The Zooming Demons, We Out Here Trail Fest, and the Impact of NCAA Athlete Pay on Track and Field

Western States 100 is always one of the highlights of the running calendar and the 2025 edition was no different! There was more pre-race hype than we've ever had before and the race absolutely delivered.In this episode, Stefanie Flippin, Peter Bromka, and Matt Chittim break the men's and women's races, talk about lasting impressions from the race, and what they learned this year that could inform future races.

Petear Bromka and Matt Chittim preview the Western States Endurance Run in a year that is so full of storylines that they didn't come close to mentioning them all in an hour long episode! With that said, they cover the Return of the King (Killian), the hunt for course records (and the attrition that could result), and a look at the potential Top 10 for the men's and women's races.You can watch Western States starting Saturday morning on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WesternStates

Today on group chat, we have Erika Kemp, Peter Bromka, Lindsey Hein, and Kofuzi.Topics Covered:How elite runners train and race in extreme heatBehind the scenes at Brooks HQ Kofuzi accidentally holding Des Linden’s prototype race shoeWhat running gear says about your race-day confidenceThoughts on breaking the women’s mile world record (Breaking 4)Matching personalities with running shoe brandsPros reacting to performance tech like Omius headbands and 3D race kitsRace-day mantras—from serious to hilariousWhat’s going on with the New Balance Boston team Trail running growth and Broken Arrow race highlightsMedia suggestions:Lindsey Hein – It’s a Love Story by Annabel MonaghanPeter – The Way Around by Nicholas Triolo Kofuzi – The Observer’s Guide to Japanese Vending Machines by Tanner Bowden Erika Kemp – Watching the Netflix series Trainwreck

In this episode of Relay, host Lindsey Hein introduces the newest member of the Relay team: Erika Kemp. Erika is an accomplished professional distance runner for Brooks, a 2:22 marathoner, and a two-time U.S. champion. She made headlines in her debut marathon at Boston in 2023, running the fastest time ever recorded by an American-born Black woman.Since then, she’s dropped over ten minutes off her PR, running 2:22 at the 2025 Houston Marathon, and most recently earned a spot on Team USA for the World Championships in the marathon. Erika will line up this September alongside Brooks teammates Susanna Sullivan and Jess Tonn, who is replacing Betsy Saina following her pregnancy announcement.In this conversation, Lindsey and Erika catch listeners up on Erika’s recent career milestones, her current training in Rhode Island under coach Kurt Benninger, and what’s ahead. Erika also shares her passion for representation in the sport and her commitment to mentoring young runners.We're thrilled to have Erika joining the Relay podcast as a regular co-host. She’ll be part of the Monday crew, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday. This conversation is your chance to get to know her a little better and hear her perspective heading into an exciting summer.A quick note: the audio quality in this one isn’t perfect due to a technical issue during recording. There’s a bit of crackle in Lindsey’s mic, but the conversation is still worth the listen.Enjoy this introduction to Erika Kemp—Relay’s newest voice on the mic.

Today on group chat, we have Peter Bromka and Matt Chittim. Episode Rundown:All of the subscriptions that you need to be a track fanThe recent news on Grand Slam trackBoston Marathon’s consideration of downhill coursesChanges to the Boston Marathon registering processOslo Diamond League Nico Young’s breakout 5k winThe Women’s 400m race in OsloPortland Track Festival

This week on group chat, we have Erika Kemp, Lindsey Hein, Stef Flippin, and Peter Bromka.Episode Rundown:Some love for Ali FellerErika’s mini 10k race and World Championship team selectionWe Out Here Trail FestThe Zooming DemonsNCAA athletes now being paid and what that may mean for track and fieldCatching up on the Diamond League performancesJane Hedengren's recent results and a chat about high school phenoms

Episode Rundown:Erika Kemp joins Relay!Grand Slam Track catch upErika’s career plans - any chance she gets back on the track?NYC Mini 10KOlympic Trials StandardsMedia recommendations:American Fly GirlHBO MountainheadForever on NetflixFour Weddings on HBO

Trail and ultra running coach, runner, and commentator Brett Hornig joins the Relay crew of Stefanie Flippin, Peter Bromka, and Matt Chittim to hit some important trail topics headed into the summer. Specifically, we dive into: 1. Opposite yet equally exciting men’s and women’s storylines for the Wester States Endurance Run and our picks for who we are most excited to watch 2. The shocking rise of Cocodona 250 and its effect on elite and everyday ultra runners 3. Golden Trail’s place in the trail scene, it’s fantastic YouTube presence, and its entry point as the path forward for East African elites joining the sport at the highest levelYou can subsribe to Brett's YouTube channel, Conversational Pace, here: www.youtube.com/@ConversationalPace

Coach Cunningham is back!After celebrating the marathon last fall and then again, Peter and Jeff are back to try and convince you to "play with running" and test yourself at the mile, 5k, 10k, or any other distance that feels like speed to marathon legs.Check out more of Coach Cunningham's content here.And please let us know what other questions or topics you'd like us to tackle in the comments.Thanks for listening!

Episode Rundown:Stef’s first road race in 6 years!!Another round of Grand Slam chat and what’s changed with those meetsFree Trail Podcast episode with TommieTommie Trails or Tommie Roads?Weight vests for improved performance - yay or nay?Lindsey’s Instagram algorithmTeasing a new Relay team memberThings we are loving:The Four Seasons on NetflixThe Righteous GemstonesChasing Grace by Sanya Richards RossThe Residence on NetflixLook For Things Where You Can Find Them on The Triathlon Life’s YouTube ChannelHow to Win Friends and Influence PeopleCan't Swim, Can't Ride, Can't Run by Andy HolgateFriendship - Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life