Ross and Petar's Pod on the Run
What happens when two buddies hit 42 and decide to celebrate with 42 kilometers? The Birth-K sparked something extraordinary, and now Ross and Petar are here to reflect on their journey—mud, memories, and all—while exploring the heartbeat of Chico’s running culture. Whether you’re here for the behind-the-scenes tales, the spirited banter (serious runners? not really...), or the chance to meet the incredible people pounding the trails and roads of Chico, this podcast is your go-to for all things running—and a lot of things not running. From the history of the running community to favorite routes, future challenges, and even the big existential question, “Why do we even run?”, Ross and Petar serve up insights, laughs, and plenty of moments where things didn’t go quite as planned. And speaking of incredible people: Chico’s running community is fueled by local legends, inspiring everyday athletes, and fantastic organizations like Fleet Feet Chico and the Bidwell Run Club. These groups offer camaraderie, unforgettable events, and shared experiences that embody the true heart and soul of Chico's running scene. Ross and Petar will spotlight these organizations, their impact, and the runners who keep the miles (and smiles) going strong. Birth-K may be where it started, but it’s far from where this journey ends. So, lace up, press play, and let’s run this thing—figuratively, of course. Because sometimes life is about more than just the miles…it’s about the memories.
Episodes
If you run the trails around Chico, there’s a good chance you know Karen Weintraub’s name — or at least recognize it from a race result.
But how well do you actually know Karen?
In this episode of Pod on the Run, Ross and Petar sit down with one of Chico’s most accomplished ultrarunners to talk about the person behind the miles.
Karen has quietly put together an incredible ultra résumé, with podium finishes at ...
Katie Hawley came to Chico to run for the Wildcats.
That was the plan, anyway. What she found was a place that slowly, almost quietly, became hers.
A team became family. A park became home turf. A college town became home.
And somewhere between workouts in Bidwell, long conversations, fun little adventures, hard seasons, good people and a whole lot of showing up, Katie became part of Chico in a way that feels almost impossible to sepa...
Episode 26 goes long. Before Ross and Petar sit down with today’s guest, they check in on training, Chico summer heat, good miles, fresh pavement, and a running community that continues to absolutely crush.
BRC, CRC, Fleet Feet, Union Run Club, Colby Mountain TrailFest - the local scene is rolling.
There are some huge performances to celebrate, too. Nimei drops a 2:47 at the San Francisco Marathon. Logan Slack goes sub-five at...
Episode 25 brings the heat. Before Ross and Petar sit down with today’s guest, they run through a stacked lineup of summer shoutouts because the Chico running community has been absolutely cooking. Tahoe 200, Dipsea, Broken Arrow, Headwaters, Lemurian, CRC, BRC, Fleet Feet — the whole region is buzzing, thriving, and leveling up.
Then the main event: Damian Garcia, one of the most complete runners to ever come through Ch...
Episode 24 is a full‑stride tour through the Chico running universe - community highs, big race breakthroughs, and the kind of mid‑life brilliance that only comes from someone who has lived enough life to know better… and run anyway.
We kick things off at Global Running Day, where Fleet Feet turned a free 5k into a full‑blown Chico reunion. The Chico Striders and Danny DiMeo handed out this year’s Run Strong Scholarship...
This episode is a celebration of community - the people who shape our races, carry us through the hard miles, and remind us that running is never a solo act. Through stories from Boston, Eugene, Big Sur, and the Mendocino Coast, these voices share how togetherness, weather, terrain, crowds, and crew support transform a race into something shared and deeply human. From the emotional simplicity of running side‑by‑side, to the interna...
In the latest episode of Pod on the Run, Ross and Petar sit down with one of Chico’s most quietly iconic figures: Bill Parnell, the runner you’ve probably seen floating up North Rim with Fred or Leia trotting beside him. Bill is one of those rare Chico characters whose reputation reaches you long before the conversation does — the effortless stride, the calm presence, the stories that sound too wild to be true unt...
In Episode 21 of Pod on the Run, we sit down with someone who helps more than one-thousand girls each year discover confidence through movement. Claire Johnson, Executive Director of Girls on the Run North State, is one of those rare leaders who doesn’t just run a program — she builds a community. Her story begins in a family of twelve, where she learned early how to listen, negotiate, and find her voice. Those skills n...
For this special crossover episode, we laced up and headed out onto the North Rim Trail in Upper Bidwell Park, where we spent the morning hiking, talking, and filming with NickWoodard of Tails, Ales & Trails. What started as a simple idea — two local podcasts meeting on a trail — turned into a reminder of how deeply movement, storytelling, and community intertwine.
Nick showed up with full production wizardry: selfie...
Episode 19 of Pod on the Run traces the life of a man who rebuilt himself through discipline, imagination, service, and thousands of counter‑clockwise laps on a prison track. Joaquin Jordan grew up in Los Angeles during the height of the War on Drugs, raised by a single mother. He was a strong student and athlete, but the pull of addiction, identity, and survival dragged him into the justice system at fifteen. By adulthood, he was ...
In Episode 18 of Ross and Petar’s Pod on the Run, the hosts sit down with legendary Chico State head coach Gary Towne, the man behind one of the most dominant dynasties in collegiate distance running. After a quick warm‑up on the latest running news and local chatter, they dive into Gary’s staggering résumé—23 straight conference titles (men), 20 of the last 23 West Region titles (men), 19 of the last 23 CCAA titl...
Episode 17 brings us an important conversation with Dr. Alan Hivale — a Chico‑based physical therapist with a doctorate from Loma Linda, 15+ years in outpatient ortho, and a concierge practice built around one mission: keep people doing what they love.
The episode kicks off with classic Pod on the Run banter and a little Chico runner appreciation. Congrats Neil and Nimai on crushing the Redding Marathon! From there, Alan jumps...
Ross and Petar close out an unforgettable first season of the Pod on the Run podcast — a year that started with a simple idea and grew into a community-powered storytelling hub. This episode brings together the voices, victories, and vibrant personalities that shaped 2025 for the Chico running community.
We kick things off with holiday highlights, big mileage energy, and reflections from the BRC Holiday Party before diving int...
What drives someone to lace up, race across the country, and chase 50 finish lines? In this episode of Pod on the Run, Ross and Petar sit down with Sarah Batiste, a marathoner on a mission to conquer every state—already 28 marathons deep across 26 states. Fresh off running two marathons in six days, three in four weeks, and setting a personal best of 3:22 in Indiana, Sarah shares the grit, joy, and quirky rituals that keep he...
In Episode #14 of Pod on the Run, Ross and Petar kick things off with their signature banter - swapping stories from recent runs, race-day antics, and behind-the-scenes moments that set the tone for another unforgettable episode. But this one’s extra special. Why? Because they’re sitting down with a true legend of the local running scene: Mike O’Connell, affectionately known as “The Vegan Badass.” This...
From the streets of Chicago to the trails of Chico, Katie Crane has logged over 2,000 miles this year - and every step tells a story.
In this episode, Ross and Petar sit down with the six-star marathon finisher whose running resume spans continents, cultures, and courageous feats. But Katie’s journey isn’t just about medals and miles - it’s about grit, heart, and the kind of greatness that shows up when it matters...
In this episode of Pod on the Run, Ross and Petar are joined by returning guest Shawna Batham from Fleet Feet to recap the third annual Fall Trail Classic, held in Upper Bidwell Park. They kick things off with a warm welcome and a quick reintroduction to Shawna, teasing the highlights of the race weekend—including a fierce aid station competition, community energy, and early registration for next year’s event.
The conver...
In this special episode, we welcome back Logan Ziegenmeyer - Bidwell Run Club leader, community connector, and freshly returned from the legendary UTMB 2025. From the familiar trails of Bidwell Park to the rugged peaks of Mont Blanc, Logan takes us on a journey of endurance, emotion, and community impact.
We kick things off with a local spotlight: Logan’s role in organizing Bidwell Run Club’s speed workouts and previewin...
This episode of Pod on the Run kicks off with Ross and Petar lacing up the mic and hitting stride with a pulse check on the local running scene. Chico State and Butte College take center stage after strong showings at the Kim Duyst XC Twilight Invitational, where the energy was electric and one Wildcat earned a national honor that rippled far beyond the finish line.
From there, the spotlight shifts to the heartbeat of the community...
In this episode of Pod on the Run, Ross and Petar kick things off by setting the pace with updates from the local endurance scene. They touch on highlights from the Butte College Cross Country team’s recent performance at the State Preview, where both the men’s and women’s teams did well - an exciting glimpse into the Roadrunners’ momentum. They also celebrate Logan’s epic finish at UTMB, where he batt...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.