The Run Around Iowa

Lance talks about the eight athletes with Iowa ties who will be competing in Japan over the next nine days, including former Dowling Catholic star Karissa Schweizer, ex-Iowa State great Hillary Bor and former Iowa Central runner Adva Cohen. He also breaks down the top contenders for gold from the 800 meters all the way to the marathon.

Lance breaks down two important grad transfers coming to Iowa State, a new Iowa recruit, a looming shakeup in the Big 12 Conference, injury updates on Katy Jermann and Brogan Austin and a personal highlight from the 47th Quad-City Times Bix 7 in Davenport. He also lists the top Iowans and former and current Iowa collegians at the Bix 7 and talks about an American record set by an Iowan at the USATF Masters Outdoors meet. Plus, race updates on Festus Lagat and Alexina Wilson and results from the Elvelopet and Iowa Games cross country races.

Breaking down the top competitors for the 47th Quad-City Times Bix 7 on Saturday, a look back at a past Bix race, where Iowa State will be running at meets this fall, news on former Cyclone David Too, and race reports from USATF 6k women's championship, American Track League from L.A., the Clive Running Festival, Solon Beef Days and several more.

Michelle makes her podcast debut by talking about the grief she felt when the decision was made to make the 2020 race, her first in charge, a virtual event. Then she says she was blown away by people's social media posts and interest during the event. Michelle goes into detail about many aspects of this Saturday's race, including shorter Quick Bix and popular kids races Friday night. She also offers advice on navigating the difficult hills on the course.

Steve owned the Clive running shoe and apparel business 37 years before selling it July 1. He talks about the future of the Living History Farms Off-Road Race that he owns with wife Nancy, the difficult times trying to keep the business afloat in the 1980s, the decision to sell the business to Heartland Soles owners Jordan and Lindsey Andrews and his plan to remain active in the central Iowa running community.

Lance details the change in head track and field coach at national power Iowa Central, tells about two new assistant coaches at Iowa State and one at Iowa, and provides a recap from wins by former Cyclone David Too and Runablaze Iowa's Pasca Myers at the 50th Midnight Madness, plus the top finishers at Moonlight Chase, Whiterock Ultra, Iowa Games triathlon and duathlon and several other weekend races.

Jordan and Lindsey, from their store office, talk about the process of acquiring the franchise from Steve and Nancy Bobenhouse and what will happen to their original Heartland Soles running stores, in Johnston and Iowa City. They also chat about changes they have in store and the challenges of retail in a brick-and-mortar business. They also comment on their future status as assistant coaches at Grand View University. Lindsey also talks about her former college teammate at New Mexico Courtney Frerichs, who will be competing in the Olympics later this month.

I talk about the July 1 sale of the Fitness Sports cenfral Iowa running and apparel store; look back at two classic and important years for Midnight Madness, celebrating its 50th year Saturday; and a busy recap of Fourth of July races including Annie Frisbie, Diane Nukuri, Austin O'Brien, Devin Allbaugh, Marie Feehan, Jacob Green, Jeremy Fopma, Elaina Biechler, Alexina Wilson, Jack Pendergast, Devin Allbaugh, Tyson Wieland and many others.

A recap from the U.S. Olympic Trials, including a runner-up finish in the 10,000 from Karissa Schweizer of Urbandale, a win from former Iowa State runner Hillary Bor in the men's 3,000 steeplechase and a 12th from Northern Iowa assistant Alexina Wilson in the women's 3,000 steeple. Also, the first public comments from new ISU director Jeremy Sudbury, a flashback to my hometown 5k race and reports from the Sturgis Falls races, the Ames Triathlon and several others events.

Former Cyclone runner Abby Caldwell and I discuss Martin Smith's departure as track and field director at Iowa State and the elevation of Jeremy Sudbury to the position; a continued commentary on Shelby Houlihan's ban; Karissa Schweizer advancing to Tokyo Olympics in 5,000 and U.S. Olympic Trials results from Jenny Simpson, Daniel Nixon, Hillary Bor, Alexina Wilson, Biya Simbassa, Erik Sowinski and others from Eugene; the retirement of Des Moines triathlete TJ Tollakson and Ironman 70.3 Des Moines results and reaction also from Lesley Smith, Jessica Smith and Tyson Wieland; and a Grandma's Marathon report.