Chris Maxon’s First Marathon: Fifth Place at CIM and Just Getting Started

In this episode of Road to the Trials, Peter Bromka sits down with Chris Maxon, one of the most intriguing first-time marathoners to emerge this cycle. Chris made his marathon debut at the California International Marathon and finished an eye-opening fifth place. While many runners need time to forget the pain of their first marathon before even considering another, Chris walked away both satisfied and hungry, already thinking about what’s next.Chris trains in Boulder alongside some of the best marathoners in the world, and he shares how that environment has shaped his approach to the event, from preparation to race execution. He talks candidly about what surprised him in his first marathon, what he thinks he left on the table, and how he’s already framing the next two years as he looks ahead.Beyond the racing, Chris brings a unique angle to the sport as the self-described “fastest realtor in America,” balancing high-level training with a demanding professional career. This conversation offers a glimpse into the mindset of a young athlete entering the marathon at a high level, the lessons learned from a debut performance, and the ambition driving him forward as he sets his sights on breaking 2:10.

In this episode of Road to the Trials, Peter Bromka sits down with JP Trojan, who delivered a breakthrough performance at the California International Marathon with a 2:10 finish and a fourth-place result that even surprised him. For much of the build to CIM, JP wasn’t sure how the race would go — telling his coach the day before he wasn’t confident — yet when the gun went off, he showed up as a racer and a competitor and ran a very fast marathon signaling that his name is one to watch as we build toward the 2028 Olympic Trials.JP’s journey to this point has been far from conventional: he has a rich collegiate running background that spans William & Mary and Syracuse Law School, where he completed his eligibility while pursuing a law degree. Today he balances professional life as an immigration lawyer in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his training and racing as a member of Minnesota Distance Elite. In this candid conversation, JP talks about how he manages work and workouts, why the marathon resonates with him, and how the process of making big gains has been a discipline in both law and running.Given the backdrop of tensions in Minnesota right now — including recent events tied to federal immigration enforcement and community response — JP also shares thoughts on his work in immigration law, why this moment matters to him personally, and how listeners might support affected communities. Our hearts are with Minnesota and all who are experiencing hardship and trauma during this time of crisis and unrest. Links to support the communityAdvocates for Human Rights: https://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/donateStand With Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/

In this episode of Road to the Trials, Lindsey Hein and Peter Bromka sit down with Maddie Block, one of the many women who qualified for the Olympic Trials Marathon at CIM in December. Maddie ran 2:36:27 in what was her fifth marathon, all while balancing life as a third-year medical student.Maddie’s path to the Olympic Trials standard is anything but linear. She shares how she began her college career as a walk-on at Northern Iowa, later walking on again at Iowa, and how she has truly earned every opportunity she has had in the sport. Her story is one of persistence, patience, and believing in herself even when the path forward was not obvious.The conversation dives into what it looks like to train at a high level while navigating the demands of medical school, from managing time and fatigue to staying mentally engaged with both running and academics. Maddie opens up about how she structures her life, why consistency has been her greatest strength, and how she has continued to improve year after year.This is a powerful episode about grit, long-term commitment, and chasing big goals alongside a full and demanding life. Maddie’s journey is a reminder that progress is not always flashy, but it is built through showing up again and again.This episode is supported by Rocket Money. Rocket Money is the personal finance app that helps you take control of your money without lifting a finger. Track spending, see all accounts in one place, cancel unwanted subscriptions with a tap, and automate savings toward your goals. If you’ve ever wondered “Wait, what am I still paying for?” — Rocket Money will tell you. Get started and let your money work smarter for you at rocketmoney.com/gorun.

In this episode of Road to the Trials, Peter Bromka and Matt Chittim sit down with Jacob Thomson, a name American distance running fans should know well. A former national champion in the half marathon and a top-10 finisher at the California International Marathon, Jacob has been competing at a high level for more than a decade and continues to evolve as a marathoner.Based in Flagstaff, Arizona, Jacob is a member of Under Armour Dark Sky Distance and trains alongside a deep and ever-changing group of elite runners. He shares what it is like to build fitness and longevity in one of the most competitive training environments in the country, and how training with such a wide range of athletes has shaped both his approach to racing and his perspective on the sport.Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympic Trials, Jacob opens up about his goals, his motivation, and why he believes patience and consistency still matter in an era of ever-faster times. This is a thoughtful, wide-ranging episode with an athlete who has seen nearly every side of the sport and is still pushing forward.This episode is supported by Rocket Money. Rocket Money is the personal finance app that helps you take control of your money without lifting a finger. Track spending, see all accounts in one place, cancel unwanted subscriptions with a tap, and automate savings toward your goals. If you’ve ever wondered “Wait, what am I still paying for?” — Rocket Money will tell you. Get started and let your money work smarter for you at rocketmoney.com/gorun.

This episode of Road to the Trials is one for the books. On Sunday, January 11, Zouhair Talbi ran 2:05 to win the Houston Marathon in a course record, marking a major milestone in a long and steady rise that has already seen him run 2:06 and now firmly establish himself among the world’s top marathoners. Just 30 minutes later, his wife Elizabeth crossed the same finish line in 2:35, securing her own Olympic Trials qualifier for 2028. Two elite performances, one unforgettable morning, and one very busy household.Zouhair, now a newly minted American citizen, shares what that Houston victory meant to him after years of knocking on the door, and what lies ahead as he becomes eligible to represent the United States in 2027. Elizabeth walks through her own journey, from returning to racing after pregnancy to executing a breakthrough race on the same course, the same day. Together, they reflect on the surreal moment when a cyclist told Elizabeth mid-race that her husband had already won and set the course record, with miles still left for her to run.This is a joyful and inspiring conversation with one of the fastest couples in the country, a reminder that big performances do not happen in isolation, and that sometimes the most meaningful wins come with a baby in your arms at the end of the day.

Turner Wiley may have flown under the radar for years, but his performance at the Marathon Project made everyone pay attention. After previously running 2:11:59 and quietly qualifying for multiple Olympic Trials as a club runner with Club Northwest in Seattle, Turner delivered a massive breakthrough by finishing second at the Marathon Project in 2:09:27. The result marked a turning point in his career and signaled his arrival as a true contender on the national stage.In this episode, Turner shares the long arc of his development as a marathoner and why his progress has never been about one big leap, but steady steps taken year after year. He talks about running at the club level for most of his career, building belief through consistent improvement, and what it meant to finally put everything together on race day. Peter frames Turner’s journey as a staircase, with each season adding another step upward, and Turner reflects on how patience and persistence shaped his path.This is an episode about consistency done right, trusting long-term development, and believing that breakthroughs can come after years of quiet work. Turner’s story is a reminder that progress in the marathon often rewards those who stay committed, even when the spotlight isn’t on them.We want to thank NOOGS for supporting this episode. NOOGS are sports nutrition chews created by a registered dietitian who wanted a fueling option that actually tasted good and delivered the electrolytes runners need. Designed to fuel both training and race day, NOOGS combine fast carbs, salt, and great flavors that make fueling something to look forward to. Learn more and save 15 percent on your order at noogsnutrition.com with the code RTT15.

Carter Norbo joins Road to the Trials after earning her first Olympic Trials qualifying time at the Marathon Project, running 2:36:25 just over four months postpartum. It is a breakthrough years in the making, built on persistence, patience, and a deep love for the marathon.Carter ran her first marathon in 2015 at the Chicago Marathon, clocking 2:56, and has since completed more than a dozen marathons. Along the way, she has come heartbreakingly close to the OTQ standard more than once. In 2023, she missed the mark by just 73 seconds at the Dismal Swamp Marathon, running much of the race alone and doing so only four months postpartum after having twins. She followed that with a 2:37:29 at the Chicago Marathon in 2024 before finally breaking through in 2025 with her 2:36:25 performance.In this conversation, Carter shares what it has looked like to stay committed to long-term goals through multiple postpartum returns, how she has continued to get faster well beyond her college years, and what it means to chase big dreams while raising three kids. This episode is a powerful look at resilience and consistency, and a reminder that progress does not always follow a straight line. Carter’s story highlights how the Marathon Project continues to provide meaningful opportunities for athletes to pursue their goals and how perseverance can eventually turn near-misses into defining moments.We want to thank NOOGS for supporting this episode. NOOGS are sports nutrition chews created by a registered dietitian who wanted a fueling option that actually tasted good and delivered the electrolytes runners need. Designed to fuel both training and race day, NOOGS combine fast carbs, salt, and great flavors that make fueling something to look forward to. Learn more and save 15 percent on your order at noogsnutrition.com with the code RTT15.

Michael “Magic” McCann joins Road to the Trials after sliding into Peter Bromka’s DMs with a bold claim: he might be the youngest Olympic Trials qualifier so far. At just 22 years old, Michael ran 2:14 at CIM, and his energy is exactly what you’d expect from someone whose running story feels like it is accelerating in real time.Mike walks through his background in Division III running and how he ended up taking a different route than most. He has stayed with the same coach since high school, and that long-term relationship has shaped everything, from his gradual mileage build to the mindset that kept him showing up through the messy middle. They talk about the years where things were not clicking, what it looked like to keep training anyway, and why he believes the breakthrough was always there, waiting for the right stretch of consistency and health.This episode is supported by OS1ST, the fastest growing sock brand in run specialty stores across the country. OS1ST is trusted by runners because their socks fit exceptionally well, last for years, and do exactly what great socks should do: disappear on your feet. Built for comfort, durability, and pain-free performance, OS1ST socks are designed so you never have to think about them mid-run. Find a local retailer near you at os1st.com/trials.We also want to thank NOOGS for supporting this episode. NOOGS are sports nutrition chews created by a registered dietitian who wanted a fueling option that actually tasted good and delivered the electrolytes runners need. Designed to fuel both training and race day, NOOGS combine fast carbs, salt, and great flavors that make fueling something to look forward to. Learn more and save 15 percent on your order at noogsnutrition.com with the code RTT15.

Ben Rosario joins Lindsey Hein, Peter Bromka, and Matt Chittim on Road to the Trials to recap the return of The Marathon Project, which took place last weekend in Chandler, Arizona. Ben is the co-founder and CEO of The Marathon Project and brings decades of experience across nearly every corner of the running world. From elite athlete to coach, event director, and program founder, he offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to put on a high performance marathon.In this conversation, Ben reflects on why The Marathon Project was first created in 2020 during the pandemic, why it felt important to bring it back now, and what the team learned from hosting it again. He breaks down how the weekend was structured and shares what worked well, what they would change, and how they think about creating an environment where athletes can truly run fast.Ben’s background includes a 2:18 marathon PR, years as the head coach and executive director of NAZ Elite, and experience as a special events director, running store owner, marketing director, and elite athlete coordinator. That full-spectrum perspective shapes how he approaches building races today and what he hopes to continue evolving with The Marathon Project moving forward.We want to thank NOOGS for supporting this episode. NOOGS are sports nutrition chews created by a registered dietitian who wanted a fueling option that actually tasted good and delivered the electrolytes runners need. Designed to fuel both training and race day, NOOGS combine fast carbs, salt, and great flavors that make fueling something to look forward to. Learn more and save 15 percent on your order at noogsnutrition.com with the code RTT15.

In this episode of Road to the Trials, host Matt Chittim sits down with Maya Weigel, who has emerged as one of the most compelling athletes in the marathon space. Maya recently finished top 10 at the USATF Marathon National Championships at CIM, running an impressive 2:28 and further establishing herself as a rising contender heading toward 2028.A former Division III national champion and multiple-time All-American, Maya has been consistently performing at an elite level while simultaneously pursuing her PhD in neuroscience. In this conversation, she shares what it looks like to train at a world-class level while balancing long research hours, how she approaches marathon execution and consistency, and what continues to motivate her on both sides of her life — the lab and the roads.Whether you're inspired by athletes who juggle big goals, fascinated by the mental side of performance, or simply love a good story of grit and long-term growth, this episode offers a thoughtful and energizing look at what’s possible.This episode is supported by OS1ST, the fastest growing sock brand in run specialty stores across the country. OS1ST is trusted by runners because their socks fit exceptionally well, last for years, and do exactly what great socks should do: disappear on your feet. Built for comfort, durability, and pain-free performance, OS1ST socks are designed so you never have to think about them mid-run. Find a local retailer near you at os1st.com/trials.We also want to thank NOOGS for supporting this episode. NOOGS are sports nutrition chews created by a registered dietitian who wanted a fueling option that actually tasted good and delivered the electrolytes runners need. Designed to fuel both training and race day, NOOGS combine fast carbs, salt, and great flavors that make fueling something to look forward to. Learn more and save 15 percent on your order at noogsnutrition.com with the code RTT15.