The Run Around Iowa

Parker joins the program to talk about the origins of the professional running team that he and Riley Coulter co-founded about a year ago. The Driftless Distance Project team, primarily based in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin, includes former Central College All-American Caroline McMartin. Parker, who earned all-WIAC and all-region honors competing for Wisconsin-La Crosse, talks about the dominant Eagles program and what has helped them stand out nationally. Parker details his busy schedule, which includes pursuing a masters degree and serving as an assistant coach for Wisconsin-Stout. He talks about his running goals and why the Quad-City Times Bix 7 has played a big part in his running life. Parker also tells the story of how he knows Olympic marathon medalist Deena Kastor.

Lance starts the show by putting the finishing touches on the college cross country season. He mentions three Iowa colleges who picked up team trophies during NCAA and NAIA championships over the weekend. He then gives his viewpoint on the controversy surrounding BYU coach Ed Eyestone's criticism of college cross country programs that rely on international runners to fuel their success. Two of the top men's teams, Oklahoma State and Iowa State, have defended the practice of using recruiting services in the new age of NIL. The show finishes with Andrew Snyder, director of "Track Guy Movie" that focuses on announcing legend Mike Jay, talking about his top highlights from the documentary that debuted in September. Andrew, a native Iowan, tells the work that went into making his first full-length film and what he hopes to accomplish next in his career.

Bryant comes on the program to talk about his recent performance at the Central Region meet in Joplin, Missouri, when he and his Vikings team qualified for the NCAA Division II nationals in Wisconsin next week. Bryant tells about how this season has exceeded his expectations. The redshirt freshman gives the story of how he became motivated to become an exercise science major with an eye toward become a chiropractor. Bryant, a five-time state medalist at Glenwood, details some struggles during his first cross country season at Sioux Falls in 2024 and how he has been nursing an injury the past month of this season. He looks back at his early running career and the success that Glenwood has had in producing college runners. Bryant also chats about his interests outside of this sport and why distance running doesn't define him.

Lance gives his thoughts on the Cyclones men's program after the suspension of multiple athletes the previous weekend. He also provides comments on the challenges that lie ahead for the team in its final two races and if the loss of depth will be too much to overcome. He also remarks on the integrity of the program and coach Jeremy Sudbury.

Lance gives his thoughts on the Cyclones men's program after the suspension of multiple athletes the previous weekend. He also provides comments on the challenges that lie ahead for the team in its final two races and if the loss of depth will be too much to overcome. He also remarks on the integrity of the program and coach Jeremy Sudbury.

Will comes on the show to talk about becoming only the second native Iowan to win Twin Cities Marathon on Oct. 5. He discusses the strategy that he used to pull away from Tesfu Tewelde of Eritrea while running 2 hours, 15 minutes, 39 seconds. The Northwestern College All-American and Red Raiders record holder talks about his celebration with family before returning to his new home of Charlottesville, Virginia. Will details his strong support system and the training plan of his longtime coach, who is also the father of his wife, Cleo Boyd. He talks about the challenge of breaking into gaining an invitation for the top tier of marathons. He also looks at the next possible stage of his career after winning the $14,000 top prize in St. Paul.

Lance opens the podcast by talking about a monumental win by an Iowa native and other top performances by Iowans at the Twin Cities Marathon on Oct. 5. Then, the focus turns to the Blazing 5K on that same day. Susie Duke set a new Iowa women's masters road racing record and the Searsboro resident explains why she's been away from running for about four years. Former Wartburg College All-American Joe Freiburger talks about returning from three surgeries and never giving up hope he would run again. Former Northern Iowa star Emma Hoins tells what's next in her life. Finally, Iowa men's masters 5K record holder Ean Caskey talks about the challenge of running fast races at age 43.

In this podcast recorded on Sept. 5, Phil describes the process of how he became involved in the running shoe and apparel business, starting with a job in Iowa City. He talks about the timeline and process involved in starting his first Fleet Feet in Davenport and challenging the established running store, Running Wild, in the Quad-Cities. Phil tells if he thinks there may be changes coming to the Des Moines store and changes he's seen in the running store business. Phil, who has a best of 15:30 for the 5K, chats about the most memorable win of his career and why he has gravitated toward the longer distances as he has grown older. He also mentions goals he has once he turns 40 years old in May.

Lance interviews the two champions of the 10-mile races at Easter Lake on Sept. 14 - former Loras College seven-time NCAA champion Kassie Parker and former Iowa State steeplechase All-American Gable Sieperda. He also hears from men's runner-up Cody Baele, who is a two-time winner of the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon. Others interviewed included men's 4-mile runner-up Josh Evans and former Wartburg College conference champion Lexi Brown, who ended up thrid in the women's half marathon champion. Lance also corrals professional triathlete Jess Smith, who aims to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in one week.

Reed was interviewed as part of the Drake University Everclass session for Drake alumni and friends of the track and field program on Aug. 19. Lance listened in on the interview by Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays Blake Boldon and captured some sound bites from the 67-minute session. Fischer talks about his last-minute decision to attend Drake and why it was one of the best decisions he's ever made. The Tinman Elite runner based in Boulder, CO, gives the history of his race team and the fortunate timing of his first sponsorship deal with Adidas. Fischer speaks about giving up a chance to run in a world major marathon to compete for the U.S. at the world championships marathon in Tokyo on Sept. 14. Reed previews the course and his strategy for what is expected to be a warm event. Lance also has a segment on some newsworthy track and field items involving Iowans.