Rizzo Run Club Podcast

What really happens behind the scenes of the ASICS Los Angeles Marathon? This week on the Rizzo Run Club Podcast, I sit down with Pamela Price, the five-time official ASICS Los Angeles Marathon run host. Every race day, Pamela runs alongside thousands of marathoners, goes live on the LA Marathon Instagram, interviews runners throughout the course, and captures the unforgettable moments that make race day so special. Beyond the marathon, Pamela is a respected leader in the Los Angeles running community and an advocate for trail running through her work with So Cal Trails. We caught up at a recent So Cal Trails event to talk about: What it's like being the official run host for the LA Marathon Behind-the-scenes stories from race day Building the Los Angeles running community Pamela's personal running journey Why community is the foundation of every great race Whether you're training for your first marathon, preparing for the Los Angeles Marathon, or simply love hearing inspiring stories from the running community, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration. If you enjoy conversations about marathon training, race-day experiences, running culture, and the people who make our community stronger, be sure to subscribe to the Rizzo Run Club Podcast for new episodes every week.

The man behind the iconic Tracksmith Envoy van joins the Rizzo Run Club Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Joachim Cassel, former leader of the Tracksmith Envoy Program, during the Broken Arrow Sky Race in Lake Tahoe, California. For years, Joachim drove the Tracksmith Envoy across America, showing up at major marathons, leading shakeout runs, supporting local running clubs, and becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the running community. We dive into the stories behind Tracksmith, the growth of marathon culture, the explosion of running clubs, and what it's like to spend years traveling to races like the Houston Marathon, New York City Marathon, and other major running events around the country. In this episode: The origins of the Tracksmith Envoy Program Driving thousands of miles to support the running community The running boom and why community matters more than ever Catching up at the Broken Arrow Sky Race in Lake Tahoe The friendships, stories, and memories built through running The London 2 Day Marathon If you love running podcasts, marathon training, running culture, Tracksmith, Marathon stories, trail running, and the running community, this conversation is for you. Subscribe to the Rizzo Run Club Podcast for interviews with runners, coaches, race directors, and the people shaping the future of distance running.

What does it take to run a marathon every single Sunday for an entire year?In this episode, I sit down with Kati Israel, an endurance athlete originally from Estonia and now living in Montreal, who has taken on the remarkable challenge of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks. That's 26.2 miles every Sunday for a full year.I recently caught up with Kati at the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, where she completed marathon number 22 of her journey. Along the way, she is raising money for charity while inspiring runners around the world to believe in themselves, stay disciplined, and pursue goals that may seem impossible.Kati shares the physical and mental demands of the challenge, the lessons she's learned through consistency and commitment, the highs and lows of running week after week, and how this experience has transformed her perspective on endurance, resilience, and purpose.Whether you're training for your first marathon, chasing a personal best, or looking for motivation to tackle your own ambitious goals, this conversation is packed with inspiration and practical lessons from someone living the challenge one Sunday at a time.

The future of marathon racing may be changing forever.In this episode, we take a deep dive into one of the biggest questions facing the running world after the record-breaking demand for the 2027 London Marathon:Can the London Marathon realistically pull off a two-day event?With more than a million runners applying for entry, the pressure is growing for race organizers to expand capacity. But what happens when one of the world’s biggest marathons stretches across an entire weekend?We break down every angle of the debate:The massive logistical challenge of shutting down London for two daysHotel demand, rising travel costs, and flight availabilityPolitical pressure and city infrastructure concernsVolunteer and support crew fatigueSponsor expectations and broadcast implicationsHow the elite races would work in a two-day formatWhether a split weekend would dilute the magic and prestige of the London MarathonWe also examine the ripple effect across the marathon world:If London successfully expands to two days, will the Chicago Marathon and New York City Marathon eventually be forced to consider the same move?This is more than a conversation about race capacity. It’s a discussion about the future of the Marathon Majors, the economics of global racing, and whether growth comes at the expense of tradition.If you’re passionate about marathons, race culture, marathon majors, running history, or the future of the sport, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I take you inside the full experience of the 2026 London Marathon — from the excitement of the London Marathon Expo to the energy of race morning in one of the biggest marathons in the world.I break down everything from the weather conditions, traveling through London, arriving at the start line on a private shuttle, navigating the starting corrals, and what it truly felt like running through the streets of London on marathon day.This is more than just a race recap — it’s an immersive look into one of the world’s six major marathons and the unforgettable atmosphere that makes the London Marathon one of the most iconic races in running.Whether you're training for your first marathon, planning to run the London Marathon in the future, or simply love marathon stories and running culture, this episode brings you directly into race weekend.Topics include:2026 London Marathon recapLondon Marathon Expo experienceRace morning logisticsStarting corrals and shuttle experienceLondon Marathon course atmosphereMarathon travel tipsWorld Marathon MajorsRunning culture and communitySubscribe for more marathon recaps, running culture conversations, race strategy, and behind-the-scenes stories from the global running community

Fresh off one of the most electric race days in marathon history, this episode breaks down everything from the 2026 Boston Marathon. From elite dominance to historic performances across the American field, we dive into the moments that defined the day.We cover the race winners, key moves from the elite field, and why this year felt different — with records falling and American runners stepping into a new era on both the men’s and women’s sides.Plus, with the London Marathon just days away, we shift gears and look ahead to what could be another unforgettable weekend in the world of marathoning.If you love the sport, the stories, and the energy of race day — this one’s for you.

If you're running the Boston Marathon, this is the only episode you need before race weekend.In this episode, I’m joined by Boston Marathon finisher Leah Ruiz to break down everything—from the moment you arrive in Boston to the final stretch down Boylston Street.We cover:What to expect at the expo and how to navigate itThe electric atmosphere around the finish line all weekendPop-up shops and activations across Back BayRace morning logistics: bag drop, buses, and getting to HopkintonWhat Athlete’s Village is really like (and how to prepare)A full course breakdown—including strategy for the Newton Hills and Heartbreak HillWhat the finish line experience actually feels likeWhether it’s your first Boston or your fifth, this episode will help you avoid common mistakes, stay calm on race day, and make the most of one of the most iconic races in the world.You earned your spot—now let’s make sure you run it right.

The Los Angeles Marathon 2026 was anything but normal.What started as a perfect race morning quickly turned into one of the toughest days on the course — with rising temperatures, runners hitting the wall early, and a race that became more about survival than speed.In this episode, I break down everything: what it felt like out there, how the heat changed the race, the controversy involving the elite field and a fan on the course, and the moment at Mile 18 that had everyone talking.From the front of the pack to the middle of the grind, this is the full story of LA Marathon 2026 — what happened, what went wrong, and what this race taught all of us.If you ran it, you’ll feel this one. If you didn’t, this is what it was like.

In this episode I highlight the course features in miles 1-13. The Los Angeles Marathon is a tough, challenging course and the first 6 miles present steep downhill sections and hills that can trick you and leave you feeling defeated in the later miles. Tune in for the 2026 Dodger Stadium to the Stars in century City finish line.

Leslie Santos, aka, Dj Lezlee is a Dj at The Real 92.3 radio station in Los Angeles. DJ Lezlee recently found running and ran her first marathon at the 2025 Los Angeles Marathon. Since then she has found running to be her solace and has been immersed in the LA Running community.Lezlee also gives us a sneak peak into working at The Real 92.3 radio station and all the artists and musicians she gets to interact with and meet. Tune in to follow Lezlee's running journey and her DJ adventures all over the world.