Run the Nation: Grit, Gators & Southern Hospitality

This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, our Run the Nation series heads south — where the miles are sweaty, the smiles are big, and every finish line feels like a family reunion. Kyle shares his personal stories of running the humid roads of Memphis, Gulf Shores, Biloxi, and more — including the only DNF that still nags at him (and why he’s going back for sweet redemption). We’ll break down ten must-run Southern races, from Atlanta’s iconic Peachtree Road Race to the pirate party of Gasparilla and the bourbon-soaked relay through Kentucky’s distilleries. Along the way, we celebrate what makes the South so special: warm welcomes, post-race BBQ, medals shaped like pigs and pirate ships, and aid stations that feel like your grandma’s porch. The Southern running scene is less about speed and more about showing up, sticking it out through the heat, and raising a toast together at the end. So grab your sweet tea, sit back, and get ready to plan your next humid adventure — because these Southern miles will stick with you long after the sweat dries.