Alex Maier
United States
Personal Bests
Mile
3:56.44
3000 Metres
7:43.05
2 Miles
9:07.10
5000 Metres
13:11.80
10,000 Metres
28:12.68
10 Kilometres Road
28:57
Marathon
2:11:24
Distance Medley
9:37.90
United States
“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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The 2025 U.S. Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta delivered fireworks, with PUMA Elite’s Alex Maier and Taylor Roe claiming national titles and locking in their spots for the World Road Running Championships. Roe’s late-race surge past Weini Kelati underscored Oklahoma State’s pipeline of elite talent.
Meanwhile, indoor track is officially in chaos mode. Heather MacLean ran 4:17.01 for the mile, which also unknowingly broke the U.S. indoor 1500m record. Nico Young continued his meteoric rise, clocking 12:51.56 for 5000m—second-fastest by an American ever. Yared Nuguse chased the mile world record but settled for 3:47.22. Also at BU – Graham Blanks broke 7:30 in the 3K and Aidan McCarthy ran a historic 1:45.19 in the 800m.
With NCAA Indoors, World Indoors, and outdoor season approaching fast, the distance scene is more competitive than ever. Tune in as we break it all done.
Bonus: Harry Styles ran 3:24 for the Tokyo Marathon.
MEN’S TEAM CHAMPIONS | OKLAHOMA STATE
– One year after losing on a tiebreaker on their home course, Oklahoma State left nothing to doubt and downed the defending champion Northern Arizona 49–71.
– The Cowboys put five runners in the top 15.
– Freshman Denis Kipngetich was the top OSU runner in fourth place overall in 28:59.7 for the 10K course. Fellow freshman Brian Musau was not far behind with an eighth place finish in 29:11.0. Fouad Messaoudi was 10th in 29:13.3. Victor Shitsama took 12th at 29:16.1. Alex Maier was 15th in 29:20.2.
– This is Oklahoma State’s first men’s team title since 2012.
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