September 7, 2025 • 23 mins
Check out this exciting episode of Set the Pace as Olympian Carrie Tollefson interviews the winners of the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile. Olympic bronze medalist Yared Nuguse becomes the first American man to win the men’s race since 2016, and Olympic Trials finalist Gracie Morris ran the third-fastest time in the race's history. Hear from both athletes on their thrilling performances at this historic event, which hosted more than 9,000 athletes across 30 heats who braved the rain to race down Manhattan’s iconic 5th Avenue on Sunday.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Carrie Tollefson (00:04):
Hi everyone, I'm Olympian Carrie Tollefson and I was a
member of the broadcast team today for the New Balance
5th Avenue Mile. And now I'm stepping in for Rob
and Bex as I get to interview the champions, Gracie
Morris and Yared Nuguse. Gracie took the women's pro field and
Yared took the men's pro field. Our two Americans were
the first to sweep the races, so that means the
(00:27):
two Americans won the race together since 2016. It's the
first time we've had Americans on the women's side and
on the men's side win. So, that's the kind of
a cool stat. They both ran the third fastest times
ever for the races. So, that's another cool stat. And
then listen to this. One on the men's side, 23
men broke four minutes. Wowza, so fast and on a
(00:47):
day that we didn't know it was going to be that
fast, it was raining, it was a little bit slippery
out there. So, it was just an awesome day and
I'm so excited for you to hear their post- race
interviews. Maybelline New York, the official cosmetic partner of the 2025
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(01:08):
has your look covered. Yared, third fastest ever. I don't
know if you realize that.
Yared Nuguse (01:14):
No, I did not. No, I was in a track.
Carrie Tollefson (01:16):
Yes. So, you won today, you run the third- fastest
time ever. And the same for Gracie, she ran the
third time.
Yared Nuguse (01:22):
Really? Nice.
Carrie Tollefson (01:23):
Third fastest.
Yared Nuguse (01:24):
Twinning. Yeah.
Carrie Tollefson (01:24):
Yeah, exactly. So, let's talk a little bit about the
race. So, I have to tell you, we were laughing
after because we got so excited in the booth that
we didn't even let Ryan, who was the official play
by play, Ryan Field, Alysia Montaño, and myself. We were
shouting so loud over each other. We saw Parker coming
(01:45):
and then you were there and it was so fun.
So, can you walk us through your race just a
little bit?
Yared Nuguse (01:49):
Yeah. So, that first quarter, I felt like I was
very relaxed and comfortable. Started off strong, got out ahead
of everyone, and felt pretty good. That second quarter with
the hill I think was very hard.
Carrie Tollefson (02:02):
The quads start talking.
Yared Nuguse (02:03):
Yes, I feel like I jogged the hill, but I
never sprinted it. I think that just felt very different. I think we
were all just, yeah, no one is really grinding up
this hill or anything. And I thought about going for
the halfway bonus and I was like, "Nah, no, I should just focus on wedding.
It's fine." So, we get over the hill and I
just feel like I'm just flying at that point. All of a sudden,
(02:26):
I feel like I have a really monstrously, long stride. I feel like I was
hitting someone most of the beginning of that race, but
I'm just flying down this hill. I'm like, " Okay, we're
feeling good again. We're back. It's all good." And then we
got to that last quarter and I'm just like, " Okay,
this is like where the race happens." And I'm still
mostly in front at this point. I see some people
(02:47):
on my periphery, but I'm just focused on doing my
thing and getting there. And I don't know exactly when it
happened, but I remember Parker gets up on me and
actually passes me is in front of me. And I'm
just like, " Oh dang, he's really moving. I got to
respond to this." And I feel like I had this moment of dower was just like, " Oh God, I don't know
(03:09):
if I can really get there." But I was like, "
That finish line is a lot further away actually." And
I think it is. And I think I had this other
moment of just like, oh, giving it all I had
and just really pushing through and managing to slip past
Parker and get the win.
Carrie Tollefson (03:24):
I mean that is something that we have all of
us, no matter what level you're at, there's that moment
of can I do it? Should I do it? Oh,
I'm going to do it type thing. A lot of
people say turn your brain off, stop thinking and just
run, right? But you have to think when it's still
a ways out and you were obviously calculating your kick.
Yared Nuguse (03:43):
A hundred percent. My coach had told me it's like
the person who wins fit, that was the last guy
to kick. And I was like, "I don't know if that's true based on
how Josh won last year." But it was. In the
end, I was like, me and my last kick was at that very
last moment is what did it. And you're always going
to have those moments, but it's about having that positive
talk behind that where it's just like, " But we can
(04:05):
do this. This is going to be hard, but you got to choose to do
the hard thing."
Carrie Tollefson (04:08):
Well, people want to know if you look up at
the street signs and count down the blocks, it's 20
city blocks basically from 80th to 60th on 5th Ave. Did you
look at those?
Yared Nuguse (04:18):
I tried a little at the very beginning, but I think
it was just much harder to see than I thought
it was going to be. And I was like...
Carrie Tollefson (04:24):
You're going so fast. It is a board.
Yared Nuguse (04:27):
I cannot just be turning my head.
Carrie Tollefson (04:28):
No, no, you can't.
Yared Nuguse (04:29):
I feel like hello. But no, no, I mean I also think that would've counting the
seconds in a day, I think that would've gotten in my head a little bit.
Carrie Tollefson (04:39):
It really goes so fast. Do you know that 23
men broke four minutes today?
Yared Nuguse (04:42):
Twenty- five, is that the whole field or is that...
Carrie Tollefson (04:44):
Basically, the whole field. Our final runner today ran four flat 0.
6 or something like that. I mean it's just amazing.
The sport really is changing, isn't it?
Yared Nuguse (04:55):
A hundred percent. I think everyone's been running really, really
fast and it's just so deep these days. Whereas before,
I think especially when I was starting my pro career,
it didn't feel like that. It felt like it was
just some really good guys and then not as much depth,
but that's really awesome. I feel especially given the conditions
too ideal out there.
Carrie Tollefson (05:15):
Was it slippery? We were wondering. Could you feel a
kickback or not really?
Yared Nuguse (05:19):
Not really. I was...
Carrie Tollefson (05:19):
Because there was quite a bit of rain this morning.
Yared Nuguse (05:21):
There was. But I think once the race started, I
feel like I was locked into it. I think before,
I was whining in my head of just like, " Ugh,
it's wet and cold and it's raining a lot." But
I think once the race started, the adrenaline took over
for that. So, yeah, I didn't really feel anything. Even going
down the hill, I thought that's where it was going to be really
slippery, but it wasn't really bad.
Carrie Tollefson (05:42):
We know you like to run well here in New
York. You went to the Millrose games last year, set
the world record indoors for the mile. It was later
broken that week, but it's just amazing how well you
run here. Do you feel the love of the city?
Yared Nuguse (05:56):
I do. Honestly, I feel like New York, I've always
really just enjoyed visiting as a place. It just always feels like
there's so much to do and so many people here are
fans of mine. It's crazy.
Carrie Tollefson (06:05):
Yes.
Yared Nuguse (06:06):
Anytime I go run in Central Park, I'm guaranteed to
get stopped at least once.
Carrie Tollefson (06:10):
So fun.
Yared Nuguse (06:10):
And it is fun and just seeing everyone afterwards and
signing as much as I could. Anyway, it was really,
really fun too. But yeah, no, I feel like my
coach was saying, " Oh, you're undefeated in New York." I
am like, " Oh, that's gross."
Carrie Tollefson (06:24):
All these things to chase.
Yared Nuguse (06:25):
No, yeah, I mean I've only done three Millroses and this, but yeah, it's
still really cool and I really, really do like this
city a lot.
Carrie Tollefson (06:32):
Yeah, I'd say, I mean your whole team does well
here in New York and they always loved Dathan Ritzenhein and
the On Athletics Club, but okay, let's talk a little
bit about how you got into the sport. I mean,
anyone that's watched you now at the world champs or
the Olympic Games, they know your family is usually in
the crowd and very big supporters of yours, but I
think it's later in your high, early high school ninth,
(06:54):
10th grade is really when you started in the sport, right?
Yared Nuguse (06:57):
No, yeah. I didn't really start until my ninth grade
with Trap and Cross Country or anything that first year.
And yeah, it was really more of a happenstance sort
of thing, where I was running these fast miles in
PE and then my PE coach tells the track coach
and he comes to me and he's like, " Oh, you
should run track." And I was like, " Not really my thing." Also,
I'm on the bowling team, but he was very persuasive,
(07:22):
luckily. And I really just fell in love with it
so quickly, just not just that I was okay at
it, but also just the teammates and friends I made
just very, very quickly. No one told me about Cross
Country afterwards. I was like, " Oh, there's another track in
the fall." And they're like, " Yeah, basically..."
Carrie Tollefson (07:41):
Yeah, you just got to run on the grass and up and down hills and...
Yared Nuguse (07:43):
And like 5K instead of one mile. It's great. And
I was like, " Oh, this is different." But no, yeah, I really
enjoyed just running. Even in high school, I feel like,
yeah, even though I didn't picture it as a pro
career for myself, I'm glad that I just get to have
the opportunity to just continue to do it.
Carrie Tollefson (08:03):
Do what you love. Do you think your mom or
dad would've been an athlete because...
Yared Nuguse (08:08):
My dad says he would've been if he had different
opportunities and whatnot. They both came from Ethiopia when they
were 18, 20 and been working ever since.
But yeah, my dad's like, no, I could have been
a soccer player working there for sure. And I was like, " Maybe, but you weren't. Sorry."
Carrie Tollefson (08:29):
It's so interesting though. I just find it fascinating to
hear the backstory of an athlete and to wonder if
the mom and dad didn't do it, could they have,
if they had the opportunity? It sounds like your dad would've
liked maybe an opportunity to do it. My dad was
a college football player, but my mom never had the
opportunity. And so, I always wonder, where'd this come from?
(08:52):
Maybe it was my grandparents, who knows. But all right, Yared,
we know that this week also has the world championships
and you're not there. We're thankful that you're here, but
I know that we would love for you to be
representing the US. So, tell us about that. How's your
heart? Were you excited to be here? Were you torn?
Yared Nuguse (09:11):
Oh yeah, I was pretty excited to be here actually. I
think Zurich was my last chance to make it and
when that didn't work out, I was just definitely a
little fun. But I feel like I'd gotten most of
my, I don't know, grieving that I didn't make the
team out at USAs. And I was just like, " Well, I'm glad I had one
more shot to do it, but it is what it
is." And I think coming here, I've done all these
(09:33):
races where there was a lot of pressure to perform
well and really get the most out of myself, but
I really felt like ending on a race where I
could just go out and enjoy it more. I really
do want to win of course, but there's less stakes.
It's more just like, " Oh, just a road race, end
(09:53):
the season at a really fun meet that everyone has
a good time at."
And so, yeah, I think that I've already have gotten over my-
Gracie Morris (10:01):
New process.
Yared Nuguse (10:01):
... fortunate, yeah, circumstances from USAs, but I think it's
definitely going to fuel me next year. But I think
coming to this race, I just wanted to be just
have fun. That's what I always talk about.
Carrie Tollefson (10:12):
Well and being fifth, that our USAs right now is
still very, very good. And it was very fast. I
mean it wasn't like it was a race that you
shouldn't be proud of, you know what I mean?
Yared Nuguse (10:23):
No, yeah. I led almost all of that race because
I wanted it to be fast and I'm glad I
ran in the race I wanted. There's still a lot of
things about that race that I'm really happy about. I think it
was just a lot more guys that are a lot
better than you think and that's what happens, but really
proud of that team that is going. I'm sure they're
all going to make to the final and do great.
Carrie Tollefson (10:43):
Yeah. Well, we were so thankful you came here. We know
that now it's break time. You and your boyfriend are
heading on a trip. Where are you going? What are you
doing? Can you tell us?
Yared Nuguse (10:53):
Yes, yes. We were going to Puerto Vallarta in Mexico.
Very, very fun place that we've heard of anyway. I've
never been, but my sister has great things to say
about it.
Carrie Tollefson (11:04):
So fun.
Yared Nuguse (11:04):
And we've never had a trip that wasn't running related
in some way. So, I think it was going to be really, really fun for
both of us and I won't have to run or anything.
Carrie Tollefson (11:13):
Yeah, leave your running shoes here in New York.
Yared Nuguse (11:15):
No, not here. I mean...
Carrie Tollefson (11:17):
You're going to still take them with you?
Yared Nuguse (11:19):
Yeah, I'm going to need those eventually.
Carrie Tollefson (11:19):
Okay, okay, okay, okay. So, what's the goal for this next year?
Because listen, we've had an Olympic Games in 21, World
Championships in 22 and 23. Then Olympic Games, 24 world champs in
25 next summer.
Yared Nuguse (11:37):
The break summer, summer rest.
Carrie Tollefson (11:37):
It's offs.
Yared Nuguse (11:37):
I mean they are doing that whole world champs ultimate thing, but you don't have
to qualify for that as much. That's a little different.
Carrie Tollefson (11:42):
Little breather.
Yared Nuguse (11:43):
But it is nice to not be as making a
team focus. I think it gives a lot of opportunities
for people to just mix things up, do something, and there're not
really any real consequences for it. So, it's going to be really, really cool
I think and I'll probably do not a ton of
different things. I don't want to perform generally well, but I definitely want
(12:05):
to fix some things that might've been wrong this year and
just really get the best out of myself next year.
Carrie Tollefson (12:12):
There's not much you can fix, buddy.
Yared Nuguse (12:13):
Yeah.
Carrie Tollefson (12:13):
You do that game well. A couple of quick questions.
Everyone talks about the turtle. When does he go into hibernation?
Yared Nuguse (12:20):
He'll be going in around Thanksgiving.
Carrie Tollefson (12:22):
Turtle, right?
Yared Nuguse (12:23):
Yes, or tortoise. I was going to say.
Carrie Tollefson (12:25):
Oh.
Yared Nuguse (12:26):
Yeah, he's technically a tortoise. He doesn't swim, but...
Carrie Tollefson (12:27):
Oh, I see, okay.
Yared Nuguse (12:28):
Yeah, little...
Carrie Tollefson (12:28):
It's technicalities.
Yared Nuguse (12:31):
Yeah. But he is been enjoying the last few days of summer
a lot. I think once October rolls around, that's when
he starts getting a little more groggy and whatnot.
Carrie Tollefson (12:42):
Oh, like a saw?
Yared Nuguse (12:44):
Yeah, I think he is like winter.
Carrie Tollefson (12:46):
Yes.
Yared Nuguse (12:47):
I could sleep three months and he just passed out.
Carrie Tollefson (12:50):
So true.
Yared Nuguse (12:51):
Yeah. But yeah, yeah.
Carrie Tollefson (12:53):
That's fun. I think I've seen a video of how
you help him hibernate and all that fun stuff. Very cool.
If you need to check that out, books, what are
you going to be reading? Because everyone loves that you
read and do all these other things besides just run.
Yared Nuguse (13:04):
Yeah, I'm actually about to start this book called The
Lies of Locke Lamora fantasy book that one of my teammates really
recommended, but I mostly just read fantasy. Honestly, I haven't
read anything that has been fantasy in a long time
just because I really love the idea of just immersing
yourself into a new world and whatnot. So, that'll be
my next thing. And then the The Will of the Many
after that.
Carrie Tollefson (13:25):
Oh my goodness. You plan those, you plan your races
pretty far off.
Yared Nuguse (13:28):
I have a list where I'm just like when I tell
someone like, " Oh, I'm going to put this on my
list," I mean it is going on a list and I
will get to it because I'm only have five more
things on the list right now.
Carrie Tollefson (13:39):
Oh my gosh, I love this. So, calculated just like
you are when you're racing, but yet as free and
nice as can be. So, thank you for putting on
a wonderful show and for being a kind human being.
It's so fun to watch you because we all love
rooting for you.
Yared Nuguse (13:52):
Of course, yeah. Thank you guys for having me. This was really,
really a fun meet.
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Carrie Tollefson (14:30):
Greasy, I mean, amazing job today. You must be just
flying high. Third- fastest time ever and also now the
new champion of the 5th Avenue Road Mile.
Gracie Morris (14:41):
The season's been going well, but I wasn't really expecting
this today and I honestly, when I crossed the finish
line, had no clue what time I'd run.
Carrie Tollefson (14:46):
Yeah. Well, either did we actually. I've done commentary years
and it was so fun to watch you race the
way you raced. Alysia Montaño was on the call with me
and she said, " You read Karissa Schweizer like a book."
And you know what, Karissa, she's tied the record. Last
year she tied it with Laura Muir and that was
a big thing that she would had talked about. Did
(15:08):
you talk at all about time?
Gracie Morris (15:09):
No, my coach was just, he told me to key
off Karissa, so I was just trying to see what
she was doing. I figured it would probably a similar
race plan to last year and I feel like it
went out pretty similar.
Carrie Tollefson (15:22):
Yeah, you guys took it out hard. Let's walk through
it 400 by 400. So, you have four 400s, right?
Not three, four and the first 400, talk about that.
Gracie Morris (15:32):
I was just trying to stay relaxed. I knew I
needed to get out and this race, I was like, "
Do not look at the clock." Just because you're running
downhill, so you're flying. So, I was just trying to stay
calm. I get to the front. I knew I needed
to find Karissa, she was going to be there. And
then next 400, she started going for the halfway bonus.
Carrie Tollefson (15:51):
Did you know?
Gracie Morris (15:52):
I didn't know she was going to, but she surged
and I was like, " Okay, she's very clearly going for
that." And so, I just tried to stay where I was
because I was like, " I don't want anything to do with that."
Carrie Tollefson (16:00):
And it is uphill. Second quarter, I mean it looks
flat. 5th Ave looks flat, but you have to climb.
You got to dig deep.
Gracie Morris (16:08):
Yeah, you do. So, I just stayed relaxed up that
quarter and then the goal was to make it to 1200
because my coach was like, " That's where the race starts."
Once she did that, I started pressing into that last
or that 1200 and I slowly just started really nearing
and then it gave me some more momentum that last 400.
Carrie Tollefson (16:28):
Last 400.
Gracie Morris (16:28):
Yeah.
Carrie Tollefson (16:28):
So, it was really at about, I don't know, 300 meters, right?
Before the 200- meter mark, you were up there even
in front of her I think already by then, right?
Gracie Morris (16:37):
I think so.
Carrie Tollefson (16:38):
Was it scary? This is a big race. Last year,
you were fifth here, so you were the second top
returner, if you can follow that. So, Karissa was the
top returner. She was first and then second through fourth
did not return and you were the next one that
returned. So, when you cross the tape, what does that
feeling feel like this is a big race to win
a lot of greats have won here, a lot of
(17:00):
greats have come here and haven't won here, but you did?
Gracie Morris (17:05):
It was just very satisfying to end the season here
and take the win too. And again, I've been working
on building my confidence and just feeling like I belong
with these women. So, adding this to the resume definitely
is helping that.
Carrie Tollefson (17:18):
You definitely belong. So, what has it been like since
we're just a couple hours after the race? What have
you done since cracking the tape and doing your post-
race interview?
Gracie Morris (17:28):
Really nothing. I had drug testing and then by the
time I got back here, I had to shower and
then come straight here.
Carrie Tollefson (17:33):
Yeah, you're just busy.
Gracie Morris (17:33):
I've been busy.
Carrie Tollefson (17:36):
I want to hear a little bit about the drug
testing because I love that New York Roadrunners does this.
They take their races and they bring in USADA or
WADA, the World Anti- Doping Agency or the US Anti-
Doping Agency, and they randomly pick people in the race.
And you and Yared, our winner, both got picked. So,
tell us a little bit about that. You have to
(17:56):
go and pee in a cup basically, but I mean it can
be a hard process. It seemed like it went pretty well?
Gracie Morris (18:03):
Yeah, it was smooth this time. Yeah, I mean it's
just always hard after a race.
Carrie Tollefson (18:08):
I know.
Gracie Morris (18:08):
You feel dehydrated after, so it's a process. But yeah, they just
follow you around until you're ready to go to the bathroom.
Carrie Tollefson (18:15):
But isn't it nice that they do that and we want
to have a clean sport and it's a lot. It takes a
lot of money and I'm just thankful that New York Roadhouse
does that.
Gracie Morris (18:23):
Me too.
Carrie Tollefson (18:24):
It brings clean athletes here.
Gracie Morris (18:26):
Yes. No, it's definitely good for the sport.
Carrie Tollefson (18:27):
It is. Now, what? What's the rest of the day for you?
Gracie Morris (18:31):
Probably going to go to the after party.
Carrie Tollefson (18:32):
Yeah, eat a little something.
Gracie Morris (18:32):
Eat a little something. One of my friends was already telling
me to, she wants to take a shot with me.
Carrie Tollefson (18:40):
Oh, nice.
Gracie Morris (18:42):
And then after that, one of my best friends lives
in New York, so I'm going to go get dinner
with her.
Carrie Tollefson (18:46):
Okay, fun. Well, I want to hear a little bit
about who you are, where you grew up and how
you got to this stage where you are now the
5th Avenue mile winner, and that will be a big
highlight on your resume. So, how'd you get into the sport?
Gracie Morris (19:02):
My brother's first grade teacher, her husband was a track
coach for a summer team and she saw us running
around at recess and was basically, I guess recruiting us
to the team. So, my mom took us out. Yeah,
that was how we started.
Carrie Tollefson (19:16):
And then you went to college and ran?
Gracie Morris (19:18):
Mm- hmm, I started at University of Texas and I
transferred after a year and a half to TCU. And
the smaller environment was really good for me, a good
transition. I feel like I started finding myself in running and had some
pretty big improvements. And then after college, I signed with
(19:39):
Puma Elite in North Carolina or coached by Amy and
Alistair Cragg. And just being in that environment and surrounded
by all those runners who just have so much to
their name and everybody's just like Amy to be one
of the best in the world. So, it's just definitely
helped elevate me this season.
Carrie Tollefson (19:58):
Did both your coaches, Amy and Alistair Cragg run here
at the 5th Ave? I mean I know that they've run New
York race...
Gracie Morris (20:03):
I know Alistair has. I'm not sure about Amy.
Carrie Tollefson (20:05):
I feel like Amy was one of those athletes that
could run the marathon and run the 1500 and do it
all. But how cool is that, that your coaches have
been there, done that? Both Olympians, both been to World
Championships. I mean they have this phenomenal group in North
Carolina and it's a young group. I mean, some of
the athletes are a little... they've been around for five,
six years, but most of them are pretty much new professionals.
Gracie Morris (20:27):
Mm- hmm, yeah. I mean, it just makes it so much
more relatable. They've lived and experienced what I'm going through
and that just gives me so much more trust. I
know what they're saying is true, somebody that thinks they
know what they're talking about.
Carrie Tollefson (20:42):
Yeah. Well today, we were talking about how this is
a melting pot of a city, right? Any type of
person from anywhere around the world can be here. And
they do, they live here. But also the mile today
was a melting pot of distance runners or middle distance
runners. So, you are an eight 15 gal. You're coming
up in distance to run the mile, maybe not coming
(21:03):
up, but you're more of an 800- meter runner. At
least right now, it seems like it. Now you're moving
up, but then you have Karissa Schweitzer who you're chasing
down, who's a 10,000- meter runner, 5, 000 meter runner,
and can also run very fast over the mile. So,
how fun is that when you're hearing and even steeple
chasers are out there? Did you think about that today
or not really? It's just another body you have to beat.
Gracie Morris (21:24):
It's just another body I have to beat. The way
we train now, I'm coming more from strike backgrounds. So,
I knew being on the roads, it's going to play
more to my favor. And I've had quite a few
road miles this year, so I knew what to expect.
Carrie Tollefson (21:40):
Are you thinking you're more a miler now?
Gracie Morris (21:42):
I think so.
Carrie Tollefson (21:42):
Yeah?
Gracie Morris (21:43):
Yeah, we set up definitely more for 15- mile this
year. So, maybe in the future year, we'll focus more
on the eight.
Carrie Tollefson (21:51):
Okay. So, where do you go from here? Are you
on a break after this? So, officially how long? One week,
two weeks?
Gracie Morris (21:59):
Probably two weeks. Not completely off the whole time, but
definitely a few days.
Carrie Tollefson (22:03):
Take some time, regroup. I mean maybe even more so
mentally, physically, and then get ready. What's up for next year?
Gracie Morris (22:11):
We haven't really talked about it yet. My coaches are
very like be present in the moment, don't get ahead
of ourselves. So, we haven't really discussed that, but hopefully
some bigger races next year and just some faster times.
Carrie Tollefson (22:23):
Well, now that this podcast is done and you have
had it sink in just even 15 more minutes, what
was the highlight of the day? Was it cracking the
tape, making that move, getting interviewed? What is it?
Gracie Morris (22:36):
My best friend was at the finish line. So, once
I finally got through the media, she was right there and we had
to hug. So, that was cool having somebody there.
Carrie Tollefson (22:45):
Yeah. Well, I said to you, walking in here, I said, "
I think when you watch that race, you're going to
be so proud of yourself. The power that you had
behind your stride today, that arm carry everything was like,
whoa. You have entered the world of professional distance running and
middle distance running and you did it in style today,
lady. Way to go." Well, that's it for today's Set
(23:07):
the Pace. Back to Rob and Bex again next week.
But I want to just say thanks so much to
Gracie and Yared. You guys put on such a great
show. It was so much fun to watch you race.
And like I say on my own podcast, C Tolle
Run, make sure to get after it.
Hi everyone, I'm Olympian Carrie Tollefson and I was a
member of the broadcast team today for the New Balance
5th Avenue Mile. And now I'm stepping in for Rob
and Bex as I get to interview the champions, Gracie
Morris and Yared Nuguse. Gracie took the women's pro field and
Yared took the men's pro field. Our two Americans were
the first to sweep the races, so that means the
(00:27):
two Americans won the race together since 2016. It's the
first time we've had Americans on the women's side and
on the men's side win. So, that's the kind of
a cool stat. They both ran the third fastest times
ever for the races. So, that's another cool stat. And
then listen to this. One on the men's side, 23
men broke four minutes. Wowza, so fast and on a
(00:47):
day that we didn't know it was going to be that
fast, it was raining, it was a little bit slippery
out there. So, it was just an awesome day and
I'm so excited for you to hear their post- race
interviews. Maybelline New York, the official cosmetic partner of the 2025
TCS New York City Marathon. Get a bold look that
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(01:08):
has your look covered. Yared, third fastest ever. I don't
know if you realize that.
Yared Nuguse (01:14):
No, I did not. No, I was in a track.
Carrie Tollefson (01:16):
Yes. So, you won today, you run the third- fastest
time ever. And the same for Gracie, she ran the
third time.
Yared Nuguse (01:22):
Really? Nice.
Carrie Tollefson (01:23):
Third fastest.
Yared Nuguse (01:24):
Twinning. Yeah.
Carrie Tollefson (01:24):
Yeah, exactly. So, let's talk a little bit about the
race. So, I have to tell you, we were laughing
after because we got so excited in the booth that
we didn't even let Ryan, who was the official play
by play, Ryan Field, Alysia Montaño, and myself. We were
shouting so loud over each other. We saw Parker coming
(01:45):
and then you were there and it was so fun.
So, can you walk us through your race just a
little bit?
Yared Nuguse (01:49):
Yeah. So, that first quarter, I felt like I was
very relaxed and comfortable. Started off strong, got out ahead
of everyone, and felt pretty good. That second quarter with
the hill I think was very hard.
Carrie Tollefson (02:02):
The quads start talking.
Yared Nuguse (02:03):
Yes, I feel like I jogged the hill, but I
never sprinted it. I think that just felt very different. I think we
were all just, yeah, no one is really grinding up
this hill or anything. And I thought about going for
the halfway bonus and I was like, "Nah, no, I should just focus on wedding.
It's fine." So, we get over the hill and I
just feel like I'm just flying at that point. All of a sudden,
(02:26):
I feel like I have a really monstrously, long stride. I feel like I was
hitting someone most of the beginning of that race, but
I'm just flying down this hill. I'm like, " Okay, we're
feeling good again. We're back. It's all good." And then we
got to that last quarter and I'm just like, " Okay,
this is like where the race happens." And I'm still
mostly in front at this point. I see some people
(02:47):
on my periphery, but I'm just focused on doing my
thing and getting there. And I don't know exactly when it
happened, but I remember Parker gets up on me and
actually passes me is in front of me. And I'm
just like, " Oh dang, he's really moving. I got to
respond to this." And I feel like I had this moment of dower was just like, " Oh God, I don't know
(03:09):
if I can really get there." But I was like, "
That finish line is a lot further away actually." And
I think it is. And I think I had this other
moment of just like, oh, giving it all I had
and just really pushing through and managing to slip past
Parker and get the win.
Carrie Tollefson (03:24):
I mean that is something that we have all of
us, no matter what level you're at, there's that moment
of can I do it? Should I do it? Oh,
I'm going to do it type thing. A lot of
people say turn your brain off, stop thinking and just
run, right? But you have to think when it's still
a ways out and you were obviously calculating your kick.
Yared Nuguse (03:43):
A hundred percent. My coach had told me it's like
the person who wins fit, that was the last guy
to kick. And I was like, "I don't know if that's true based on
how Josh won last year." But it was. In the
end, I was like, me and my last kick was at that very
last moment is what did it. And you're always going
to have those moments, but it's about having that positive
talk behind that where it's just like, " But we can
(04:05):
do this. This is going to be hard, but you got to choose to do
the hard thing."
Carrie Tollefson (04:08):
Well, people want to know if you look up at
the street signs and count down the blocks, it's 20
city blocks basically from 80th to 60th on 5th Ave. Did you
look at those?
Yared Nuguse (04:18):
I tried a little at the very beginning, but I think
it was just much harder to see than I thought
it was going to be. And I was like...
Carrie Tollefson (04:24):
You're going so fast. It is a board.
Yared Nuguse (04:27):
I cannot just be turning my head.
Carrie Tollefson (04:28):
No, no, you can't.
Yared Nuguse (04:29):
I feel like hello. But no, no, I mean I also think that would've counting the
seconds in a day, I think that would've gotten in my head a little bit.
Carrie Tollefson (04:39):
It really goes so fast. Do you know that 23
men broke four minutes today?
Yared Nuguse (04:42):
Twenty- five, is that the whole field or is that...
Carrie Tollefson (04:44):
Basically, the whole field. Our final runner today ran four flat 0.
6 or something like that. I mean it's just amazing.
The sport really is changing, isn't it?
Yared Nuguse (04:55):
A hundred percent. I think everyone's been running really, really
fast and it's just so deep these days. Whereas before,
I think especially when I was starting my pro career,
it didn't feel like that. It felt like it was
just some really good guys and then not as much depth,
but that's really awesome. I feel especially given the conditions
too ideal out there.
Carrie Tollefson (05:15):
Was it slippery? We were wondering. Could you feel a
kickback or not really?
Yared Nuguse (05:19):
Not really. I was...
Carrie Tollefson (05:19):
Because there was quite a bit of rain this morning.
Yared Nuguse (05:21):
There was. But I think once the race started, I
feel like I was locked into it. I think before,
I was whining in my head of just like, " Ugh,
it's wet and cold and it's raining a lot." But
I think once the race started, the adrenaline took over
for that. So, yeah, I didn't really feel anything. Even going
down the hill, I thought that's where it was going to be really
slippery, but it wasn't really bad.
Carrie Tollefson (05:42):
We know you like to run well here in New
York. You went to the Millrose games last year, set
the world record indoors for the mile. It was later
broken that week, but it's just amazing how well you
run here. Do you feel the love of the city?
Yared Nuguse (05:56):
I do. Honestly, I feel like New York, I've always
really just enjoyed visiting as a place. It just always feels like
there's so much to do and so many people here are
fans of mine. It's crazy.
Carrie Tollefson (06:05):
Yes.
Yared Nuguse (06:06):
Anytime I go run in Central Park, I'm guaranteed to
get stopped at least once.
Carrie Tollefson (06:10):
So fun.
Yared Nuguse (06:10):
And it is fun and just seeing everyone afterwards and
signing as much as I could. Anyway, it was really,
really fun too. But yeah, no, I feel like my
coach was saying, " Oh, you're undefeated in New York." I
am like, " Oh, that's gross."
Carrie Tollefson (06:24):
All these things to chase.
Yared Nuguse (06:25):
No, yeah, I mean I've only done three Millroses and this, but yeah, it's
still really cool and I really, really do like this
city a lot.
Carrie Tollefson (06:32):
Yeah, I'd say, I mean your whole team does well
here in New York and they always loved Dathan Ritzenhein and
the On Athletics Club, but okay, let's talk a little
bit about how you got into the sport. I mean,
anyone that's watched you now at the world champs or
the Olympic Games, they know your family is usually in
the crowd and very big supporters of yours, but I
think it's later in your high, early high school ninth,
(06:54):
10th grade is really when you started in the sport, right?
Yared Nuguse (06:57):
No, yeah. I didn't really start until my ninth grade
with Trap and Cross Country or anything that first year.
And yeah, it was really more of a happenstance sort
of thing, where I was running these fast miles in
PE and then my PE coach tells the track coach
and he comes to me and he's like, " Oh, you
should run track." And I was like, " Not really my thing." Also,
I'm on the bowling team, but he was very persuasive,
(07:22):
luckily. And I really just fell in love with it
so quickly, just not just that I was okay at
it, but also just the teammates and friends I made
just very, very quickly. No one told me about Cross
Country afterwards. I was like, " Oh, there's another track in
the fall." And they're like, " Yeah, basically..."
Carrie Tollefson (07:41):
Yeah, you just got to run on the grass and up and down hills and...
Yared Nuguse (07:43):
And like 5K instead of one mile. It's great. And
I was like, " Oh, this is different." But no, yeah, I really
enjoyed just running. Even in high school, I feel like,
yeah, even though I didn't picture it as a pro
career for myself, I'm glad that I just get to have
the opportunity to just continue to do it.
Carrie Tollefson (08:03):
Do what you love. Do you think your mom or
dad would've been an athlete because...
Yared Nuguse (08:08):
My dad says he would've been if he had different
opportunities and whatnot. They both came from Ethiopia when they
were 18, 20 and been working ever since.
But yeah, my dad's like, no, I could have been
a soccer player working there for sure. And I was like, " Maybe, but you weren't. Sorry."
Carrie Tollefson (08:29):
It's so interesting though. I just find it fascinating to
hear the backstory of an athlete and to wonder if
the mom and dad didn't do it, could they have,
if they had the opportunity? It sounds like your dad would've
liked maybe an opportunity to do it. My dad was
a college football player, but my mom never had the
opportunity. And so, I always wonder, where'd this come from?
(08:52):
Maybe it was my grandparents, who knows. But all right, Yared,
we know that this week also has the world championships
and you're not there. We're thankful that you're here, but
I know that we would love for you to be
representing the US. So, tell us about that. How's your
heart? Were you excited to be here? Were you torn?
Yared Nuguse (09:11):
Oh yeah, I was pretty excited to be here actually. I
think Zurich was my last chance to make it and
when that didn't work out, I was just definitely a
little fun. But I feel like I'd gotten most of
my, I don't know, grieving that I didn't make the
team out at USAs. And I was just like, " Well, I'm glad I had one
more shot to do it, but it is what it
is." And I think coming here, I've done all these
(09:33):
races where there was a lot of pressure to perform
well and really get the most out of myself, but
I really felt like ending on a race where I
could just go out and enjoy it more. I really
do want to win of course, but there's less stakes.
It's more just like, " Oh, just a road race, end
(09:53):
the season at a really fun meet that everyone has
a good time at."
And so, yeah, I think that I've already have gotten over my-
Gracie Morris (10:01):
New process.
Yared Nuguse (10:01):
... fortunate, yeah, circumstances from USAs, but I think it's
definitely going to fuel me next year. But I think
coming to this race, I just wanted to be just
have fun. That's what I always talk about.
Carrie Tollefson (10:12):
Well and being fifth, that our USAs right now is
still very, very good. And it was very fast. I
mean it wasn't like it was a race that you
shouldn't be proud of, you know what I mean?
Yared Nuguse (10:23):
No, yeah. I led almost all of that race because
I wanted it to be fast and I'm glad I
ran in the race I wanted. There's still a lot of
things about that race that I'm really happy about. I think it
was just a lot more guys that are a lot
better than you think and that's what happens, but really
proud of that team that is going. I'm sure they're
all going to make to the final and do great.
Carrie Tollefson (10:43):
Yeah. Well, we were so thankful you came here. We know
that now it's break time. You and your boyfriend are
heading on a trip. Where are you going? What are you
doing? Can you tell us?
Yared Nuguse (10:53):
Yes, yes. We were going to Puerto Vallarta in Mexico.
Very, very fun place that we've heard of anyway. I've
never been, but my sister has great things to say
about it.
Carrie Tollefson (11:04):
So fun.
Yared Nuguse (11:04):
And we've never had a trip that wasn't running related
in some way. So, I think it was going to be really, really fun for
both of us and I won't have to run or anything.
Carrie Tollefson (11:13):
Yeah, leave your running shoes here in New York.
Yared Nuguse (11:15):
No, not here. I mean...
Carrie Tollefson (11:17):
You're going to still take them with you?
Yared Nuguse (11:19):
Yeah, I'm going to need those eventually.
Carrie Tollefson (11:19):
Okay, okay, okay, okay. So, what's the goal for this next year?
Because listen, we've had an Olympic Games in 21, World
Championships in 22 and 23. Then Olympic Games, 24 world champs in
25 next summer.
Yared Nuguse (11:37):
The break summer, summer rest.
Carrie Tollefson (11:37):
It's offs.
Yared Nuguse (11:37):
I mean they are doing that whole world champs ultimate thing, but you don't have
to qualify for that as much. That's a little different.
Carrie Tollefson (11:42):
Little breather.
Yared Nuguse (11:43):
But it is nice to not be as making a
team focus. I think it gives a lot of opportunities
for people to just mix things up, do something, and there're not
really any real consequences for it. So, it's going to be really, really cool
I think and I'll probably do not a ton of
different things. I don't want to perform generally well, but I definitely want
(12:05):
to fix some things that might've been wrong this year and
just really get the best out of myself next year.
Carrie Tollefson (12:12):
There's not much you can fix, buddy.
Yared Nuguse (12:13):
Yeah.
Carrie Tollefson (12:13):
You do that game well. A couple of quick questions.
Everyone talks about the turtle. When does he go into hibernation?
Yared Nuguse (12:20):
He'll be going in around Thanksgiving.
Carrie Tollefson (12:22):
Turtle, right?
Yared Nuguse (12:23):
Yes, or tortoise. I was going to say.
Carrie Tollefson (12:25):
Oh.
Yared Nuguse (12:26):
Yeah, he's technically a tortoise. He doesn't swim, but...
Carrie Tollefson (12:27):
Oh, I see, okay.
Yared Nuguse (12:28):
Yeah, little...
Carrie Tollefson (12:28):
It's technicalities.
Yared Nuguse (12:31):
Yeah. But he is been enjoying the last few days of summer
a lot. I think once October rolls around, that's when
he starts getting a little more groggy and whatnot.
Carrie Tollefson (12:42):
Oh, like a saw?
Yared Nuguse (12:44):
Yeah, I think he is like winter.
Carrie Tollefson (12:46):
Yes.
Yared Nuguse (12:47):
I could sleep three months and he just passed out.
Carrie Tollefson (12:50):
So true.
Yared Nuguse (12:51):
Yeah. But yeah, yeah.
Carrie Tollefson (12:53):
That's fun. I think I've seen a video of how
you help him hibernate and all that fun stuff. Very cool.
If you need to check that out, books, what are
you going to be reading? Because everyone loves that you
read and do all these other things besides just run.
Yared Nuguse (13:04):
Yeah, I'm actually about to start this book called The
Lies of Locke Lamora fantasy book that one of my teammates really
recommended, but I mostly just read fantasy. Honestly, I haven't
read anything that has been fantasy in a long time
just because I really love the idea of just immersing
yourself into a new world and whatnot. So, that'll be
my next thing. And then the The Will of the Many
after that.
Carrie Tollefson (13:25):
Oh my goodness. You plan those, you plan your races
pretty far off.
Yared Nuguse (13:28):
I have a list where I'm just like when I tell
someone like, " Oh, I'm going to put this on my
list," I mean it is going on a list and I
will get to it because I'm only have five more
things on the list right now.
Carrie Tollefson (13:39):
Oh my gosh, I love this. So, calculated just like
you are when you're racing, but yet as free and
nice as can be. So, thank you for putting on
a wonderful show and for being a kind human being.
It's so fun to watch you because we all love
rooting for you.
Yared Nuguse (13:52):
Of course, yeah. Thank you guys for having me. This was really,
really a fun meet.
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Carrie Tollefson (14:30):
Greasy, I mean, amazing job today. You must be just
flying high. Third- fastest time ever and also now the
new champion of the 5th Avenue Road Mile.
Gracie Morris (14:41):
The season's been going well, but I wasn't really expecting
this today and I honestly, when I crossed the finish
line, had no clue what time I'd run.
Carrie Tollefson (14:46):
Yeah. Well, either did we actually. I've done commentary years
and it was so fun to watch you race the
way you raced. Alysia Montaño was on the call with me
and she said, " You read Karissa Schweizer like a book."
And you know what, Karissa, she's tied the record. Last
year she tied it with Laura Muir and that was
a big thing that she would had talked about. Did
(15:08):
you talk at all about time?
Gracie Morris (15:09):
No, my coach was just, he told me to key
off Karissa, so I was just trying to see what
she was doing. I figured it would probably a similar
race plan to last year and I feel like it
went out pretty similar.
Carrie Tollefson (15:22):
Yeah, you guys took it out hard. Let's walk through
it 400 by 400. So, you have four 400s, right?
Not three, four and the first 400, talk about that.
Gracie Morris (15:32):
I was just trying to stay relaxed. I knew I
needed to get out and this race, I was like, "
Do not look at the clock." Just because you're running
downhill, so you're flying. So, I was just trying to stay
calm. I get to the front. I knew I needed
to find Karissa, she was going to be there. And
then next 400, she started going for the halfway bonus.
Carrie Tollefson (15:51):
Did you know?
Gracie Morris (15:52):
I didn't know she was going to, but she surged
and I was like, " Okay, she's very clearly going for
that." And so, I just tried to stay where I was
because I was like, " I don't want anything to do with that."
Carrie Tollefson (16:00):
And it is uphill. Second quarter, I mean it looks
flat. 5th Ave looks flat, but you have to climb.
You got to dig deep.
Gracie Morris (16:08):
Yeah, you do. So, I just stayed relaxed up that
quarter and then the goal was to make it to 1200
because my coach was like, " That's where the race starts."
Once she did that, I started pressing into that last
or that 1200 and I slowly just started really nearing
and then it gave me some more momentum that last 400.
Carrie Tollefson (16:28):
Last 400.
Gracie Morris (16:28):
Yeah.
Carrie Tollefson (16:28):
So, it was really at about, I don't know, 300 meters, right?
Before the 200- meter mark, you were up there even
in front of her I think already by then, right?
Gracie Morris (16:37):
I think so.
Carrie Tollefson (16:38):
Was it scary? This is a big race. Last year,
you were fifth here, so you were the second top
returner, if you can follow that. So, Karissa was the
top returner. She was first and then second through fourth
did not return and you were the next one that
returned. So, when you cross the tape, what does that
feeling feel like this is a big race to win
a lot of greats have won here, a lot of
(17:00):
greats have come here and haven't won here, but you did?
Gracie Morris (17:05):
It was just very satisfying to end the season here
and take the win too. And again, I've been working
on building my confidence and just feeling like I belong
with these women. So, adding this to the resume definitely
is helping that.
Carrie Tollefson (17:18):
You definitely belong. So, what has it been like since
we're just a couple hours after the race? What have
you done since cracking the tape and doing your post-
race interview?
Gracie Morris (17:28):
Really nothing. I had drug testing and then by the
time I got back here, I had to shower and
then come straight here.
Carrie Tollefson (17:33):
Yeah, you're just busy.
Gracie Morris (17:33):
I've been busy.
Carrie Tollefson (17:36):
I want to hear a little bit about the drug
testing because I love that New York Roadrunners does this.
They take their races and they bring in USADA or
WADA, the World Anti- Doping Agency or the US Anti-
Doping Agency, and they randomly pick people in the race.
And you and Yared, our winner, both got picked. So,
tell us a little bit about that. You have to
(17:56):
go and pee in a cup basically, but I mean it can
be a hard process. It seemed like it went pretty well?
Gracie Morris (18:03):
Yeah, it was smooth this time. Yeah, I mean it's
just always hard after a race.
Carrie Tollefson (18:08):
I know.
Gracie Morris (18:08):
You feel dehydrated after, so it's a process. But yeah, they just
follow you around until you're ready to go to the bathroom.
Carrie Tollefson (18:15):
But isn't it nice that they do that and we want
to have a clean sport and it's a lot. It takes a
lot of money and I'm just thankful that New York Roadhouse
does that.
Gracie Morris (18:23):
Me too.
Carrie Tollefson (18:24):
It brings clean athletes here.
Gracie Morris (18:26):
Yes. No, it's definitely good for the sport.
Carrie Tollefson (18:27):
It is. Now, what? What's the rest of the day for you?
Gracie Morris (18:31):
Probably going to go to the after party.
Carrie Tollefson (18:32):
Yeah, eat a little something.
Gracie Morris (18:32):
Eat a little something. One of my friends was already telling
me to, she wants to take a shot with me.
Carrie Tollefson (18:40):
Oh, nice.
Gracie Morris (18:42):
And then after that, one of my best friends lives
in New York, so I'm going to go get dinner
with her.
Carrie Tollefson (18:46):
Okay, fun. Well, I want to hear a little bit
about who you are, where you grew up and how
you got to this stage where you are now the
5th Avenue mile winner, and that will be a big
highlight on your resume. So, how'd you get into the sport?
Gracie Morris (19:02):
My brother's first grade teacher, her husband was a track
coach for a summer team and she saw us running
around at recess and was basically, I guess recruiting us
to the team. So, my mom took us out. Yeah,
that was how we started.
Carrie Tollefson (19:16):
And then you went to college and ran?
Gracie Morris (19:18):
Mm- hmm, I started at University of Texas and I
transferred after a year and a half to TCU. And
the smaller environment was really good for me, a good
transition. I feel like I started finding myself in running and had some
pretty big improvements. And then after college, I signed with
(19:39):
Puma Elite in North Carolina or coached by Amy and
Alistair Cragg. And just being in that environment and surrounded
by all those runners who just have so much to
their name and everybody's just like Amy to be one
of the best in the world. So, it's just definitely
helped elevate me this season.
Carrie Tollefson (19:58):
Did both your coaches, Amy and Alistair Cragg run here
at the 5th Ave? I mean I know that they've run New
York race...
Gracie Morris (20:03):
I know Alistair has. I'm not sure about Amy.
Carrie Tollefson (20:05):
I feel like Amy was one of those athletes that
could run the marathon and run the 1500 and do it
all. But how cool is that, that your coaches have
been there, done that? Both Olympians, both been to World
Championships. I mean they have this phenomenal group in North
Carolina and it's a young group. I mean, some of
the athletes are a little... they've been around for five,
six years, but most of them are pretty much new professionals.
Gracie Morris (20:27):
Mm- hmm, yeah. I mean, it just makes it so much
more relatable. They've lived and experienced what I'm going through
and that just gives me so much more trust. I
know what they're saying is true, somebody that thinks they
know what they're talking about.
Carrie Tollefson (20:42):
Yeah. Well today, we were talking about how this is
a melting pot of a city, right? Any type of
person from anywhere around the world can be here. And
they do, they live here. But also the mile today
was a melting pot of distance runners or middle distance
runners. So, you are an eight 15 gal. You're coming
up in distance to run the mile, maybe not coming
(21:03):
up, but you're more of an 800- meter runner. At
least right now, it seems like it. Now you're moving
up, but then you have Karissa Schweitzer who you're chasing
down, who's a 10,000- meter runner, 5, 000 meter runner,
and can also run very fast over the mile. So,
how fun is that when you're hearing and even steeple
chasers are out there? Did you think about that today
or not really? It's just another body you have to beat.
Gracie Morris (21:24):
It's just another body I have to beat. The way
we train now, I'm coming more from strike backgrounds. So,
I knew being on the roads, it's going to play
more to my favor. And I've had quite a few
road miles this year, so I knew what to expect.
Carrie Tollefson (21:40):
Are you thinking you're more a miler now?
Gracie Morris (21:42):
I think so.
Carrie Tollefson (21:42):
Yeah?
Gracie Morris (21:43):
Yeah, we set up definitely more for 15- mile this
year. So, maybe in the future year, we'll focus more
on the eight.
Carrie Tollefson (21:51):
Okay. So, where do you go from here? Are you
on a break after this? So, officially how long? One week,
two weeks?
Gracie Morris (21:59):
Probably two weeks. Not completely off the whole time, but
definitely a few days.
Carrie Tollefson (22:03):
Take some time, regroup. I mean maybe even more so
mentally, physically, and then get ready. What's up for next year?
Gracie Morris (22:11):
We haven't really talked about it yet. My coaches are
very like be present in the moment, don't get ahead
of ourselves. So, we haven't really discussed that, but hopefully
some bigger races next year and just some faster times.
Carrie Tollefson (22:23):
Well, now that this podcast is done and you have
had it sink in just even 15 more minutes, what
was the highlight of the day? Was it cracking the
tape, making that move, getting interviewed? What is it?
Gracie Morris (22:36):
My best friend was at the finish line. So, once
I finally got through the media, she was right there and we had
to hug. So, that was cool having somebody there.
Carrie Tollefson (22:45):
Yeah. Well, I said to you, walking in here, I said, "
I think when you watch that race, you're going to
be so proud of yourself. The power that you had
behind your stride today, that arm carry everything was like,
whoa. You have entered the world of professional distance running and
middle distance running and you did it in style today,
lady. Way to go." Well, that's it for today's Set
(23:07):
the Pace. Back to Rob and Bex again next week.
But I want to just say thanks so much to
Gracie and Yared. You guys put on such a great
show. It was so much fun to watch you race.
And like I say on my own podcast, C Tolle
Run, make sure to get after it.
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