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

This week in track and field, Chris Chavez, Preet Majithia, and Kyle Merber unpack:– Femke Bol’s highly anticipated 800m debut, which delivered a 1:59.07, which is the fastest debut in history and sparked debate about upside, expectations, and what her future beyond the 400 hurdles might look like.– The ripple effects of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke’s move.– Georgia Hunter Bell’s world-leading 1500m, one of the standout performances from a busy stretch of indoor meets and a sign of unfinished business ahead.– Cole Hocker’s eye-opening 1000m, and what it suggests about his range.– A debate over announcing world-record attempts.– Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s injury update, and what it could mean for his season trajectory and long-term planning.– Major changes to the world ranking system, including why fast times matter now more than ever — and how that shift could favor American athletes while discouraging head-to-head racing at major meets.____________Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Preet Majithia | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@preet_athletics⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Kyle Merber | @kylemerberProduced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSUSATF: The USATF Indoor Track and Field Championships presented by Prevagen are back in New York City from February 28th to March 1st at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island. This is where legends don't just race; they punch their ticket to the world stage. The pressure is real, the margins are razor thin, and every athlete is fighting for one thing: a spot on Team USATF at the World Indoor Championships. ⁠⁠Grab your tickets now at USATF.org/tickets ⁠⁠and experience track and field at its absolute loudest.OLIPOP: A blast from the past, Olipop’s Shirley Temple combines smooth vanilla flavor with bright lemon and lime, finished with cherry juice for that nostalgic grenadine-like flavor. One sip of this timeless soda proves some flavors never grow old. Try Shirley Temple and more of Olipop’s flavors ⁠⁠at DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

“That year at Providence was really special with what we all went through together. It was such a fun year! We were all very solid and united together. It ended up in a perfect way being able to continue that training together.” - Alex Millard Kimberley May, Shannon Flockhart, and Alex Millard join us us fresh into the next chapter of their careers as members of Team New Balance Boston.All three join the team with deep NCAA pedigrees, international experience and very different paths that somehow converged at exactly the right moment. Kimberley May leaves college as one of the most accomplished 1500-meter runners in New Zealand history. Shannon Flockhart brings European championship medals and championship toughness. Alex Millard arrives fresh off world cross country relay experience and fresh off a year that included personal bests in the 1500m, mile and 5000m.In this conversation, they talk about what it actually feels like when the dream becomes real to signing pro contracts, navigating the transition from NIL relationships. We touch on their shared history as teammates at Providence and how that’s made the leap into the professional ranks easier, what altitude training was like, and why being around a group that includes a world champion has raised everyone’s standard.There’s also plenty of joy in the year ahead with new routines. With 2026 ahead, all three are excited for what’s next.____________Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠Guests: Kimberley May | @kiimberleymay on Instagram + Alex Millard | @alexmillard on Instagram + Shannon Flockhart | @shannon_flockhart_ on Instagram Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSUSATF: The USATF Indoor Track and Field Championships presented by Prevagen are back in New York City from February 28th to March 1st at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island. This is where legends don't just race; they punch their ticket to the world stage. The pressure is real, the margins are razor thin, and every athlete is fighting for one thing: a spot on Team USATF at the World Indoor Championships. Grab your tickets now at USATF.org/tickets and experience track and field at its absolute loudest.OLIPOP: A blast from the past, Olipop’s Shirley Temple combines smooth vanilla flavor with bright lemon and lime, finished with cherry juice for that nostalgic grenadine-like flavor. One sip of this timeless soda proves some flavors never grow old. Try Shirley Temple and more of Olipop’s flavors at DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

This week in track and field, Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia unpack:– Jacob Kiplimo and the pace car controversy from his half marathon world record: Most people agree this wasn’t a surprise, wasn’t his fault, and still somehow exposed how odd World Athletics’ rulebook really is.– Catching up on the 2026 Boston Marathon and London Marathon field announcements.– Sam Ruthe’s 3:48 mile and why it’s forcing fans to recalibrate what’s possible at 16 + how that performance stacks up against Cooper Lutkenhaus’ historic 800m run last year.– Femke Bol’s upcoming 800-meter debut and why expectations range from sub-2 immediately to a low stakes launch.– Alysha Newman and Benard Kibet Koech were suspended by the AIU for anti-doping violations.____________Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Preet Majithia | ⁠⁠⁠⁠@preet_athletics⁠⁠⁠ Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSUSATF: The USATF Indoor Track and Field Championships presented by Prevagen are back in New York City from February 28th to March 1st at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island. This is where legends don't just race; they punch their ticket to the world stage. The pressure is real, the margins are razor thin, and every athlete is fighting for one thing: a spot on Team USATF at the World Indoor Championships. ⁠Grab your tickets now at USATF.org/tickets ⁠and experience track and field at its absolute loudest.OLIPOP: A blast from the past, Olipop’s Shirley Temple combines smooth vanilla flavor with bright lemon and lime, finished with cherry juice for that nostalgic grenadine-like flavor. One sip of this timeless soda proves some flavors never grow old. Try Shirley Temple and more of Olipop’s flavors ⁠at DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

"It's nice to have a reset. I'm looking at these people and I have something to work up to now, versus being at the top of the NCAA and hoping you get it right on the day. Now, I have, 'I need to improve by ten seconds if I want to be up there at USAs.' That kind of excites me. It's a little scary, but it's mostly exciting."Margot Appleton is a Massachusetts native now running for the home team. She has joined Team New Balance Boston and is being coached by Mark Coogan.At Virginia, she was an NCAA finalist in the 1500, stepped up to finish fourth in the 5000 meters at nationals, and then this spring put together a breakout campaign that included a 4:05.68 1500 at Raleigh Relays—fourth-fastest in NCAA history at the time—an ACC title, and a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships.Margot is comfortable moving between distances and continuing to sharpen herself against the very best in the country. And at just 23 years old, it still feels like she’s learning how good she can be. She is coming off personal bests in the 3000m and the mile at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix and the Millrose Games. She was the second American and 6th overall in the Wanamaker mile.In this conversation, we talk about her decision to join the refreshed Team New Balance Boston squad, what clicked this past season, how she thinks about racing at championship meets, and what her goals are for 2026.____________Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠Guests: Margot Appleton | @margotappleton on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSUSATF: The USATF Indoor Track and Field Championships presented by Prevagen are back in New York City from February 28th to March 1st at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island. This is where legends don't just race; they punch their ticket to the world stage. The pressure is real, the margins are razor thin, and every athlete is fighting for one thing: a spot on Team USATF at the World Indoor Championships. Grab your tickets now at USATF.org/tickets and experience track and field at its absolute loudest.OLIPOP: A blast from the past, Olipop’s Shirley Temple combines smooth vanilla flavor with bright lemon and lime, finished with cherry juice for that nostalgic grenadine-like flavor. One sip of this timeless soda proves some flavors never grow old. Try Shirley Temple and more of Olipop’s flavors at DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

“My times were dropping and it was so exciting. Every week, they were dropping, dropping, dropping. It was pretty early in the season, too. At that point, I hadn't even made NCAAs. At the time when I ran 2:00, I had the number one time in the country. There was a lot that happened super fast… I think that was my favorite race of my life. I never even thought in my mind that I could run 2:00 even earlier on in the season. It broadened the horizons of what I think I'm capable of in the future and to never limit myself.”My guest for today's episode is Victoria Bossong. This week on the podcast, CITIUS MAG is bringing you interviews with some of Team New Balance's latest signees as we celebrate five years of partnering with them on all things from the high school to the professional front. Yesterday, we brought you an interview with Roisin Willis and now we've got another strong rising 800m runner.Victoria was a star high school sprinter in Maine who almost on a whim tried the 800m late into her prep career and found success. Fast forward a few years and she's fully committed to the event. In 2025 while at Harvard, she was the NCAA Indoor Championships runner-up and ran an outdoor personal best of 1:59.48. She just opened up her indoor season as a pro with an indoor 800m PB of 2:00.36. Off the track, she's just as impressive. She has her degree in neuroscience and has worked in a Harvard Medical School lab. In our chat, she discusses how she managed to balance all of that as a student-athlete, how she comes at the 800m from more of a sprinter background, and her goals for her first professional season.____________Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠Guest: Victoria Bossong | @victoriabossong on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSUSATF: The USATF Indoor Track and Field Championships presented by Prevagen are back in New York City from February 28th to March 1st at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island. This is where legends don't just race; they punch their ticket to the world stage. The pressure is real, the margins are razor thin, and every athlete is fighting for one thing: a spot on Team USATF at the World Indoor Championships. Grab your tickets now at USATF.org/tickets and experience track and field at its absolute loudest.OLIPOP: A blast from the past, Olipop’s Shirley Temple combines smooth vanilla flavor with bright lemon and lime, finished with cherry juice for that nostalgic grenadine-like flavor. One sip of this timeless soda proves some flavors never grow old. Try Shirley Temple and more of Olipop’s flavors at DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

“I saw the door open and I really desperately wanted to take it and walk through it, but I wasn't sure if it was right – but sometimes you know deep down in your gut that it’s something you should do and you take the risk. Since making that decision, it’s felt right and true to what I want to do and where my goals are."My guest for today's episode is Roisin Willis. Right now, she's in one of those rare moments where fitness, confidence, and clarity all seem to be lining up at once. We recorded this two days before the start of a spectacular weekend for her. It's Team New Balance week on the CITIUS MAG Podcast and we'll be bringing you interviews with many of their latest signees all throughout the week. In 2026, we're celebrating six years of New Balance partnering with CITIUS and we're grateful for their support on all levels from the high school to the pros.In the span of just nine days, Roisin put together a short yet impactful indoor season. She opened up her professional career by running 1:59.59 at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, looking smooth and convincing. Six days later, after deciding almost on a whim to race again, she went to Boston University and ran 1:57.97, becoming the first American woman to break 1:58 indoors and setting a new American record in the 800m. That's also a personal best for her indoors and outdoors, and she wasn't done yet. Just two days after that record, Roisin lined up at the Millrose Games and won the 600m in 1:24.87, the seventh fastest performance by an American woman in history. Three races in nine days, two victories, one American record, and proof that she's in absolutely phenomenal shape.Roisin has made the decision to shut down her indoor season. The reason for it is she has a long-term vision and a real life, which you get the sense from my conversation with her. She wants to be at a world-class level come outdoors and that means getting back to training. As she puts it plainly, she also needs to finish school at Stanford this spring.You'll hear more about the importance of finishing her degree in our chat because at just 21 years old, Roisin has already lived multiple chapters in the sport. She was a high school prodigy out of Wisconsin, became an NCAA champion as a freshman, went through a difficult period marked by anxiety and burnout, and has now come out on the other side with a healthier perspective. This recent run isn't just about how fast she's gotten, but also shows how much she's grown as a person. In this interview, we talk about the decision to chase times this year, how she made it through that rough patch, and why she decided to turn professional early.____________Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠Guest: Roisin Willis | @roisin.willis on Instagram Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSUSATF: The USATF Indoor Track and Field Championships presented by Prevagen are back in New York City from February 28th to March 1st at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island. This is where legends don't just race; they punch their ticket to the world stage. The pressure is real, the margins are razor thin, and every athlete is fighting for one thing: a spot on Team USATF at the World Indoor Championships. Grab your tickets now at USATF.org/tickets and experience track and field at its absolute loudest.OLIPOP: A blast from the past, Olipop’s Shirley Temple combines smooth vanilla flavor with bright lemon and lime, finished with cherry juice for that nostalgic grenadine-like flavor. One sip of this timeless soda proves some flavors never grow old. Try Shirley Temple and more of Olipop’s flavors at DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

The 118th Millrose Games lived up to the hype! Chris Chavez, Kyle Merber, Anderson Emerole, Eric Jenkins, and Aisha Praught-Leer break down the biggest performances, top highlights, and most surprising results that went down at The Armory in NYC this afternoon.Some of the top highlights include:- Men’s Wanamaker Mile: Cam Myers won in 3:47.57, becoming the youngest ever winner of the Wanamaker Mile. Yared Nuguse finished second in 3:48.31, with Hobbs Kessler third in 3:48.68 and Nico Young fourth in 3:48.72. - Women’s Wanamaker Mile: Nikki Hiltz took the title in 4:19.64, followed by Jess Hull in 4:20.11 and Klaudia Kazimierska in 4:21.36.- Men’s Two-Mile: Cole Hocker won in 8:07.31, edging Josh Kerr (8:07.68), with Parker Wolfe third (8:07.93) and Ky Robinson fourth in 8:08.40.- Women’s 600m: Roisin Willis topped the field in 1:24.87 after setting the indoor 800m American record just a few days ago.- Three indoor collegiate records were shattered: NAU's Colin Sahlman in the 800m, Alabama's Doris Lemngole in the 3000m (with BYU's Jane Hedengren also dipping below the previous record), and New Mexico's Habtom Samuel in the two-mile. + Lots More_____________________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

The indoor season is already on fire and now it’s time for the 118th Millrose Games at the historic Armory.We’re LIVE from New York with a CITIUS MAG Millrose Games Preview Show, breaking down everything you need to know before the fastest, deepest, and most tradition-rich meet of the 2026 indoor season.Chris Chavez, Kyle Merber, Eric Jenkins, Aisha Praught-Leer, and Anderson Emerole dive into the biggest storylines, must-watch races and athletes.What we preview:• An all-time men’s two-mile field that could threaten history• NCAA phenoms Doris Lemngole and Jane Hedengren colliding with pros in the women’s 3000m• U.S. vs. Europe in a loaded men’s 800m• The first-ever CITIUS MAG–sponsored women’s 1000m• Jess Hull, Nikki Hiltz, Sinclaire Johnson and Dorcus Ewoi are chasing the win in the women’s Wanamaker Mile• Yared Nuguse going for four straight titles in the men’s Wanamaker Mile+ More_____________________How to Watch Millrose Games: The professional events begin Sunday, February 1 at 4:00 p.m. ET, airing live on NBC & Peacock.Our full written preview on CITIUSMAG.com can be found here.We’ll be on-site all weekend with live coverage, post-race interviews, and a full post-meet show dropping Sunday night._____________________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

“Last year, I came into the indoor season with the sole goal of breaking 3:50 in the mile… That was the big goal to tick off. I thought I'd maybe have a shot at running 3:48-high or 3:49-low to mid, so to run 3:47 actually surprised me quite a lot. This year, I feel like that's almost the expectation now. The standard has definitely been raised and the bar's been raised.”My guest for today's episode is Cameron Myers. Over the last three years, the world has gotten to know what Australia has known for a while – that something special has been coming. At just 19 years old, Cam ran 7:27 for 3000m to win the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, delivering the fastest 3K ever run by an Australian that's either indoors or outdoors. In the process, he broke national records held by Ky Robinson and Stewy McSweyn. He closed in 55.98 seconds over the last 400m and surged away from a world-class field with the kind of composure that you rarely see from a teenager. To put that performance into perspective, only three men in history have ever broken 7:28 before turning 20 years old. That's Eliud Kipchoge, Jacob Kiplimo, and Jakob Ingebrigtssen. That's the company that Cam Myers now keeps.He talks about that stat in our chat, but what makes Cam so compelling isn't just the time; it's the way that he talks about the sport. He's thoughtful, honest, and remarkably grounded for someone who's already climbing so high in the global ranks. In our conversation, he's open about the challenges that he's faced, including a recent medical setback that forced him to withdraw from the World Cross Country Championships. We also talk about his breakout race in Boston, why stacking training upon training has become his guiding principle, how he's learning to race to win instead of just hanging on. Plus, he'll be one of the stars of the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games this weekend after taking third place last year in a U20 mile world record of 3:47.We're speaking with Cam as part of his announcement that he has joined the Coros roster of professional athletes, which includes the likes of Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Jess Hull, and Alex Yee. He shares a bit of his data-driven approach, but you can learn more if you read their blog post on him here.Cam is already rewriting record books and he's doing it with a long view of where his journey can go since he'll be one of the stars for Australia when they host the 2032 Olympic Games.____________Mentioned in this episode:COROS Blog Post - Cam Myers' Training: A Deep Dive____________Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠Guest: Cam Myers | @camer0nmyers on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

Chris Chavez and Kyle Merber reunite for the first time in nearly two years on the podcast for This Week In Track and Field.At The New Balance Indoor Grand Prix:– Hobbs Kessler broke the 2000m WR (4:48.79), outkicking Grant Fisher on the final lap with a 26.31 last 200m. – Josh Hoey broke the  800m WR (1:42.50) and broke Wilson Kipketer’s legendary 1997 record (1:42.67). He was paced by his brother Jaxson Hoey, who hit textbook splits.– Elle St. Pierre won the 3000 just eight months after having her second baby with a 8:26.54 victory over Australia’s Linden Hall in a last-lap surge.– Jereem Richards took the men’s 300m 32.14 to 32.15 win, despite Noah Lyles’ WWE-style entrance from the stands.– Cian McPhillips won the men’s 600m in 1:16.37, surged late to win over American hopefuls.– Roisin Willis ran 1:59.59 wire-to-wire to win her professional debut.Elsewhere:– Cooper Lutkenhaus ran 1:45.23 to win the 800m, smashing the World Indoors standard at the Dr. Sander Invitational.– 5000m World champion Cole Hocker opened his indoor season at the Hokie Invitational and broke the U.S. 2000m record in 4:52.92 just 24 hours before Kessler and Fisher took it down.– New Zealand’s 16-year-old running phenom Sam Ruthe clocked a 3:53.83 mile at the Cooks International Classic — the fastest U16 mile in history.Other news discussed:– Two-time Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone announced Thursday she is expecting her first child with husband Andre Levrone Jr.– Grant Fisher will make his half marathon debut at the NYC Half in March.– Jakob Ingebrigtsen update: In a profile with The Guardian, he said: “I’ve fed my obsession my whole life” and added that he might be “autistic” due to his all-in intensity and singular focus. He also said he is still haunted by finishing 4th in the 1500m at Paris 2024. “Nine out of 10 times I win that race. That was the 10th.”____________Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Kyle Merber | @kylemerberProduced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

Some light results took place over the week but it’s officially the indoor track season as a few pros drop some scheduling breadcrumbs as to when they’ll plan to step out onto the track for the first time this year.Preet explains how qualifying for the World Indoor Championships works.New Balance Indoor Grand Prix is in Boston on January 24th and it’s loaded with Noah Lyles, Donavan Brazier, Bryce Hoppel, Grant Fisher, Jake Wightman, Josh Hoey, Jessica Hull, Elle St. Pierre, and a lot more. In some cases, the talent is split off into two close race distances and it’s not great!Plus, the 2026 Boston Marathon women’s elite field is out and it is stacked! Sharon Lokedi is back to defend against a modest international group but it’s a ridiculous wave of U.S. talent headlined by Emily Sisson and Fiona O’Keeffe. Plus more news from the past week!____________Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Preet Majithia | ⁠⁠⁠@preet_athletics⁠⁠ Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

“I’m drawing a lot more confidence for the track from what I did on the grass just this last weekend. I’m really excited just to get there, get going, and keep building strength. The sky’s the limit because if I can do that on the cross course, who knows what I can do on the track. I’m super pumped for it!”My guest for today's episode is Parker Wolfe. If you're paying attention to the next generation of American distance running, his name has been on that list for a while now. Just last weekend, Parker made his World Championships debut representing Team USA at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida. In a loaded men's 10K field, he ran with patience and composure and steadily worked his way forward and finished as the top American across the finish line in 12th place.Just a few months back, Parker left the NCAA as an 11-time All-American at North Carolina, anchoring the program during the early years of coach Chris Miltenberg's tenure and leading the Tar Heels to multiple top 10 national finishes in cross country. Individually, his highlight was probably winning the 2024 NCAA Outdoor 5K title where he upset Nico Young in one of the biggest races of his career.The resume for Parker speaks for itself. He's run 3:34 for the 1500m, 3:54 for the mile, 7:30 for 3K, and 13:10 for the 5K. In this conversation, we talk about his transition from college to the world stage, what he's learned from racing these international studs, and what comes next as he steps into the next phase of his career as a pro with Swoosh TC under coach Mike Smith. Also, he's in a loaded men's two-mile at the Millrose Games on February 1st in New York City.____________Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠Guest: Parker Wolfe | @parkerw19 on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

“The top three spots [at the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials], you've got to work very hard to get one of them—which is exciting for me. Nothing was ever handed to me. I have to work hard for it and I'm willing to do the same thing for it now." Zouhair Talbi joins the CITIUS MAG Podcast to share his journey from Morocco to becoming an American citizen. He discusses his recent victory at the Houston Marathon, the decision to switch his allegiance to the United States and the challenges he faced along the way from the Moroccan federation.He reflects on his early running career, the setbacks he encountered during the Tokyo Olympics where an issue with Morocco’s drug testing ruined his chance to become an Olympian and his transition to marathon running.Talbi also talks about his experience in the US Army, his training insights, and his aspirations for the future, including the upcoming 2028 Olympic Trials.____________Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠Guest: Zouhair Talbi | @zouhairathle on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

This week in track and field, Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia cover:– The World Cross Country Championships showcased impressive performances but faced broadcasting challenges. Preet explains his experience with watching.– Houston’s half marathon saw the U.S. men’s half marathon list get totally re-written and then a strong run by Taylor Roe to move to No. 2 on the U.S. list.– Zouhair Talbi runs the fourth-fastest marathon by an American but it takes a bit of explaining; Sara Hall went the full distance and continues to impress.– Valencia produced European records by Andreas Almgren and Eilish McColgan.– The bidding for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials is underway and St. Louis is interested.– Preet likes figure skating!– Unsurprisingly, Marvin Bracy-Williams has signed with the Enhanced Games– A look at the other washed-up, has-been runners that are joining the doped Olympics.– Albert Korir was provisionally suspended after testing positive for CERA.– Our way too early picks for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.____________Mentioned in this episode: Listen: World Cross Country Championships Reactions: Jacob Kiplimo Wins 3rd Straight Title, Agnes Ngetich Dominates + More Highlights____________Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Preet Majithia | ⁠⁠@preet_athletics⁠ Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSWAHOO: The KICKR RUN responds to you: run faster, it speeds up. Ease back, it slows down. It's called the run-free mode – no buttons, just running that actually feels like running. The Wahoo KICKR RUN turns those long indoor miles into something you actually look forward to. Add in a quiet motor, a buttery smooth belt, and speeds up to 15 MPH, it's the closest thing you can get to an outdoor run without dealing with the ice, wind, or darkness. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at Wahoofitness.com and unlock a special offer when you use code CITIUS⁠⁠⁠⁠. OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

Join Chris Chavez, Aisha Praught-Leer and Eric Jenkins as they unpack all of the action at the 2026 World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee.Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo continued his reign at the World Cross Country Championships, cruising to a third consecutive title in commanding fashion. Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi claimed silver for the third time in his career, while Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo rounded out the podium with bronze.In the women’s race, Agnes Ngetich delivered a statement performance, powering to victory to extend Kenya’s streak to 10 straight World Cross Country titles. The 10km world record holder broke clear early and won by 42 seconds, the second-largest winning margin in the history of the championships.____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSASICS: When you move your body, amazing things happen to your mind. Lace up and feel the good vibrations. ⁠Check out all of ASICS’ latest running shoes and gear here.⁠OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

The World XC Championships return to the U.S. for the first time since 1992, with Saturday’s races in Tallahassee offering a chance to reignite global attention on the best distance runners in the world.How to watch: The races will be broadcast on Peacock (starting at 9:35 a.m.) and will be televised on CNBC (starting at 10 a.m. ET).Schedule (All times ET):9:45 a.m. – Mixed 4x2K Relay10:20 a.m. – Women’s U20 6K Race10:55 a.m. – Men’s U20 8K Race11:35 a.m. – Women’s Senior 10K Race12:20 p.m. – Men’s Senior 10K RaceYou can read our full race preview here.____________Mixed Relay Preview:Favorites: Kenya w/ Reynold CheruiyotChallengers:Australia (Jessica Hull, Olli Hoare)France (Agathe Guillemot)USA (Sage Hurta-Klecker, Ethan Strand)Morocco's NCAA starsKenya has won 3 of 4 editions since 2017.Senior Women’s Race:Star Power Dip: No Beatrice Chebet (pregnancy), no Olympic or World medalists from 5000m/10,000m entered.Top Teams:Kenya: Agnes Ngetich leads (14:01/28:46 PBs); Maurine Chebor debutsEthiopia: Loaded with U20 grads like Senayet Getachew, Asayech AyichewUganda: Joy Cheptoyek, Sarah & Rebecca Chelangat returnUSA: Led by Weini Kelati; Schweizer, Kurgat, Izzo in the mixWild cards: Megan Keith, Lauren Ryan Senior Men’s Race:Deepest Field Post-COVID: 145 entrantsTitle contenders:Jacob Kiplimo: Two-time champ, fresh off 2:02:23 marathon winEthiopia: Berihu Aregawi + rising star Biniam MeharyKenya: Daniel Ebenyo returns; Weldon Langat, Robert Koech supportFrance: Jimmy Gressier headlines strong squadTeam USA Outlook:Potential for medal with Graham Blanks, Nico Young, Parker Wolfe, Rocky HansenU.S. last medaled in 2013 (silver)____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSASICS: When you move your body, amazing things happen to your mind. Lace up and feel the good vibrations. Check out all of ASICS’ latest running shoes and gear here.OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia break down the 2026 calendar in track and field how certain athletes are targeting specific events in the lead-up to the debut of the World Ultimate Championships. Plus: Gut reactions to the release of the 2026 World Cross Country Championship entries and how the Valencia 10K isn’t the only event taking talent away.Chris and Preet are then joined by Anderson Emerole, Mac Fleet, Paul Hof-Mahoney, and David Melly to share their boldest predictions in 2026 including news/cultural topics, performance-related predictions, and then World Ultimate Championships predictions.____________Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Preet Majithia | ⁠@preet_athletics + Mac Fleet | @macfleet + Paul Hof-Mahoney | @phofmahoney + David Melly | @chaserofsteeples + Anderson Emerole | @atkoemeProduced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSWAHOO: The KICKR RUN responds to you: run faster, it speeds up. Ease back, it slows down. It's called the run-free mode – no buttons, just running that actually feels like running. The Wahoo KICKR RUN turns those long indoor miles into something you actually look forward to. Add in a quiet motor, a buttery smooth belt, and speeds up to 15 MPH, it's the closest thing you can get to an outdoor run without dealing with the ice, wind, or darkness. ⁠⁠⁠Learn more at Wahoofitness.com and unlock a special offer when you use code CITIUS⁠⁠⁠. OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia unpack the people who made track and field special in 2025. Categories include:– World Record of the Year– Performance of the year– Athlete of the year– Most entertaining athlete of the year– Social media Moment of the Year– Heartbreak Moment of the year– Coach of the Year– Best event of the year– Marathon of the year– Celebration of the year– Breakout athlete of the year– Late career resurgence of the year– Doping bust of the year– Retirement of the yearChime in via the Spotify comments section to share your thoughts on these categories.____________Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ + Preet Majithia | @preet_athletics on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSNOMIO: Made with 80% broccoli sprout juice, 15% lemon juice, and 5% sugar, Nomio activates your body’s natural defense systems to reduce lactate, speed recovery, and enhance muscle adaptation. Take one 60 ml shot three hours before training or racing and feel lighter, stronger, and more resilient. Available at The Feed — use code CITIUS15 for 15% off | ⁠⁠https://thefeed.com/collections/nomio⁠⁠WAHOO: The KICKR RUN responds to you: run faster, it speeds up. Ease back, it slows down. It's called the run-free mode – no buttons, just running that actually feels like running. The Wahoo KICKR RUN turns those long indoor miles into something you actually look forward to. Add in a quiet motor, a buttery smooth belt, and speeds up to 15 MPH, it's the closest thing you can get to an outdoor run without dealing with the ice, wind, or darkness. ⁠⁠Learn more at Wahoofitness.com and unlock a special offer when you use code CITIUS⁠⁠. OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

“That is the fun part for me – being able to be pushed to my limits, be out there doing it with other strong women, working off each other, and having a great coach and support staff. That’s so fun to me: the really, truly hard work. There’s just so much I love about this sport and this team, but that’s definitely how I would describe this first semester so far. It’s just been so much fun. I’m really looking forward to building with this team and just continuing to work hard and make some memories.”My guest for today’s episode is Jane Hedengren, and if the last few months are any indication, we’re watching the very beginning of something special. She is one of the biggest breakout stars of 2025.Just two weeks after finishing runner-up at the NCAA Cross Country Championships as a true freshman at BYU, Jane stepped onto the track in Boston and ran 14:44.79 for 5,000 meters, shattering the collegiate record — indoor and outdoor — and immediately vaulting herself to No. 2 on the U.S. all-time list indoors.Jane came out of high school as one of the most decorated prep distance runners ever, becoming the first high school girl to break 15 minutes for 5,000 meters and setting nine national high school records along the way. She arrived at BYU this fall, dominated her collegiate cross country debut, won conference and regional titles, and then went toe-to-toe with Doris Lemngole at the NCAA Championships, finishing second on the biggest stage.In our conversation, Jane talks openly about gratitude, patience, and keeping expectations from overshadowing the joy of competition. She reflects on how her training has become more intentional under Coach Diljeet Taylor, why fueling more has been a game-changer, and how learning to race with a level head has helped her grow faster — and happier — at the same time.We also look ahead to the Millrose Games, where she’ll line up in the 3,000 meters against Lemngole — a race that puts Katelyn Tuohy’s 8:35.20 collegiate record firmly on watch — and what it means to develop inside a program that prioritizes long-term growth over short-term results.____________Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠Guest: Jane Hedengren | ⁠@janehedengren on Instagram⁠ Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSNOMIO: Made with 80% broccoli sprout juice, 15% lemon juice, and 5% sugar, Nomio activates your body’s natural defense systems to reduce lactate, speed recovery, and enhance muscle adaptation. Take one 60 ml shot three hours before training or racing and feel lighter, stronger, and more resilient. Available at The Feed — use code CITIUS15 for 15% off | ⁠https://thefeed.com/collections/nomio⁠WAHOO: The KICKR RUN responds to you: run faster, it speeds up. Ease back, it slows down. It's called the run-free mode – no buttons, just running that actually feels like running. The Wahoo KICKR RUN turns those long indoor miles into something you actually look forward to. Add in a quiet motor, a buttery smooth belt, and speeds up to 15 MPH, it's the closest thing you can get to an outdoor run without dealing with the ice, wind, or darkness. ⁠Learn more at Wahoofitness.com and unlock a special offer when you use code CITIUS⁠. OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

“One of the things we talk about on our team is if everyone is giving 51% or more and never taking more than 49%, your ecosystem is always going to be in balance. But if everyone isn’t willing to give more than 49% and they’re always taking more than 51%, then the ecosystem is never going to be in balance. We just try to keep an environment where people are waiting for other people to go to the bathroom, giving each other rides, taking turns at the lead, doing the little things. My guest for today's episode is coach Dena Evans of the Peninsula Distance Club, one of the most experienced, influential, and quietly impactful leaders in American distance running. What happened at CIM just doesn't come out of nowhere. It was the product of more than 25 years of coaching spent moving between youth athletes, post-collegiates, pros, and learning how to build something that lasts.Along the way, Coach Evans has worn just about every different hat that this sport has to offer. She was the women's head coach for Team USA at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, she’s served on nearly a dozen international team staffs over the past two decades, and she currently sits on the USATF Women's Long Distance Running Committee after years of leadership across track and across country. At the center of all of it is the Peninsula Distance Club, a post-collegiate team that she founded in 2007 – and that she still leads today.It's a grassroots operation built on belief, patience, and also community, so if you're feeling generous, you can support them at the link here. Before PDC, Coach Evans was at Stanford from 1999 to 2005, where she led the Cardinal to a national cross country title and was named the NCAA Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2003. During that time, she coached many of the athletes that you've heard on this show or seen us cover.In this conversation, we trace the long arc from that quiet moment at CIM to the very beginning where she was growing up in multiple sports, the influence of coaches like Vin Lananna and coach Frank Gagliano, and what she's learned by spending so much time with athletes in the often overlooked post-collegiate phase.Coach Evans has seen the sport from nearly every angle. She's built her career patiently, deliberately, and with deep care.____________Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠Guest: Dena Evans | @dizneena on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSNOMIO: Made with 80% broccoli sprout juice, 15% lemon juice, and 5% sugar, Nomio activates your body’s natural defense systems to reduce lactate, speed recovery, and enhance muscle adaptation. Take one 60 ml shot three hours before training or racing and feel lighter, stronger, and more resilient. Available at The Feed — use code CITIUS15 for 15% off | https://thefeed.com/collections/nomioWAHOO: The KICKR RUN isn’t just another treadmill; it’s a complete rethink of indoor running. With Dynamic Pacing, it automatically adjusts to your stride—no buttons, no breaking form, just pure running freedom. Its Terrain Simulation makes the deck feel like a track or trail, while lateral tilt mimics real-world conditions so you’re always prepared for race day. So whether you’re chasing your first half-marathon finish, a marathon PR, or your next trail adventure, the KICKR RUN is built to help you Run Your Run. Check it all out at WahooFitness.com and use code CITIUS at checkout.OLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. ⁠You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.