The Running Ground: The Atlantic CEO Nick Thompson On Life, Legacy, and the Simplest of Sports

“Immediately after dropping out of the Trials, Kurt [Benninger] was very quick to be like, ‘You will see the benefits of this. It's not today, but this is not for nothing.’ It's nice to come full circle 11 months later and get that payoff.” My guest for today’s episode is Erika Kemp, fresh off a remarkable performance at the 2025 Houston Marathon, where she shattered her personal best by 11 minutes to finish second in 2:22:56. This race wasn’t just a breakthrough; it was a statement. Erika now ranks 12th on the all-time U.S. marathon list and has cemented her place as one of the top American distance runners. We dive into how Erika turned setbacks, like her tough day at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, into fuel for her Houston success. She shares what it’s been like working with coach Kurt Benninger, her approach to marathon training, and how she’s taking confidence from a performance like this for her career moving forward, whether it’s chasing another World Marathon Major or earning a spot on the U.S. team for the World Championships. Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram  Guest: Erika Kemp | @imtinyrik on Instagram  SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS SPOKANE SPORTS COMMISSION: In Spokane, Washington, there’s Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and now, Fast.. Fifth Season is hosting elite indoor track and field events all throughout January and February. All events take place at the Podium Powered by STCU, SPOCAN’s state-of-the-art indoor track facility. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at SpokaneSports.com/FifthSeason⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OLIPOP: I’ve got a question for you: how’s your Dry January going? Whether you’re crushing it or just dipping your toes in, our friends at Olipop are here to make it a lot more fun—and way more delicious.  It’s not just another soda—it’s soda reimagined. Think of all the nostalgic flavors you love, but with way less sugar and a third of your daily fiber in every can. ⁠Get 25% off all your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.

23 Jan 34min

“I know that track is fast and with the energy that the crowd brings and the fields that show up at Millrose, it's going to be a great competition. You go to Millrose to win and you're racing to win. That's what brings the fast times. I'm going to put myself in a position to compete for the win and hopefully walk away really happy.” My guest for today's episode is Josette Andrews, who is going to be one of the headliners at the 2025 Millrose Games on February 8th at the Armory in New York City. Tickets for the meet are on sale now at millrosegames.org.  Who else is in the field you might be wondering? As of right now, I have a preliminary entry list. I don't know if some things have changed since these names were added into this document, but we've got Josette Andrews, Karissa Schweizer, Tsige Gebreselama, Whittni Morgan, Courtney Wayment, Katelyn Tuohy, Elly Henes, Sarah Healy, Melissa Courtney-Bryant, Gabbi Jennings, Hilda Olemomoi, Nozomi Tanaka, and so many more competitors and loaded races in the mile, the 800m, the 60m hurdles, and 60m dash. Lots to look forward to. We'll be on-site for that meet.  In this episode, Josette and I talk a little bit about that because we're both East Coast people. She's from Jersey, 20 minutes away from the Armory, and I'm, of course, a proud New Yorker who will take any opportunity to boast about the Millrose Games. We talk about the energy and atmosphere of the Millrose Games, but then in addition to that, we reflect on Josette's 2024 season, which wasn't perfect. She dealt with a foot injury, which sidelined her throughout spring and forced her to open up her season at the Olympic Trials, which wasn't easy. She ended up finishing 11th in the 5K, did a couple of races after that, but then really took time to heal in the fall. We get an update on how training's been going, her goals for 2025, and what else she's looking forward to this year. Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram  Guest: Josette Andrews | @josettenorris on Instagram SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS SPOKANE SPORTS COMMISSION: In Spokane, Washington, there’s Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and now, Fast.. Fifth Season is hosting elite indoor track and field events all throughout January and February. All events take place at the Podium Powered by STCU, SPOCAN’s state-of-the-art indoor track facility. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at SpokaneSports.com/FifthSeason⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OLIPOP: I’ve got a question for you: how’s your Dry January going? Whether you’re crushing it or just dipping your toes in, our friends at Olipop are here to make it a lot more fun—and way more delicious.  It’s not just another soda—it’s soda reimagined. Think of all the nostalgic flavors you love, but with way less sugar and a third of your daily fiber in every can. ⁠Get 25% off all your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.

21 Jan 28min

“I was like, ‘I just want to run fast.’ My ‘A’ goal for this race was to break the American record. If I was fifth, sixth, first—I didn’t really care. I was just concerned about the American record. That’s all that was going through my mind.” My guest for today's episode is Conner Mantz, the newly minted American record holder in the half marathon. Conner's historic performance at the 2025 Houston Half saw him cross the finish line in 59:17, taking a remarkable 26 seconds off Ryan Hall's long standing record from 2007. Conner joins us to break down every step of that historic performance, from his strategic surges, to his final kick, and how he overcame setbacks in training to achieve one of the most coveted records in American distance running. He reflects on his journey from running his first half marathon at age 12 to becoming the fastest American over the distance. Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram  Guest: Conner Mantz | @connermantz on Instagram SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS SPOKANE SPORTS COMMISSION: In Spokane, Washington, there’s Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and now, Fast.. Fifth Season is hosting elite indoor track and field events all throughout January and February. All events take place at the Podium Powered by STCU, SPOCAN’s state-of-the-art indoor track facility. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at SpokaneSports.com/FifthSeason⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OLIPOP: I’ve got a question for you: how’s your Dry January going? Whether you’re crushing it or just dipping your toes in, our friends at Olipop are here to make it a lot more fun—and way more delicious.  It’s not just another soda—it’s soda reimagined. Think of all the nostalgic flavors you love, but with way less sugar and a third of your daily fiber in every can. ⁠Get 25% off all your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.

21 Jan 1h 6min

Chris Chavez and Mac Fleet recap the 2025 Houston Half Marathon, where Conner Mantz shattered Ryan Hall's 18-year-old American record with a stunning 59:17 in a thrilling sprint finish and Weini Kelati broke her own American record for the second consecutive year. Facing freezing conditions, headwinds, and a late quad injury in training leading up to the race, Mantz delivered one of the most historic performances in U.S. distance running. Overall, the American depth was on display with seven men breaking 61:00 and Amanda Vestri moving to No. 8 on the all-time U.S. list with her 67:35. Plus, they break down Joe Klecker’s debut and what some of these performances mean for the track and spring marathons ahead. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS SPOKANE SPORTS COMMISSION: In Spokane, Washington, there’s Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and now, Fast.. Fifth Season is hosting elite indoor track and field events all throughout January and February. All events take place at the Podium Powered by STCU, SPOCAN’s state-of-the-art indoor track facility. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at SpokaneSports.com/FifthSeason⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OLIPOP: I’ve got a question for you: how’s your Dry January going? Whether you’re crushing it or just dipping your toes in, our friends at Olipop are here to make it a lot more fun—and way more delicious.  It’s not just another soda—it’s soda reimagined. Think of all the nostalgic flavors you love, but with way less sugar and a third of your daily fiber in every can. ⁠⁠Get 25% off all your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.

20 Jan 57min

“It’s still scary. It doesn’t matter how many marathons you run, you’re going to be scared. The brain is scared of struggling for two hours, struggling for three hours. You’re going to suffer. You have to focus on one thing for two hours.” Few athletes embody the spirit of curiosity and courage quite like Sifan Hassan. From her historic triple attempt at the Tokyo Olympics to her remarkable gold medal in the marathon and double bronze on the track in Paris, Hassan has redefined what’s possible in distance running. Today, she joins The CITIUS MAG Podcast to reflect on the extraordinary highs and grueling challenges of her career, including the mental toll of her Olympic triples and her triumphant return to the marathon at London in 2023. Hassan also shares her ambitious plans for 2025 and beyond, from chasing Ruth Chepngetich’s stunning 2:09:56 marathon world record to potentially attempting an unprecedented four major marathons in one year. What drives someone who has already achieved so much? Hassan’s answer is as compelling as her racing: it’s not about being the GOAT — it’s about pushing the limits of what she can do. Get ready for an inspiring conversation with one of the most curious, fearless, and boundary-pushing athletes of our time. Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram  Guest: Sifan Hassan | @sifanhassan on Instagram SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS SPOKANE SPORTS COMMISSION: In Spokane, Washington, there’s Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and now, Fast.. Fifth Season is hosting elite indoor track and field events all throughout January and February. All events take place at the Podium Powered by STCU, SPOCAN’s state-of-the-art indoor track facility. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at SpokaneSports.com/FifthSeason⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OLIPOP: I’ve got a question for you: how’s your Dry January going? Whether you’re crushing it or just dipping your toes in, our friends at Olipop are here to make it a lot more fun—and way more delicious.  It’s not just another soda—it’s soda reimagined. Think of all the nostalgic flavors you love, but with way less sugar and a third of your daily fiber in every can. ⁠Get 25% off all your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.

17 Jan 54min

Before we get to Boston, the elite American [half-]marathoning circuit kicks off this Sunday in Houston, Texas, where fast times historically abound thanks to pancake flat topography, mild Texas “winters,” and top-tier talent converging from all across the country and world. And while the rest of us were deep in winter hibernation, plenty of the sport’s best and brightest spent their holiday season with one weekend in January circled on the calendar.  CITIUS MAG’s been cooking up an exciting behind-the-scenes docuseries following Conner Mantz, Clayton Young, and Joe Klecker as they prepare for the Houston Half. [Check out the trailer here, and stay tuned for the first episode, which premieres later today… like, subscribe, etcetera!] Klecker has already gone on record stating that the American record—59:43, set by Ryan Hall back at this same race in 2007—is something he’s been training toward in his debut at the distance. But perhaps the most likely American record performance may come from the very athlete who already holds the women’s mark: Weini Kelati. At Houston last year—are you sensing a trend here?—Kelati ran 1:06:25 in her debut at the distance, kicking off a banner year highlighted by an eighth-place finish in the Olympic 10,000m. With her confidence buoyed and another full year of training under her belt, Kelati seems poised for a big day.  Chris Chavez chatted with Kelati’s coach, Stephen Haas, to check in on what fans might expect come Sunday, and learn a bit more about Kelati’s preparation with her Under Armour Mission Run Dark Sky Distance teammates in Flagstaff, Arizona. (Read the full interview here.)  SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS SPOKANE SPORTS COMMISSION: In Spokane, Washington, there’s Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and now, Fast.. Fifth Season is hosting elite indoor track and field events all throughout January and February. All events take place at the Podium Powered by STCU, SPOCAN’s state-of-the-art indoor track facility. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at SpokaneSports.com/FifthSeason⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WAHOO: KICKR RUN - a new revolutionary treadmill offering the freedom and form of outdoor running at home, from Wahoo Fitness. Run hands-free and focus solely on the joy of running with the innovative RunFree Mode - which adjusts to your stride and pace automatically. For the first time, runners can now fully benefit from indoor training apps such as Zwift Run and the Wahoo app for an immersive training experience that delivers unmatched realism and results. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at WahooFitness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OLIPOP: I’ve got a question for you: how’s your Dry January going? Whether you’re crushing it or just dipping your toes in, our friends at Olipop are here to make it a lot more fun—and way more delicious.  It’s not just another soda—it’s soda reimagined. Think of all the nostalgic flavors you love, but with way less sugar and a third of your daily fiber in every can. ⁠Get 25% off all your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.

16 Jan 1h 1min

“That race felt like everything I wanted in a 1500m wrapped up into one perfect race… It was a crazy fast race where we were basically going all out. Everyone was in it together, especially with that last dramatic kick where you still didn't know who was going to win with 200m to go.” Yared Nuguse has cemented himself as one of the best stars in middle-distance running. With a bronze medal in the 1500m at the Paris Olympics, Yared made history alongside Cole Hocker, marking the first time in 112 years that Team USA claimed multiple medals in the event. Add to that a silver medal in the 3000m at the World Indoor Championships earlier in 2024, and it’s safe to say Yared’s season was nothing short of remarkable. Today, Yared joins The CITIUS MAG Podcast to reflect on his breakout year and to share the exciting news that he’ll be racing the Wanamaker Mile at the 2025 Millrose Games. The showdown between Yared and reigning World champion Josh Kerr promises to be one of the highlights of the indoor season, and we dive into how Yared is preparing for the challenge.  We also discuss his evolution as a global medal contender, the lessons learned from two World Championship campaigns, and his mindset as he continues to push the limits of American middle-distance running. It’s always inspiring to hear from one of the sport’s most talented and thoughtful athletes. Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram  Guest: Yared Nuguse | @yaredthegoose on Instagram SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS SPOKANE SPORTS COMMISSION: In Spokane, Washington, there’s Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and now, Fast.. Fifth Season is hosting elite indoor track and field events all throughout January and February. All events take place at the Podium Powered by STCU, SPOCAN’s state-of-the-art indoor track facility. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at SpokaneSports.com/FifthSeason⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WAHOO: KICKR RUN - a new revolutionary treadmill offering the freedom and form of outdoor running at home, from Wahoo Fitness. Run hands-free and focus solely on the joy of running with the innovative RunFree Mode - which adjusts to your stride and pace automatically. For the first time, runners can now fully benefit from indoor training apps such as Zwift Run and the Wahoo app for an immersive training experience that delivers unmatched realism and results. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at WahooFitness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ OLIPOP: I’ve got a question for you: how’s your Dry January going? Whether you’re crushing it or just dipping your toes in, our friends at Olipop are here to make it a lot more fun—and way more delicious.  It’s not just another soda—it’s soda reimagined. Think of all the nostalgic flavors you love, but with way less sugar and a third of your daily fiber in every can. Get 25% off all your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.

9 Jan 41min

“To win a world championship title in my country, then break world records and British records all the way throughout the season, then make it to the Olympics and run a personal best on the biggest stage – you can't walk away disappointed with that or else you're just going to hate the sport. I'm happy with how the year went.” Few athletes in the world of track and field command attention like Josh Kerr. The reigning 1500m World champion and Olympic silver medalist returns to The CITIUS MAG Podcast today to reflect on a monumental 2024 season and to share exciting news: Josh is officially set to race the Wanamaker Mile at the 2025 Millrose Games.  Known for his meticulous approach to racing and his ability to thrive on the sport’s biggest stages, Josh enters the new year with ambitious goals, including sweeping the Grand Slam Track series and defending his World Championship title. In this episode, we dig into Josh’s takeaways from a season that included personal bests, thrilling head-to-head battles, and some of the most competitive 1500m races in history.  We also discuss his return to the mile distance, his rivalry with Yared Nuguse, and what makes the Wanamaker Mile one of the most coveted titles in indoor track. Josh doesn’t just run fast—he runs with purpose. And today, he gives us a glimpse into the mindset, strategy, and fire that fuel one of the best middle-distance runners in the world. Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠  Guest: Josh Kerr | ⁠@joshhkerr on Instagram⁠ Time Stamps: 8:49 - Reflecting on his 2024 season 11:20 - Reflecting on the Olympic 1500m final 13:00 - Thoughts on racing the mile at Millrose 14:58 - How he and his coach planned out 2025 17:15 - Thoughts on racing World Indoors 24:24 - Wedding planning 25:22 - Getting nervous before races 29:17 - How his racing style compares to Yared’s 33:05 - Why he thinks Cole won the Olympic 1500m 42:55 - Thoughts on racing the 800m at GST 47:24 - Thoughts on his GST competitors 59:51 - New Year’s Resolutions  1:01:21 - How the 1500m has changed SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS SPOKANE SPORTS COMMISSION: In Spokane, Washington, there’s Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and now, Fast.. Fifth Season is hosting elite indoor track and field events all throughout January and February. All events take place at the Podium Powered by STCU, SPOCAN’s state-of-the-art indoor track facility. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at SpokaneSports.com/FifthSeason⁠⁠⁠⁠ WAHOO: KICKR RUN - a new revolutionary treadmill offering the freedom and form of outdoor running at home, from Wahoo Fitness. Run hands-free and focus solely on the joy of running with the innovative RunFree Mode - which adjusts to your stride and pace automatically. For the first time, runners can now fully benefit from indoor training apps such as Zwift Run and the Wahoo app for an immersive training experience that delivers unmatched realism and results. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at WahooFitness.com⁠⁠⁠ OLIPOP: I’ve got a question for you: how’s your Dry January going? Whether you’re crushing it or just dipping your toes in, our friends at Olipop are here to make it a lot more fun—and way more delicious.  It’s not just another soda—it’s soda reimagined. Think of all the nostalgic flavors you love, but with way less sugar and a third of your daily fiber in every can. Get 25% off all your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.

9 Jan 1h 4min