THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

He broke the barrier—and the sport felt it.

Quentin Nauman is back on the pod in the final episode of our Festival of Miles series—a fitting finish to a week that reminded us just how far the sport is moving.

Just days ago at the HOKA Festival of Miles, Quentin lined up against the top high school milers in the country and ran 3:58.65—joining the elite ranks of sub-four athletes and pushing the ceiling of what high school runners can...

Recorded live. Fueled by the energy of the crowd. Powered by HOKA.

Straight from the Big River Running Company in Missouri on June 4th, this special episode of the podcast captures the excitement, energy, and anticipation just one night before the iconic HOKA Festival of Miles.

We sit down with four of the sport’s most compelling figures: Olin Hacker – NCAA champion turned pro who thrilled fans with his powerful closing speed in prev...

What does it take to run for 28 hours straight?

To go beyond exhaustion—when your body gives out and only your will is left?

Alyssa McClellan knows.

She’s a former elite CrossFit athlete, a mother of four, and an ultra-endurance machine. At the Go One More Last Man Standing Ultra, Alyssa ran nearly 120 miles in just under 28 hours, outlasting every other woman and placing fourth overall. No pacers. No excuses. Just pure grit.

But her s...

From rock bottom to 100 miles — today’s guest redefines what it means to fight back.

Meet Sean Rhodes: former alcoholic, now ultramarathoner, mental health advocate, and the driving force behind a mission that’s bigger than any finish line.

In May 2025, Sean didn’t just run a 100-mile race — he built one. The Stoney 100 was raw, solo, and powered by purpose: raising awareness for mental health and backing recovery-focused nonprofits ...

He’s gone from a four-hour marathoner to a 2:32 powerhouse — today, we’re sitting down with the unstoppable Eric Floberg.

Based in Chicago, Eric has become a standout in the running world for his incredible marathon transformation — going from a 3:59 debut to a blazing 2:32:44 personal best. But his impact doesn’t stop at the finish line.

Eric is also a master storyteller. Through his cinematic running videos, he’s built a powerful c...

We love the idea of a breakthrough—the dramatic finish, the record-shattering time, the race where it finally clicks.

But what if that moment you’re chasing isn’t about magic… but mindset?

Returning to the show today is Alex Ostberg, former NCAA standout and the thoughtful voice behind The Rundown. In this episode, we dive into the psychology of high performance and unpack four of Alex’s most powerful recent essays.

We begin by debunk...

Some people push the limit. Kim Gottwald treats it like a starting line.

Meet Kim Gottwald: ultra-endurance athlete, viral content creator, and founder of Rappid Runs, a running apparel brand built for the brutal reality of long-distance races.

If his name isn’t on your radar yet, it will be. Kim just co-won the Go One More Ultramarathon in Texas, racking up a mind-bending 378 kilometers (234 miles) before the race was shut d...

Charlie Vause didn't just make waves this past season — he tore through the high school cross country scene like a storm, and today, we're fired up to welcome him back.

Charlie, a senior at Rio Rancho High School in New Mexico, returns to the podcast after emerging as a standout in U.S. high school cross country during the 2024–2025 season. His achievements include winning the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) and being named the Gatorade ...

Quentin Nauman—remember that name. 

Just a few weeks ago, he became the first high school athlete in U.S. history to run both sub-1:50 in the 800m and sub-4:00 in the 1600m... at the same meet. (Quentin clocked 1:49.41 in the 800m and 3:59.60 in the 1600m at the Iowa State Track and Field Championships.) 

Let that sink in.

From sweeping the Drake Relays to dominating cross country with a 14:59 course record, Quentin has built a résumé...

He’s back. Not just on this show — but back in the sport, back on the world stage, and back to blow your mind with what’s possible when talent meets resilience.

Returning to the show is none other than Cordell Tinch — the hurdler whose journey reads like a Hollywood script. A former cell phone salesman turned world-class athlete. The guy who stepped away from the sport, then came back to dominate Division II track with three nationa...

Today’s guest is a true game-changer in the world of track and field — a visionary whose passion, leadership, and creativity have helped transform one of the sport’s most electric meets: Tim Cornell.

Since 2021, Tim has served as the Meet Director for the HOKA Festival of Miles, one of the most electric and meaningful meets on the track and field calendar. Under his guidance, the event has grown tremendously — not just in performanc...

From a late start in high school track to becoming one of the fastest milers in NCAA history, today’s guest has rewritten the blueprint for distance running success.

Gary Martin’s rise has been nothing short of electric. After a quiet freshman year at the University of Virginia, he exploded onto the national scene during the 2024 cross country season—capturing the ACC Championship with a course record and finishing 13th at nationals...

Racing by feel and winning with heart.

Margot Appleton has emerged as one of the premier collegiate distance runners in the U.S., blending tactical brilliance, relentless drive, and a flair for dramatic finishes.

In 2019, as a high school junior, Appleton stunned the field at Boston's Mayor's Cup 5K, finishing second overall in 17:14—outpacing the reigning Foot Locker national champion. This performance marked a significant breakthro...

Returning to the show is a runner whose name has become synonymous with strategic racing and an electrifying finishing kick–Mr. Nathan Green.

From his early days as a high school prodigy in Boise, Idaho, Nathan's journey has been marked by dedication and resilience. In 2022, he clinched the U.S. U20 1500m title with a time of 3:45.19, earning a spot on Team USA for the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, where he finished fif...

Today's episode is special—and honestly, it might be historic.

We've got two of the fastest high school distance runners in the country—maybe ever—joining us just days before they toe the line at one of the most anticipated races of the year: the Festival of Miles.

First up: Josiah Tostenson. He's the second-fastest indoor miler in U.S. high school history, clocking a blistering 3:57.41 at Boston University. He was named the 2023–24 ...

From cross country and track star to talent management guru -- Matthew Sonnenfeldt has seen it all.

Matthew’s journey from high school champion to collegiate athlete and now a mentor and representative for other athletes illustrates a career built on passion, resilience, and a commitment to excellence in track and field.

At Knoxville West High School, Matthew captured the Tennessee state cross country championship in 2008, including ...

Today’s guest needs no introduction—but he definitely earned a new one.

Olin Hacker is back—and this time, he's bringing a U.S. title with him.

Just weeks ago, Olin stormed to victory at the USATF 5000m Championships in Indianapolis, running 13:32 to claim his first national crown. But this moment wasn’t built in a month—it was years in the making.

As a collegiate runner, Olin secured multiple Big Ten championships while running for W...

The Call Room: Road to Records continues as we’re joined by the electric Chiara Dailey — La Jolla’s own and one of the most exciting names in high school distance running — as she prepares for the 2025 HOKA Festival of Miles.

Chiara brings more than just speed. She’s relatable, confident, and on a mission.

She kicked off her 2025 outdoor season with a new PR in the 800m, clocking 2:07.99 for second place at the Mt. SAC Relays — proof...

Some runners show up. Others shut it down when it counts.

Riley Chamberlain is doing both.

The BYU junior has become one of the most dangerous closers in the NCAA, helping lead the Cougars to back-to-back national titles in the Distance Medley Relay—including their record-breaking 10:37.58 this season, which shattered both NCAA and BYU records.

But Riley’s not just a relay weapon. She’s been lighting it up solo, too—dropping 8:40.89 i...