up or sore… We really thought, let’s run the 5K pretty hard, I don't necessarily know if [Elle St. Pierre] ran all-out when she ran 14:32, but we wanted to see what it felt like to run a hard 1500 a week later, because [Prefontaine Classic] was going to be hard.”

Team New Balance Boston coach Mark Coogan joins the show after a strong first day of competition for his team. Mark shares about what training has looked like for the team heading into the Trials and what we can expect from his stars in the coming days. Hear more from Mark Coogan in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast.

Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Eric Jenkins | @_ericjenkins on Instagram 

Guest: Mark Coogan | @mark_coogan on Instagram.

_________

CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for day two of the Olympic Trials include Brittney Reese, Lex + Leo Young, Conner Mantz, Drew Hunter, and Mark Coogan.

LIVE SHOWS

Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.

TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.

LIVE MEET COVERAGE

Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.

MORNING RUNS

CITIUS MAG and New Balance will be hosting group runs on Sunday, June 23rd at 8 a.m. ET; Tuesday, June 25th at 8 a.m. and Saturday, June 29th at 7:30 a.m. Come on by to our pop-up next to Prince Puckler’s Ice Cream shop to meet for some easy morning miles.

All paces are welcome. We’ll be giving away shirts, hats and more. Plus, you’ll have an opportunity to try all of the latest and greatest from New Balance. We’ll also have Olipop, coffee, games and cold plunges to enjoy afterward.

Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

“My mentality is if I'm going through that high mileage and adding that stress in, I don't want to also have to worry about workouts and putting my body in a hole where I can't recover for a week or two down the road. I think that's very different than how a lot of other people approach training, but for me it's been working.”

For the first time in over 30 years, an American man has won the Los Angeles Marathon.

On Sunday, Matt Richtman stamped his name in the history books, breaking the tape in 2:07:56—a massive personal best and a statement win in only his second marathon. The 25-year-old ASICS athlete didn’t just claim victory; he dominated, pulling away from a world-class field with a decisive move that turned the streets of LA into his own personal proving ground.

The performance did have so many people scratching their heads thinking: “Who?” I am here to answer all of those questions.

Today, we sit down with Matt to break it all down:

– The moment he knew he could win—and the fearless move that sealed it

– Why he had no set plan going in but let instinct take over

– What’s next after a 2:07 breakthrough in just his second marathon

– Why his training on Strava doesn’t make sense but maybe after he explains it - it makes a bit more sense

– Why he’s got a traditional and old-school approach to training

– And how it feels to be part of the next generation pushing U.S. marathoning forward

This episode is for anyone who loves the thrill of a bold race and the promise of what’s to come.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram 

Guest: Matthew Richtman | @richtman13 on Instagram

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KETONE-IQ: Level up your training with Ketone-IQ – a clean shot of energy with no sugar or caffeine. Or try the new Ketone-IQ + Caffeine, combining 5g of ketones with 100mg of green tea caffeine for a smooth, sustained boost. It’s used by pro runners like Des Linden and Sara Hall. Proven to enhance endurance, focus, and recovery, ketones are 28% more efficient than glucose. No crashes, no bonking—just next-level performance. Take the shot. Feel the difference. Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six pack of Ketone-IQ with KETONE.com/CITIUS.

RUNNA: Runna is the #1 rated personalized running app designed to help you crush your goals no matter the distance. Runna is trusted by hundreds of thousands of runners around the world and makes expert coaching accessible with personalized training plans that fit every goal, fitness level, and schedule. Whether it's someone's first 5K or it's someone chasing a marathon PB, they are here to help runners train smarter, stronger, and love every step of the way. Sign up for Runna today and get your first two weeks free using the code CITIUS.

OLIPOP: Big name sodas are rolling out bold new flavors in 2025, but the real buzz is happening in the prebiotic pop aisle. If you haven't already jumped on the Olipop train yet, now's the time. BuzzFeed just came out with an article that recently named Olipop the best overall soda for flavor — and with a lineup that includes classic root beer, vintage cola and cherry vanilla, it's easy to see why. Try Olipop today and save 25% on your order using code CITIUS25 at checkout at DrinkOlipop.com.

"Even in the first week, it's just extremely apparent that this is the perfect environment for me. We've already done workouts that would pretty much have been impossible for me before, but I think it's just having so many World Championship Olympic quality guys in a train that I can just hop into and be a part of that just really elevates every athlete. A lot of people think you become the average of the people you spend the most time around–and these guys are just the absolute best in the world"

Charles Hicks who is coming off a runner-up finish in the 10,000 meters at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where he finished right behind his Stanford teammate Ky Robinson. 

Last November, he made history as the first runner from Stanford University to win an NCAA individual cross country title. In his four years at Stanford, he has earned multiple All-American and Pac-12 honors and titles. In addition to all of the collegiate success, he is a two-time European under-23 cross country champion while representing Great Britain. 

Now, he’s ready to open a new chapter. He has decided to forego the remainder of his NCAA eligibility to turn pro, sign with Nike and join the Bowerman Track Club under coach Jerry Schumacher. 

In the latest episode of The CITIUS MAG Podcast, we discuss everything about the decision, how long he’s wanted to be a pro runner, what his hopes are for representing Team GB at global championships and the future of his YouTube channel.

Host: Chris Chavez | @Chris_J_Chavez on Instagram

Guest: Charles Hicks | @_charleshicks on Instagram

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)

💤 LAGOON: Looking to sleep more comfortably - including falling asleep faster, and experiencing more deep, restful sleep? Find the Lagoon pillow that’s perfect for you. Take the 2-min quiz now at https://lagoonsleep.com/citius | Use code CITIUS for 15% off your first order.

👣 CURREX: CURREX insoles are technologically advanced and instantly improve any shoe.  They come in LOW, MEDIUM, and HIGH arch profiles that deliver more comfort and support, enhance shoe fit, and reduce pressure which leads to less body fatigue. | Use code CITIUS20 for 20% off your order.

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

💻 Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place.

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG

🎥 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel

My guest for this episode is Ken Rideout, one of the world's fastest marathoners over the age of 50. Ken's impressive physique and relentless mindset make him stand out in the marathon world. His story is one of battling tough circumstances and overcoming addiction to become a top master athlete.  He was just featured in the Wall Street Journal last week and was a hit guest on the Rich Roll Podcast last year.

Growing up in a troubled home in a tough suburb of Boston, Ken watched his stepfather and brother go to prison. As a teen, he worked as a prison guard and vowed he wouldn't end up behind bars. However, he struggled with imposter syndrome in his finance career and turned to opioids for a time. Eventually, he turned to running as a way to cope and has become hooked on the sport.

Ken's training routine is unorthodox – you can easily see for yourself on his Strava page. His dedication to his craft has paid off, as he has won the 50-and-over division at two of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors and hopes to continue his success at the Tokyo Marathon this weekend.

Join us as we delve deeper into Ken's journey, his training routine and his mindset that has made him a champion in the marathon world.

SUPPORT THE SPONSORS

OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)

NEW BALANCE: You push yourself to go the distance – get the gear that helps you get the job done. Our FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3 men’s running shoes are built for marathon runners who never let up. Get your pair at NewBalance.com starting Feb. 1.

VELOUS FOOTWEAR:  VELOUS is an active recovery footwear brand designed to help you restore, revive & Reenergize before and after you train. Two years in development, this team has created the world's most comfortable, supportive and lightweight active recovery shoe in the world. Get 20% off using code CitiusMag20.

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG

🎥 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel

"I think she has the talent to be the best in the world in the marathon – just like she's been the best in the world in track and cross-country as well."

Last week, Mac Fleet and I traveled to Boulder, Colo. to spend some time with the On Athletics Club and coach Dathan Ritzenhein. We got a chance to sit down and chat about the highs and lows of OAC’s 2022 outdoor season + Hellen Obiri’s upcoming marathon debut in New York City on Nov. 6.

Obiri’s move to Boulder has been in the works since she signed with the Swiss sportswear company in January with the intention of focusing on the roads. Ritzenhein worked closely with her agent and former coach Ricky Simms to make the transition as smooth as possible following her 67:05 victory at The Great North Run in September. We also spoke with Obiri about her fall plans a day before she won a silver medal in the 10,000m at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

You can watch this full interview with Ritzenhein uninterrupted on the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel.

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TRACKSMITH: The Eliot Runner was developed to meet the rigorous demands of committed runners, providing the perfect balance of cushioning and responsiveness with classic Tracksmith style. See the Eliot Runner in person at Tracksmith’s Pop-Ups at the London and Chicago Marathons and their Boston store this fall before an exclusive opportunity to pre-order on October 24th. Learn more about the Eliot Runner by visiting tracksmith.com/citius

VELOUS is an active recovery footwear brand designed to help you restore, revive & re-energize before and after you train. Two years in development, this team has created the world’s most comfortable, supportive and lightweight active recovery shoe in the world. Get 20% off using code CitiusMag20

GARMIN: Music. Training. Data. The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is my favorite running partner. You do the running. This GPS running smartwatch does the thinking. It even gets to know you and your body better, mile after mile and song after song. Get one for yourself here >> https://bit.ly/3Pcu0qo

FINAL SURGE: If you are a coach, Final Surge makes planning and analyzing workouts simple and helps streamline communication with your athletes. Final Surge is also here to offer up some world-class training programs. Check out their offerings today: FINALSURGE.COM – USE CODE CITIUS FOR 10% OFF.

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG

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"We want to compete with the best and we want to have a run at the American record soon. It’s not going to happen next year with the Olympic Trials and the Olympics, but we want to compete with the best. American distance running will eventually get to that level. It would be better to do it with us now than in three to five years with someone else. We’d rather be the ones to get that rather than reacting to someone else hitting it.”

Conner Mantz and Clayton Young just became the first two American men to hit the Olympic marathon qualifying standard for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. At the Chicago Marathon, Mantz finished 2:07:47 for sixth place. Young took seventh in 2:08:00.

Going into last weekend, no American man had dipped under the 2:08:10 standard so there was a bit of stress about whether any American marathoners would have the mark before the U.S. Olympic Trials in February. Athletes can qualify for the Olympics by hitting the time, placing top five at a Platinum Label Marathon or getting within the world ranking quota.

Mantz and Young assured that we will have at least two U.S. men’s marathoners at the Paris Olympics. Now, they’ll have to just finish in the top 3 of the U.S. Olympic Trials to get on the team officially. We’ll discuss that a bit more within the episode.

While the performances were strong, we actually didn’t get to watch any of it on the TV broadcast since Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum was much further ahead while on his way to a 2:00:35 world record. In this episode, we’ll unpack how the races played out for them, their key takeaways, what their early thoughts are for the trials and much more.

Host: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Conner Mantz | @connermantz on Instagram

Guest: Clayton Young |  @_clayton_young_ on Instagram

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)

👟 BANDIT RUNNING is a performance and lifestyle running apparel brand founded by members of the NYC Running Community in 2020. What started as socks and accessories has grown into a full-fledged apparel assortment. Check them out here: https://banditrunning.com/

GET 15% OFF YOUR ORDERS AT BANDITRUNNING.COM THROUGH OCT. 31

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

💻 Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place.

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG

🎥 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel

Kelsey Quinn has just been announced as the new assistant coach of the On Athletics Club. She will be working closely alongside coach Dathan Ritzenhein and team operations manager Andrew Wheating. She brings with her a decade of coaching experience at the NCAA level.

She just spent three years as the assistant coach at Utah. She also has experience from stops in Portland, Washington, Warner Pacific, Grand View University and Iowa State. She was actually a sprinter at the University of Iowa, who qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 400m hurdles.

So how did she end up landing a job with one of the best professional distance teams? It started with a LinkedIn posting and then a series of interviews. In this conversation, you’ll get to know Kelsey better and hear all the ins and outs of the process. She also shares what goals she has for herself and the team in the coming months.

Host: Chris Chavez | @Chris_J_Chavez on Instagram

Guest: Kelsey Quinn | @coachkquinn on Instagram

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)

💤 LAGOON: Looking to sleep more comfortably - including falling asleep faster, and experiencing more deep, restful sleep? Find the Lagoon pillow that’s perfect for you. Take the 2-min quiz now at https://lagoonsleep.com/citius | Use code CITIUS for 15% off your first order.

👣 CURREX: CURREX insoles are technologically advanced and instantly improve any shoe.  They come in LOW, MEDIUM, and HIGH arch profiles that deliver more comfort and support, enhance shoe fit, and reduce pressure which leads to less body fatigue. | Use code CITIUS20 for 20% off your order.

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

💻 Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place.

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG

🎥 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel

This week in track and field, Chris Chavez and Anderson Emerole discuss: Kenya cutting down down on its list of athletes for their Olympic Marathon team selection (Find out who is in and who is out); some of the key performances of the Miramar Invitational in Florida; Abby Steiner raced for the first time since season-ending surgery last summer; Olympic silver medalist Christine Mboma is eligible to compete in the 100m and 200m.

Topics discussed:

– Athletics Kenya has trimmed down on its names for its potential marathon quad for the Paris Olympics. We are now down to five men and six women who are up for selection for the Games.

– The Miramar Invitational lost its spice after Sha’Carri Richardson and Shericka Jackson withdrew from the meet in the days leading up to it but we still saw strong runs from Kenny Bednarek, Britton Wilson, Alaysha Johnson and Melissa Jefferson.

– In her first race back from surgery to repair a bone spur in her heel that was pressing up against her Achilles, Abby Steiner ran 51.58 to win the 400m at the Gamecock Invitational in South Carolina.

– MTA was reportedly asking New York Road Runners for $750,000 a year to make up for the lost toll revenue from shutting down the top and bottom parts of the Verazzano Bridge.

– Namibia’s Christine Mboma is reportedly now eligible to compete again. She was the Olympic silver medalist in the 200m at just 18 years old. She is now 20 years old but has not competed in the last two years because she’s had to undergo hormonal suppression therapy to lower her naturally-high levels of testosterone in her body. (If you hear an ad over the discussion, a new version has been re-uploaded)

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host: Anderson Emerole | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@atkoeme on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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👟 ON Experience the magic of Penn Relays with On. Races. Athletes. New kits. New faces. Try the latest On running shoe innovations, customize your gear and more. For the full events schedule, check out the ⁠Penn Relays website⁠, and if you can't be there in person – follow @on for all the action.

🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🩴 VELOUS RECOVERY FOOTWEAR  is the active recovery footwear brand that is designed to help you Restore, Revive and Reenergize before and after you train. They are launching two new styles to their recovery mix for Spring ‘24. The Active Slide and Active Flip collection. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoy a 20% discount by entering the code: CITIUSMAG20 at checkout at VelousFootwear.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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“Every runner dreams of going to the Olympics. It’s certainly something that we’ve all been striving for… Then you get to a point like Nico where it’s like, ‘you just did it.’ It’s very cool to see such a big dream come true. He’s wanted that for so long. I’m so proud of him.”

Lex and Leo Young join the show after watching their older brother Nico Young make his first Olympic team. They share about what it means to them to watch Nico achieve his dreams and share about their aspirations in content creation + other content creators in the track and field space that they look up to. Hear more from Lex and Leo in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guests: Lex Young and Leo Young | @lex_young_ and @_leo.young on Instagram.

------

CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for day two of the Olympic Trials include Brittney Reese, Lex + Leo Young, Conner Mantz, Drew Hunter, and Mark Coogan.

LIVE SHOWS

Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.

TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.

LIVE MEET COVERAGE

Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.

MORNING RUNS

CITIUS MAG and New Balance will be hosting group runs on Sunday, June 23rd at 8 a.m. ET; Tuesday, June 25th at 8 a.m. and Saturday, June 29th at 7:30 a.m. Come on by to our pop-up next to Prince Puckler’s Ice Cream shop to meet for some easy morning miles.

All paces are welcome. We’ll be giving away shirts, hats and more. Plus, you’ll have an opportunity to try all of the latest and greatest from New Balance. We’ll also have Olipop, coffee, games and cold plunges to enjoy afterward.

Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

"From the moment I step foot in this sport in 2011 in college, I had no idea what to expect. I always had heard of Trey Hardee, Dan O’Brien and Ashton Eaton so they were my role models. As someone who is so competitive at heart, I wanted to be like them and push my scores to get up next to them. The fact that I’ve passed a few and I’m getting so close to the others, I’m just honored. That’s the only word I can think of and I’m so blessed to have the path that they set for me to carry on this tradition.”

This past weekend, Garrett Scantling secured his place for the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon by winning the USATF Combined Events Championships. His 8,867 points not only gave him the victory but moved him up to No. 3 on the U.S. all-time list and makes him the 7th best decathlete ever in the world. He finished fourth at last year’s Tokyo Olympics but the most interesting thing about his path to success is that he took a break away from the sport. After finishing fourth at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, Scantling decided to retire and then signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a receiver for their 2017 spring camp. He also spent some time with the Jacksonville Jaguars. And when football didn’t work out, he took a desk job as a financial advisor. We go through all of that and what eventually drew him back into the sport, which he really loves and wants to grow. He’ll be joined by Georgia junior Kyle Garland, who broke the NCAA decathlon record this weekend, and two-time Olympian Zach Ziemek on Team USA for Worlds.

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GARMIN: Music. Training. Data. The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is my favorite running partner. You do the running. This GPS running smartwatch does the thinking. It even gets to know you and your body better, mile after mile and song after song. Get one for yourself here >> https://bit.ly/3Pcu0qo

HYDROW: Hydrow is a state-of-the-art rowing experience. Hydrow works 86% of major muscle groups, compared with only 44% from cycling. That’s twice the benefit in half the time! It’s a perfect low-impact workout to add to your training cycle for both endurance and resistance training. Use code CITIUS100 for $100 off of the rower (stackable with any current offerings) >> https://hydrow.com/

OREGON22: We are less than 90 days until the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon (7/15-24). The outdoor track season is underway and the journey to Hayward has begun. Don’t miss out. Buy your tickets today to see the world’s best athletes in action at the first-ever world outdoor championships being held on U.S. soil. You can get your tickets by visiting WorldChampsOregon22.com/Tickets

THERABODY: Their new RecoveryAir JetBoots are the first of its kind as the world’s most advanced pneumatic compression system ever created. RecoveryAir flushes out metabolic waste more fully and brings back fresh blood to your legs at three times the speed of competitors. Faster cycles mean faster recovery, so you don’t have to wait for..the legs to be feelin' great. For more information and to get a discount visit: https://therabody.com/citius

Drama abounded at Day 2 of the of the NCAA Indoor Championships. When the dust of historic performances, breakthrough stars, and an hour-long 4x400m protest settled, it was the Oregon women and the USC men on top of the team podiums.

And that’s a wrap on the 2023 World Championships! Kyle Merber, Jasmine Todd, David Melly and David McCarthy break down the ninth and final day of the meet, where we saw a thrilling 800m final on the women’s side, an electric final lap to cap off a tactical 5000m on the men’s side, a shocking finish in the women’s 4x400m relay and so much more. Day 9 in Budapest did not disappoint!

Here are a few highlights from the last day of the World Championships: 

– Women’s 800m: Mary Moraa won the stacked final in a personal best of 1:56.03 + Keely Hodgkinson snuck through on the inside for silver in 1:56.34 + Athing Mu faded to third in 1:56.61.

– Men’s 1500m: Back-to-back 5000m golds for Jakob Ingebrigtsen! Ingebrigtsen and Mo Katir dusted the field in the final 400m to run 13:11.33 and 13:11.40.

– Women’s 4x400m relay: Femke Bol showed that she can deliver on relays, moving from 3rd to 1st in the final 100m to give the Netherlands the victory in 3:20.72.

– Men’s 4x400m relay: Team USA won its 30th medal through the men’s 4x400m! The quartet of Quincy Hall, Vernon Norwood, Justin Robinson and Rai Benjamin put on a dominant performance, winning the race in 2:57.31.

– Men’s marathon: Victor Kiplangat claimed the victory in 2:08:53 + Zach Panning ran 2:11:21 to place 13th as the top American.

– Lots more!

As an official partner of World Athletics, ASICS is proud to support all of CITIUS MAG’s content throughout this year’s World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023. CITIUS MAG is the premier destination for real-time competition updates, in-depth analysis and interviews with your favorite track and field athletes.

CITIUS MAG LIVE AT WORLDS: The show will air on the CITIUS MAG YouTube Channel between the morning and evening sessions of competition (Every day at 8 a.m. EST in the U.S.). 

CHAMPS CHATS ON THE CITIUS MAG PODCAST DAILY: The CITIUS MAG team of Chris, Kyle, David McCarthy, Jasmine Todd and Katelyn Hutchison will unpack all of the day’s biggest surprises and offer up their insights and analysis from being at the new National Athletics Centre and interviewing athletes each day. The podcast recording will be streamed on YouTube at the end of every day and will be also available on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to shows. 

DAILY CITIUS MAG NEWSLETTER: David Melly will recap all of the biggest moments, highlighting his must-watch athletes and events for each day while also pulling together some of our best content, photos and social moments that the CITIUS MAG team captures.

On the series finale of TORCH TALK, Chris, Kyle and Dana run through the final day of track and field at the Tokyo Olympics where seven gold medals were handed out in the women's high jump, the women's 10,000 meters, the men's javelin, the men's 1,500 meters, the men's and women's 4x400m relay and the men's marathon. We bring on Friend of The Pod David Melly, the host of the Run Your Mouth Podcast, for some extra spice on the final day of action.

In this episode, we discuss:

– Journaling in the women's high jump

– Sifan Hassan's Tokyo Olympics end with two gold medals and one bronze medal and thankfully she can now take some downtime

– India's new javelin star Neeraj Chopra has a wild Wikipedia page and may be loaded now

– Can Jakob Ingebrigtsen take down world records after setting the Olympic record of 3:28 in the 1,500 meters?

– A fitting farewell to Allyson Felix at the Olympics but what's next for her

– Rai Benjamin gets redemption with a 43.4 split to anchor the men's 4x400m

– Eliud Kipchoge continues to prove he's the greatest of all-time

+ More

TUNE IN AND LISTEN TO TORCH TALK WITH CHRIS, KYLE AND DANA. Our daily podcast covering the Olympics is presented by Hayward Magic.

Hayward Magic is a really unique and fresh editorial channel on IG that captures the magic and intensity of track & field.  Their mantra is #makeittohayward because Hayward is not just a place. It’s a state of mind. It's where guts meet magic. All athletes, fans and feats of guts welcome! @HaywardMagic on Instagram.

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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👕 Pick up merch from the CITIUS MAG store to show your support for the podcast and website.

📧 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG Newsletter

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This week, Chris Chavez, Paul Hof-Mahoney and Preet Majithia recap the Rome Diamond League and the Track Lab event in Switzerland.

Rome Diamond League

– The women's steeplechase saw Winfred Yavi come heartbreakingly close to a world record, missing by just .07 seconds.

– Faith Kipyegon extended her unbeaten streak in the women's 1500.

– In the men's 5000m, Hagos Gebrhiwet outkicked a loaded field to win after the world record attempt fizzled out.

– Letsile Tebogo dazzled in the men's 100, celebrating early and still securing a win in 9.87 seconds.

– Ryan Crouser continued his dominance in the shot put, recording six throws over 22 meters, including a meet-record 22.49m.

Track Lab

This unique event introduced new and modified disciplines, including a completely new mile steeplechase and adjusted sprint formats with zero-tolerance reaction times. The field events saw significant changes with the pole vault measuring being changed, the long jump featuring an extended take-off zone and the javelin throw only measured if it improved on previous attempts.

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LEVER MOVEMENT: Elevate your running with the LEVER system, just like Olympian Eilish McColgan. Reduce impact on your joints, boost your training volume, and recover faster with this portable, easy-to-use treadmill system. ⁠Save 20% with code CITIUS20 at LEVERMOVEMENT.COM⁠.

OLIPOP: For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 25% off your orders by using code CITIUS25 at drinkolipop.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CITIUSMAG.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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“It was just trusting my fitness. It was only my second half marathon coming in… It was a new experience, but it felt familiar to me given all the training that we've done. I felt like I was very prepared to handle what was thrown at me and the unique challenges you get in the half marathon. So coming into Atlanta, I had a lot of confidence.”

My guest for today’s episode is Alex Maier – a rising star in American distance running who just made a statement at the USATF Half Marathon Championships. In near-freezing conditions and a brutally fast race, Alex surged ahead late to claim his first national title, running 1:00:48 and securing a spot on Team USA for the World Road Running Championships, which we just learned today will not be held in San Diego in September. No reason was given by World Athletics but a new host city is expected to be announced soon.

Alex is a former All-American at Oklahoma State and is no stranger to tough courses and big races. But his transition to the roads with Puma Elite has taken him to another level. In this episode, Alex takes us inside his breakthrough win and how his training at OSU, and now with Puma Elite, has set him up for success. We also talk about his future goals, his experience moving up in distance, and what’s next as he prepares for Worlds.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram 

Guest: Alex Maier | @alexmaier._ on Instagram

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OLIPOP: Big name sodas are rolling out bold new flavors in 2025, but the real buzz is happening in the prebiotic pop aisle. If you haven't already jumped on the Olipop train yet, now's the time. BuzzFeed just came out with an article that recently named Olipop the best overall soda for flavor — and with a lineup that includes classic root beer, vintage cola and cherry vanilla, it's easy to see why. Try Olipop today and save 25% on your order using code CITIUS25 at checkout at DrinkOlipop.com.

KETONE-IQ: Level up your training with Ketone-IQ – a clean shot of energy with no sugar or caffeine. Or try the new Ketone-IQ + Caffeine, combining 5g of ketones with 100mg of green tea caffeine for a smooth, sustained boost. It’s used by pro runners like Des Linden and Sara Hall. Proven to enhance endurance, focus, and recovery, ketones are 28% more efficient than glucose. No crashes, no bonking—just next-level performance. Take the shot. Feel the difference. Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six pack of Ketone-IQ with KETONE.com/CITIUS.

RUNNA: Runna is the #1 rated personalized running app designed to help you crush your goals no matter the distance. Runna is trusted by hundreds of thousands of runners around the world and makes expert coaching accessible with personalized training plans that fit every goal, fitness level, and schedule. Whether it's someone's first 5K or it's someone chasing a marathon PB, they are here to help runners train smarter, stronger, and love every step of the way. Sign up for Runna today and get your first two weeks free using the code CITIUS.

“We are going into a new phase of track and field. And with that new phase, there has to be a new element. The standard is shifting, it’s only a matter of time that the world record is in danger. I’m not saying by who, but I’m just saying that if the standard keeps on going lower… it’s only a matter of time before 19.9 will get you sixth.” 

2x Olympian Joseph Fahnbulleh joins us live in Eugene after competing at the African Championships this past week. Joe takes us through his questionable experience at the African Champs, his journey traveling from Africa to Eugene to catch the last half of the U.S. Trials, his analysis on some of the sprinters + events to watch for at the Olympics, his prediction for the future of the sprints, and lots more. Hear more from Joe in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast.

Hosts: Katelyn Hutchison | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@_kxnaomi on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Anderson Emerole | @atkoeme on Instagram 

Guest: Joseph Fahnbulleh | @joefahn.xi on Instagram

_________

CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for Day 9 of the Olympic Trials include Valarie Allman, Zebulon Sion, Courtney Wayment, Diljeet Taylor, Patrick Tiernan, Emily Sisson, and Joseph Fahnbulleh.

LIVE SHOWS

Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.

TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.

LIVE MEET COVERAGE

Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.

MORNING RUNS

Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/

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👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

“It was a really fun experiment because I don’t think anyone thought that I could have done it...In the beginning, I couldn’t maintain under 5:20 pace for four miles so I’m so far away from this thing. But, the training became reckless in a sort of fun way. When you have a goal that’s unrealistic, you sort of just have to throw yourself at it. There’s no time to think or build up slowly. One of my biggest strengths as a runner is that I’ve been fairly durable – knock on every piece of wood around me – so I knew I could probably click off some 100-mile weeks. I could probably double as often as I had time to. It progressed pretty well. The workouts started going a little bit better. I ran a half marathon in October just under 5:20 pace. So I went from not being able to maintain seven-minute pace in March to running a 5K in June at 5:25 pace to a half marathon in October at 5:20 pace. So I was getting closer. I was getting to this point where no one would really think someone who runs a 60:50 half marathon would ever have a chance to double that but the progression was really exciting for me. I knew that wherever I landed at the end of that journey, that it would have been a hell of a ride either way."

Pat Jeffers captivated me on Instagram in his pursuit of an Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier last year. He used #OTQorHospital to document his training. But what made the whole journey special is that in March 2019, he could barely hold a sub-7 minute per mile pace while he was running with a team in the Speed Project. Once he got re-motivated with running, he started making some major leaps in training. This goal was a longshot and his training was all geared for that type of marathon pace even though he’d suffer through it.

Spoiler Alert: He didn’t achieve the goal but did end up running 2:26, which is very impressive. What you’ll hear in our conversation is more about the lessons learned in the process and why it’s OK to take those shots and set those goals. He’s running a marathon in November and raising money for SisterSong: The National Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective. 

Enter Pat's prediction contest by donating any dollar amount to his GoFundMe campaign here: https://gf.me/u/y35icx (Sister Song is an organization fighting to eradicate reproductive oppression for Indigenous, African American, Asian and Pacific Islander, Arab and Middle Eastern, Latinx, and queer women and trans people) If you predict Pat's time and come the closest to his result, he will send you a one of one of piece of running memorabilia - the only one that exists. Worth it.

Support for this episode comes from Bakline Running. We're excited to partner with this Brooklyn-based company that's making active lifestyle and streetwear-inspired apparel. I'm racing a mile in their performance singlet soon but their hits are their shirts, graphic tees and designs with inspiring mantras like "Me vs Me"; "Nothing But Miles"; "The Future Is Female Runners" and more. Check them out at https://www.bakline.nyc/ and use code CITIUS for 15% off at checkout.

FULL SHOW NOTES ON CITIUSMAG.COM

“For some reason, I think everyone on this team is kind of an underdog. Everyone has that same killer mentality. We want to be at the top and we want to have that respect we deserve. Even Danny as a coach has been an underdog. Time after time, people are starting to understand these guys are legit. Josh is the best example of that. I think over the next couple of years, there will be more people winning medals.”

Isaiah Harris is taking his 1:44.42 personal best for 800m and 3:42.63 personal best for 1,500m to the Brooks Beasts. In this episode, he tells CITIUS MAG why he decided to make the move after a year where he finished fourth in the 800 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials and recorded a victory at the British Grand Prix at Gateshead. He takes us through his early roots in finding success in track as a high schooler in Lewiston, Maine. By the end of his high school career, he held the Maine state record in every event from 200 meters through 800 meters. Riley Masters considers him the greatest athlete to come out of Maine. Now, Isaiah wants to give back to his community at home as a professional because Lewiston ranks as Maine's poorest city so you'll get to hear a bit about those plans. Consider Isaiah someone to watch in the 800 in 2022.

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG

👕 Pick up merch from the CITIUS MAG store to show your support for the podcast and website.

📧 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG Newsletter

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Chris Chavez and Katelyn Hutchison recap their experiences and the standout performances at On Track Nights' Los Angeles stop – Sound Running's Track Fest – and the Atlanta City Games. We dive into what made the meets stand out to us, what other meets could learn from them and how they all fit into the rest of the season.

We touch on Sha'Carri Richardson winning the women's 100m at the Doha Diamond League in a world-leading 10.76. She beat Jamaica's Shericka Jackson and Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith.

Florence Diamond League organizers announced 100m world champion Fred Kerley and 100m Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs will go head-to-head in the 100m on June 2. World championship bronze medalist Trayvon Bromell is also in the field. (A day later, Rabat Diamond League organizers also announced all three as part of their meet on May 28. The Rabat field also includes Andre De Grasse, Ferdinand Omanyala, Letsile Tebogo, Akani Simbine and Yohan Blake.)

Host: Chris Chavez | @Chris_J_Chavez on Instagram

Guest: Katelyn Hutchison | @_kxnaomi on Instagram

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OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)

On Track Nights: Track Fest The first On Track Nights event of the year features the best of Los Angeles' music scene and some of the world's best athletes too – starting things with a bang on and off the track. Be there at Mt. SAC on May 6, 2023. More info here: https://www.on-running.com/en-us/explore/events/on-track-nights-los-angeles

GARMIN: Introducing the Forerunner 965 from Garmin, the ultimate GPS running and triathlon smartwatch. With a bright AMOLED touchscreen display and lightweight titanium bezel, this premium watch is designed for athletes who demand the very best. Learn more here: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/

UCAN: UCAN is offering the Citius Mag community an exclusive chance to try 6 Edge samples for free – all you need to pay is the cost of shipping. Just head over to ucan.co/citius to claim this exclusive offer. And if you're already a fan of UCAN or want to try some of their other products, use code CITIUS at ucan.co to save 20% on the full variety of product

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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“I was like, ‘I just want to run fast.’ My ‘A’ goal for this race was to break the American record. If I was fifth, sixth, first—I didn’t really care. I was just concerned about the American record. That’s all that was going through my mind.”

My guest for today's episode is Conner Mantz, the newly minted American record holder in the half marathon. Conner's historic performance at the 2025 Houston Half saw him cross the finish line in 59:17, taking a remarkable 26 seconds off Ryan Hall's long standing record from 2007.

Conner joins us to break down every step of that historic performance, from his strategic surges, to his final kick, and how he overcame setbacks in training to achieve one of the most coveted records in American distance running. He reflects on his journey from running his first half marathon at age 12 to becoming the fastest American over the distance.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram 

Guest: Conner Mantz | @connermantz on Instagram

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SPOKANE SPORTS COMMISSION: In Spokane, Washington, there’s Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and now, Fast.. Fifth Season is hosting elite indoor track and field events all throughout January and February. All events take place at the Podium Powered by STCU, SPOCAN’s state-of-the-art indoor track facility. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at SpokaneSports.com/FifthSeason⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

OLIPOP: I’ve got a question for you: how’s your Dry January going? Whether you’re crushing it or just dipping your toes in, our friends at Olipop are here to make it a lot more fun—and way more delicious.  It’s not just another soda—it’s soda reimagined. Think of all the nostalgic flavors you love, but with way less sugar and a third of your daily fiber in every can. ⁠Get 25% off all your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.

Fresh off his 3rd place finish at the U.S. Olympic Trials 10k, Joe Klecker joins hosts Chris Chavez, Kyle Merber and Nick Willis for a conversation about his race and the training that got him there. After graduating from Colorado University, the 7x All-American remained in Boulder to be coached by fellow Buff legend, Dathan Ritzenhein. Since then he has achieved personal bests in ten straight races and a berth to Tokyo in the eleventh.

The vision for the On Athletics Club was created and built around Klecker. In its first year as a professional club, the new group has burst onto the scene and solidified its presence — first domestically and now on the world stage.

This is an episode bursting with genuine questions of curiosity as Joe shares workout details that took our breath away. Hear what went into his build-up, both mentally and physically, that prepared him for his big breakout in what will certainly be one of your favorite listens yet.

TUNE IN AND LISTEN TO TRIALS TALK WITH CHRIS AND KYLE. Our daily podcast from the Olympic Trials is presented by Tracksmith.

We’re excited to partner with Tracksmith, an independent running brand fueled by a deep love of the sport. They celebrate the amateur spirit and seek to inspire the personal pursuit of excellence. Tracksmith is pleased to be supporting 30 Olympic Trials qualifiers in Eugene, including athletes across 14 disciplines, as part of their Amateur Support Program.

Check out Tracksmith's essentials for racing and training - including the Strata kits their Trials athletes are racing in this week - at Tracksmith.com/CITIUS and use code CITIUS to receive 10% off any order until the last day of the trials, June 27th.

"If you have to flip a switch, it's too late. I've been locked in. We've been training and going at it and we’re focused on the process. The biggest thing for me is staying healthy and staying patient. You can't do anything out of the ordinary. You can't do something that you haven't practiced or do something extra. It's just another year. This is what we do every single year. It’s the top of the year – there’s newfound energy, newfound opportunity. But it’s the same level of consistency, the same level of intensity. We just continue to do what we do."

60m world record holder Christian Coleman will return to the Armory in New York City on Feb. 11th to go for his third consecutive victory in the men’s 60m at the Millrose Games.

Coleman is coming off a 2023 season in which he matched the world’s fastest 100m time of the year with a 9.83s victory at the Xiamen Diamond League in China last August. He was the runner-up in the men’s 100m at the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships and went on to place fifth at the World Championship final in Budapest. He closed out the season by winning the men’s 100m Diamond League crown at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.

You don’t hear Christian Coleman do too many longer interviews so it was a pleasure to chat with him as we reflect on 2023 and look toward 2024 – where you could make the case that he’s a gold medal favorite in the men’s 100m. He’s honest about the process of coming back from a whereabouts suspension that kept him out for 18 months and forced him to miss the Tokyo Olympics.

We get a bit technical on what makes for a great 60m sprinter and how that converts to outdoors and the 100m. I touched on why he’s not as vocal about records and fast times as some of his competitors and much more.

I think you’ll hear a side to one of the world’s fastest men that you haven’t heard before.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MILLROSE GAMES ⤵️

The Millrose Games is the sixth stop on the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold calendar.

Livestream and television broadcast details will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more Millrose Games athlete announcements as the pro fields come together.

Tickets to the 116th Millrose Games can be purchased online at millrosegames.org. For more information on all Armory Track events, visit armorytrack.com.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

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Just two days after the 400m hurdle final, Rai Benjamin (2023 World Championship Silver Medalist) and Trevor Bassitt return to CITIUS MAG's HQ to unpack their experience at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, share some ideas on things they'd like to see fixed within the sport and more.

Hosts: Chris Chavez, Kyle Merber

Guest: Rai Benjamin, Trevor Bassitt

CITIUS MAG's coverage of the 2023 World Athletics Championships is powered by ASICS.

CITIUS MAG LIVE AT WORLDS: The show will air on the CITIUS MAG YouTube Channel between the morning and evening sessions of competition (Every day at 8 a.m. EST in the U.S.). 

CHAMPS CHATS ON THE CITIUS MAG PODCAST DAILY: The CITIUS MAG team of Chris, Kyle, David McCarthy, Jasmine Todd and Katelyn Hutchison will unpack all of the day’s biggest surprises and offer up their insights and analysis from being at the new National Athletics Centre and interviewing athletes each day. The podcast recording will be streamed on YouTube at the end of every day and will also be available on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to shows. 

DAILY CITIUS MAG NEWSLETTER: David Melly will recap all of the biggest moments, highlighting his must-watch athletes and events for each day while also pulling together some of our best content, photos and social moments that the CITIUS MAG team captures.

“What we're doing is working. Let's continue, let's be consistent, and let's not go overboard. How we got to running 7:30 is how we're going to try to win a national championship in three months. There's no reason to change anything. It's just keep on staying steady.”

My guest for today's episode is Ethan Strand, a senior at UNC. Just last weekend, Ethan ran a stunning 7:30.15 in the 3000m at the Sharon Colyear-Danville season opener at Boston University – not only smashing the NCAA record but also vaulting him to No. 4 on the all-time U.S. list. Ethan now sits alongside legends like Grant Fisher, Yared Nuguse, and Bernard Lagat.

His journey from being a 201st place finisher at his first NCAA Cross Country Championship to an Olympic Trials finalist in the 1500m and NCAA top-eight finisher just a few weeks ago in Madison, and now the fastest collegiate 3000m runner in history, is fascinating to unpack in today's episode.

We dive into his race in Boston, his dynamic training partnership with Parker Wolfe, and what's next for him as he gears up for an exciting 2025 season.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Ethan Strand | @ethan_strand

Time stamps:

3:39 - Reflections from setting the collegiate 3000m record

4:53 - Thoughts on competing over chasing times

5:40 - Training with teammate Parker Wolfe

7:08 - His relationship with Coach Chris Miltenberg

10:59 - Rebounding from outdoor season

12:40 - Learning from Coach Milt’s former athletes, like Grant Fisher

15:57 - Growing up in a running family

17:10 - How he got his start in running 

20:43 - His training structure dating back to high school

21:37 - His mileage progression 

26:00 - Breaking down his 3000m collegiate record

32:00 - Being among the big names of American distance running

35:56 - What’s next for indoor season

37:31 - Looking ahead to goals for next summer

39:01 - UNC’s team culture

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OLIPOP: For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 25% off your orders by using code CITIUS25 at drinkolipop.com

"I feel good about where I'm at. Everyone else is going to bring their 'A' game and I'm going to bring my 'A' game. I'm going to have to race to win. I don't think you race to get top three. I think you have to race to win and top three will be the consolation prize if you race aggressively and fearlessly."

 Welcome back fan favorite Scott Fauble to the show. This is now his seventh appearance on the show. We’ve had a tradition of chatting after his big performances at the New York City or Boston Marathons over the years. We decided to chat ahead of the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando, where he’s expected to be one of the top contenders in the men’s race once again. 

Scott owns a personal best of 2:08:52 from his seventh place finish at the 2022 Boston Marathon. He backed that up with another top American finish last year – again in seventh place. Last fall, he went to Berlin to chase the Olympic qualifying standard but had to drop out after 30K. We talk about that race and how he picked the pieces back up. 

Scott’s been training hard in Boulder under coach Joe Bosshard. He’s been cranking the heat up in the treadmill room in the Team Boss gym and doing tons of heat training. He’s confident. He’s feeling good. I’m excited for everything going down in Orlando.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest:⁠⁠⁠⁠ Scott Fauble | @sfaubs on Instagram

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🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☕️ THE CITIUS CAFE (PRESENTED BY HOKA) will be open for the weekend of the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando. We’re super stoked to share that we will be partnering with HOKA for all of the weekend’s festivities next month in Florida – which will include live panels with special guests, giveaways, a big shakeout run and a race day watchalong from the CITIUS Cafe at 151 E Washington St.

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Chris Chavez, Aisha Praught-Leer, Eric Jenkins and Anderson Emerole recap all the action from Day 1 of Grand Slam Track: Kingston

Highlights include:

– Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone captured the victory in the Women's Long Hurdles 400m Hurdles in 52.76 winning the race by nearly two seconds.

–Alison dos Santos defeated Jamaican favorite Roshawn Clarke to win the Men’s Long Hurdles 400 Meter Hurdles in 47.61.

–Nikki Hiltz set a new personal best and a world-leading time in the Women’s Short Distance 800 Meters in 1:58.23. They edged out Deribi Welteji by .06 seconds in what was a thrilling finish that saw six of the eight runners in the field break 2:00.

“The expectation was we want to chase this and put her on the line in a way to be able to compete. Physically, I think things went really smooth. This is probably the best build she’s had in the eight years I’ve coached her. Mentally, it probably wasn't the best build. There were some battles that she faced and the race never tells the whole story. Being someone that saw what she overcame to make this team is what I think is going to make this one really special.” 

Newly minted Olympian Courtney Wayment and Coach Diljeet Taylor join us live in Eugene after Courtney finished runner-up in the U.S. Olympic Trials steeplechase. Coach Taylor shares about Courtney’s ability to overcome challenges as she worked towards the Trials and what it’s been like coaching Courtney for the past eight years.

Courtney shares about having “the best support system in the world” at BYU with past and present teammates, her training partners, and family. She also shares about her progression over the past few years that’s helped her rise to the world-class athlete that she’s become. Hear more from Courtney and Coach Taylor and what’s ahead for the coach-athlete duo in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Guests: Courtney Wayment | @courtsasport20 on Instagram + Diljeet Taylor | @diljeetdosanjhtaylor on Instagram

_________

CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for Day 9 of the Olympic Trials include Valarie Allman, Zebulon Sion, Courtney Wayment, Diljeet Taylor, Patrick Tiernan, Emily Sisson, and Joseph Fahnbulleh.

LIVE SHOWS

Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.

TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.

LIVE MEET COVERAGE

Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.

MORNING RUNS

Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

Coach Chris Bennett joins the podcast. His voice might be familiar to you if you've ever used the Nike Run Club training app. He is the Swoosh's global head coach. He's been a longtime supporter of CITIUS MAG and I've always wanted to get him on the show. Now seems to be the perfect time because it feels like we're on the cusp of a potential running boom once the pandemic subsides. People are getting out there whether it's part of their regular routine and training or they're discovering the sport for the very first time. I have a few friends who are getting started and they don't have a GPS watch or Strava so they simply have downloaded the Nike app and started going on these guided runs with Bennett. 

We spend much of the first half discussing what that's been like to see and then we'll take a dive into his own career from being a New Jersey star, running for UNC, learning from coaches like Jerry Schumacher, Vin Lananna and Frank Gagliano, returning to coach at Christian Brothers Academy (where they became a national powerhouse), what his mantra Every Run Has a Purpose means and ultimately watching his son now come after his own PRs.

▶ Follow Coach Bennett: https://www.instagram.com/coachbennett/

Support CITIUS MAG & pick up some merch on CITIUSMAG.com

▶ Follow us: twitter.com/CitiusMag | instagram.com/citiusmag | facebook.com/citiusmag

✩ Connect with Chris via Email: chris@citiusmag.com | twitter.com/ChrisChavez | instagram.com/chris_j_chavez

“In 1996, Derrick Adkins came back to his elementary school on Long Island and showed everyone the gold medal he had won. I was in the crowd. I got to see it. I got to talk to him and touch the medal. I was immediately enthralled by the sport that I went home and talked to my mom about signing up for track. That left a really lasting impression on me because I know that he may not have wanted to go back to his elementary school a month after winning the Atlanta Olympics but he did it out of an obligation to his community. Whenever I’ve been invited to speak at camps or schools or any event, I always try to think of the fact that there’s a little kid there who may be sent on a different path just because he had the opportunity to hear my story.”

My guest for today’s show is Kyle Merber and this is his exit interview. He spent the past seven years running for the New Jersey-New York Track Club and just a few weeks ago took to Instagram to announce that he's not done running but done getting paid for it. He finishes his professional career with personal bests of 1:47.23 for 800 meters, 3:34.54 for 1,500 meters and 3:52.22 for the mile. I wrote in my newsletter: He made an impact on the current generation of American distance running by bringing humor, transparency and personality to the track and social media. He’s arguably one of the funniest professionals to follow but also posted with honesty when things weren’t going so great in his attempted comebacks from a series of injuries. You’ll get that from this conversation we recorded this week as we go through his career but also his vision for change and fixes within the sport.

🏃 FOLLOW @trialsofmilesracing for more information on the TEXAS QUALIFIER happening in late February. If you’re a sponsor or brand with an interest in getting involved with the meet, please feel free to contact me: chris@citiusmag.com

You can catch the latest episode of the podcast on iTunes so subscribe and leave a five-star review. We are also on Stitcher, Google Play and Spotify!

✍️ FULL SHOW NOTES + MORE QUOTES ON CITIUSMAG.com

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST 

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. 

💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG 

👕 Pick up merch from the CITIUS MAG store to show your support for the podcast and website. 

📧 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG Newsletter,

✩ Connect with CITIUS MAG: Twitter | Instagram

“I know I made the right decision, but I don't even think it was a matter of if I made the right or wrong decision because either way I was going to make it be the right decision. I was going to force it to be the right decision. I feel like that’s what we had to do. There were so many question marks coming into this year, this Olympic Trials. I literally made it be the right decision and I just believed in that so wholeheartedly and here we are.”

Allie Wilson joins us live in Eugene after her runner-up finish in the U.S. Olympic Trials 800m to qualify for her first Olympic team. Allie breaks down the chaos of the 800m final at the Trials + shares about taking a bet on herself by leaving her former track club and sponsor, why she decided to follow her coaches, how she’s been able to grow her confidence over the past few years, and lots more. Hear more about Allie’s incredible journey to the top in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast.

Host: Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Eric Jenkins | @_ericjenkins on Instagram

Guest: Allie Wilson | @allie_oop9 on Instagram

_________

LIVE SHOWS

Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.

TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.

LIVE MEET COVERAGE

Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.

MORNING RUNS

Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

We've decided to bring back This Week In Track and Field. CITIUS MAG's newest contributor, Anderson Emerole (who heads The Final Leg YouTube channel) will co-host every week as we riff on the biggest news stories and results in track and field.

In this week's show (since it was a slower week of results and news):

– We introduce Anderson to our audience a bit more formally

– Anderson shares a bit about his trip to Kingston, Jamaica for The ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships, which is known as Champs and is Jamaica's biggest sporting event.

– What it was like interviewing Usain Bolt, Elaine Thompson-Herah and other stars

– An early assessment of the men's and women's sprints scene

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host: Anderson Emerole | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@atkoeme on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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👟 NEW BALANCE has officially launched the long-anticipated FuelCell SC Elite v4, including upgrades that focus on the details that are vital for athletes to perform to their best this year. The shoe was designed to excel in both innovative technology and all-around comfort that lasts through 26.2 miles. Check it out here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.newbalance.com/pd/fuelcell-supercomp-elite-v4/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🩴 VELOUS RECOVERY FOOTWEAR  is the active recovery footwear brand that is designed to help you Restore, Revive and Reenergize before and after you train. They are launching two new styles to their recovery mix for Spring ‘24. The Active Slide and Active Flip collection. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoy a 20% discount by entering the code: CITIUSMAG20 at checkout at VelousFootwear.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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1500m world champion Josh Kerr sits down with Chris Chavez and Kyle Merber after he pulled off a massive upset victory in the men’s 1,500 against favorite Jakob Ingebrigtsen that ultimately kept the title in British hands for the second straight year. He discusses why he believed this was his year, how he celebrated, the evolution of the 1500m at the world stage and much more.

Hosts: Chris Chavez, Kyle Merber

Guest: Josh Kerr

CITIUS MAG's coverage of the 2023 World Athletics Championships is powered by ASICS.

CITIUS MAG LIVE AT WORLDS: The show will air on the CITIUS MAG YouTube Channel between the morning and evening sessions of competition (Every day at 8 a.m. EST in the U.S.). 

CHAMPS CHATS ON THE CITIUS MAG PODCAST DAILY: The CITIUS MAG team of Chris, Kyle, David McCarthy, Jasmine Todd and Katelyn Hutchison will unpack all of the day’s biggest surprises and offer up their insights and analysis from being at the new National Athletics Centre and interviewing athletes each day. The podcast recording will be streamed on YouTube at the end of every day and will also be available on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to shows. 

DAILY CITIUS MAG NEWSLETTER: David Melly will recap all of the biggest moments, highlighting his must-watch athletes and events for each day while also pulling together some of our best content, photos and social moments that the CITIUS MAG team captures.

Chris Chavez and Kyle Merber sit down with Ben Flanagan, Keira D'Amato, Marielle Hall, Colin Bennie and Patrick Tiernan after competing at the 2022 Falmouth Road Race. We were on-site to provide live updates and do our live aftershow to interview the stars of the day.

D'Amato is coming off an 8th place finish at the World Championships Marathon and decided to make her Falmouth debut in grand fashion with a 36:14 victory over the seven-mile distance. She became the first American woman to win the race since Magdalena Lewy-Boulet in 2011.

Ben Flanagan became just the fifth man in history to win three Falmouth Road Race titles with his 32:25 win over Biya Simbassa. He details how his competitors stayed on his heels, why this one was the most difficult one to win and what he hopes to accomplish with a few more road races scheduled soon.

We also speak with Marielle Hall after her third-place showing on how she's learning more about road racing. Colin Bennie shares a bit about his new coaching venture and why he's not planning to run a fall marathon. Patrick Tiernan is a week away from his wedding and in the middle of a training block before debuting at the Chicago Marathon.

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GARMIN: Music. Training. Data. The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is my favorite running partner. You do the running. This GPS running smartwatch does the thinking. It even gets to know you and your body better, mile after mile and song after song. Get one for yourself here >> https://bit.ly/3Pcu0qo

Article One Eyewear: Article One is an independent eyewear company based in Flint, Mich. with designers with deep roots in running. All their frames are handcrafted in a small village in Northern Italy. Designed with your entire day in mind, Article One takes you from a long run in the morning to drinks on the patio to wind down. Their timeless silhouettes, paired with technical components — like adjustable silicone nose pads, polarized lenses, and spring hinges — create running sunglasses that are standalone. CITIUS MAG listeners get 20% off using CITIUS at checkout at https://articleoneeyewear.com/

HYDROW: Hydrow is a state-of-the-art rowing experience. Hydrow works 86% of major muscle groups, compared with only 44% from cycling. That’s twice the benefit in half the time! It’s a perfect low-impact workout to add to your training cycle for both endurance and resistance training. Use code CITIUS100 for $100 off of the rower (stackable with any current offerings) >> https://hydrow.com/

@HaywardMagic is the Instagram home for the true track & field diehards, dreamers and fans. They are sharing the magic of the sport and elevating the athletes that push it forward. Follow them on Instagram @HaywardMagic.

We were joined by Laulauga Tausaga-Collins just two days after she won gold in the women’s discus at the 2023 World Athletic Championships. She had the meet of her life with a huge throw of 69.49 meters to destroy her previous personal best by nearly four meters and won the United States’ first-ever world championship gold in women’s discus.

Hosts: Jasmine Todd, Katelyn Hutchison and David Melly

Guest: Laulauga Tausaga-Collins

CITIUS MAG's coverage of the 2023 World Athletics Championships is powered by ASICS.

CITIUS MAG LIVE AT WORLDS: The show will air on the CITIUS MAG YouTube Channel between the morning and evening sessions of competition (Every day at 8 a.m. EST in the U.S.). 

CHAMPS CHATS ON THE CITIUS MAG PODCAST DAILY: The CITIUS MAG team of Chris, Kyle, David McCarthy, Jasmine Todd and Katelyn Hutchison will unpack all of the day’s biggest surprises and offer up their insights and analysis from being at the new National Athletics Centre and interviewing athletes each day. The podcast recording will be streamed on YouTube at the end of every day and will also be available on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to shows. 

DAILY CITIUS MAG NEWSLETTER: David Melly will recap all of the biggest moments, highlighting his must-watch athletes and events for each day while also pulling together some of our best content, photos and social moments that the CITIUS MAG team captures.

"One of the things I feel that I’m pretty good at is the competition side of things. When I do get put up against people like that, the true competitor side comes out in me. It’s like I’m almost pushing my body beyond what it can do just because I don’t want to lose."

Bryce Hoppel is one of Team USA’s stars to watch in the Olympic year since he’s the second-fastest American 800 meter runner indoors and the seventh-fastest American outdoors for the same distance. He’s run 1:43.23 and finished fourth at the World Championships. At the University of Kansas, he was a two-time NCAA champion and a five-time All-American. In this episode, you’ll get to know him a little bit better before he takes a swing at David Torrence’s 2:16.76 American record in the indoor 1,000 meters and then you’ll be able to see him in action at the Trials of Miles Texas Qualifier men’s 800 on Feb. 27.

💪 Support for this episode comes from MOMENTOUS. I've been able to try Momentous' ArcFire Strength Recovery Proteinas one of the newest additions to my training regimen. Try it for yourself. CITIUS MAG Podcast listeners will generously receive 20% off their first order of Momentous by using the promo code CITIUS at checkout on LiveMomentous.com. That's CITIUS at checkout for 20% off your first order of plant protein, whey protein, sleep formula and more.

🏃 FOLLOW @trialsofmilesracing for more information on the TEXAS QUALIFIER happening in late February. If you’re a sponsor or brand with an interest in getting involved with the meet, please feel free to contact me: chris@citiusmag.com

You can catch the latest episode of the podcast on iTunes so subscribe and leave a five-star review. We are also on Stitcher, Google Play and Spotify!

✍️ FULL SHOW NOTES + MORE QUOTES ON CITIUSMAG.com

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG

👕 Pick up merch from the CITIUS MAG store to show your support for the podcast and website.

📧 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG Newsletter

🎥 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel

✩ Connect with CITIUS MAG: Twitter | Instagram

In the fall of 2020, while much of the world was still stuck inside wondering when things might go back to normal, Tim West was lacing up his racing shoes, logging miles, and building something new – not a tech startup, not an app, but a running brand, out of his basement. He quickly recruited his brother Nick on his vision. They didn't spend money on big splashy ads or influencer campaigns. Instead, they listened, they ran, and they asked questions. They built gear starting with socks that runners actually wanted. Over the next few years, what started as a side project for the two brothers and their designer turned co-founder Ardith  Singh, grew into one of the most exciting new names in running: Bandit Running – a Brooklyn-based company that makes premium performance apparel and centers community at the heart of everything it does. 

But Nick West didn't come from the fashion world. Him and his brother Tim were working in e-commerce at Jet.com. They grew up immersed in the New Jersey skate and surf scene where the coolest brands weren't built in boardrooms. They were built by friends on the street and from the ground up. That ethos is what stuck with them.

Today, Bandit makes everything from race day singlets to streetwear inspired track pants. They host events that pack the sidewalks of New York. They've launched the unsponsored project celebrating professional runners who don't get the financial support from the major shoe brands and they're building a brand-first model that doesn't just sell apparel; it tells stories. So how did a couple of brothers go from zero marketing budget to a brand that's evolving what running looks and feels like?

That's what we find out in this episode. It's 10 a.m. in Brooklyn and Nick West is refreshing his phone again and again. We're sitting in the Bandit Running headquarters. The coffee's still hot, and the 2025 spring collection, nearly a year in the making, is officially live to the public. This drop: It's the result of 11 months of long days, late nights, and that's just how those days go.

On a previous drop, there was even a 2:30 a.m. production shoot involving a whiteboard, an iPhone, and Nick himself modeling shorts that he didn't expect to be in. These are the kind of stories that don't make the product page on the website, but at Bandit, they're kind of the point because this isn't just an apparel company.

In this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast, Nick West joins me on how he and his team built Bandit Running, a company rooted in connection, performance, and that little bit of rebellion that every runner knows by heart. It's a brand built by runners, forerunners, driven by storytelling, community, and the belief that there's a better way to build a business in this space.

Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Nick West | @nicholas_west on Instagram 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

KETONE-IQ: Level up your training with Ketone-IQ – a clean shot of energy with no sugar or caffeine. Or try the new Ketone-IQ + Caffeine, combining 5g of ketones with 100mg of green tea caffeine for a smooth, sustained boost. It’s used by pro runners like Des Linden and Sara Hall. Feel the difference. Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six pack of Ketone-IQ with KETONE.com/CITIUS.

RUNNA: Runna is the #1 rated personalized running app designed to help you crush your goals no matter the distance. . Sign up for Runna today and get your first two weeks free using the code CITIUS.

OLIPOP: BuzzFeed just came out with an article that recently named Olipop the best overall soda for flavor — and with a lineup that includes classic root beer, vintage cola and cherry vanilla, it's easy to see why. Try Olipop today and save 25% on your order using code CITIUS25 at checkout at DrinkOlipop.com.

"Running has been super therapeutic for me these last couple of months. I've really taken time to heal and prioritize healing...When my own personal running isn't going well. I get so much joy out of watching my friends crushing it."

Rachel Smith (née Schneider) is one of the nicest people in track and field. Last summer, she fulfilled one of her biggest dreams when she crossed the finish line in third place in the U.S. Olympic Trials 5000m finals and qualified for the Tokyo Games. She just missed out on making it into the final when she ran 15:00 in the first round of the Olympics. We got the chance to catch up a few weeks ago when we were both in Washington, DC for the Team USA athlete summit ahead of their White House visit. It’s been a very hard year for Rachel. Earlier this year, she had a bout with COVID in January. In February, she shared that she learned she had skin cancer and underwent surgery to treat it. In April, she opened up on Instagram about having a miscarriage. It’s very sad to hear and we briefly touch on it. Through it all, Rachel still has turned to running and the sport as a way to heal. She’s at practice and helping her husband Mike coach the NAU team and the small professional squad that includes Elly Henes, Nikki Hiltz and Luis Grijalva. When she is ready to return to racing, she is certainly someone to root for.

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GARMIN: Music. Training. Data. The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is my favorite running partner. You do the running. This GPS running smartwatch does the thinking. It even gets to know you and your body better, mile after mile and song after song. Get one for yourself here >> https://bit.ly/3Pcu0qo

HYDROW: Hydrow is a state-of-the-art rowing experience. Hydrow works 86% of major muscle groups, compared with only 44% from cycling. That’s twice the benefit in half the time! It’s a perfect low-impact workout to add to your training cycle for both endurance and resistance training. Use code CITIUS100 for $100 off of the rower (stackable with any current offerings) >> https://hydrow.com/

HAYWARD MAGIC: The Instagram home for the true track and field diehards, dreamers and fans. Sharing the magic of the sport and elevating the athletes that push it forward. Follow them on Instagram @HaywardMagic. 

Val Constien finished third in the steeplechase finals here at the U.S. Olympic Trials and returns to the podcast to dissect her race and the biggest moment of her career while also looking ahead to the Tokyo Olympics.

TUNE IN AND LISTEN TO TRIALS TALK WITH CHRIS AND KYLE. Our daily podcast from the Olympic Trials is presented by Tracksmith.

We’re excited to partner with Tracksmith, an independent running brand fueled by a deep love of the sport. They celebrate the amateur spirit and seek to inspire the personal pursuit of excellence. Tracksmith is pleased to be supporting 30 Olympic Trials qualifiers in Eugene, including athletes across 14 disciplines, as part of their Amateur Support Program.

Check out Tracksmith's essentials for racing and training - including the Strata kits their Trials athletes are racing in this week - at Tracksmith.com/CITIUS and use code CITIUS to receive 10% off any order until the last day of the trials, June 27th.

Matthew Luke Meyer and I discuss all of the good things that have happened in the sport since we last caught up in early February to unpack the biggest storylines and headlines in the sport. 

In this episode we discuss:

– Our NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championship MVPs and why we should maybe taper expectations on Cole Hocker

– The brilliance of BYU's women and coach Taylor at the indoor and cross country championships

– Outdoor season appears to be in full swing with the Bowerman Track Club still proving they're fast but witholding some of the top stars

– Hayward is finally opening, Des Linden is running a 50K, Eliud Kipchoge returns with a marathon and meets will be poppin' off in May

– How weird it sounds like the Olympics are going to be

– Dopers Gonna Dope with a Russian scandal that's made for a Netflix special

+ Much more...

💪 Support for this episode comes from MOMENTOUS. I've been able to try Momentous' ArcFire Strength Recovery Proteinas one of the newest additions to my training regimen. Try it for yourself. CITIUS MAG Podcast listeners will generously receive 20% off their first order of Momentous by using the promo code CITIUS at checkout on LiveMomentous.com. That's CITIUS at checkout for 20% off your first order of plant protein, whey protein, sleep formula and more.

🥇 Support for this episode also comes from the Eugene Marathon! Here's your chance to earn and own a piece of history! The 2021 virtual Eugene Marathon medals are crafted from the salvaged east grandstand steps at historic Hayward Field. Register for the 5k, Half Marathon, or Marathon today and use code CITIUS25 to save 25% on your race entry!

✍️ FULL SHOW NOTES + MORE QUOTES ON CITIUSMAG.com

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG

👕 Pick up merch from the CITIUS MAG store to show your support for the podcast and website.

📧 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG Newsletter

🎥 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel

✩ Connect with CITIUS MAG: Twitter | Instagram

“Leading up to the Trials, I was in phenomenal shape. I was putting together quite a few consistent races. But getting 4th, I just feel like I beat myself. Not even trying to be funny, those guys didn’t beat me – I beat myself because of the way I ran in the semi compared to what I ran in the final. I think I left like a half second out there… It was a great battle. I still feel like I finished really hard to get that third spot, but those guys got the best of me.”

Olympic gold medalist Vernon Norwood joins us live in Eugene after his 4th place finish in the 400m at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Vernon breaks down the 400m rounds at the Trials, how the 4x400m relay pool selection process works, shares the behind-the-scenes of creating a top tier 4x400m relay team, how he’s remained a consistent top performer at 32-years-old, and a few funny stories with other top U.S. sprinters. Hear more from Vernon in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast.

Host: Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest: Vernon Norwood | @vernon400m on Instagram

_________

LIVE SHOWS

Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.

TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.

LIVE MEET COVERAGE

Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.

MORNING RUNS

Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/

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👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

For the final episode of Trials Talk with Chris and Kyle, we dissect the wildest hour of track and field on U.S. soil in a while.

In the men’s 5,000m, Paul Chelimo toyed with the field and won a scorcher of a race in 13:26 ahead of Woody Kincaid and Grant FIsher.

We had a bit of a weather delay where the meet was postponed due to extreme and record-setting heat.

We had a world record in the women’s 400m hurdles where Sydney McLaughlin took .26 seconds off Dalilah Muhammad’s previous mark.

Athing Mu did her thing with the second-fastest U.S. women’s 800m mark of all-time to win the women’s 800m over a loaded field. Ajee Wilson and Raevyn Rogers snuck in behind her for the other two spots to Tokyo.

As if anything could follow those up, we saw one of the best 1,500 meter duels in recent history with Cole Hocker defeating the reigning Olympic champion Matthew Centrowitz.

Noah Lyles closed out the show with a world-leading time in the men’s 200m of 19.74.

TUNE IN AND LISTEN TO TRIALS TALK WITH CHRIS AND KYLE. Our daily podcast from the Olympic Trials is presented by Tracksmith.

We’re excited to partner with Tracksmith, an independent running brand fueled by a deep love of the sport. They celebrate the amateur spirit and seek to inspire the personal pursuit of excellence. Tracksmith is pleased to be supporting 30 Olympic Trials qualifiers in Eugene, including athletes across 14 disciplines, as part of their Amateur Support Program.

Check out Tracksmith's essentials for racing and training - including the Strata kits their Trials athletes are racing in this week - at Tracksmith.com/CITIUS and use code CITIUS to receive 10% off any order until the last day of the trials, June 27th.

On Sunday, October 8, the penultimate World Marathon Major of 2023 kicks off through Millennium Park and through the streets of Chicago. The site of multiple American and world records, the Chicago Marathon is often considered one of the fastest courses in the United States and always draws strong domestic and international elite fields chasing fast times. Last year, the women’s race saw an American record from Emily Sisson and the second-fastest performance of all time (at the time) from winner Ruth Chepngetich. Chicago’s men’s course record of 2:03:45 was the world record when it was set in 2013 by Dennis Kimetto and the women’s course record of 2:14:04 set by Brigid Kosgei in 2019 was the world record until a few weeks ago – this is the place to run fast. The first wave of runners goes off at 8:30 a.m. E.T. (men and women start together). Right now, the forecast looks promising, with a low of 46F and a high of 57F. It’ll be a little breezy with 10-15mph winds, but the looped Chicago course lined in many spots by high rises is relatively tolerant to wind. We could be in for some seriously special racing! CITIUS MAG's team (Chris Chavez, Kyle Merber and Declan Murray) will preview all the top storylines and athletes to watch. Show presented by Bandit Running | Bandit Running is a performance and lifestyle running apparel brand founded by members of the NYC Running Community in 2020. What started as socks and accessories has grown into a full-fledged apparel assortment. Check them out here: https://banditrunning.com/

GET 15% OFF YOUR ORDERS AT BANDITRUNNING.COM THROUGH OCT. 31

Johnny Gregorek joins the CITIUS MAG Podcast ahead of his world record attempt in the Blue Jean Mile on May 30. 

He is a professional runner for Asics and a member of the New Jersey-New York Track Club. Johnny is also the second-fastest American indoor miler in history. His 3:49.98 is just behind Bernard Lagat's 3:49.89. His other personal bests include 3:35 for the 1,500. He was a member of the U.S. national team for the 2017 World Championships in London, where he made the final and finished 10th in the world. He was an All-American for Columbia and Oregon. 

In this episode, we'll take a dive into his career thus far since he's certainly someone in the mix for an Olympic team spot next year but...this Saturday (May 30th) he will be spiking up for a world record attempt. He will be going for the blue jean mile world record of 4:11.80 and who knows if sub-4 is in the cards. Not only is he providing the world with some good ol' entertainment in a time when there are no races, but he's also doing it for a great cause. He has already raised more than 12,000 dollars for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in memory of his brother and for mental health awareness month. We talk about all that and more.

CITIUS MAG popularized the Blue Jean Mile in 2017. We said we'd cough up some money for someone to break four minutes in it. CITIUS Mag will be donating $1,000 for a sub-4, $500 for a world record and regardless we're cutting a check for at least $250. If you want more information about Johnny's attempt, Paul Snyder has covered it for CITIUS MAG and you can also donate through Johnny's personal pages.

Johnny Gregorek’s Blue Jeans Mile Will Be More Fun Than The Olympics: http://citiusmag.com/johnny-gregorek-blue-jeans-mile-history/

Donate to the National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://donate.nami.org/fundraiser/2749965

Support CITIUS MAG & pick up some merch on CITIUSMAG.com

▶ Follow us: twitter.com/CitiusMag | instagram.com/citiusmag | facebook.com/citiusmag

✩ Connect with Chris via Email: chris@citiusmag.com | twitter.com/ChrisChavez | instagram.com/chris_j_chavez

“Women with kids keep getting better. You become strong. It’s the opposite of what some people might think. Because sometimes people would be like, ‘if you go on maternity leave, you might be done.’ It’s becoming the opposite. If you look at Keira (D’Amato) or Aliphine (Tuliamuk), you can bounce back and do better than what you used to. Even in my 20s, I wasn’t feeling the way I feel right now, especially in the road racing.”

My guest for this episode is Betsy Saina who has re-emerged as a star in 2023 after giving birth to her son, running 2:21 at the Tokyo Marathon and just won the USATF 25K Championships this past weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan. That marathon performance in Tokyo was It was her first marathon since giving birth to her son and her first marathon since becoming an American citizen. She's certainly someone in the conversation for one of the three spots on the line at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials that will determine the team for the Summer Games in Paris. In our conversation, we'll touch on her road map to try and qualify for her second Games, her postpartum running experience including the challenges and triumphs in training. Betsy is an inspiration for new mothers striving to reclaim their running prowess.

Host: Chris Chavez | @Chris_J_Chavez on Instagram

Guest: Betsy Saina | @sainabetsy on Instagram

SUPPORT THE SPONSORS

OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)

On Track Nights: Track Fest The first On Track Nights event of the year features the best of Los Angeles' music scene and some of the world's best athletes too – starting things with a bang on and off the track. Be there at Mt. SAC on May 6, 2023. More info here: https://www.on-running.com/en-us/explore/events/on-track-nights-los-angeles

GARMIN: Introducing the Forerunner 965 from Garmin, the ultimate GPS running and triathlon smartwatch. With a bright AMOLED touchscreen display and lightweight titanium bezel, this premium watch is designed for athletes who demand the very best. Learn more here: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/

UCAN: UCAN is offering the Citius Mag community an exclusive chance to try 6 Edge samples for free – all you need to pay is the cost of shipping. Just head over to ucan.co/citius to claim this exclusive offer. And if you're already a fan of UCAN or want to try some of their other products, use code CITIUS at ucan.co to save 20% on the full variety of product

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG

🎥 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel

On this week’s show, Chris Chavez, Kyle Merber and Mac Fleet do quite a bit of problem-solving and explain recent rule changes by World Athletics including their decision to rename indoor track to ‘short track’ and removing the time qualifiers for the distance races at the World Championships. We also look into the United States’ path to getting a man to qualify for the Olympic marathon.

Learn more here...

• World Athletics Renames Indoor Track To Short Track

• World Athletics Is Getting Rid Of The Time Qualifier For Distance Races

• The United States Men’s Marathoners Need Fast Times, Big Performances Soon For Paris Olympics
• More news over at the new CITIUSMAG.com

SUPPORT THE SPONSORS

OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)

GARMIN: Introducing the Forerunner 965 from Garmin, the ultimate GPS running and triathlon smartwatch. With a bright AMOLED touchscreen display and lightweight titanium bezel, this premium watch is designed for athletes who demand the very best. Learn more here: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/

UCAN: UCAN is offering the Citius Mag community an exclusive chance to try 6 Edge samples for free – all you need to pay is the cost of shipping. Just head over to ucan.co/citius to claim this exclusive offer. And if you're already a fan of UCAN or want to try some of their other products, use code CITIUS at ucan.co to save 20% on the full variety of product

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG

🎥 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel

“I still haven’t processed it. I haven't celebrated at all, I had to go back to work and take care of my daughter. Actually, I woke her up from her nap to watch Josh win because I was like, ‘He might do it, so let's wake her up just so she will remember’... Even yesterday [at the 5th Avenue Mile] they had the camera on Josh and they replayed his last 200m and I still got goosebumps. It's been three weeks, so I don't know if I'll ever process it. I hear people say this and I know what they mean; it's like you just get humbled by it. You're like, ‘Man, that was really hard to do.’”

Danny Mackey has been the coach of the Brooks Beasts since the team started in 2013 and can now say that he’s the coach to a world champion after Josh Kerr’s stunning 1500m victory in Budapest. The Beasts have put together a strong year with Nia Akins winning the U.S. indoor and outdoor 800m titles before finishing sixth in the World Championship final. Marta Freitas and Isiah Harris also competed at the World Championships. Henry Wynne is running strong with a fifth-place finish at USAs and then a 3:53.70 mile PR at Falmouth this summer.

It’s been a culmination of more than a decade of hard work, learning and adapting for coach Mackey and his meticulously scientific training perspective and approach. He’s vocal about doing things the right way and not operating in any gray zone. You’ll learn much more in this episode that goes beyond just the making of a world champion.

A quick note before we start the interview, this has also been the most tragic and difficult year of Mackey’s life. As reported by LetsRun.com, back in March, his fiancee died by suicide and he is now raising his baby daughter on his own. He took a few days away from the team and coached remotely from the U.S. while the team was in Budapest. The pain and loss is still felt by Mackey and he’s been resilient for his fellow coaching staff and athletes all along the way.

Host: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Danny Mackey | @dannytmackey on Instagram

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)

👟 NEW BALANCE just dropped their 2023 New York City Marathon collection. Check out their official apparel and shoes from training, to the finish line, and beyond. I've been rocking the FuelCell SC Elite v3 for my marathon training. Shop for more at https://www.newbalance.com/

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

💻 Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place.

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG

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Picture this: you are a marathon runner – but not just any marathon runner. You've got a personal best under 2:45. You're a Stanford grad with a background in computer science and design. Instead of heading off to business school, you decide to start a company – one that's rethinking human metabolism from the ground up. 

That is the story of Michael Brandt. He's the CEO and co-founder of Ketone-IQ, a company pioneering the future of metabolic health. Their flagship product, Ketone-IQ isn't just a supplement – it's an entirely new category of fuel. In just a few short years, it's taken off. It gained traction with elite athletes, high powered execs, and even the U.S. Department of Defense, which awarded the company – then known as HVMN – a $6 million contract to study how ketones can optimize soldier performance.

But Michael's story isn't just about biochemistry and business strategy; it's about thinking differently about seeing opportunity where others see obstacles. It's about choosing to put yourself out there even when it feels uncomfortable and about the unexpected connection between running a business and running a marathon, from testing the limits of human performance to building a multi-million dollar company. In a brand new category, Michael Brandt is a founder who's always running fast and thinking ahead with Ketone-IQ.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram 

Guest: Michael Brandt | @michaeldbrandt on Instagram 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

KETONE-IQ: Level up your training with Ketone-IQ – a clean shot of energy with no sugar or caffeine. Or try the new Ketone-IQ + Caffeine, combining 5g of ketones with 100mg of green tea caffeine for a smooth, sustained boost. It’s used by pro runners like Des Linden and Sara Hall. Proven to enhance endurance, focus, and recovery, ketones are 28% more efficient than glucose. No crashes, no bonking—just next-level performance. Take the shot. Feel the difference. Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six pack of Ketone-IQ with KETONE.com/CITIUS.

RUNNA: Runna is the #1 rated personalized running app designed to help you crush your goals no matter the distance. Runna is trusted by hundreds of thousands of runners around the world and makes expert coaching accessible with personalized training plans that fit every goal, fitness level, and schedule. Whether it's someone's first 5K or it's someone chasing a marathon PB, they are here to help runners train smarter, stronger, and love every step of the way. Sign up for Runna today and get your first two weeks free using the code CITIUS.

OLIPOP: Big name sodas are rolling out bold new flavors in 2025, but the real buzz is happening in the prebiotic pop aisle. If you haven't already jumped on the Olipop train yet, now's the time. BuzzFeed just came out with an article that recently named Olipop the best overall soda for flavor — and with a lineup that includes classic root beer, vintage cola and cherry vanilla, it's easy to see why. Try Olipop today and save 25% on your order using code CITIUS25 at checkout at DrinkOlipop.com.

This is The Lap Count newsletter by Kyle Merber, as read by Chris Chavez.

Join more than 15,000 people who stay up-to-date with all the thrilling action and biggest stories in the world of track & field – delivered right to your inbox every Wednesday morning. Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠http://thelapcount.com/⁠

In this week's newsletter:

– USATF 5K Championship 🇺🇸

– Elise Cranny’s turn to say goodbye ⚡️

– New York, New York — Obiri, Obiri 🍎

– Put some respect on Tamirat’s name! ✍️

– Wrapping up the PanAm Games 🇨🇱

+ more rapid fire highlights from the past week

You can read this week's newsletter here ➡️ https://www.thelapcount.com/p/no-pacers-no-problem

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👟 LEVER is a Boulder, Colorado-based rehab and fitness device company that is seeing customers go from being sidelined with an injury to setting PRs in a matter of months! Named the 2023 Best Run Product of the Year by Global Triathlon Awards, LEVER is dedicated to bringing pain-free running to the world. If you have a niggle, annoying running pain, or starting your journey back from a serious injury, check out LeverMovement.com to see why so many runners are leveraging the power of body weight support on their road back to fitness. Use code LapCountTwenty for 20% off our device for a limited time.

SUPER IMPORTANT MESSAGE

Dear Readers,

Can you please do me a favor and take this anonymous 90-second survey? We are in the process of selling in sponsors to support the CITIUS content plans for 2024 and this information enables us to keep growing the business. There are so many damn meets and we want to be covering all of them! But we need sponsors to do that because for better or worse, this is the best business model we could come up with.

— Kyle

Sharing some of our bold predictions for the 2024 outdoor track and field season with potential upsets and possible world records to fall.

Plus some thoughts on:

– Gabby Thomas opens up with a 10.88 for 100m and then comes back and runs 22.08 for 200m less than 45 minutes later.

– Quincy Wilson ran 45.19 at 16 years old to hit the U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying mark

– Best relay performances of the weekend: Grant Holloway and Gainesville Elite runs 37.67 for the 4x100m | Dina Asher-Smith, Rhasidat Adeleke, Lanae Thomas and Julien Alfred run the fastest 4x200m ever outdoors in 1:27.05 (Julien Alfred was clocked at 20.8 for the anchor leg, which was the fastest since Marion Jones)

– World 100m silver medalist Letsile Tebogo went 19.94 in his first 200m of the outdoor season.
Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host: Anderson Emerole | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@atkoeme on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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👟 ON Experience the magic of Penn Relays with On. Races. Athletes. New kits. New faces. Try the latest On running shoe innovations, customize your gear and more. For the full events schedule, check out the Penn Relays website, and if you can't be there in person – follow @on for all the action.

🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🩴 VELOUS RECOVERY FOOTWEAR  is the active recovery footwear brand that is designed to help you Restore, Revive and Reenergize before and after you train. They are launching two new styles to their recovery mix for Spring ‘24. The Active Slide and Active Flip collection. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoy a 20% discount by entering the code: CITIUSMAG20 at checkout at VelousFootwear.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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One-on-one with Eliud Kipchoge. The two-time Olympic gold medalist in the marathon. The 26.2 world record holder. The only person in history to get under two hours for the marathon. A legend of the sport. 

You may have seen some other podcasts out there with little mini-episodes for 15 min with him but this was the real deal. I got the chance to sit down with Kipchoge in Eugene for just an open conversation on life after winning another gold medal, where he goes from here, what his thoughts are on the greatest of all-time debate and much more.

📈 Support for this episode comes from WHOOP. WHOOP is offering 15% off with the code “CITIUS” at checkout. Go to WHOOP and enter CITIUS at checkout to save 15%. Sleep better, recover faster and run faster. Get to the start line healthy with WHOOP.  https://join.whoop.com/citiusmag

📈 Hustle Clean is a mission-driven self-care brand for the active lifestyle. It was created by athletes for high performers that want to do more and be more without compromise. The Hustle Clean Body Wipe is an extra-large, durable, full-body wipe designed to remove sweat, dirt, and body odor in moments when a shower is optimal but not possible. Products are safe on sensitive skin, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, & infused with aloe vera, vitamin E, & witch hazel. Hustle Clean is sold nationwide in Walmart, Target, & Amazon. CITIUS MAG Podcast listeners get a deal and get 10% off all their products, if you visit Hustle Clean.com and use discount code CITIUS.

✍️ FULL SHOW NOTES + MORE QUOTES ON CITIUSMAG.com

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Chris Chavez and Kyle Merber discuss the first day of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials live from Eugene, Oregon, where Ryan Crouser demolished the world record with a 23.37m throw to win the men's shot put. 

We slept on Woody Kincaid and paid the price as he won the men's 10,000m in 27:54.62. 

We unpack the first round of the women's 1,500m after the controversy regarding Shelby Houlihan's four-year ban, Erik Sowinski out for revenge in the men's 800m and much more.   

TUNE IN AND LISTEN TO TRIALS TALK WITH CHRIS AND KYLE. Our daily podcast from the Olympic Trials is presented by Tracksmith.  

We’re excited to partner with Tracksmith, an independent running brand fueled by a deep love of the sport. They celebrate the amateur spirit and seek to inspire the personal pursuit of excellence. Tracksmith is pleased to be supporting 30 Olympic Trials qualifiers in Eugene, including athletes across 14 disciplines, as part of their Amateur Support Program. 

Check out Tracksmith's essentials for racing and training - including the Strata kits their Trials athletes are racing in this week - at Tracksmith.com/CITIUS and use code CITIUS to receive 10% off any order until the last day of the trials, June 27th.

Duane Solomon joins the CITIUS MAG Podcast for an exit interview after announcing his retirement on June 20th with an Instagram post. He finished his career as the third-fastest American of all-time in the 800 meters with his 1:42.82 personal best at the 2012 Olympics in London.

In this episode, we'll go all the way to his high school career and how he managed to find the 800 meters as his specialty event. We'll look at how his "old school" approach to training started in college at USC and eventually landed him on his first U.S. national team in 2007 in Osaka. He opens up about issues with confidence at the college level and early into his professional career before he eventually erupted in 2012 under the guidance of Johny Gray (the former American record holder). Duane explains why it's the 2012 Olympic Trials and not the Olympic final that's the proudest moment of his career. From the warmup area to the call room to the track and off, Duane details his perspective of the London final and David Rudisha's perfect world record. We unpack the later years of his career like chasing the American in 2013/14, crashing and blacking out at the 2015 U.S. Championships, losing in the first round of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials and the curious ending to the final three years of his career. Plus, how he feels he fits into the history of America's rise to the top of the 800 meters and Donavan Brazier's world record chances. All that and more...

Support for this episode comes from GOODR SUNGLASSES – Been rocking Goodr sunglasses throughout the past couple months and they're the best. No slip. No bounce. No fog. Polarized. Ridiculously affordable starting at $25 a pair. No discounts needed when they’re already the most affordable performance shades on the planet. Visit Goodr.com/citius to check out some of my favorite pairs. #EyesAreFeelinGoodr

▶ Follow us: twitter.com/CitiusMag | instagram.com/citiusmag | facebook.com/citiusmag

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“I think the only time I thought about that American record was that last 100m because I was like, ‘You have to beat Elise no matter what. If you guys are going fast enough and you’re not in front of her, she’s going to get it.’ I think I barely outleaned her and ended up getting sixth. The results took forever to load and come up on the screen but when they did it was such a party because everyone set their national record. Seven of us were out there stoked. At this event, everyone is so happy for everyone. It’s cool to see the camaraderie. We know that if one of us is going to do well, we’re all going to rise to that.”

Nikki Hiltz is putting together one of the most impressive outdoor seasons.

Last month was an absolute triumph for Nikki, as they clinched the U.S. 1500m title, kicking to victory ahead of the likes of the 800m Olympic champion Athing Mu, U.S. Olympian Cory McGee and the reigning U.S. champion, Sinclaire Johnson. My interview with Nikki went viral after they dedicated the victory to the transgender community.

Now, Nikki is gearing up for their second career world championships. Back in 2019, in their very first season as a professional runner, they made it to the 1500m final. Since then, they've continued to progress and currently holding the U.S. titles in the indoor and outdoor 1500m, as well as the road mile.

Nikki took their momentum to Monaco, where they clocked a jaw-dropping 4:16.35, shattering Mary Slaney's American record that had stood tall since 1985. It was awesome to see so many national records fall in that race behind Faith Kipyegon’s world record.

In this conversation, we dive deep into their unforgettable performance at the U.S. Championship, that epic race in Monaco, and what they're looking forward to at the World Championships in Budapest next month. 

Nikki is not only a phenomenal athlete but an incredible human being as well. Their passion and dedication shine on and off the track, making them an absolute joy to root for.

Host: Chris Chavez | @Chris_J_Chavez on Instagram

Guest: Nikki Hiltz | @NikkiHiltz on Instagram

Sign up for the Pride 5K here: https://runsignup.com/Race/AZ/Flagstaff/Pride5k2022

This year's race is fundraising for Point of Pride, a nonprofit organization that provides financial aid and direct support to trans folks in need of health and wellness care

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🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)

💤 LAGOON: Looking to sleep more comfortably - including falling asleep faster, and experiencing more deep, restful sleep? Find the Lagoon pillow that’s perfect for you. Take the 2-min quiz now at https://lagoonsleep.com/citius | Use code CITIUS for 15% off your first order.

👣 CURREX: CURREX insoles are technologically advanced and instantly improve any shoe.  They come in LOW, MEDIUM, and HIGH arch profiles that deliver more comfort and support, enhance shoe fit, and reduce pressure which leads to less body fatigue. | Use code CITIUS20 for 20% off your order.

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💻 Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place.

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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This is The Lap Count newsletter by Kyle Merber, as read by Chris Chavez.

Join more than 16,000 people who stay up-to-date with all the thrilling action and biggest stories in the world of track & field – delivered right to your inbox every Wednesday morning. Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://thelapcount.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this week's newsletter:

– The TEN heard ‘round the world 🌎

– Catch a ride on the sub-27:00 train 🚂

+ more rapid-fire highlights from the past week

You can read this week's newsletter here ➡️ https://www.thelapcount.com/p/10k

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🩴 VELOUS is the active recovery footwear brand that is designed to help you Restore, Revive and Reenergize before and after you train. They are launching two new styles to their recovery mix for Spring ‘24. The Active Slide and Active Flip collection.

These active recovery sandals are super lightweight and equipped with VELOUS three-part Tri-Motion technology. They cradle your heel with impact-absorbing foam that cushions your feet with every step, amazing arch support and forefoot flex that allows your fatigued feet and toes to stretch and relax. VELOUS is focused on helping athletes recover faster, before and after you train, so you can get after your next run performing at your best. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS! Enjoy a 20% discount by entering the code: CITIUSMAG20 at checkout at VelousFootwear.com

🌴 BERMUDA GRAND PRIX: If you’re interested in a spring getaway to a warm weather destination and want to also watch some quality track and field + get a chance to meet some of the biggest stars – the Bermuda Grand Prix has put together several packages to bring you that experience from April 26th to 29th. Spectator/Olympic Alumni Packages include round-trip airport pickup and drop-off and hotel accommodation at the Coco Reefs Resort, tickets to the opening and closing events, access to the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix 2024, ground transportation to the National Sports Centre and more. Packages start at $1,335. 
Since hanging up her spikes after an accomplished career that included three Olympic Games, Hazel Clark now serves as the director of global sales and business at the Bermuda Tourism Authority and coupled her love of track with her business acumen to deliver Bermuda’s first elite track and field event. The meet at Flora Duffy Stadium on April 28th starts at 3 p.m. ET and will be televised on NBC from 5 to 7 p.m. ET. You can also find general ticket information here.

“I think it’s important to have confidence in the plan that you choose, just going into the race and standing on the starting line knowing you did everything you could. I'm going to focus on my strengths and know I'm at the top.”

2x Olympian and American record holder Emily Sisson joins us live in Eugene to catch us up on how training has been going since qualifying for the U.S. Marathon team in February. Emily shares her thoughts on the Paris Olympics marathon course, adjustments she’s made to her training to prepare for the Olympics, why she likes switching up the distances she races, and her plans for post-Olympics. Hear more from Emily and what’s ahead for her in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast.

Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram + Eric Jenkins | @_ericjenkins on Instagram

Guest: Emily Sisson | @em_sisson on Instagram

_________

CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for Day 9 of the Olympic Trials include Valarie Allman, Zebulon Sion, Courtney Wayment, Diljeet Taylor, Patrick Tiernan, Emily Sisson, and Joseph Fahnbulleh.

LIVE SHOWS

Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.

TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.

LIVE MEET COVERAGE

Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.

MORNING RUNS

Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/

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👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

“What I know is the aspect of being looked at differently because of our national heritage – in this case as Kenyan athletes who also happen to be Black in the United States of America. It’s real...One of the things that bothered me many times was that I would go and run a race and if it was a United States championship, they would say ‘Kenyan-born Sam Chelanga.’ What do you get by that? You get to tell people this is the real champion and this is not the real champion because he is Kenyan-born. My performance and my hard work go through the window.”

Lots of people know of Sam from his success as a three-time NCAA cross country champion out of Liberty. He set the NCAA 10,000 meter record of 27:08.49 in the same race that Chris Solinsky broke 27 to set the American record. Those accomplishments came before he became an American citizen in 2015. It was something he wanted for a while and patiently waited out the process until it became official. As a professional, he had some success including being the alternate for the 2016 Olympics in the men’s 10,000 meters and then taking well to the roads. Then in 2018, he retired to enlist in the Army at 33 years old. It was a sudden announcement that surprised many because he was in the middle of an Olympic cycle. He explains so much behind what called him to do that along with many of the other major decisions in his life – on this podcast and also in his new book “With The Wind: Finding Victory Within.” The book will come out on July 28. You can order your copy here. 

More topics discussed in this episode: Why he chose to write a book, running out of poverty in Kenya, his proudest NCAA cross country title, who wins a hypothetical cross country race between the greats, Aliphine Tuliamuk's comments on track media, the decision to serve in the Army and much more...

FULL SHOW NOTES ON CITIUSMAG.COM

Catch the latest episode of the podcast on iTunes so subscribe and leave a five-star review. We are also on Stitcher, Google Play and Spotify!

😎  Support for this episode comes from GOODR SUNGLASSES  – I’ve been rocking Goodr sunglasses throughout the past couple of months. No slip. No bounce. No fog. Polarized. Ridiculously affordable starting at $25 a pair. They’re already the most affordable performance shades on the planet. | Visit GOODR.COM/CITIUS to check out some of my favorite pairs.

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“Your 2:42 marathoner of today could be your 2:24 marathoner of 2024. If there’s not someone there encouraging that and supporting that, then that might not happen. We saw this as a chance to invest in the sport.”

Jay Holder, Atlanta Track Club’s marketing and communications director, joins the CITIUS MAG Podcast to share the inside scoop on the plans around the upcoming 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

On this episode we’ll discuss:

• The final stages of preparations for hosting the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials
  
• What made Atlanta’s bid for the trials standout against other bids from Austin and Chattanooga?
  
• The A+B=Championship Model: “Everyone who qualifies is a potential champion and everyone needs to be treated like a potential champion from the second they get off the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.”
  
• Factoring in the Olympic history of the 1996 Summer Games
  
• How bad are the hills going to be? Jay shares a course preview and what athletes he thinks could fare best
  
• What was the original course vs. the changes made due to the growing number of qualifiers?
  
• How are they going to accommodate so many personal bottles?
  
• What’s the average temperature like for that weekend in Atlanta?
  
• America’s Marathon Weekend and what else is going to be taking place that weekend?
  

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"It just felt like the right time. My body hasn’t held up to the training necessary to compete. There’s nothing I can really do about it. I’m so thankful for the career that I had. It’s led me to some of the best connections and relationships in my life. I couldn’t imagine I would’ve got this far when I started. The competitor in me believes there are things I could’ve done that I didn’t but that’s how it goes in this sport. You’re never going to be truly satisfied."

After eight years of running professionally, Eric Jenkins has retired. The announcement was made on the latest episode of The CITIUS MAG Podcast. The Portsmouth, New Hampshire native finished his career with personal bests of 3:35.94 for 1500m; 3:53.23 for the mile, 13:05.85 for 5000m and 27:22.06 for 10,000m. 

He broke out as a junior at Northeastern when he ran 7:46.21 to finish second in the 3,000m at the NCAA Indoor Championships (the ninth-fastest performance in NCAA history at the time) only to be DQ’ed controversially. He went on to transfer to Oregon and finished second at the 2014 NCAA Cross Country Championships before winning two individual indoor titles at 3000m and 5000m.

Jenkins graduated and signed with Nike and spent time working under Alberto Salazar and the Nike Oregon Project, Pete Julian and the Union Athletics Club and Andy Powell. While many people within the track and field community may think of him for his reputation as a fun off-season guy or his hilarious Instagram videos, many don’t realize just how intense he was as an athlete. It showed when he finished fourth at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, qualified for the 2017 World Championships and managed to win the Millrose Games’ Wanamaker Mile and 5th Avenue Mile.

Listen to the full conversation on The CITIUS MAG Podcast for more stories by Jenkins including being a punk in high school, deciding to take the sport seriously/breaking out at Northeastern, #FreeJenkins, landing at Oregon and winning two titles, his time at the Nike Oregon Project and what he considers his best race ever. Plus, why you may not be done hearing from him.
Host: Chris Chavez | @Chris_J_Chavez on Instagram

Guest: Eric Jenkins | @_ericjenkins on Instagram

SUPPORT THE SPONSORS

OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)

GARMIN: Introducing the Forerunner 965 from Garmin, the ultimate GPS running and triathlon smartwatch. With a bright AMOLED touchscreen display and lightweight titanium bezel, this premium watch is designed for athletes who demand the very best. Learn more here: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/

UCAN: UCAN is offering the Citius Mag community an exclusive chance to try 6 Edge samples for free – all you need to pay is the cost of shipping. Just head over to ucan.co/citius to claim this exclusive offer. And if you're already a fan of UCAN or want to try some of their other products, use code CITIUS at ucan.co to save 20% on the full variety of product

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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"You can't expect things to fall into place. I was at a place where I was so close to being in or out that I had to rely so much on these uncontrollable factors where you're just rooting for everything to work out. I left that year being like, ‘OK, I can't do that again.’ I can't just put myself in a decent place and expect everything to work out. If I want to make it, I have to step up. And luckily, since I made the change to Very Nice Track Club with Ronnie, my trajectory has been a lot better."

Ben Flanagan is a fan favorite and has been on the show a few times. He is fresh off running 13:04 at the Terrier Classic at Boston University. That got him under the Olympic qualifying standard, which is huge because if we went back to his last appearance on the podcast in 2021 – he was stressing over his ranking and chasing a fast enough time to get himself in a good spot for the Tokyo Olympic selection. He didn’t end up going.

He finally got the chance to represent Canada last year at the World Championships in Budapest and now his path is a little bit easier. He’ll explain that, how he found his speed again at The Very Nice Track Club and why he’s so excited to chase some records.

We also answered a bunch of your listener questions that we submitted via Instagram.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Guest: Ben Flanagan | @ben_flanagan on Instagram

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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"I never want the one-liners or personality to outweigh the analysis. That's kind of the focus I took in football. You want to tell the players' story and tell it the right way. I kind of just took that same thing over to track and told the athlete's story the right way. Talk about their accomplishments. Talk about what they're working on. The trick is – and I'm not giving away any secrets because you know this because that's what you're supposed to do in the broadcast – to get in and get out. Be able to tell the story quickly in 10-15 seconds...You can tell stories in football that can track the whole game. In track and field, you can't do that. As soon as the 100 is done, you have the hurdles. As soon as the hurdles are done, you've got the 400, then the 800. You have to work on your timing and how to tell those stories in the right way while also engaging the viewer."

Robert Griffin III (RG3) is a former 400m hurdler from Baylor, former Big 12 conference champion, the third-place finisher and All-American at the 2008 NCAA Championships, U.S. Olympic Trials semifinalist but most people know of him for his football accomplishments including being a Heisman Trophy winner and Pro Bowl NFL quarterback. Well, he returned to track and field this weekend as an analyst with ESPN’s broadcast of the NCAA Track and Field Championships and he crushed it. I had to get him on to talk about his experience getting behind the mic and hyping up what he believes to be the best athletes in the world. 

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GARMIN: Music. Training. Data. The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is my favorite running partner. You do the running. This GPS running smartwatch does the thinking. It even gets to know you and your body better, mile after mile and song after song. Get one for yourself here >> https://bit.ly/3Pcu0qo

ADIDAS: The Adizero Adios Pro 3 is here! Adidas' latest edition of their super shoe built for runners looking to take their performance to the next level and run after new records. Worn by Olympic champion + New York City Marathom and Boston Marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, it's got a proven track record. The Adios Pro 3 features the new EnergyRod 2.0 system, Lightstrike Pro foam, a brand new upper and continental rubber outsole – all while being made of recyclable materials. Mark your calendars. The shoe will be available for sale on Adidas.com on June 23.

HYDROW: Hydrow is a state-of-the-art rowing experience. Hydrow works 86% of major muscle groups, compared with only 44% from cycling. That’s twice the benefit in half the time! It’s a perfect low-impact workout to add to your training cycle for both endurance and resistance training. Use code CITIUS100 for $100 off of the rower (stackable with any current offerings) >> https://hydrow.com/

OREGON22: We are less than 60 days until the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon (7/15-24). The outdoor track season is underway and the journey to Hayward has begun. Don’t miss out. Buy your tickets today to see the world’s best athletes in action at the first-ever world outdoor championships being held on U.S. soil. You can get your tickets by visiting WorldChampsOregon22.com/Tickets

"My dream to see from my country is to see, in the next five years time I hope, that my country will be able to do anything in distance running – especially in track and field and in the marathons. I really hope that the kind of light that I've put will transcend into raising many champions. I've taken the lead. My brother Jacob is also taking the lead. We believe that these young people when they continue pursuing the sport with discipline, proper guidance and listening, I believe Uganda will be somewhere up there."

Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei is just 25 years old and he’s already an Olympic gold medalist at 5000m and Olympic silver medalist at 10,000m. He’s a three-time world champion. At this summer’s world championships, he won the 10,000 meters and finished second to Jakob Ingebrigsten in the 5000m. Oh…and he’s also the world record holder at 5000m and 10,000 meters. In addition to all of his work on the track, Joshua Cheptegei works closely with his sponsors including Nike and the NN Running Team to give back to the next generation of runners in Uganda so you’ll hear a bit about that as well in our conversation. Kyle Merber and I previously did an episode of Track Snacks where we shared out admiration for Joshua and now you can hear from him yourself.

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NIKE: CITIUS MAG has partnered with Nike to celebrate the multitude of reasons runners take to the streets. For the everyday and common runner, Nike is committed to motivating, standing by, listening to, and helping them from the starting line to the finish line and every mile in-between. https://www.nike.com/running | Download the Nike Run Club app here.

GARMIN: Music. Training. Data. The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is my favorite running partner. You do the running. This GPS running smartwatch does the thinking. It even gets to know you and your body better, mile after mile and song after song. Get one for yourself here >> https://bit.ly/3Pcu0qo

Article One Eyewear: Article One is an independent eyewear company based in Flint, Mich. with designers with deep roots in running. All their frames are handcrafted in a small village in Northern Italy. Designed with your entire day in mind, Article One takes you from a long run in the morning to drinks on the patio to wind down. Their timeless silhouettes, paired with technical components — like adjustable silicone nose pads, polarized lenses, and spring hinges — create running sunglasses that are standalone. CITIUS MAG listeners get 20% off using CITIUS at checkout at https://articleoneeyewear.com/

FINAL SURGE: If you are a coach, Final Surge makes planning and analyzing workouts simple and helps streamline communication with your athletes. If you’re an athlete out there hammering miles and tempo runs solo with no guidance or direction, Final Surge is also here to offer up some world-class training programs. Check out their offerings today: FINALSURGE.COM – USE CODE CITIUS FOR 10% OFF.

We are back with another edition of This Week In Track and Field after a bit of a break due to the U.S. Olympic Trials.

The Diamond League returned to action and brought some spectacular results right away as we saw two world records in Faith Kipyegon breaking her own world record in the women’s 1,500m in 3:49.04 and Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh taking down a 37-year-old mark in the women’s high jump to 2.10 m (That’s 6-10 3/4). We had a crazy men’s 800m that has shaken up that distance ahead of the Paris Olympics

Plus, we review the things we liked + things that could have used improvement in the making of SPRINT on Netflix.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host: Anderson Emerole | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@atkoeme on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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👟 PUMA – Meet the Deviate NITRO™ Elite 3, PUMA’s lightest raceday shoe ever designed for those who want to stand out. Packed with PUMA’s innovative NITROFOAM™ Elite for superior energy return and a stiffer carbon fibre PWR Plate for maximum speed, this shoe is all about race day performance. Learn more and shop at PUMA.com/Running

🍊 OLIPOP: For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order online today and use code CITIUS25 for 25% off your order at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The first-ever Grand Slam Track event in Kingston is in the books and twelve athletes are walking away $100,000 richer. That’s $1.2 million in prize money handed out across one weekend.

The weekend closed the way it began: with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone doing Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone things — cruising to a 50.32 in the 400, winning her race group, and reminding the world why she’s the face of this sport. First signee. Final champion. Signature Sydney.

Grant Fisher snuck into Slam Champion status with a gritty 3rd in the 3k after winning the 5k on Friday — edging Hagos Gebrhiwet by a single point. Sasha Zhoya won the men’s short hurdles group by winning the 100 flat — proving that versatility, not just velocity is the new currency for the big money.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden doubled up in the sprints. Emmanuel Wanyonyi did just enough to hold off Marco Arop in the standings. Ejgayehu Taye ran 14:54 to sweep her distance group. And Alison dos Santos? Leaned like his life depended on it to close a 400m thriller by two hundredths.

Oh — and Jamaica got its moment too. Danielle Williams, world champ turned home crowd hero, claimed her slam title in the short hurdles with a win in the flat 100. First Jamaican Slam Champion. First Challenger to knock out the Racers. Crowd went bananas.

Every race meant something. Every move on the track changed the leaderboard. And from the pacing to the prize money, it actually felt like a sport you could follow.

Next stop? Miami, May 2–4. New city. New matchups. Same $100K at the finish line.

This is The Lap Count newsletter by Kyle Merber, as read by Chris Chavez.

Join more than 15,000 people who stay up-to-date with all the thrilling action and biggest stories in the world of track & field – delivered right to your inbox every Wednesday morning. Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://thelapcount.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this week's newsletter:

– Boston University: Still FAST!!! 🔃

– The closing of the window — CIM 🔚

– NXN: Talent is a dominant trait 🧬

– This Cross race was Sound 🎵

– Valencia Marathon — Ciudad del Running 🇪🇸

– Sliding into those Strava DMs 🚴

+ more rapid-fire highlights from the past week

You can read this week's newsletter here ➡️ https://www.thelapcount.com/p/dm-not-dm

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👟 Our mission at On is to ignite the human spirit through movement. Inspired by athletes. Powered by Swiss engineering. Move with us, and Dream On.

We all know it’s harder to get out for a run in the cold, dark days of winter than at other times of the year. But if you can escape the duvet and resist the comfort of the couch, it’s always worth it.

There’s a bigger sense of satisfaction after a winter run than after a workout in kinder conditions. It just always feels worth it. And if you’re training for a spring marathon or dedicated to a regular routine, then investing in winter running will pay off big time when the days finally get longer. Visit: https://www.on-running.com

The track is HOT.

Okay, it’s actually quite pleasant by Eugene-in-June standards, with temperatures in the high 70s and a pleasant breeze that always seems to be a tailwind in Hayward Field. But the performances laid down last night in Day 8 of the Olympic Trials sure heated up the stadium — even in events where we’re not on finals yet.

For the first time in history, three men broke 13 seconds in the same 110m hurdles race as Grant Holloway picked up his second national title, made his second Olympic team, and clocked the fourth-fastest performance in history ahead of Freddie Crittenden and Daniel Roberts’s lifetime bests. Five men broke 20 seconds in the 200m semifinals led by Noah Lyles’s wind-aided 19.60, and another epic battle between Gabby Thomas and Sha’Carri Richardson is set up in the women’s 200m final.

While middle-distance rounds can sometimes get tactical, they sure didn’t tonight. It took 4:05.36 to make the final of the women’s 1500m, and the “heavy hitters” heat did not disappoint with Nikki Hiltz making a statement with a 4:01.40 win and five finishes at 4:02.14 or faster. The 1500m final will be absolutely stacked, and in the mixed zone competitors were suggesting that it may make times well under 4 minutes just to make the team.

In the men’s 800m, it’s clear that qualifying for the Games in the 1500m has lifted a weight off Hobbs Kessler’s shoulders, as he seems to be absolutely elated in each round of racing and led all semifinal qualifiers with a huge personal best of 1:43.71. Kessler skipped the 1:44s entirely as his PB heading into this weekend was 1:45.07.

It’s now officially the weekend and, bittersweetly, our final two days of action, so make sure you don’t miss any of these incredible competitions over the last few finals. If we’ve learned anything form the action we’ve seen so far, we’re in store for something very, very fast in multiple events.

CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for day three of the Olympic Trials include Nico Young, Payton Otterdahl, Kendall Ellis, and Matthew Wilkinson. 

LIVE SHOWS

Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.

TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – ⁠returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed⁠ + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.

LIVE MEET COVERAGE

Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠X⁠ and ⁠Threads⁠ pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.

MORNING RUNS

CITIUS MAG and New Balance will be hosting group runs on Sunday, June 23rd at 8 a.m. ET; Tuesday, June 25th at 8 a.m. and Saturday, June 29th at 7:30 a.m. Come on by to our pop-up next to Prince Puckler’s Ice Cream shop to meet for some easy morning miles.

All paces are welcome. We’ll be giving away shirts, hats and more. Plus, you’ll have an opportunity to try all of the latest and greatest from New Balance. We’ll also have Olipop, coffee, games and cold plunges to enjoy afterward.

Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to ⁠sign up today for FREE⁠ here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. ⁠NewBalance.co⁠m/Running

"I'm a competitor. I like to say I'm a dog. You always think that you have what it takes. And I know that I have what it takes. It was great though; it grounds you and roots you and makes you hungry. Everything happens for a reason. Every race that I'm in, I'm going to try to win. I don't like to lose. But when I do lose, I lose with grace. So for me, it was great for my career – what I just went through – for the sheer fact that it made me hungry, humble and focused for this year.”

Brandon Miller is the 2022 NCAA indoor 800m champion and just wrapped up his first year as a pro runner. He just signed with the Brooks Beasts and will join the team in Seattle in 2024.

After foregoing the remainder of his NCAA eligibility at Texas A&M, he spent the past 10 months working with coach Bobby Kersee in Los Angeles. He has a personal best of 1:44.97 for 800m and represented Team USA at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene. He’s been competing in the sport since he was seven years old at the AAU level.

We touch on how he’s managed the progression, lessons from his brief stint with Kersee and what his biggest hopes with coach Danny Mackey and the Beasts – where he’ll be training alongside the likes of Isaiah Harris, Devin Dixon and Josh Kerr.

Hosts: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Brandon Miller | @bmillertrackstar on Instagram

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🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)

👟 NEW BALANCE just dropped their 2023 New York City Marathon collection. Check out their official apparel and shoes from training, to the finish line, and beyond. I've been rocking the FuelCell SC Elite v3 for my marathon training. Shop for more at https://www.newbalance.com/

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

💻 Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place.

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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"I just felt like I just needed to get to the finish line, touch the finish line, and then celebrate. I don't feel like it is real yet. I don't know that it will until I'm back home and into my routine. But I keep getting little reminders that I am now going to be on an Olympic team, and I almost break down in tears every time."

An average high school runner, Minnesota Distance Elite’s Dakotah Lindwurm walked onto the team at Northern State University, but wound up a two-time NCAA Division II. She similarly entered the world of post-collegiate running as an unheralded but steady performer. But she ramped up to the marathon distance early, raced it often, and steadily chipped away at it, even winning the Grandma’s Marathon a couple of times. 

Still, despite boasting a well-filled-out resume, she seemed like a longshot to make an Olympic team. Too many big names were slotted ahead of her with PRs significantly faster. That all changed on Saturday when Lindwurm outlasted all but two members of one of the best fields ever assembled at an Olympic Trials marathon. Her story is sure to inspire, and her progression is one that I know high school coaches nationwide are sharing with their non-state-champion athletes this week. 

Dakotah was generous enough to chat with Kyle Merber over the phone following her qualification for this week's edition of The Lap Count.

Host: Kyle Merber | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kylemerber on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest: Dakotah Lindwurm | ⁠⁠⁠@dakotahlindwurm on Instagram⁠⁠

Read this week's newsletter here: https://www.thelapcount.com/p/making-big-meet-france

Read Dakotah's first appearance in The Lap Count from Dec. 2021 here: https://thelapcount.substack.com/p/the-victory-lap-dakotah-lindwurm

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🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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An epic interview. Chris Chavez and Kyle Merber sat down with two-time Olympic champion and 800m world record holder David Rudisha to rewind and re-live some of the greatest moments of his career including the 2012 Olympic final in London, where he ran 1:40.91 . He shares behind-the-scenes insights into the moments leading up to the race, the execution and how it changed his legacy forever. We also discuss how he wants to stay involved within the sport. He was attending the World Athletics Championships in Budapest as a World Athletics Amabassador.

Hosts: Chris Chavez, Kyle Merber

Guest: David Rudisha

CITIUS MAG's coverage of the 2023 World Athletics Championships is powered by ASICS.

CITIUS MAG LIVE AT WORLDS: The show will air on the CITIUS MAG YouTube Channel between the morning and evening sessions of competition (Every day at 8 a.m. EST in the U.S.). 

CHAMPS CHATS ON THE CITIUS MAG PODCAST DAILY: The CITIUS MAG team of Chris, Kyle, David McCarthy, Jasmine Todd and Katelyn Hutchison will unpack all of the day’s biggest surprises and offer up their insights and analysis from being at the new National Athletics Centre and interviewing athletes each day. The podcast recording will be streamed on YouTube at the end of every day and will also be available on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to shows. 

DAILY CITIUS MAG NEWSLETTER: David Melly will recap all of the biggest moments, highlighting his must-watch athletes and events for each day while also pulling together some of our best content, photos and social moments that the CITIUS MAG team captures.

Chris Chavez and Kyle Merber break down all of the sprints races taking place at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest from Aug. 19-27.

Here’s the full broadcast schedule and how to watch. | A full schedule of events in Eastern Time can be found here.

Here are the biggest questions around each respective event:

Women’s 100m: The best event of the world championships?

Men’s 100m: How healthy is Fred Kerley? Could Marcell Jacobs steal it again? Wide open?

Women’s 200m: Shericka Jackson vs. Gabby Thomas will surely be epic

Men’s 200m: How fast will Noah Lyles go? World record?

Men’s 400m: Who has the better comeback story: Steven Gardiner or Wayde Van Niekerk? Or Michael Norman?

Women’s 400m: Now that Sydney is out, is this Marileidy Paulino’s to lose?

Women’s 400m Hurdles: Femke Bol’s golden moment awaits

Men’s 400m Hurdles: Karsten Warholm and Rai Benjamin Round II

Women’s 100m Hurdles: What will the AIU decide on Tobi Amusan and what’s that mean for everyone else?

Men’s 100m Hurdles: Grant Holloway goes for the threepeat

CITIUS MAG’s Coverage 

CITIUS MAG LIVE AT WORLDS: Our hit show from last year is back! The way we described it was “think of the TODAY Show but for track and field die-hard fans” and it delivered, featuring interviews with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Rai Benjamin, Michael Johnson, Seb Coe, Hellen Obiri, Malcolm Gladwell and many more notable friends. And this time around should be no different – every day of the World Championships, we will be inviting athletes, coaches and fellow media personalities to sit back and chat with Chris Chavez and Kyle Merber.

The show will air on the CITIUS MAG YouTube Channel between the morning and evening sessions of competition (Every day at 8 a.m. EST in the U.S.)

CHAMPS CHATS ON THE CITIUS MAG PODCAST DAILY: The CITIUS MAG team of Chris, Kyle, David McCarthy, Jasmine Todd and Katelyn Hutchison will unpack all of the day’s biggest surprises and offer up their insights and analysis from being at the new National Athletics Centre and interviewing athletes each day. The podcast recording will be streamed on YouTube at the end of every day and will be also available on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to shows.

MORNING RUNS: If you’re in Budapest, there will be two chances to catch some miles with the CITIUS MAG team in partnership with ASICS: one on Aug. 21 and another on Aug. 24. We’ll have giveaways, coffee and treats for people who are in town. The runs will start at 8 a.m. from ASICS House at Erzsébet tér, 1051 Budapest.

DAILY CITIUS MAG NEWSLETTER: David Melly will recap all of the biggest moments, highlighting his must-watch athletes and events for each day while also pulling together some of our best content, photos and social moments that the CITIUS MAG team captures. You can sign up for the newsletter here.

CITIUS MAG's coverage of the 2023 World Athletics Championships is powered by ASICS.

The CITIUS MAG team is back with its daily podcast covering the 2022 USA Track and Field Championships live from Eugene, Oregon. In this episode, Chris Chavez, Kyle Merber, Dana Giordano, Katelyn Hutchison and Jasmine Todd unpack all of the biggest surprises from the first day of action including:

Men's 800m: Why is Donavan Brazier is done for the weekend? Is high schooler Cade Flatt making the team?

Women's 800m: Can anyone crack the top three of Athing Mu, Raeyvn Rogers and Ajee Wilson?

Women's Long Jump: What happened to Tara Davis?

Women's 100m: What's next for Sha'Carri Richardson?

Men's 100m: Why did Fred Kerley just drop a 10.83 in the first round?

Men's Discus Throw: Who made the team?

Men's steeplechase: What's up with American record holder Evan Jager? Is he back?

Men's 1500m: How does Cole Hocker's absence mean for the rest of Team USA?

Women's 1500m: Will there be another New Balance sweep in the final? What does Sinclaire Johnson and Karissa Schweizer have to say?

Women's 400m: What does Allyson Felix being in the race do to her competitors?

Men's 400m: Has Michael Norman been hitting the gym?

+ Much more

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SUPPORT THE PODCAST

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Phil Knight is the co-founder of Nike, which he started back in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports with his college coach Bill Bowerman. I know…I’m also a bit surprised this happened. During the Olympic Trials, a mutual friend who has worked closely with me on launching The Magic Boost sprung on me the chance to sit down and chat with the Nike founder for 30 minutes. With little prep and everything going on at the Olympic Trials, I figured I’d just roll through and kick back to briefly discuss the new Hayward Field, his thoughts on legacy, the present state and future state of the sport and some of his favorite moments as a track fan. If you want more of the Nike talk and that whole backstory, due to the limited time we didn’t touch on much of it and you can get that out of reading his book Shoe Dog. Think of this one as basically just being a fly on the wall for two fans of the sport meeting over coffee for the first time.

📷 Podcast episode photograph by How Lao | @howlaophotography

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✍️ FULL SHOW NOTES + MORE QUOTES ON CITIUSMAG.com

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"The six stars is still the dream. We’re still seeing what will happen but it’s still a dream."

It’s been two months since Eliud Kipchoge walked off Boylston Street following a sixth-place finish at the Boston Marathon. It was a bit of a shocker for him. He, entered the weekend with 15 wins in 17 marathons and looking to check off Boston from his list of the World Marathon Majors that he has yet to win. The ideal plan would have been win Boston, win New York and then focus on becoming the first man to win three Olympic gold medals in the marathon. Not everyone gets the storybook ending. The Boston victory will have to wait. Plans for the fall have yet to be announced but are expected soon.

I was invited to Kenya by the NN Running Team to get a first-hand look at how Kipchoge lives and trains in his camp in Kaptagat. I witnessed a morning workout on the track, a 40K long run, a strength session and also got to join in on an easy run. It was easy for him – not so much for me. I stayed on the heels of the greatest marathoner in the world for two miles before he took off. It was a surreal experience and I’ve been comparing it to being invited by Michael Jordan for a pickup game of basketball on his home court. 

Eventually, the altitude (7800 feet above sea level), the jet lag and maybe a little lack of fitness compared to all of these pro runners led to me getting dropped. I did manage to complete the whole 10K run and while I was solo for the final two miles, I took a moment to appreciate how my career landed me in such a unique and blessed opportunity to be in Kenya among some of the best marathoners in the world.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to catch up one-on-one with Kipchoge for a brief interview. You can catch his previous appearance on the podcast here: https://apple.co/3CNguVd

In this short chat, you’ll hear a bit more about what happened in Boston, what happens next, Faith Kipyegon’s recent success and of course – our shared love for Kelly Clarkson, who just released a new album. I made sure to let him know while I was at the camp.

Host: Chris Chavez | @Chris_J_Chavez on Instagram

Guest: Eliud Kipchoge | @KipchogeEliud on Instagram

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"I've been to three Olympics and in two Olympics, I've gotten number two. I do believe if I will be one of them representing Kenya, it will be my biggest opportunity to show I've been doing this on the track but now I'm a marathoner. This time it will be that time to get that gold that I've been looking for so many years."

The last time Hellen Obiri was a guest on the CITIUS MAG Podcast was way back in 2022 when she sat down with us at the World Championships in Eugene. That was just months before she made her marathon debut. Now, she’s one of the best in the world. Last year, she won the Boston and New York City Marathons to really showcase her potential over the 26.2 mile distance.

In less than two weeks, she will attempt to defend her title in Boston and hopefully do enough to impress Athletics Kenya’s team of selectors who will announce their marathon team for the Paris Olympics following the spring slate of marathons. I believe she would be Kenya’s best chance at gold, especially given the hilly nature of the Olympic marathon course. Obiri is a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 5000 meters. She knows that Olympic gold medal is something she wants to check off before she’s done running.

We talk Boston, Paris and more.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host: Hellen Obiri | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hellenobiri on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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"I have a really unique privilege of being able to do both worlds. I don't know if anyone's been able to work out with pros and do their easy runs with their high school team. It's super cool. It just works because of the circumstances of my dad being the coach and Ron (Warhurst) being the assistant coach at Skyline. I definitely wish a lot of people knew I'm not just training like a pro. I work out with those guys but I'm a high schooler and I treat running like I'm a high schooler. I just have fun with my teammates and jump in the river on runs and stuff."

Hobbs Kessler is a high school senior competing for Skyline High School in Ann Arbor. He just made history this past weekend by running 3:34.36 for a new U.S. high school 1,500m record but it’s also now faster than the recent 3:34.68 NCAA record. Kessler’s time is faster than Jim Ryun’s U-20 record of 3:36.1 that was run back in 1966. And of course, this guarantees Kessler’s spot at the U.S. Olympic Trials later this month. What’s next for him? Well, he’s looking to win his first state title this weekend when he goes up against other people his age at the Michigan high school state meet. In this episode, you’ll learn more about his backstory including a better understanding of just how great of a rock climber he is, why his parents are his role models as runners, how coach Ron Warhurst plays the Yoda role in the Very Nice Track Club, the buzz about turning pro and much more.

📈 Support for this episode comes from WHOOP. WHOOP is offering 15% off with the code “CITIUS” at checkout. Go to WHOOP and enter CITIUS at checkout to save 15%. Sleep better, recover faster and run faster. Get to the start line healthy with WHOOP.  https://join.whoop.com/citiusmag

✍️ FULL SHOW NOTES + MORE QUOTES ON CITIUSMAG.com

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG

👕 Pick up merch from the CITIUS MAG store to show your support for the podcast and website.

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The first track and field session at the Tokyo Olympics is finally here! Chris Chavez, Dana Giordano and Kyle Merber reunite to cover the Games. The first session did not disappoint. 

– We had the fastest overall heat of the steeplechase but only Benard Keter will advance to the final. We answer what happened to Mason Ferlic and Hilary Bor

– Team USA put three women in the 800-meter semifinal led by Athing Mu but Kyle explains why we shouldn't sleep on the Great Britain squad that may be just as good

– The men's 400m hurdles is shaping up to be the crazy duel that we're waiting for in the final between Karsten Warholm and Rai Benjamin

– Even without Sha'Carri Richardson, the women's 100m heats provided 10.78, 10.82, 10.84 and 10.91 performances so something special could be ahead. The Olympic record is not safe.

+ More observations and thoughts from the first day at the Olympics including positive COVID tests and athletes being withdrawn from competition while in the Olympic Village.

TUNE IN AND LISTEN TO TORCH TALK WITH CHRIS, KYLE AND DANA. Our daily podcast covering the Olympics is presented by Hayward Magic.

Hayward Magic is a really unique and fresh editorial channel on IG that captures the magic and intensity of track & field.  Their mantra is #makeittohayward because Hayward is not just a place. It’s a state of mind. It's where guts meet magic. All athletes, fans and feats of guts welcome! @HaywardMagic on Instagram.

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🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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Tyler Day joins the podcast to share what went into the decision to turn professional and sign with the Hoka One One Northern Arizona Elite team after a successful career at Northern Arizona University. Tyler is a six-time All-American and was part of three NCAA championship-winning cross country squads for the Lumberjacks. Most recently, the end of his collegiate career was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic but he managed to set the American collegiate record at the indoor 5,000 meter distance in 13:16.95 at an indoor meet at Boston University in the winter. He has also competed for the U.S. at the 2019 Pan American Games.

In this episode, we look back at his successful NCAA career, his goals for the 2021 outdoor campaign, the Flagstaff running community and much more.

Follow Tyler on Instagram.

Follow NAZ Elite on Instagram. 

Support for this episode comes from Bakline Running. We're excited to partner with this Brooklyn-based company that's making active lifestyle and streetwear-inspired apparel. I'm racing a mile in their performance singlet soon but their hits are their shirts, graphic tees and designs with inspiring mantras like "Me vs Me"; "Nothing But Miles"; "The Future Is Female Runners" and more. Check them out at https://www.bakline.nyc/ and use code CITIUS for 15% off at checkout.

Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG Newsletter for all sorts of analysis and commentary on everything happening in the sport: https://citiusmag.substack.com/

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Gary Martin’s and Riley Chamberlain’s epic DMR anchors capped off a historic Day 1. Other big moments included Doris Lemngole’s 5K victory, Daniel Reynolds’ weight throw dominance, and the Moll twins doing what the Moll twins do best.

“All they threw at me was ‘impossible, impossible, impossible.’ I said, ‘OK. I accept but how are you going to do it?’ They said, ‘You don’t get it. It’s impossible.’ I said, ‘No, you don’t get it. How are you going to make it happen anyway?’ Probably from being a coach and an athlete, I can set that spark in people so that they trust me and if I really believed so much in this idea that they joined the team to make it happen.”

Olivier Bernhard is one of the founders of On Running. He’s been a runner and athlete his entire life but in 2010, he was looking to pitch several major sportswear companies on selling runners and athletes a new experience and feel while running as opposed to just another product. When he was turned away several times, he took it upon himself to create a prototype and pursue the project independently. He showed off the first Frankenstein shoe to his friends David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti and they decided to partner on starting On. The brand has since partnered with tennis legend Roger Federer and IPO’ed in September 2022 with a $6 billion valuation. I had the chance to sit down with Olivier last month and got a bit of the story of how this company came together and why they’re going to continue pushing innovation and high performance with their athletes and a major investment in running.

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Whittni Morgan had a little bit of delayed gratification as she was named to the U.S. Olympic team in the 5000m about a week after the Trials. So how did it happen?

Elle St. Pierre won the 5000m and finished third in the 1500m but has decided to only run the 1500m at the Paris Olympics. This elevated Parker Valby into that final spot for the 5000m after her fourth place finish in the Olympic Trials final.

Valby also finished second in the 10,000m. After a few days of consideration and conversation with her coaches Will Palmer and Samantha Palmer, she decided to just run the 10,000 meters at the Paris Olympics. She qualified for that event based off her World Ranking.

This meant that Whittni Morgan, who finished fifth in the 5000m final, got the final spot for Paris.

In this episode, we chat about what it was like to get that call. Plus, we talk through just how incredible her comeback has been in the past seven months. She underwent patellar tendon surgery in December and did not run on the ground until early February. She ran her season’s best of 15:06 in the Olympic Trials final. Plus, we chat about what it’s been like to be on this journey with coach Diljeet Taylor for the past few years.

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Kyle Merber and Katelyn Hutchison sit down with Joseph Fahnbulleh, an Asics pro runner representing Liberia on the global championship stage. He unpacks his 9th place finish at the 2023 World Athletics Championships 200m final. In the last two years, he finished fifth at the Tokyo Olympics and fourth at the 2022 World Championships. This year was his first full year as a professional runner so he shares how life and training has changed while still being surrounded by some of the best athletes in the world within coach Mike Holloway's Gainesville-based training group.

Hosts: Kyle Merber and Katelyn Hutchison

Guest: Joseph Fahnbulleh

CITIUS MAG's coverage of the 2023 World Athletics Championships is powered by ASICS.

CITIUS MAG LIVE AT WORLDS: The show will air on the CITIUS MAG YouTube Channel between the morning and evening sessions of competition (Every day at 8 a.m. EST in the U.S.). 

CHAMPS CHATS ON THE CITIUS MAG PODCAST DAILY: The CITIUS MAG team of Chris, Kyle, David McCarthy, Jasmine Todd and Katelyn Hutchison will unpack all of the day’s biggest surprises and offer up their insights and analysis from being at the new National Athletics Centre and interviewing athletes each day. The podcast recording will be streamed on YouTube at the end of every day and will also be available on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to shows. 

DAILY CITIUS MAG NEWSLETTER: David Melly will recap all of the biggest moments, highlighting his must-watch athletes and events for each day while also pulling together some of our best content, photos and social moments that the CITIUS MAG team captures.

Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia hand out end-of-year awards to cap off an incredible year of track and field. We break down the year’s biggest moments in the sport, including top athletes, world records, viral social media moments, heartbreaking losses, and standout coaches. Join us as we look back on some of the highlights of track and field in 2024.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Preet Majithia | @prm_32 on X

Time stamps:

2:20 - Athlete of the year overview 

4:22 - Female athlete of the year (out of stadium)

5:37 - Male athlete of the year (out of stadium)

8:22 - Female field athlete of the year

11:39 - Male field athlete of the year

16:50 - Female track athlete of the year 

26:46 - Male track athlete of the year

39:36 - Female world record of the year

43:56 - Male world record of the year

51:01 - Most entertaining athlete of the year

54:30 - Social media moment of the year 

1:02:37 - Heartbreak of the year 

1:06:55 -  Coach of the year

1:10:40 - Junior athlete of the year 

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OLIPOP: For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 25% off your orders by using code CITIUS25 at drinkolipop.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

“I think my very initial emotions straight after the race was one of a little bit of disappointment. I really backed myself this championship to come in and felt for once I was coming onto the global stage thinking, ‘I have a chance at a medal’ so I was going to grasp that with both hands. I was a little disappointed but after chatting with my team around me, it will settle and I’ll realize just how phenomenal fourth in the world really is…It’s definitely sinking in and I’m very proud of that fourth place finish. Sometimes that’s nice. It’s a little fire in the belly for next year.”

Irish 1500m record holder Ciara Mageean joins Kyle Merber and David McCarthy after finishing in 4th place at the 2023 World Athletics Championships 1500m final. She came a long way from being in a boot in January to contending for her first global medal. Last year, she earned silver medals in the 1500m at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships. This season, she broke the Irish mile record at the Monaco Diamond League.

Hosts: Kyle Merber and David McCarthy

Guest: Ciara Mageean

CITIUS MAG's coverage of the 2023 World Athletics Championships is powered by ASICS.

CITIUS MAG LIVE AT WORLDS: The show will air on the CITIUS MAG YouTube Channel between the morning and evening sessions of competition (Every day at 8 a.m. EST in the U.S.). 

CHAMPS CHATS ON THE CITIUS MAG PODCAST DAILY: The CITIUS MAG team of Chris, Kyle, David McCarthy, Jasmine Todd and Katelyn Hutchison will unpack all of the day’s biggest surprises and offer up their insights and analysis from being at the new National Athletics Centre and interviewing athletes each day. The podcast recording will be streamed on YouTube at the end of every day and will also be available on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to shows. 

DAILY CITIUS MAG NEWSLETTER: David Melly will recap all of the biggest moments, highlighting his must-watch athletes and events for each day while also pulling together some of our best content, photos and social moments that the CITIUS MAG team captures.

Chris Chavez and Matthew Luke Meyer unpack all of the madness from the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta.

Galen Rupp took the win on the men's side by pulling away after 21 miles to win his second consecutive U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials title in 2:09:20. Jacob Riley ran the race of his life and pulled one of the ballsiest moves by snatching a tiny American flag with less than half a mile to go. Abdi Abdirahman hung on for the third spot and qualified for his fifth Olympic team at the age of 43.

Aliphine Tuliamuk won the women's race after surging ahead at Mile 20 to win in 2:27:23 and head to her first Olympics. Molly Seidel, who had not run a marathon in her career but was an accomplished cross country and 10,000m star at Notre Dame, was the runner-up in 2:27:31. She will also head to her first Summer Games. Sally Kipyego returns to the Olympics as a mother for the first time. In 2012, she won an Olympic silver medal in the 10,000m while representing Kenya. 

We recap the races, break down the biggest surprises, why we overlooked the people who ended up on the team and where we go from here. Also, the Chonky Bois were out in full force. 

Support for this episode comes from Stryd. They’re helping ensure that you nail the perfect pacing strategy so you can keep a consistent effort in challenging conditions - all in real-time. I’m digging all the data that it’s collecting and you’ll see a bunch of people wearing them on their shoes at the US Olympic Marathon Trials. Learn more by visiting STRYD.COM/CITIUS

▶ Follow us: twitter.com/CitiusMag | instagram.com/citiusmag | facebook.com/citiusmag

✩ Connect with Chris via Email: chris@citiusmag.com | twitter.com/ChrisChavez | instagram.com/chris_j_chavez

“I feel like there’s moments where you’re like, ‘Should I go or should I not go?’ after such a big loss. Go. That’s the best time you can go and do something after a big loss. Let’s do it, let’s try again. The most important thing you can always do is just try again… Just because you had a loss doesn't mean you can’t pick yourself up and try again.” 

World Championship medalist Brittany Brown joins us live in Eugene after qualifying for her first Olympic team. She never won an NCAA title and didn’t sign a pro contract out of college, but she continued to bet on herself and it paid off big time. Brittany shares about her perseverance through setbacks to get to this point in her career, other women who inspire her, how she uses her 400m training to help her grow stronger in other events, what her training group is like, and more. Hear more from Brittany and her incredible path to the Olympics in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast.

Hosts: Anderson Emerole | @atkoeme on Instagram + Katelyn Hutchison | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@_kxnaomi on Instagram

Guest: Brittany Brown | @_brittanyshamere on Instagram

_________

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“I'm still processing everything. It still very much feels like a dream. I keep telling everyone that every morning I’ve woken up since the race, I keep having to check my phone, check the date, and make sure I’ve already raced and that it’s not coming up. I was like, ‘Wait, that actually happened, right?’ I feel like for me it’s been a lot of processing, a lot of pinch me moments, but a lot of joy.”

Sister duo Juliette and Isabella Whittaker join us live in Eugene after their breakout performances at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. Juliette qualified for her first Olympic team by placing third in the 800m and Isabella took 6th in the 400m final. The sisters share about how they were able to split their focus between the NCAA season and Olympic Trials, how they manage nerves before their races (and each other's races!) and lots more. Hear more from Juliette and Isabella in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast.

Host: Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Guest: Juliette Whittaker | @jwhittaker22 on Instagram + Isabella Whittaker | @b_whit215 on Instagram 

_________

CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for day six of the Olympic Trials include Chari Hawkins, Anna Hall, Nia Akins, Eric Holt, Vernon Norwood, Allie Wilson, and Juliette + Isabelle Whittaker.

LIVE SHOWS

Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.

TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.

MEET COVERAGE

Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

“We’re kind of on this journey to the marathon. The next logical step is a half marathon. That will be in the new year. We don’t know exactly where yet but we want to go attack a half marathon. That’s what all the training is focused on and that’s why it’s been so fun. Not that the training is easy but it’s the training that comes the most naturally to me.”

My guest for today's episode is U.S. Olympian Joe Klecker of the On Athletics Club. He joins us with some news that he’s gearing up for his half marathon debut in early 2025 after a challenging comeback from injury.

Joe is back and looking to tackle a new distance with a keen eye on Ryan Hall's American record in the half marathon. While his 2024 outdoor season was sidelined by a torn abductor, he's now fully focused on the 13.1 mile distance. He doesn't say it, but I think all signs point that it will likely be at the Houston Half Marathon in January, which is traditionally perfect weather and very fast. And while he's not quite ready to step away from the track just yet, Joe is already embracing the marathon mindset and this is one step forward to getting to the full distance with a personal best of 12:54 for 5K and 27:07 for 10K. 

Joe's incredible speed and dedication are setting him up for a strong entry into the longer distance. So in this episode, we'll hear about his approach to injury recovery, his plans for that debut, all with the guidance of his coach Dathan Ritzenhein and the support of his training partner and Olympic medalist, Hellen Obiri. He also shares why he's hoping for one more team on the track. 

Many thanks to New York Road Runners for allowing us to host this conversation in front of an audience at the Citizens Bank stage at the TCS New York City Marathon Expo.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠

Guest: Joe Klecker | ⁠@joe_klecker on Instagram ⁠

Time stamps:

3:43 - Getting to ride on the lead vehicle at the NYC Marathon 

5:21 - Thoughts on racing the marathon himself in the future. 

5:19 - Thoughts on teammate Hellen Obiri’s build leading into NYC 

7:09 - Details on Hellen’s workouts

9:30 - Coming back from injury this summer 

11:04 - How his training has evolved since graduating college 

12:16 - Future races on the calendar 

15:03 - Going after the half marathon American record 

17:14 - OAC’s team culture 

22:30 - What keeps training exciting 

23:37 - How he approaches his future career in the marathon 

24:34 - Why track and the marathon feel like different sports 

25:48 - Overrated/underrated: training methods

32:51 - Goals for 2025

34:29 - Why now is a good time to shift to the marathon 

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WAHOO: KICKR RUN - a new revolutionary treadmill offering the freedom and form of outdoor running at home, from Wahoo Fitness. Run hands-free and focus solely on the joy of running with the innovative RunFree Mode - which adjusts to your stride and pace automatically. For the first time runners can now fully benefit from indoor training apps such as Zwift Run and the Wahoo app for an immersive training experience that delivers unmatched realism and results. Learn more at ⁠WahooFitness.com⁠

OLIPOP: For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 25% off your orders by using code CITIUS25 at ⁠drinkolipop.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

“He was the alternate on our distance medley for NCAAs. He’s come a long way. He reminds me of that everyday — how he was the alternate and now he’s the NCAA champion.”

Vin Lananna, USATF President + Director of track and field and cross country at the University of Virginia, shares about 800m NCAA champion Shane Cohen’s progression over the last year and what’s got him excited about the state of track and field in America. Plus, Vin shares a fun story about 1500m Olympic gold medalist Matthew Centrowitz. Hear more from Vin in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast.

CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT. Our guests for day one of the Olympic Trials include Vin Lananna, Matt James, Dylan Beard, and Manteo Mitchell.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest: Vin Lananna | @vinlananna on Instagram

We’re popping up with New Balance live from Eugene for the most thrilling 10 days of track and field in America. We’re servin’ track and field scoops with our coverage. Catch us at the CITIUS MAG Scoop (presented by New Balance) pop-up right next to Prince Puckler’s Ice Cream at 19th Avenue and Agate Street – just a two-minute walk from Hayward Field.

We’re hosting three shows a day on the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel. You’ll be able to find many of the shows under our “Live” tab on our channel.

LIVE SHOWS

Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.

TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.

LIVE MEET COVERAGE

Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.

MORNING RUNS

CITIUS MAG and New Balance will be hosting group runs on Sunday, June 23rd at 8 a.m. ET; Tuesday, June 25th at 8 a.m. and Saturday, June 29th at 7:30 a.m. Come on by to our pop-up next to Prince Puckler’s Ice Cream shop to meet for some easy morning miles.

All paces are welcome. We’ll be giving away shirts, hats and more. Plus, you’ll have an opportunity to try all of the latest and greatest from New Balance. We’ll also have Olipop, coffee, games and cold plunges to enjoy afterward.

Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

👟 NEW BALANCE: Discover the ultimate running shoe: Fresh Foam X 1080. With unbeatable comfort and top-tier performance, it's perfect for any occasion, from daily runs to races. Its innovative design includes Fresh Foam X midsole for seamless transitions and a breathable, supportive mesh upper. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit NewBalance.com/Running⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

“I can’t wait for COVID to be over so I can step in some of these schools and juvenile delinquent centers to talk to these people because they need someone to talk to. I tell people all the time that I hated growing up and hearing “No” my whole life. ‘Oh, I want to be that.’ ‘No.’ ‘Oh, I want to work.’ ‘No. You’re going to be a worker and work for somebody.’ Your whole life you hear that. ‘Oh, you want to be an Olympian. That’s funny.’ That’s what we grew up in and we’re the product of our environment. If we don’t have people coming into that environment to make the product better, then we fail.”

Trayvon Bromell is the 2015 World Championship 100 meter bronze medalist, the 2016 world indoor champion in the 60 meters and was a 100-meter finalist at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. However,  it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for him as he's battled Achilles injuries and setbacks with a bone spur in the past three years. In this episode, I told him straight up that I thought he was done. Then, last month, he popped a 9.90 in a small meet in Florida. In early August, he ran a wind-aided 9.87. It looks like the comeback is real. 

In this episode, we address everything that’s taken place since he came up as a high school star, losing some years in his 20s due to injury and why this has been a long road not only to success but out of poverty. 

I really enjoyed this conversation. Definitely think Trayvon could be a regular on the show because I’ve changed my mind on him being done.

FULL SHOW NOTES ON CITIUSMAG.COM

Catch the latest episode of the podcast on iTunes so subscribe and leave a five-star review. We are also on Stitcher, Google Play and Spotify!

😎  Support for this episode comes from GOODR SUNGLASSES  – I’ve been rocking Goodr sunglasses throughout the past couple of months. No slip. No bounce. No fog. Polarized. Ridiculously affordable starting at $25 a pair. They’re already the most affordable performance shades on the planet. | Visit GOODR.COM/CITIUS to check out some of my favorite pairs.

▶ Follow us: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

✩ Connect with Chris via Email: chris@citiusmag.com | Twitter | Instagram

Another jam-packed weekend of results unpacked by Chris Chavez and Anderson Emerole.

This Week In Track and Field

– Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Rai Benjamin Dominated At The LA Grand Prix

– Noah Lyles ties the American record in the 150m at the Atlanta City Games + highlights

– The Rabat Diamond League was a bit of a dud

– Kenenisa Bekele Has Been Named To The Olympic Marathon Team For Ethiopia

– What We’re Looking Forward To The Most At The Prefontaine Classic

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host: Anderson Emerole | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@atkoeme on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

👟 NEW BALANCE: Discover the ultimate running shoe: Fresh Foam X 1080. With unbeatable comfort and top-tier performance, it's perfect for any occasion, from daily runs to races. Its innovative design includes Fresh Foam X midsole for seamless transitions and a breathable, supportive mesh upper. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit NewBalance.com/Running⁠⁠⁠⁠

🏴 BANDIT RUNNING: Bandit's support of unsponsored track and field athletes at the U.S. Olympic Trials is back with their Unsponsored Project. Last year, Bandit partnered with several athletes by supplying those athletes with custom, unbranded Bandit singlets to help them stand out and underscore their unsponsored status.

If you're an athlete interested in support, reach out to Tim Rossi at timrossi@banditrunning.com

BONUS: CITIUS MAG Podcast listeners get 15% off their first order at ⁠⁠https://banditrunning.com⁠⁠ using CITIUS15.

🍊 OLIPOP: This Barbie has great gut health! Introducing Barbie: Peaches & Cream flavor, the newest addition to Olipop’s lineup, guaranteed to make your summer sparkle brighter than ever before. But hurry, this limited-time treat won’t stick around for long! Inspired by the iconic Peaches & Cream Barbie doll's 65th anniversary, this soda is a refreshing homage to '80s nostalgia. Crafted with real peach juice, rich vanilla, and a hint of white peach gummy flavor, each sip is a trip down memory lane. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order online today and use code CITIUS25 for 25% off your order at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Chris Chavez and Anderson Emerole chat it up on Memorial Day to bring you a recap of all the sprints + field events action that took place at the Prefontaine Classic.

Among the highlights:

– Sha'Carri Richardson took down a STACKED field at the Prefontaine Classic and puts any doubts about her early season form to rest with a decisive 10.83 victory in the women’s 100m. Richardson looked smooth while Olympic champ Elaine Thompson-Herah struggled, finishing 9th in 11.30.

– Joe Kovacs puts the world on alert with the first 23-meter throw of the season, launching a 23.13m effort in the final round of the men's shot put competition to set a new world lead.

– Grant Holloway keeps his incredible 2024 going with a world-leading 13.03 victory in the 110m hurdles. USA puts 3 in front of Olympic champ Hansle Parchment with Daniel Roberts (13.13) and Freddie Crittenden (13.16) rounding out the top spots.

– Christian Coleman runs his best 100m of the season, holding off Ferdinand Omanyala 9.95 to 9.98 to clock his best time of the season.

+ more highlights from the meet

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host: Anderson Emerole | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@atkoeme on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

👟 NEW BALANCE: Discover the ultimate running shoe: Fresh Foam X 1080. With unbeatable comfort and top-tier performance, it's perfect for any occasion, from daily runs to races. Its innovative design includes Fresh Foam X midsole for seamless transitions and a breathable, supportive mesh upper. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit NewBalance.com/Running⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🏴 BANDIT RUNNING: Bandit's support of unsponsored track and field athletes at the U.S. Olympic Trials is back with their Unsponsored Project. Last year, Bandit partnered with several athletes by supplying those athletes with custom, unbranded Bandit singlets to help them stand out and underscore their unsponsored status.

If you're an athlete interested in support, reach out to Tim Rossi at timrossi@banditrunning.com

BONUS: CITIUS MAG Podcast listeners get 15% off their first order at ⁠⁠⁠https://banditrunning.com⁠⁠⁠ using CITIUS15.

🍊 OLIPOP: This Barbie has great gut health! Introducing Barbie: Peaches & Cream flavor, the newest addition to Olipop’s lineup, guaranteed to make your summer sparkle brighter than ever before. But hurry, this limited-time treat won’t stick around for long! Inspired by the iconic Peaches & Cream Barbie doll's 65th anniversary, this soda is a refreshing homage to '80s nostalgia. Crafted with real peach juice, rich vanilla, and a hint of white peach gummy flavor, each sip is a trip down memory lane. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order online today and use code CITIUS25 for 25% off your order at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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“I think silent killer is perfect for me. I put so much energy and effort into this. I’ve really been pursuing greatness, so when I get out there and don't do what I want to do, it’s clear. You can see it on my face that I'm not happy. I try to be grateful and take everything in, but at the same time I always want more and I know what I'm capable of.”

Keturah Orji, 10x U.S. champion and American record holder, joins the show after qualifying for her 3rd Olympic team in triple jump. Keturah breaks down her triple jump performance at the Trials, what she’s learned from triple jumpers who came before her, how she wants to give back to the sport after finishing her career, and more. Hear more from Keturah in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast.

Hosts: Katelyn Hutchison | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@_kxnaomi on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Anderson Emerole | @atkoeme on Instagram

Guest: Keturah Orji | @ktorr1 on Instagram

_________

CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for day three of the Olympic Trials include Emma Coburn, Molly Seidel, Keturah Orji, and Trey Hardee.

LIVE SHOWS

Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.

TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.

LIVE MEET COVERAGE

Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.

MORNING RUNS

CITIUS MAG and New Balance will be hosting group runs on Sunday, June 23rd at 8 a.m. ET; Tuesday, June 25th at 8 a.m. and Saturday, June 29th at 7:30 a.m. Come on by to our pop-up next to Prince Puckler’s Ice Cream shop to meet for some easy morning miles.

All paces are welcome. We’ll be giving away shirts, hats and more. Plus, you’ll have an opportunity to try all of the latest and greatest from New Balance. We’ll also have Olipop, coffee, games and cold plunges to enjoy afterward.

Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

"That Olympic stamp on my running resume didn't really change anything. That's why 2022 was so hard for me. I had built up these expectations and I felt that I still had to prove to myself because it seemed like it wasn't enough. That pressure didn't bode well for me. I suffered injuries and sickness...At the end of the day, World Championships and Olympics are just another race. If you're racing just to make the team, you're not going to be happy because someone else could get that spot. That's when I changed my mindset. I don't know if you've seen the show Fallout but in the first episode the ghoul says, 'I do this shit for the love of the game.' That's kind of how I feel."

Val Constien is a professional runner for Nike and was a member of the 2021 Olympic team in the steeplechase. We had her on the show in the spring of 2021 and it was a memorable episode because she announced herself to the U.S. as a contender to make the team and then backed it up at the Trials.

Following the Games, she remained unsponsored for more than a year. We talk about how Tokyo didn’t ultimately change a whole lot for her but her passion for the sport remained. She won the 2023 U.S. Indoor 3000m title and then signed a contract with Nike. However, in her first race in the pro kit, she tore her ACL at the Doha Diamond League and that 2023 season was a wrap. She underwent bilateral ACL reconstruction and thought maybe she wouldn’t race again until 2025.

Things quickly changed and she accelerated through her recovery and is back to racing. In her first steeplechase race in a year, she went on to win the Sound Running Track Fest in 9:27.22. That’s her fastest steeple opener. She’s now back in the conversation to make the Olympic team in the steeplechase since it’s a bit wide open without Emma Coburn. I think you might find someone to root for in Val after this conversation.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest: Val Constien | @valerieconstien on Instagram

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The sports world has stopped but the world could use the positivity of Aliphine Tuliamuk. At the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, Tuliamuk made her first U.S. Olympic team by winning in 2:27:23. 

On this show, we'll discuss how the race was the culmination of her American dream and why she is very appreciative of the opportunity to represent the United States – a place that has given her so many opportunities in her life. We talk about how she developed the self-belief that she could win the race and much more.

Support for this episode comes from Stryd. They’re helping ensure that you nail the perfect pacing strategy so you can keep a consistent effort in challenging conditions - all in real-time. I’m digging all the data that it’s collecting and you’ll see a bunch of people wearing them on their shoes at the US Olympic Marathon Trials. Learn more by visiting STRYD.COM/CITIUS

▶ Follow us: twitter.com/CitiusMag | instagram.com/citiusmag | facebook.com/citiusmag

✩ Connect with Chris via Email: chris@citiusmag.com | twitter.com/ChrisChavez | instagram.com/chris_j_chavez

“There’s so many stories and testimonies of amazing women in track and field – men and women. We should definitely shine a light on everybody because everybody has a story. Everybody has been through a lot. You never know who can relate to those stories as well. I’m a big advocate of showing a light on everyone.”

Teahna Daniels is a professional sprinter for Nike, who had a breakout season in 2021 to run 10.83 at the Prefontaine Classic, which ties her for No. 14 on the all-time U.S. list. This has been a season where Sha'Carri Richardson has been the No. 1 U.S. female sprinter in all of the headlines but why not spread the love and the attention on some of the women who are also running fast behind her. Teahna is No. 2 for the United States in the U.S. In this episode, you’ll learn about her upbringing in Florida, where she lit it up as a high schooler. She went on to run at Texas, where she won an NCAA title in the 60-meter dash. As a professional, she was the 2019 U.S. Champion and went on to finish 7th at that year’s world championships in Doha. Two years later, she made her first Olympic team and also took 7th in the 100 meter final (where she was the only American woman). She was a member of the Team USA 4x100 meter relay squad that took silver. We unpack all of that + her first-hand perspective as to what’s happening right now in the sprints that FloJo’s world record of 10.49 may be in jeopardy.

📈 Support for this episode comes from WHOOP. WHOOP is offering 15% off with the code “CITIUS” at checkout. Go to WHOOP and enter CITIUS at checkout to save 15%. Sleep better, recover faster and run faster. Get to the start line healthy with WHOOP.  https://join.whoop.com/citiusmag

📈 Hustle Clean is a mission-driven self-care brand for the active lifestyle. It was created by athletes for high performers that want to do more and be more without compromise. The Hustle Clean Body Wipe is an extra-large, durable, full-body wipe designed to remove sweat, dirt, and body odor in moments when a shower is optimal but not possible. Products are safe on sensitive skin, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, & infused with aloe vera, vitamin E, & witch hazel. Hustle Clean is sold nationwide in Walmart, Target, & Amazon. CITIUS MAG Podcast listeners get a deal and get 10% off all their products, if you visit Hustle Clean.com and use discount code CITIUS.

✍️ FULL SHOW NOTES + MORE QUOTES ON CITIUSMAG.com

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“Some of what this journey has been about is just the relentless pursuit of excellence through this gift. I really have made that my mission this year and I hope I can do that for people.”

My guest for today's episode is Josh Hoey – one of the most compelling comeback stories in American distance running right now. At just 18 years old, Josh made headlines by turning pro straight out of high school, signing with Adidas after setting the national high school indoor 800m record. But instead of a smooth trajectory to stardom, the years that followed were filled with coaching changes, setbacks, and hard lessons about what it truly takes to succeed at the highest level.

Now at 25 years old, Josh is having the season of his life. In just the past month, he broke the American indoor 800m record twice, first at the Millrose Games and then again at the U.S. Indoor Championships this past weekend, where he ran 1:43.24. It's a world leading time and the second-fastest indoor 800m time in history. The win also secured him his first Team USA berth for the upcoming World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China. 

In this episode, Josh opens up about his rollercoaster journey from the struggles of turning pro at such a young age to finding stability with his coach Justin Rinaldi and a training system that finally clicked for him. We talk about the mental shifts, training breakthroughs, and the faith that has carried him through it all. And finally, what his hopes and expectations are as he gets ready for World Indoors.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram 

Guest: Josh Hoey | @joshhoey21 on Instagram

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OLIPOP: Big name sodas are rolling out bold new flavors in 2025, but the real buzz is happening in the prebiotic pop aisle. If you haven't already jumped on the Olipop train yet, now's the time. BuzzFeed just came out with an article that recently named Olipop the best overall soda for flavor — and with a lineup that includes classic root beer, vintage cola and cherry vanilla, it's easy to see why. Try Olipop today and save 25% on your order using code CITIUS25 at checkout at DrinkOlipop.com.

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"I want to reach the goals that I know I'm capable of reaching. It's going to require me to do things I have not done in the past. I feel like I just kept doing the same thing over and over in the past where I'm just coming top three, top four, top five. Sometimes I was satisfied with that. But I think if you want to be a champion, you can't be satisfied with that."

Ahmed Muhamed of NAZ Elite sits down with us for a live interview after winning the 2024 Abbott Dash To The Finish Line 5K in 13:38.

The race kicks off on Sunday, November 3rd with the women’s race starting at 8:35am E.T. and the men following at 9:05am E.T. (Don’t forget to set your clock back an hour the night before!) The race will be streamed nationally on ESPN and locally on ABC.

You can read our full NYC Marathon preview here.

CITIUS MAG is proud to partner with HOKA for our coverage of the 2024 NYC Marathon.

"Everyone's so different... For me, it’s just getting B+ training in and hopefully getting A+ results because I'm not burning out. I can be consistent and get brilliant training blocks in throughout the year without burnout or anything. And I think that's got me to this point. It's nothing crazy, it's nothing fancy, it's just simplicity. You think in your head for the longest time that you need to be doing ‘this, this, and this’. And actually, it's just taking a step back like, and enjoying running for what it is… Take away the goals, take away the times. Just enjoy running for the simplicity of it and the results will hopefully show.”

Calli Thackery just ran the second-fastest marathon by a British woman in her marathon debut at the McKirdy Micro Marathon in New York. She crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 22 min and 11 seconds. Only Paula Radcliffe is ahead of her on the all-time list. She’s also now No. 3 on the all-time European list behind Radcliffe and Sifan Hassan.

With this performance, Calli puts herself in a strong position as a contender for British Athletics’ Olympic marathon selection but there are still about eight months to go until things are set in stone. 

This has been a breakout fall for her since she won The Big Half in London in September and then took seventh at the World Road Running Championships in Latvia earlier this month. 

In this episode, you’ll hear why she decided to bet on herself by pursuing professional running after working a full-time job, why working with her coach and fiancé Nick Hauger has worked so well and her hopes for the Olympic year ahead. She’ll also share some stories about growing up in a running family since her father Carl was a professional runner for Nike and Team GB and medaled at the 1993 World Half Marathon Championships. 

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Guest: Calli Thackery |  @callirianne on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

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"Becoming a champion is a byproduct of becoming a team player. Everyone has to play a role and do their own part."

This past weekend, Florida's Joseph Fahnbulleh won the 100 and 200 meters at the NCAA Track and Field Championships. He won the 100 meters in a personal best of 10 seconds. He won the 200 meters in 19.83 seconds, which is the fourth-fastest in collegiate history. Florida won the team title with 54 points. Last summer, Fahnbulleh competed for Liberia at the Tokyo Olympics. We touch on all of that, his roots as a distance runner in Minnesota, his goals for the World Championships and much more including your listener questions. He also addresses the internet coaches who still hate on his 100 meter start.

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ADIDAS: The Adizero Adios Pro 3 is here! Adidas' latest edition of their super shoe built for runners looking to take their performance to the next level and run after new records. Worn by Olympic champion + New York City Marathom and Boston Marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, it's got a proven track record. The Adios Pro 3 features the new EnergyRod 2.0 system, Lightstrike Pro foam, a brand new upper and continental rubber outsole – all while being made of recyclable materials. Mark your calendars. The shoe will be available for sale on Adidas.com on June 23.

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OREGON22: We are less than 60 days until the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon (7/15-24). The outdoor track season is underway and the journey to Hayward has begun. Don’t miss out. Buy your tickets today to see the world’s best athletes in action at the first-ever world outdoor championships being held on U.S. soil. You can get your tickets by visiting WorldChampsOregon22.com/Tickets

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“It’s cool to see one of your dreams come true. I remember one meeting we had in high school where my coach was saying how he'd never coached a professional runner. And then he turned to me and was like, ‘Yet.’ So that was the first time I was like, ‘OK, someone believes that I can make it happen’. It's been really cool over the past few years chasing this dream and finally having it come true.”

My guest for today’s episode is NC State’s Katelyn Tuohy, who has decided to forego the remainder of her NCAA eligibility to turn professional and has signed a contract with adidas, she told CITIUS MAG in an exclusive interview before her announcement on Wednesday afternoon.

Ahead of the Olympic year, Tuohy plans to remain under the guidance of NC State coach Laurie Henes and may split time between Raleigh, North Carolina, and a possible training stint in Flagstaff, Arizona, to train at altitude for the first time in her career.

Last month, Tuohy wrapped up one of the most decorated NCAA careers by a distance runner with four individual NCAA titles; three NCAA cross country team titles; three NCAA records, 11 All-American titles, and five SEC championships.

Despite her long list of credentials, Tuohy is still only 21 years old. In 2022, she became one of the first collegiate cross country runners to sign an NIL deal - also with adidas - and has amassed a sizable fandom that includes over 100,000 followers on Instagram.

At the most recent U.S. championships, she finished 7th in the 5000m, the top collegian in the event. If Tuohy achieves the qualifying standard (14:52.00) and finishes in the top three of the upcoming U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials next June, she could become the youngest woman to make the U.S. Olympic team in the 5000m.

In this episode, we talk all about the decision to turn pro and what she’s looking forward to most. She reflects on her Wolfpack career and opens up a bit about what it’s been like being in the spotlight from a high school star to now.

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🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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