Set the Pace

Olympian Kenneth Rooks on Resilience, Trusting Faith, and Chasing World Titles


Listen Later

On this week’s show, Rob and Becs are joined by Olympic silver medalist and three-time U.S. steeplechase champion Kenneth Rooks. Kenneth talks about his breakout performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics and what makes the steeplechase such a unique and demanding event. He shares his journey from high school runner to NCAA champion and opens up about his two-year church mission in Uganda—and how faith and resilience have shaped his athletic career. He also talks about what it’s like training in Provo, Utah alongside elite marathoners Conner Mantz and Clayton Young. All three athletes train under coach Ed Eyestone, who helps each find their strengths, which will give Kenneth the confidence to power his finishing kick when he faces the competition at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo next month. Plus, NYRR member Ottilia Demeter speaks with Meb about completing the TCS New York City Marathon wearing a shirt that read, “I am running with a brain tumor. What’s your superpower?”

Support Rob's 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Run With TFK

FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube
SUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

DISCLAIMER

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Set the PaceBy New York Road Runners

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

200 ratings


More shows like Set the Pace

View all
Marathon Talk by Deena Kastor & Martin Yelling

Marathon Talk

177 Listeners

Marathon Training Academy by Angie and Trevor

Marathon Training Academy

1,501 Listeners

I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein Podcast by SandyBoy Productions

I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein Podcast

2,031 Listeners

The Strength Running Podcast by Jason Fitzgerald

The Strength Running Podcast

1,318 Listeners

The CITIUS MAG Podcast | A Running + Track and Field Show by CITIUS MAG

The CITIUS MAG Podcast | A Running + Track and Field Show

1,798 Listeners

Ali on the Run Show by Ali Feller

Ali on the Run Show

4,067 Listeners

The Rambling Runner Podcast by Matt Chittim

The Rambling Runner Podcast

492 Listeners

Hurdle by Emily Abbate

Hurdle

1,359 Listeners

Run4PRs by Run4PRs

Run4PRs

192 Listeners

For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running by Jonathan Levitt

For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

420 Listeners

The Drop by Believe in the Run

The Drop

345 Listeners

The Running Explained Podcast by Elisabeth Scott

The Running Explained Podcast

462 Listeners

Fuel for the Sole by Fuel for the Sole

Fuel for the Sole

272 Listeners

Nobody Asked Us with Des & Kara by Des Linden and Kara Goucher

Nobody Asked Us with Des & Kara

1,686 Listeners

Relay by Relay

Relay

108 Listeners