053 | Gene McCarthy, Run Industry Legend

For all you 5K-heads out there, this one's for you. Sydney Gidabuday of Roots Running finished in third place at the 5K National Championships in New York City a few weeks ago. Not only is he a pure stud, but he's also a great guy with a great story, and you're really gonna root for him after this interview. We talk about tearing up the competition at Adams State University, his path to Roots, sit-n-kick versus all-out race strategies, running with glasses, hip hop, and so much more (24:50). The gang also breaks down new shoes from Diadora and Altra, as well as Stef Flippin's title defense at the Tunnel Hill 100.

19 Marras 20211h 19min

Your favorite mullet miler has finally graced The Drop podcast. Craig Engels is just as cool a guy as he seems on TV and social media (@craigathor), so we're super excited to have him on the pod. We talk about his running career from Ole Miss to Nike, training for the Olympic Trials, RVs, why long-distance sucks, and, of course, fashionable men's hairstyles (32:48). All that and more with Craig, plus the BITR gang recaps Meg's secret marathon mission in Indianapolis.

12 Marras 20211h 27min

We were at the Wineglass Marathon a few weeks ago, so it's only right that we brought the winner onto the pod to talk shop. Melissa Hardesty is fast fast, winning marathons out here as a part-time professor. We talk about her winning weekend, running journey, her first marathon, how running contributes to mental health and wellness, qualifying for the Olympic Trials, and much more (21:39). The gang also previews some of their favorite gear for Fall 2021, including products from Tracksmith and Deckers X Lab.

5 Marras 20211h 34min

You guys know there were other runners at this year's Boston Marathon, right? Well, we found one who finished in the top-10 of the famed race, Brooks athlete CJ Albertson. With a 2:11 marathon PR, CJ is a great interview and Arizona State alumni (go Devils). We talk with him about his big day in Boston, how running with the pack vs. not messes with your mindset, the Marathon Project, running at ASU, coaching philosophies, and much more (34:49). The gan also discusses the recent performance that broke the women's world record for the half marathon.

29 Loka 20211h 34min

We're so excited to have one of our favorite guests ever back on the pod this week. Nike pro runner Keira D'Amato joins us to catch up on everything she's done the last year, including getting sponsored by the Swoosh, breaking the American 10-mile record at the Up Dawg Ten Miler, placing 4th at this year's Chicago Marathon, taste-testing cookies with her kids during the pandemic, and so much more. Of course, we also get her take on the everlasting Alphafly vs Vaporfly debate (31:13). The gang also breaks down Harvey Lewis' record-setting performance at Big's Backyard Ultra, and Robbe tells shady but funny stories from his trip to the Bahamas. IG: @keiradamato

22 Loka 20211h 34min

He f***ing did it. Jordan Tropf ran 3 marathons in 3 days at a 2:30:30 pace. While not an official world record just yet, the suits over at Guinness are verifying Jordan's epic feat as we speak. This week on the pod, we recap the weekend with Jordan, including post/pre-race meals, how he felt on day 3 in Boston, and the travel obstacles that we faced along the way. You won't wanna miss this one.

15 Loka 20211h 15min

Running and beer are the ultimate 1-2 combo. They go together like PB and J, cookies and milk, or, well, you get the idea. We've got a few beer connoisseurs here at BITR, so Thomas and Robbe are super excited to chat with the founder of Evil Twin Brewing, Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø. Jeppe just so happens to also be an avid runner with an emphasis on the track. We talk about running as a youth in Denmark, starting his own brewery, the state of brewing right now (yes, it's over-saturated), and weekly Tracksmith group runs from their brewery in Queens (35:40). The gang also recaps their weekend at the Wineglass Marathon and breaks down Shalane Flanagan's recent performances.

8 Loka 20211h 35min

He's fast, he's a badass, and he unveiled Saucony's latest racer at the Falmouth Road Race. Parker Stinson (@_parker_stinson_) is a Saucony pro runner who was a 9x All-American at the University of Oregon and holds the U.S. record for the 25K. That's a weird distance, we know. We talked about the 25K and other obscure race distances with Parker, as well as trash-talking pre-race, his pain cave, working out at night on the treadmill, and, of course, the Endorphin Pro+ (29:04). The gang also gives a quick review of the Endorphin Pro+ and recaps Shalane Flanagan's Berlin Marathon.

1 Loka 20211h 37min