Back of the Pack Podcast

Back of the Pack Podcast

Lace up your sneakers, grab your favorite headband, and toe the starting line! The signal has fired and the “Back of the Pack Podcast” is up and running! Are you a fan of running 5k’s just because the finisher medal looks cool? You are not alone there! Join the show that is all about the race swag and running on a Saturday morning to get the most out of your race registration. We will talk about local races in the Kansas City area. We will give you a heads up if you’re wanting to go farther outside the area to run the big races. Host Kyle Walker has fourteen full marathons, over eighty half marathons, and hundreds of 5k’s and 10k's. Take it from us, you are among friends here if you’ve gotten to the finish line to find all the bananas gone!

Episodes

October 13, 2025 22 mins
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we’re getting into the holiday spirit early as we welcome representatives from the Arthritis Foundation — the organization behind the annual Jingle Bell Run 5K, happening December 7th, 2025! We learn about the Foundation’s mission to support those living with arthritis and how this festive race helps turn miles into meaningful impact. From jingling costumes to the joy of running for a caus...
Mark as Played
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, we’re diving headfirst into spooky season with our Creepy & Fun Fall Races edition. Think haunted halfs, costume 5Ks, zombie chases, and races that turn running into an experience you won’t forget. We’ll share fun stories, listener favorites, and a curated top-10 list of the most legendary Halloween-themed races across the U.S. and beyond. You’ll hear what makes each event...
Mark as Played
October 6, 2025 36 mins
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we’re going the distance — literally — with a full slate of race recaps! Kyle dives into the Heartland 30K Series, covering the Plaza 10K, Woodstock 10K, and Boulevard 10K, sharing the highs, lows, and lessons learned from each stop along the way. Then, it’s on to new terrain with Kyle’s first-ever trail race, the Wilderness Trek 5K — a run that proves the dirt hits different. Finally, we ...
Mark as Played
October 3, 2025 27 mins
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, we kick off our brand-new October series, Run if You Dare. In Episode 1, we break down why fall is considered “PR season” for runners. From cooler temperatures to lower humidity and perfectly timed race schedules, autumn sets the stage for some of the fastest miles of the year. Kyle shares his own experiences with setting personal records during fall races, and we connect how ...
Mark as Played
Sometimes the smartest call is also the one that hurts the most. In this episode of The Back of the Pack Podcast, Kyle opens up about pulling out of his first planned 50-mile ultra and the Marine Corps Marathon after a freak knee injury derailed training. We talk honestly about why stepping back can feel like failure even when it’s the right choice—touching on identity, sunk costs, community expectations, and that heavy mix of FOMO...
Mark as Played
In the final week of our Stress Month series, we explore how stress disrupts the hormones, sleep, skin, and even the brain. Stress isn’t just mental—it shows up everywhere, from restless nights to breakouts to brain fog that follows you through the day. We break down how stress hormones like cortisol and testosterone get knocked off balance, slowing recovery, sapping energy, and even raising the risk of bone loss. We look at how st...
Mark as Played
September 22, 2025 37 mins
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we welcome Dave Borchardt from the KC Sports Commission, race director for the Garmin Kansas City Marathon happening October 18, 2025. Dave gives us the inside scoop on what runners can expect this year, including the expo at historic Union Station and the race-day experience across Kansas City. We also zoom out beyond the marathon to talk about the city’s booming sports scene — from the r...
Mark as Played
September 19, 2025 25 mins
In Week 3 of our Stress Month series, we explore how stress weighs down the body’s physical frame—your skeleton and muscles. Stress doesn’t just make you feel mentally drained; it tightens muscles, slows recovery, and even weakens bones over time. We break down how stress-induced muscle tension can lead to injuries for runners and headaches for non-runners alike, why inflammation keeps your body sore and achy, and how elevated cort...
Mark as Played
September 15, 2025 36 mins
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we shine a spotlight on one of the Midwest’s most beloved races — the Good Life Halfsy in Lincoln, Nebraska. Kyle sits down with Chelsea, Linda, and Jared from Pink Gorilla Events, the team behind this iconic half marathon now entering its 12th year. We talk through the history of the Halfsy, what makes it such a unique and community-driven event, and the traditions that keep runners comin...
Mark as Played
September 12, 2025 28 mins
In Week 2 of our Stress Month series, we dive into how stress wreaks havoc on your lungs and stomach.

Stress isn’t just in your head—it changes how you breathe and digest, and for runners, that can mean shorter breaths, harder workouts, and some very inconvenient pit stops. We break down the respiratory system, showing how shallow breathing, chest tightness, and even asthma flare-ups can make your runs (and your daily life) feel har...
Mark as Played
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we sit down with local runner, pacer, and race ambassador Katie A. to talk all things running and community. Katie shares her running beginnings, including her very first race at the Garmin Kansas City Marathon in 2019, and how the sport has shaped her journey ever since. We hear about her engagement to fellow runner and pack favorite, Kody, her memorable race weekend at Disneyland, and he...
Mark as Played
September 5, 2025 26 mins
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, we kicked off our Stress Month series with a deep dive into how stress affects the nervous system and the cardiovascular system. Stress isn’t just in your head—it hijacks your body, too.

We break down how constant tension can make runners feel overtrained without the miles, why recovery slows when your nervous system won’t shut down, and how elevated heart rates can sabotage bo...
Mark as Played
September 1, 2025 32 mins
It was a packed holiday weekend for the Back of the Pack crew! In this episode, Kyle recaps three very different Labor Day weekend races. First up: the debut of the Ottawa Half Marathon, a brand-new event from KC Running Company that steps in where the Lagerhead Half left off. Then it’s on to the Always & Furever 5K at Lexington Lake Park, a family-friendly event supporting a local dog rescue. Finally, we close out the long wee...
Mark as Played
August 29, 2025 24 mins
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, we close out our “March to 200” series with a celebration of the people who made it possible. After last week’s milestone episode packed with guest messages, we take a moment to give each contributor their flowers—acknowledging the support, encouragement, and fun they’ve brought to the show along the way. From fellow podcasters to Patreon supporters to long-time friends of the...
Mark as Played
August 25, 2025 28 mins
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we had a little bit of everything — racing, community, and even a run fueled by tacos. We kick things off with a breakdown of the Summer Sizzle 10K in Overland Park on a cool'ish August morning. Then we shift gears to celebrate the first official run of the Chasing Rabbits Run Club at Discourse Brewery, where our “no runner left behind” promise came to life. From there, we highlight one of...
Mark as Played
August 22, 2025 31 mins
Two hundred episodes. Three years of stories, races, laughs, lessons, and community. This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we celebrate a milestone that belongs to every member of the pack. To mark episode 200, we opened the mic to the voices that have been with us along the way — fellow podcasters, Patreon supporters, friends of the show, and the runners who’ve become family. What started as one guy and a microphone has grown...
Mark as Played
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we recap a packed weekend of racing with two 10Ks back-to-back. First up: the Rexy Run in Lawrence, KS, celebrating its 10th year of supporting Baby Jay’s Legacy of Hope and the families it serves. Then we hit the pavement again for the Hearts for Ronald McDonald House Charities 10K, another powerful community race with a meaningful cause. But both events had one major opponent — the weath...
Mark as Played
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, the Road to 200 takes a big step off the mic and onto the streets. We’re introducing the Chasing Rabbits Running Club, our brand-new community run club in partnership with Discourse Brewery. This isn’t just about logging miles — it’s about building on three years of friendship, laughter, and the “no runner left behind” promise that’s been at the heart of the podcast since day ...
Mark as Played
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we lace up in Greenwood, MO for the second annual Run to Bless 5K, an event supporting Fellowship Church and the mission trips they fund. We break down the race experience, the course, and the community spirit that made it a great Saturday morning run. Then, we shift to one of our favorite causes: the upcoming Rexy Run 5K, 8K, & 10K in Lawrence, KS. We sit down with Race Director Krist...
Mark as Played
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, we’re celebrating the voices that have helped our pack grow. Over the years, our guests have brought stories, energy, and whole new communities into the fold — each one leaving their own unique mark. Some inspired listeners to take on new races, others sparked donations or volunteer work, and many became ongoing friends of the show. We revisit some of the most memorable conver...
Mark as Played

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.

    CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

    It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.

    Dateline NBC

    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

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.