The Climb To The Top: Inside The Journey Of Tinoda Matsatsa & His 2:16 1k NCAA Record, 3:54 Mile, & Stories From HS Where He Became The First Prep African-American To Break The 4min Mile Barrier

Mid-distance track sensation, Tinoda Matsatsa, joins the show today amidst an impressive sophomore campaign at Georgetown.

Tinoda, who hails from Boyds, Maryland, is off to an electric start to his collegiate running career, and seems poised to continue to chase records and wins no matter where he goes.

So far in his young college career he has run the following PRs: 48.88 in the 400m; 1:45.17 in the 800m; 2:16.84 in the 1,000m; and 3:54.15 in the mile. If you’re staring at those numbers–mouth agape–you’re not alone. 

In January of 2024, Tinoda set a new NCAA record for the indoor 1,000m run with a time of 2:18.05. Almost exactly a year later, he lowered that time–running a 2:16.84 this past January 18 at the Nittany Lion Challenge.

Tinoda has had a great start to his sophomore year, running his aforementioned mile PR at the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, coming in second. 

Tinoda’s parents moved to the United States several years before he was born. He went to St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Maryland. While at prep school, the 5-foot-9 senior became just the 20th runner in prep school history to break 4 minutes in the mile. He capped his senior season with a state record in the mile; followed by a win the 800m run at the Brooks PR invitational; and then ended his season winning the national title with a state-record 1:47.61 in the 800m. 

Prior to becoming a running star, Tinoda loved soccer. He was a striker on his team and excelled at the sport. He even hid from his middle school track coach because soccer was his priority. His mother eventually convinced him to do track to stay in shape, and the rest is history.

We’re thrilled for you to hear this and more from our conversation with another star-in-the-making, who will surely be making noise in the coming months and years on the collegiate and professional track and field circuit.

In today’s conversation, Tinoda takes me through stories from how he got into the sport of running, how he progressed in high school, his training leading into his sub-4min mile in HS, his time at Georgetown thus far, his dreams for LA 2028, and so much more. 

Tap into the Tinoda Matsatsa Special.  

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