Charles Hicks
Personal Bests
10,000 Metres
27:33.58
3/16/2024
5000 Metres
13:09.38
2/16/2024
3000 Metres
7:43.84
2/26/2022
Distance Medley
9:29.57
2/19/2022
1500 Metres
3:43.59
5/1/2021
10,000 Metres
27:33.58
3/16/2024
5000 Metres
13:09.38
2/16/2024
3000 Metres
7:43.84
2/26/2022
Distance Medley
9:29.57
2/19/2022
1500 Metres
3:43.59
5/1/2021
Salt might be the most overhyped thing in your running bag. Alex Ostberg is back from Chicago, where Charles Hicks became the No. 3 American all time on a record-eligible course, for his monthly breakdown of the last four editions of The Rundown. He and Dominic start with electrolytes, a piece prompted by Riley Witt’s hot take. They cover why sweating actually raises blood sodium, the four dials that decide whether you need a sodium plan, and why slower marathoners face more hyponatremia risk than the elites. Next, they ask how much of your training actually serves your health. The biggest drop in all-cause mortality comes from the first few minutes of exercise, and Cleveland Clinic data shows that low fitness carries more risk than diabetes or high blood pressure. Then comes paranoia, starting with Seb Coe’s Christmas Day double and Steve Ovett’s legendary reply. From there they get into hubris, the undisciplined pursuit of more, and why winners should keep auditing for weaknesses. Finally, Alex reflects on coaching Klaudia Kazimierska to the top of the 1500m world and makes the case against detailed race plans. His advice is to kill the perfect-day fallacy, contain the damage when things go wrong, and run the race in front of you. Dominic closes with a curveball, asking for the worst pre-race advice a coach can give, and Alex’s answer is one every coach should hear. The Rundown just passed 5,000 subscribers, so come join the community, and thank you for spending part of your week with us. Tap into the Rundown Recap Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffzBehind the scenes of The Running Effect: https://youtube.com/@Dominicschlueter?si=PM9FjPc92eFUFEZLuminaryThreads: luminarythreads.shop$20 off your next Attuned scan: https://attuned.health/discount/TRE20?ref=TRE20
LetsRun.com: the home of professional running. Zouhair Talbi, Charles Hicks, Vinny Mauri, Conner Mantz, or Clayton Young VKTRY Carbon Fiber insoles: VKTRY makes carbon fiber insoles you can use in any running shoe. They offer a 90-day risk-free trial. USATF Half Marathon Champion Wesley Kiptoo runs in VKTRY. Check them out here. https://vktry.com/pages/running-insoles?utm_source=LetsRunDotCom&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=LetsRunBannerAds&utm_id=LetsRunDotCom 🔥 Support independent journalism • Score a free t-shirt by joining our Supporters Club: https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe Let’s stay connected: ▶️ YouTube (Subscribe to our channel): https://www.youtube.com/@letsrundotcom?sub_confirmation=1 🏠 Homepage: https://www.letsrun.com 🗣 Forum: https://www.letsrun.com/forum 💛 Supporters Club: https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letsrundotcom?sub_confirmation=1 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/letsrundotcom 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsrundotcom
“I’ve watched too many Chicago Marathons. I’ve been in too many Chicago Marathons. My experience in this race is unparalleled right now — and it felt good when it mattered on Sunday.”
Clayton Young is the top American at the 2026 Chicago Marathon, now officially the second-fastest American in history on a record-eligible course with a 2:05:23. He did it on a hamstring with a 12-centimeter tear that his doctor had recommended four weeks of rest for.
The race itself was one of the more dramatic in recent American marathon history. Vinny Mauri went to the front at 15K, dropped the pacers, and made a genuine bid for something bigger — at 30K he had 38 seconds on the rest of the Americans and was on 2:04 pace. Then it was his hamstring that started talking. He stopped several times to stretch in the final miles, the chase pack caught him. Charles Hicks surged hard trying to catch Mauri after the pacers stepped off, and Clayton simply followed before making his big move with a 4:38 mile.
Clayton was chasing Connor Mantz’s American record of 2:04:43 the whole time since he he called that shot publicly weeks ago — and it didn’t happen. But he ran his fastest time ever, finished seventh overall in a field that included the likes of Amos Kipruto and Jacob Kiplimo… again, he did it all while managing a torn hamstring he’d been babying for a month. He called it one of the best marathon performances of his career. I agree.
We discuss:
– The night-before meeting with Coach Eyestone
– The chaos of those Mauri miles
– The moment he decided to throw down
– The faith that carried him through four weeks nobody could have scripted
– What comes next for the hamstring, the spring, and 2027
+ More
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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
SUUNTO: The Suunto Run 2 is their new flagship watch built specifically for road running and the marathon. You get around 10 days of battery with daily use and 24 hours in performance mode with dual frequency GPS. The watch also tracks your sleep, HRV, and training balance, so you know when to push and when to back off in your workouts. If you're in the market for a new watch, check out the Suunto Run 2.
KAIZEN: kaizen is a training app that starts with your running history to set the baseline and then updates around the training you do. kaizen looks at the bigger picture of your training to know your current fitness. The app translates your last few months of training into an accurate view of how your current fitness, taking a big picture view that quiets the noise of individual workouts. Download today in the App Store or Google Play and get two weeks free with code CITIUS within the app.
WAHOO: With the Wahoo KICKR RUN, you can simulate your goal marathon course right in your own home. You can also use the run free mode, which uses sensors to automatically match the belt speed to your stride. No buttons, no interruptions, and no breaking your flow. When you use code CITIUS at checkout, you'll also get a free KICKR Headwind Smart Fan. Check it out today at wahoofitness.com.
LetsRun
about 1 month ago
Which America Marathoner do you want to be? Zouhair Talbi, Charles Hicks, Vinny Mauri, Conner Mantz, or Clayton Young? Full podcast here: https://www.letsrun.com/news/2026/10/vinny-mauris-chicago-gamble-who-is-americas-best-marathoner-adidas-shoe-takeover-and-the-ncaa-foreign-runner-debate/ VKTRY Carbon Fiber insoles: VKTRY makes carbon fiber insoles you can use in any running shoe. They offer a 90-day risk-free trial. USATF Half Marathon Champion Wesley Kiptoo runs in VKTRY. Check them out here. https://vktry.com/pages/running-insoles?utm_source=LetsRunDotCom&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=LetsRunBannerAds&utm_id=LetsRunDotCom 00:00 Debate on America's Next Marathon Star 01:23 Clayton Young 05:33 America's Best Marathoner: Mauri, Hicks or Young? 06:59 Adidas Super Shoes & Amos Kipruto
CITIUS MAG
about 1 month ago
“If I could teleport back a thousand times over, I’d probably make the same decision without the knowledge I have today. But going forward into every race, I’ll have that knowledge.” Twelve months ago, Charles Hicks had never run a marathon. Since then he’s raced three of them: sixth in New York, seventh in Boston, and yesterday in Chicago, eighth in 2:05:35. That’s the third-fastest time ever by an American on a record-eligible course. He was second American in all of them. He’s 25 years old and still technically in his rookie year at the distance. Chicago was a strange, thrilling race. It was the warmest marathon Charles has run. Vinny Mauri broke away at Mile 9 and went chasing the American record or something bigger. When the pacers stepped off at 30K, Charles and Clayton Young had to decide whether to sit in the pack and settle for second American, or roll the dice and try to go get him. He went. He caught Vinny. Then, with three miles to go, Clayton dropped a 4:38 mile and it was enough to seal Charles’ fate for another runner-up American finish. What I love about this conversation is that Charles doesn’t hide from any of it. He explains the tactical mistakes made but why he’d probably make the same call again. He puts us inside his shoes for the first 60 minutes of the men’s American race that we never got to see on TV. We talk about the lessons taken from this one and more. Take this interview on-the-go in podcast form ⬇️ APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/charles-hicks-on-his-2-05-35-at-the-chicago-marathon/id1204506559?i=1000795986004 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vBaYr8JtsNHyOB0G8hGrS ____________ SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS OLIPOP: Like sparkling apple juice and gummy apple rings blending into one, Olipop's Crisp Apple is so tantalizingly sweet and refreshing it makes every day feel like a celebration. If you haven't had tried Olipop yet, grab a can and see what the hype is all about! Head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders. https://olipop.pxf.io/GmBDD6 SUUNTO: The Suunto Run 2 is their new flagship watch built specifically for road running and the marathon. You get around 10 days of battery with daily use and 24 hours in performance mode with dual frequency GPS. The watch also tracks your sleep, HRV, and training balance, so you know when to push and when to back off in your workouts. If you're in the market for a new watch, check out the Suunto Run 2. https://suunto.pxf.io/7XBXMA KAIZEN: kaizen is a training app that starts with your running history to set the baseline and then updates around the training you do. kaizen looks at the bigger picture of your training to know your current fitness. The app translates your last few months of training into an accurate view of how your current fitness, taking a big picture view that quiets the noise of individual workouts. Download today in the App Store or Google Play and get two weeks free with code CITIUS within the app. https://kaizen.app.link/citius WAHOO: With the Wahoo KICKR RUN, you can simulate your goal marathon course right in your own home. You can also use the run free mode, which uses sensors to automatically match the belt speed to your stride. No buttons, no interruptions, and no breaking your flow. When you use code CITIUS at checkout, you'll also get a free KICKR Headwind Smart Fan. Check it out today here: https://www.wahoofitness.com/
Join Eric Jenkins, Kyle Merber and Chris Chavez in watching the 2026 Chicago Marathon, which is set to be a historic day. Jacob Kiplimo looks to defend his title and take a crack at the two-hour barrier once more after coming 28 seconds shy in London, but Amos Kipruto, Milkesa Mengesha and several others will be chasing a fast time and trying to stop the Ugandan star from going back-to-back. An intriguing American race features a three-way battle between Charles Hicks, Clayton Young and Vincent Mauri to ensure that Conner Mantz's American record doesn't survive the weekend. On the women's side, Hawi Feysa is the reigning champion, but she'll have to stave off a tough challenge from Brigid Kosgei in her first return to this course since setting the world record here in 2019. Sharon Lokedi, already a champion in Boston and New York, looks to become the first woman to ever complete the trifecta of American majors as she tests herself on a flat, fast course. The American race welcomes the marathon debut of Emma Grace Hurley, as she butts heads with the likes of Dakotah Popehn, Natosha Rogers and Susanna Sullivan. You can follow along with live results here: https://results.chicagomarathon.com/2026/?pid=leaderboard&pidp=leaderboard# __________ FOLLOW CITIUS MAG ▶ Subscribe to the podcast: https://apple.co/3Byp72I ▶ On Twitter: http://twitter.com/CitiusMag ▶ On Instagram: http://instagram.com/citiusmag ▶ On Facebook: http://facebook.com/citiusmag ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/citiusmag ▶ On our website: http://citiusmag.com For other inquiries, contact us: chris@citiusmag.com Thanks for watching - please like, share and comment, and subscribe! Help us continue to bring track and field to your home and become a member today! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjyDlyHPHLhcIT8ov53d5qg/join
FloTrack
about 1 month ago
Charles Hicks discusses his training build heading into the 2026 Chicago Marathon, where he’ll face a stacked American men’s field. Watch track & field live and on demand on FloTrack—plus thousands of events across every sport in the FloSports network, all included in one subscription: 📺 ▶ SIGN UP TO WATCH: https://flosports.link/4gJ9flK A subscription gives you access to: • Diamond League, AAU & more! • Full replays, highlights, breaking news, and exclusive coverage • Thousands of live events across 25+ sports in the FloSports network • The FloSports apps, so you can watch anywhere on your TV, phone, tablet or computer Stay connected with FloTrack: 🌐Website: https://www.flotrack.org/ ▶️YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FloTrack 📱Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flotrack/?hl=en 🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flotracktv 📘Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FloTrack/ 𝕏: https://x.com/FloTrack ABOUT FLOSPORTS FloSports is the No. 1 sports streamer in the U.S. with 55,000+ live events across more than 25+ sports. By bringing thousands of events and communities onto one platform, Flo creates scale where none previously existed, connecting passionate fans with the sports they love while giving athletes, organizers, and rights holders the tools to reach and engage a global audience. Flo holds 600+ rights agreements with top sports organizations—including NASCAR, USA Wrestling, Varsity, AHL, High Limit Racing, Tour de France, Wanda Diamond League, and 20 NCAA conferences—to bring world-class competition to fans around the world. Learn more at flosports.tv. #FloSports #flotrack #track #trackandfield
CITIUS MAG
about 1 month ago
FOLLOW CITIUS MAG ▶ Subscribe to the podcast: https://apple.co/3Byp72I ▶ On Twitter: http://twitter.com/CitiusMag ▶ On Instagram: http://instagram.com/citiusmag ▶ On Facebook: http://facebook.com/citiusmag ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/citiusmag ▶ On our website: http://citiusmag.com For other inquiries, contact us: chris@citiusmag.com Thanks for watching - please like, share and comment, and subscribe! Help us continue to bring track and field to your home and become a member today! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjyDlyHPHLhcIT8ov53d5qg/join
FOLLOW CITIUS MAG ▶ Subscribe to the podcast: https://apple.co/3Byp72I ▶ On Twitter: http://twitter.com/CitiusMag ▶ On Instagram: http://instagram.com/citiusmag ▶ On Facebook: http://facebook.com/citiusmag ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/citiusmag ▶ On our website: http://citiusmag.com For other inquiries, contact us: chris@citiusmag.com Thanks for watching - please like, share and comment, and subscribe! Help us continue to bring track and field to your home and become a member today! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjyDlyHPHLhcIT8ov53d5qg/join
Charles Hicks has been second American twice. In Chicago, he wants to be first. Ahead of the 2026 Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 11, we joined the 2:04:35 marathoner for a 10-mile grind in the heat: a long six-mile loop, a shorter and more painful three-mile loop, and one fast mile to close. Charles opens up about why mileage now comes first in his training, why every major feels like a debut, and how he blends data with the art of running alongside coach Jerry Schumacher. WORKOUT SUMMARY 6 miles: 28:54 total, 4:49/mi avg Splits: 4:49, 4:49, 4:48, 4:47, 4:49, 4:48 ~4:00 rest 3 miles: ~14:08 total, ~4:44/mi avg Splits: ~4:41, 4:44, 4:46 ~2:00 rest Final mile: 1.01 mi in 4:35, 4:31/mi pace Average HR: 184 bpm Progression: 6 @ 4:49 → 3 @ 4:44 → 1 @ 4:31 Chicago will complete his set of American majors after New York and Boston. Chapters 0:00 Chasing first American 0:30 Today's workout: 6 + 3 + 1 1:15 Rethinking the marathon build 2:00 Why mileage is everything 2:45 Racing Chicago for the first time 3:30 Data vs. art in running 🎥 Presented in partnership with Suunto. Check out the Suunto Run 2 and their latest assortment of watches here: https://suunto.pxf.io/7XBXMA 🎧 Catch Charles' full interview on The CITIUS MAG Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/charles-hicks-on-his-biggest-marathon-build-yet-what/id1204506559?i=1000791700172 📩 Get The CITIUS MAG newsletter: https://citiusmag.substack.com/
CITIUS MAG
about 2 months ago
“I’ve allowed my brain to anchor on the fact that I can run 2:04. It’s physically possible — and that’s as good as it gets as a signal. Now let’s go find out what the trend looks like.” My guest for today’s episode is Charles Hicks and the last time we had him on was right after he ran 2:04:35 at the Boston Marathon. A lot has happened since then. His wife graduated law school. They got married. They went on a honeymoon. And then Charles moved out to Park City, Utah, to train at altitude for the first time in his career — no tent, no simulated environment, just real air at real elevation — for what will be his third marathon in less than a year. That third marathon is the Chicago Marathon, and Charles is going into it with a specific goal he’s been comfortable saying out loud: he finished second American in New York, second American in Boston, and now he wants to be first American in Chicago. The American record conversation is happening around him — Clayton Young has called his shot publicly — but Charles’s approach to it is characteristically his own. Beat the guy next to you. Let the record follow if it’s going to. In this conversation, he takes us through how Chicago has been on the plan since a text thread in 2024 where he and Jerry mapped out New York, Boston, Chicago in sequence; we get into some of his training and what organic altitude training has taught him about pacing discipline that sea-level training couldn’t and much more. He’s one of the most philosophical marathoners you’ll find. Discussed in this episode: – Organic altitude — why no tent in Park City – What altitude training actually teaches you – The timeline from Boston to Chicago – The goal for Chicago — first American, not the American record – “Anchor” versus “ceiling” — a key distinction – The mileage log for this block – Daisy-chaining — the philosophy behind the continuous training – The earache that set up the best workout of his career – What the taper feels like after 125-130 mile weeks – The Vinny Mauri subplot – The track work – Training alongside Cole Sprout and Kieran Tuntivate – The brain podcast on solo easy runs – Race day logistics + More Take this interview on-the-go in podcast form ⬇️ APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/charles-hicks-on-his-biggest-marathon-build-yet-what/id1204506559?i=1000791700172 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/29iSvBH58z0t3rUfUpXhF7 SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS OLIPOP: Like sparkling apple juice and gummy apple rings blending into one, Olipop's Crisp Apple is so tantalizingly sweet and refreshing it makes every day feel like a celebration. If you haven't had tried Olipop yet, grab a can and see what the hype is all about! Click here https://olipop.pxf.io/GmBDD6 use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders. SUUNTO: The Suunto Run 2 is their new flagship watch built specifically for road running and the marathon. You get around 10 days of battery with daily use and 24 hours in performance mode with dual frequency GPS. The watch also tracks your sleep, HRV, and training balance, so you know when to push and when to back off in your workouts. If you're in the market for a new watch, check out the Suunto Run 2 here: https://suunto.pxf.io/7XBXMA KAIZEN: kaizen is a training app that starts with your running history to set the baseline and then updates around the training you do. kaizen looks at the bigger picture of your training to know your current fitness. The app translates your last few months of training into an accurate view of how your current fitness, taking a big picture view that quiets the noise of individual workouts. Download today in the App Store or Google Play and get two weeks free with code CITIUS within the app. https://kaizen.app.link/citius FOLLOW CITIUS MAG ▶ Subscribe to the podcast: https://apple.co/3Byp72I ▶ On Twitter: http://twitter.com/CitiusMag ▶ On Instagram: http://instagram.com/citiusmag ▶ On Facebook: http://facebook.com/citiusmag ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/citiusmag ▶ On our website: http://citiusmag.com For other inquiries, contact us: chris@citiusmag.com Thanks for watching - please like, share and comment, and subscribe! Help us continue to bring track and field to your home and become a member today! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjyDlyHPHLhcIT8ov53d5qg/join
CITIUS MAG
7 months ago
“The difference between confidence and arrogance is evidence. Boston gave me the ability to train like a 2:04 guy without it being irrational. That’s the greatest thing this race could have done for me.” My guest for today’s episode is Charles Hicks: the 24-year-old Nike athlete, Stanford alum and former NCAA Cross Country Champion who just ran 2:04:35 at the 2026 Boston Marathon. That’s the second-fastest marathon ever run by an American and it’s only his second marathon. He did the entire build on simulated altitude — not a single breath of real mountain air outside of a layover in Denver — which may make him the fastest sea-level-trained marathoner in history. Charles turned to the marathon two years ago, not at his own suggestion but at coach Jerry Schumacher’s. He ran 13:09 for 5K in his first year as a pro, looked too comfortable in his long runs, and Jerry pulled him aside and said: I think this is the event. What followed was a nine-month racing gap, the Cherry Blossom 10-miler that validated everything, a 2:09 New York debut without a watch where he negative-split the course, and then Boston. In this conversation, Charles breaks down the full arc of how we got here — his COVID-era decision to just run 12 miles every single day in the Florida heat, his framework for thinking about volume as a decade-long project, the Nike prototype shoe, the famous heart rate mystery on Strava, and what it actually felt like to see 2:03 on the homestretch when he’d gone in thinking 2:06 would be a phenomenal day. He also tells us whether the track door is shut, what he thinks about Chicago versus New York for this fall, and what the difference is between confidence and arrogance. Take this interview on the go in podcast form: APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/charles-hicks-after-running-2-04-35-for-the-second/id1204506559?i=1000763937846 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2p4dPFGOurieUnMdl3amG3?si=Qk4clOh5Rj6__xmtxqc6xA Host: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez Guest: Charles Hicks | @_charleshicks FOLLOW CITIUS MAG ▶ Subscribe to the podcast: https://apple.co/3Byp72I ▶ On Twitter: http://twitter.com/CitiusMag ▶ On Instagram: http://instagram.com/citiusmag ▶ On Facebook: http://facebook.com/citiusmag ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/citiusmag ▶ On our website: http://citiusmag.com For other inquiries, contact us: chris@citiusmag.com Thanks for watching - please like, share and comment, and subscribe! Help us continue to bring track and field to your home and become a member today! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjyDlyHPHLhcIT8ov53d5qg/join
“The difference between confidence and arrogance is evidence. Boston gave me the ability to train like a 2:04 guy without it being irrational. That’s the greatest thing this race could have done for me.”
My guest for today’s episode is Charles Hicks: the 24-year-old Nike athlete, Stanford alum and former NCAA Cross Country Champion who just ran 2:04:35 at the 2026 Boston Marathon. That’s the second-fastest marathon ever run by an American and it’s only his second marathon. He did the entire build on simulated altitude — not a single breath of real mountain air outside of a layover in Denver — which may make him the fastest sea-level-trained marathoner in history.
Charles turned to the marathon two years ago, not at his own suggestion but at coach Jerry Schumacher’s. He ran 13:09 for 5K in his first year as a pro, looked too comfortable in his long runs, and Jerry pulled him aside and said: I think this is the event. What followed was a nine-month racing gap, the Cherry Blossom 10-miler that validated everything, a 2:09 New York debut without a watch where he negative-split the course, and then Boston.
In this conversation, Charles breaks down the full arc of how we got here — his COVID-era decision to just run 12 miles every single day in the Florida heat, his framework for thinking about volume as a decade-long project, the Nike prototype shoe, the famous heart rate mystery on Strava, and what it actually felt like to see 2:03 on the homestretch when he’d gone in thinking 2:06 would be a phenomenal day.
He also tells us whether the track door is shut, what he thinks about Chicago versus New York for this fall, and what the difference is between confidence and arrogance.
____________
Host: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez
Guest: Charles Hicks | @_charleshicks
Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | @jasminefehr
____________
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WAHOO: With the Wahoo KICKR RUN, you can simulate the exact Boston or London Marathon course right in your own home. You can also use the run free mode, which uses sensors to automatically match the belt speed to your stride. No buttons, no interruptions, no breaking your flow. When you use code CITIUS at checkout, you'll also get a free KICKR Headwind Smart Fan. Check it out today at wahoofitness.com.
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“[The marathon] rewards people that are patient, consistent, and build up strength. I’ve got a good engine, so late in the race I feel like my cardio holds up very well. As long as the body holds up, it’s going to be a good day!”
My guest for today’s episode is Joel Reichow, who could be viewed as a surprise story of the New York City Marathon and the top American finisher in 2025.
In a race packed with Olympians and pros backed by some of the biggest brands in running, Joel — a 32-year-old unsponsored athlete from Minnesota — ran the best race of his life, clocking 2:09:56 to finish sixth overall and claim top American honors.
At 24 miles, he was still in 12th and starting to get a bit tired. Then he saw the front starting to come back and ripped a 4:45 mile to catch them. He held strong through Central Park and won out for the U.S. honors over the likes of Charles Hicks and Joe Klecker.
Joel’s marathon journey hasn’t been flashy. He ran for South Dakota State under Rod DeHaven, grinded through years on the roads, and is working at a running store while chasing marathon miles.
Patience paid off, and finally, he put it all together on one perfect day in New York.
We talk about what it takes to break through, how he’s supporting the dream and his recollection of Sunday’s race. Joel may have come into New York as a name few knew but now he’s certainly on most people’s radars.
____________
Host: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram
Guest: Joel Reichow | @joelreichow on Instagram
Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | @jasminefehr on Instagram
____________
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WAHOO: 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: Olipop’s Crisp Apple: it's like sparkling apple juice meets those gummy apple rings from your childhood. It’s sweet, fizzy, and comforting. Crisp Apple started as a holiday special, but people went absolutely wild for it. You begged, Olipop listened, and now it's officially part of the family. Like every Olipop, it's made with real ingredients that do good. 50 calories, 5g of sugar, and full of prebiotics and plant fiber that help your gut feel right. You can find Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, Walmart, or just head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 for 25% off your orders.