Today on group chat, we have Erika Kemp, Peter Bromka, Lindsey Hein, and Kofuzi.

Topics Covered:

• How elite runners train and race in extreme heat

• Behind the scenes at Brooks HQ

• Kofuzi accidentally holding Des Linden’s prototype race shoe

• What running gear says about your race-day confidence

• Thoughts on breaking the women’s mile world record (Breaking 4)

• Matching personalities with running shoe brands

• Pros reacting to performance tech like Omius headbands and 3D race kits

• Race-day mantras—from serious to hilarious

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 fan

The recent news on Grand Slam track

Boston Marathon’s consideration of downhill courses

Changes to the Boston Marathon registering process

Oslo Diamond League 

Nico Young’s breakout 5k win

The Women’s 400m race in Oslo

Portland Track Festival

This week on group chat, we have Erika Kemp, Lindsey Hein, Stef Flippin, and Peter Bromka.

Episode Rundown:

Some love for Ali Feller

Erika’s mini 10k race and World Championship team selection

We Out Here Trail Fest

The Zooming Demons

NCAA athletes now being paid and what that may mean for track and field

Catching up on the Diamond League performances

Jane Hedengren's recent results and a chat about high school phenoms

Episode Rundown:

Erika Kemp joins Relay!

Grand Slam Track catch up

Erika’s career plans - any chance she gets back on the track?

NYC Mini 10K

Olympic Trials Standards

Media recommendations:

American Fly Girl

HBO Mountainhead

Forever on Netflix

Four 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 level

You 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 meets

Free Trail Podcast episode with Tommie

Tommie Trails or Tommie Roads?

Weight vests for improved performance - yay or nay?

Lindsey’s Instagram algorithm

Teasing a new Relay team member

Things we are loving:

The Four Seasons on Netflix

The Righteous Gemstones

Chasing Grace by Sanya Richards Ross

The Residence on Netflix

Look For Things Where You Can Find Them on The Triathlon Life’s YouTube Channel

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Can't Swim, Can't Ride, Can't Run by Andy Holgate

Friendship - Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

On this week's group chat, we have Lindsey Hein, Peter Bromka, and Matt Chittim geeking out on all things running YouTube!

Channels we recccomended:

• https://youtube.com/@hansisyoungandfit?si=q7Tpk_-F12lWa_q3

• https://youtube.com/@kristi-eramo-oconnell?si=jgmc3g6JkOOT3835
• https://youtube.com/@flobergruns?si=6KXwjVpZpL6JvAa1
• https://youtube.com/@thehemmingsrun?si=dHyIUtkkwjcg0BAU
• https://www.instagram.com/timmchiusano?igsh=MzhyMTgza2h1YW56
• https://youtube.com/@_clayton_young_?si=yxKNCSYIS6HRx1lV

This week on group chat, we have Kofuzi, Peter Bromka, and Lindsey Hein.

Episode Rundown:

USATF 5k Road Championships

The World Road Running Champs being cancelled

Grand Slam Track Miami Weekend

Cocodona

Recent Diamond League

Kofuzi’s recent travel adventures