Dave Castro on Programming the 20th CrossFit Games—and What Comes Next
Jason Grubb and Rick Stevenson sit down with Dave Castro to discuss the challenge of programming the 20th CrossFit Games and where the competition could go next.
Dave explains why programming a full Games week is more than choosing individual workouts. Event order, recovery windows, venue limitations, staffing, and athlete flow all affect whether the competition works. He also shares what he learned from this year's schedule and the feedback he received afterward.
The conversation then turns to the Masters divisions: what Masters athletes represent for CrossFit, where the competition currently works, and what better integration could look like without creating a logistical mess.
In this episode
* Why the 20-event anniversary format was difficult to program
* How event order changes athlete recovery and safety
* What Dave learned from the biathlon, obstacle course, and throw events
* The logistical limits that shape Games programming
* How CrossFit HQ views the Masters divisions
* Field size, staffing, sponsor, and media constraints
* What Masters athletes demonstrate about long-term health and performance
* How future competitions could integrate divisions more effectively
Chapters
* 00:00 Introduction
* 00:48 Dave Castro joins the podcast
* 02:18 Programming 20 events for the 20th Games
* 07:20 What worked and what Dave learned
* 08:40 Athlete feedback, logistics, and recovery windows
* 10:00 Event callbacks and the throw event
* 13:00 The biathlon and obstacle course
* 15:30 Masters competition and consistent separation
* 16:30 CrossFit HQ's view of the Masters divisions
* 19:50 Field size, volunteers, and athlete experience
* 23:30 What Dave values about Masters athletes
* 25:20 Sponsors, media, and the economics of competition
* 27:30 Future integration and venue options
* 29:30 Longevity and the larger CrossFit message
* 30:00 Closing
Watch on YouTube
Watch Episode 129 on YouTube
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