THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

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Quentin Nauman Just Did What No High Schooler Ever Has — And He’s Not Even Close to Finished | Inside His Chase For Records, Championships, & Glory May 31, 2025

Show notes

Quentin Nauman—remember that name.

Just a few weeks ago, he became the first high school athlete in U.S. history to run both sub-1:50 in the 800m and sub-4:00 in the 1600m... at the samemeet. (Quentin clocked 1:49.41 in the 800m and 3:59.60 in the 1600m at the Iowa State Track and Field Championships.)

Let that sink in.

From sweeping the Drake Relays to dominating cross country with a 14:59 course record, Quentin has built a résumé that rivals the legends—and he’s still not done.

This next week, he heads to the HOKA Festival of Miles, not just to compete—but to win.

In April 2025, Nauman achieved a rare trifecta by winning the 800m, 1,600m, and 3,200m races at the prestigious Drake Relays. He became the first Iowa high school boy to sweep all three distance events in the same weekend, setting a state record of 4:05.17 in the 1,600m.

Quentin’s prowess isn't limited to track. In November 2024, he won the Class 3A Iowa state cross country title with a state record time of 14:59. As a sophomore in 2024, The Oregon commit placed fifth in the boys' 800m at the HOKA Festival of Miles with a time of 1:51.09.

So whether you’re lacing up for a workout or just love the grind behind the glory—get ready. This is Quentin Nauman, and this is what the next generation of running looks like.

In today's conversation, Quentin takes me through the impact that Jackson Heidesch had on him two years ago, how he'scarrying on the legecy, what he wants to do in the next 12 months of his HS career, why he thinks he can be one of the greatest to ever do it, and his thoughts leading into the 2025 HOKA Festival of Miles meet.

Tap into the Quentin Nauman Special.

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Raw Talent. Real Grit. Unreal Times. The Cordell Tinch Episode Is Track & Field’s Hollywood Script May 30, 2025

Show notes

He’s back. Not just on this show — but back in the sport, back on the world stage, and back to blow your mind with what’s possible when talent meets resilience.

Returning to the show is none other than Cordell Tinch — the hurdler whose journey reads like a Hollywood script. A former cell phone salesman turned world-class athlete. The guy who stepped away from the sport, then came back to dominate Division II track with three national titles in one weekend — and now he’s out here running 12.87 in the 110 hurdles, tied for the fourth-fastest time ever."

From selling phones in Green Bay to beating world champions on the Diamond League circuit — Cordell's story is a masterclass in self-belief, raw talent, and grinding when no one's watching.

In June 2023, Tinch clocked a world-leading 12.96 seconds in the 110m hurdles at the Arkansas Grand Prix. He furtherimproved to 12.87 seconds at the Shanghai-Keqiao Diamond League in May 2025, tying him for the fourth-fastest time ever in the event.

At the 2023 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships, Tinch made history by winning the 110m hurdles, long jump, and high jump—becoming the first athlete in Division II history to secure three individual titles at a single championship.

In today's conversation, Cordell takes me through his past two years as a pro, being friends with Tyrese Haliburton, what his story means to him, why he thinks he can beat Grant Holloway at the highest level, his ambitions for the season, and wisdom to anyone willing to hear it.

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S H O W N O T E S

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More Than a Meet: The Vision, Heart & Chaos Behind the Festival of Miles with Tim Cornell | + An Inside Look At This Years HISTORIC Fields May 28, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest is a true game-changer in the world of track and field — a visionary whose passion, leadership, and creativity have helped transform one of the sport’s most electric meets: Tim Cornell.

Since 2021, Tim has served as the Meet Director for the HOKA Festival of Miles, one of the most electric and meaningful meets on the track and field calendar. Under his guidance, the event has grown tremendously — not just in performance level, but in heart, energy, and community spirit.

Tim has made it his mission to create more than just fast races. Through his thoughtful integration of local stories and a true celebration of athletes — from elite pros to rising high school stars — he's cultivated a meet that captures what makes the running community so special.

In today's conversation, Tim takes me through why the 2025 edition of the HOKA Festival of Miles is the best one yet, hebreaks down both fields, the behind the scenes of making this meet all that it is, the mission behind the meet, and so much more.

I've known Tim for two years now, and he's not just a remarkable meet director, but an incredible person. I hope you all enjoy this conversation as much we did having it!

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S H O W N O T E S

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From 3:57 Solo in High School to 3:48 at Millrose: Gary Martin on Records, Risk, and What’s Next May 26, 2025

Show notes

From a late start in high school track to becoming one of the fastest milers in NCAA history, today’s guest has rewritten the blueprint for distance running success.

Gary Martin’s rise has been nothing short of electric. After a quiet freshman year at the University of Virginia, he exploded onto the national scene during the 2024 cross country season—capturing the ACC Championship with a course record and finishing 13th at nationals to earn All-American honors.

But that was just the beginning.

On the track, Gary has been rewriting record books: a 7:36 meet-record win in the 3000m at ACC Indoors, a Virginia school record in the 5000m, and a 3:48 mile at the 2025 Millrose Games—the second-fastest indoor mile in NCAA history. He didn’t stop there, anchoring UVA’s distance medley relay team to an NCAA-record time of 9:14.

And long before college glory, Gary made headlines as a Pennsylvania high schooler when he ran 3:57.98 without a pacer—becoming the first from his state and just the 14th U.S. high schooler ever to break four minutes.

With PRs of 3:33 in the 1500m, 3:48 in the mile, 7:36 in the 3K, and 13:16 in the 5K, Gary’s resume is as fast as it is fearless.

In today's conversation, Gary takes me through his training, recent record-breaking races, his mindset going into NCAA if he'll end his NCAA eligibility to go pro, his take on PA distance running, MJ v Lebron, and his thoughts going into Eugene next month.

This one was an absolute blast. Don't miss an inside look at one of the best runners in the country.

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S H O W N O T E S

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From Underdog to NCAA Star: Margot Appleton on Winning by Feel, Racing with Heart & Breaking Records May 24, 2025

Show notes

Racing by feel and winning with heart.

Margot Appleton has emerged as one of the premier collegiate distance runners in the U.S., blending tactical brilliance, relentless drive, and a flair for dramatic finishes.

In 2019, as a high school junior, Appleton stunned the field at Boston's Mayor's Cup 5K, finishing second overall in 17:14—outpacing the reigning Foot Locker national champion. This performance marked a significant breakthrough in her running career.

Most recently, at the 2025 Penn Relays, Appleton delivered a sensational anchor leg in the Distance Medley Relay (DMR), clocking a 4:21.46 split. Overcoming a significant deficit, she surged past top competitors to secure Virginia's first women's DMR win at the event since 1982. Her 1500m time of 4:05.68 at the 2025 Raleigh Relays ranks as the fourth-fastest in collegiate history.

Appleton holds Virginia school records in the indoor mile (4:25.03), indoor 3000m (8:46.23), and outdoor 5000m (15:18.21). Appleton has earned First Team All-American honors in both the 1500m and 5000m events, including a 4th-place finish in the 5000m at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

In today's conversation, Margot takes me through her successful, consistent career at UVU, being a leader on the team, what it would mean to her to win an NCAA title, what her training looks like, training without a GPS watch, and so much more.

Tap into the Margot Appleton Special.

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S H O W N O T E S

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Nathan Green Is Built for Big Moments: NCAA Titles, Finishing Kicks & Leaving a Legacy at Washington May 22, 2025

Show notes

Returning to the show is a runner whose name has become synonymous with strategic racing and an electrifying finishing kick–Mr. Nathan Green.

From his early days as a high school prodigy in Boise, Idaho, Nathan's journey has been marked by dedication and resilience. In 2022, he clinched the U.S. U20 1500m title with a time of 3:45.19, earning a spot on Team USA for the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, where he finished fifth.

The following year, he led a 1-2 finish for the University of Washington at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, capturing the 1500m title alongside teammate Joe Waskom.

Fast forward to 2025, where Nathan anchored the University of Washington's Distance Medley Relay and 4xMile teams, delivering decisive final laps to secure victories at the prestigious Penn Relays. His outstanding performances earned him Big Ten Men's Track Athlete of the Week honors.

From building a winning culture at the University of Washington, to exploring a bevy of multifaceted skills off the track, Nathan is a dynamic person with an arsenal of skills.

In today's conversation, Nathan takes me through his four successful years at UW, the lessons he's learned, what a final shot at an NCAA title next month means to him, the legacy he wants to leave at UW, and a sneak peek at his next steps.

Tap into the Nathan Green Special.

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S H O W N O T E S

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-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Josiah Tostenson & Tayvon Kitchen: The Fastest Duo in High School History Are Just Getting Started: Inside Their Chase Of Alan Webb's HS National Mile Record Of 3:52 May 20, 2025

Show notes

Today's episode is special—and honestly, it might be historic.

We've got two of the fastest high school distance runners in the country—maybe ever—joining us just days before they toe the line at one of the most anticipated races of the year: the Festival of Miles.

First up: Josiah Tostenson. He's the second-fastest indoor miler in U.S. high school history, clocking a blistering 3:57.41 at Boston University. He was named the 2023–24 Gatorade Track and Field Player of the Year.

With a New Balance NIL deal and a future at the University of Washington, Josiah is already running at a professional level while still in high school.

Then there's Tayvon Kitchen—the quiet tactician with a monster engine. He broke the national high school record in the 3,000 meters with a jaw-dropping 7:55.48 at the 2025 Husky Classic. He became just the seventh U.S. high schooler to run under 4 minutes indoors, and capped his cross country season as Oregon's Gatorade Player of the Year. He's BYU-bound and has shown time and again he knows exactly when to strike.

Together, they're teammates, rivals, and co-authors of one of the most electric seasons we've ever seen—and it's all coming to a head at the Festival of Miles.

Today's podcast is a conversation with two best friends who happen to be the two fastest runners in the country. Tune in for stories, training insights, and good ol banter. Oh, and some MASSIVE talk around Festival of Miles.

This one won't disappoint you.

Tap into the Josiah Tostenson and Tayvon Kitchen Special.

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S H O W N O T E S

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-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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From Sub-14 5K to Signing Pros: Matthew Sonnenfeldt’s Journey from D1 Running to Elite Track Agent & Exclusive Insights From The Pro-Track World May 18, 2025

Show notes

From cross country and track star to talent management guru -- Matthew Sonnenfeldt has seen it all.

Matthew’s journey from high school champion to collegiate athlete and now a mentor and representative for other athletes illustrates a career built on passion, resilience, and a commitment to excellence in track and field.

At Knoxville West High School, Matthew captured the Tennessee state cross country championship in 2008, including a 14:50 5000m at the Foot Locker South Regional, earning him a spot at the Foot Locker Nationals.

Matthew began his collegiate running at the University of Kentucky, where he earned All-SEC Freshman Team honors in cross country in 2009. He then transferred to North Carolina State University, where he earned All-ACC honors in 2012 and All-NCAA Southeast Region honors in both 2011 and 2012.

He has PRs of 3:52.74 in the 1500m, 13:59.10 in the 5000m, 29:51.52 in the 10,000m, and 1:07:57 in the half marathon.

After his competitive running career, Sonnenfeldt became a track agent with Flynn Sports Management, where he supports and represents elite track and field athletes.

In today's conversation, Matt takes me through his background in the sport, how that shaped his outlook on the sport, running in the NCAA, becoming an agent, the importance of networking, trends in the sport, and his future goals in the sport.

Tap into the Matthew Sonnenfeldt Special.

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S H O W N O T E S

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-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

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-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Olin Hacker Just Won His First U.S. Title — Here’s the Story You Didn’t See Coming May 16, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest needs no introduction—but he definitely earned a new one.

Olin Hacker is back—and this time, he's bringing a U.S. title with him.

Just weeks ago, Olin stormed to victory at the USATF 5000m Championships in Indianapolis, running 13:32 to claim his first national crown. But this moment wasn’t built in a month—it was years in the making.

As a collegiate runner, Olin secured multiple Big Ten championships while running for Wisconsin in 2022, winning both the indoor 3000m and 5000m events, as well as the outdoor 5000m.

The highlight came in 2022 at the Oregon Relays, where he shattered the meet record in the 5000m, clocking 13:19.34 and improving his personal best by 16 seconds.

The rise continued, as Olin represented the U.S. at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, finishing fifth in the 3000m with a season-best of 7:45.4.

The Wisconsin Badger alum owns impressive PRs of 13:08.76 in the 5000m, 7:38.10 in the 3000m, and 3:56.59 in the mile. He took advantage of an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returning for a seventh year, and claiming an NCAA 5000m victory.

In today's conversation, Olin walks me through his recent win at the USATF road 5k championships, winning his first national title, his new mindset going into 2025, why he's racing more this year, going back to FOM next month, his goals for USA's 2025, and starting a podcast.

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S H O W N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Chiara Dailey Has Arrived: Breaking Records, Making Foot Locker History & Gunning for Festival of Miles Glory May 14, 2025

Show notes

The Call Room: Road to Records continues as we’re joined by the electric Chiara Dailey — La Jolla’s own and one of the most exciting names in high school distance running — as she prepares for the 2025 HOKA Festival of Miles.

Chiara brings more than just speed. She’s relatable, confident, and on a mission.

She kicked off her 2025 outdoor season with a new PR in the 800m, clocking 2:07.99 for second place at the Mt. SAC Relays — proof that she’s sharpening her wheels for a big season.

Since bursting onto the scene as a Foot Locker All-American in 2022, Chiara has built a resume full of fire:

4:23.66 in the 1500m
4:40.28 in the 1600m
9:58.02 in the 3200m
15:28 in the three-mile cross country race
16:44 in the 5,000m cross country race

In December 2024, she dominated the CIF State Cross Country Championships, winning her second straight Division 4 title — and running the fastest time of the entire meet.

Oh, and she’s already competed at Foot Locker Nationals three times.

In today's conversation, Chiara takes me through her legendary three years of running, qualifying for Foot Locker Nationals all three of them, growing up in a running family, being coached by her dad, her excitement for this year’s FOM, being a HOKA NIL athlete, and so much more.

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