

The CITIUS MAG Podcast | A Running + Track and Field Show
CITIUS MAG
Track and field's biggest names on the track, in the coaching ranks and within the industry sit down and open up in-depth to share brilliant insights and vivid snapshots from their professional/personal accomplishments and experiences in the sport.
Hosted by CITIUS MAG founder Chris Chavez.
The show was named one of "The Best Running Podcasts" by Runner's World.
▶ Visit https://CITIUSMAG.com
▶ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CitiusMag
▶ Instagram: https://instagram.com/citiusmag
▶ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CitiusMag
▶ Patreon: https://patreon.com/citiusmag
Hosted by CITIUS MAG founder Chris Chavez.
The show was named one of "The Best Running Podcasts" by Runner's World.
▶ Visit https://CITIUSMAG.com
▶ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CitiusMag
▶ Instagram: https://instagram.com/citiusmag
▶ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CitiusMag
▶ Patreon: https://patreon.com/citiusmag
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 6, 2025 • 47min
PREFONTAINE CLASSIC RECAP - BEATRICE CHEBET SUB-14 5K, FAITH KIPYEGON WR + SO MUCH MORE
Chris Chavez and Mac Fleet break down all the top performances, world records and biggest moments from the 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic.A few highlights include:- Faith Kipyegon broke her own world record in the 1500m to win her SEVENTH Prefontaine 1500m title in 3:48.68.- Beatrice Chebet took the women's 5000m world record under 14 minutes, pulling away from Gudaf Tsegay and Agnes Ngetich over the final 200m to break the tape in an unbelievable mark of 13:58.06.- Niels Laros shocked the world with a come-from-behind victory in the Bowerman Mile, passing Azeddine Habz on the inside down the homestretch then outleaning Yared Nuguse by 0.01 seconds to claim the win in 3:45.94, becoming the seventh man in history to break 3:46.- Olympic champ Winfred Yavi just barely missed the world record in the steeplechase, running 8:45.25 to win ahead of Faith Cherotich in second in 8:48.71.- Kishane Thompson backed up his national title with a 9.85 victory in the 100m over Zharnel Hughes (9.91) and Trayvon Bromell (9.94).- Olympic champ Letsile Tebogo returned to his speciality event and won the 200m in a world-leading 19.76 over Courtney Lindsey’s 19.87 in second.+ Much more!

Jul 4, 2025 • 1h 30min
PREFONTAINE CLASSIC PREVIEW (LIVE FROM RADIO ROW): Featuring Cole Hocker, Faith Kipyegon, Grant Fisher, Georgia Bell + More
We’ve got a LOADED slate of guests for a special 4th of July LIVE show from Oregon ahead of tomorrow’s 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic. Guests featured in today’s show include:Faith Kipyegon (3x 1500m Olympic champion & WR holder)Cole Hocker (Olympic 1500m gold medalist)Yared Nuguse (Olympic 1500m bronze medalist)Grant Fisher (Olympic bronze medalist at 5000m and 10,000m)Julien Alfred (Olympic 100m champion)Tara Davis-Woodhall (Olympic long jump champion)Hunter Woodhall (Paralympic 400m T62 champion)Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (Olympic 100m bronze medalist)Joe Kovacs (3x Olympic shot put silver medalist) Jasmine Moore (Olympic bronze medalist in the long jump and triple jump)Georgia Hunter-Bell (Olympic 1500m bronze medalist)Jess Hull (Olympic 1500m silver medalist) For more, read our full preview here.

Jun 30, 2025 • 56min
2x NCAA Champion Nathan Green Reflects On His Time At Washington And Their 1500m/Mile Dominance + Turning Pro/Signing With Adidas
“I’d been working so hard for this and had so much conscious energy going into winning this title and putting it all out there — my last attempt, last ditch effort. We’ve got to just win this thing. You could see it after in the photos. I was almost crying. I was so relieved, so happy, and so proud of the work that I’ve done.”My guest for today's episode is Nathan Green. In one of the most tactical and tightly contested NCAA 1500m finals in recent memory, Nathan Green emerged with more than just a lean at the finish line; he walked away with his second NCAA title, and perhaps more meaningfully, cemented Washington's 1500m legacy as one of the most dominant in NCAA history. He closed in 51.46 seconds to edge out UNC's Ethan Strand. In a blanket finish that saw 11 of the top 12 finishers within less than a second of each other, it was the kind of race that required patience, poise, and a final lap gear that few possess — and Green had it all to pull it off.But this wasn't just another tactical win. This was also a passing of the torch moment. Joe Waskom and Luke Houser have moved on to the professional ranks — and Nathan, who calls him his older brothers, carried the legacy forward. With this win, Washington becomes the first school to win six of the last seven NCAA 1500m and mile titles — a stretch powered by three athletes who have each won two. That's Joe Waskom, Luke Houser, and now Nathan Green.Today, we talk with Nathan about what this title means to him, the pressure and pride of carrying the UW streak forward, how he nearly dove at the finish line, whether or not his coach actually yelled, ‘jump,’ and what's next as he turns pro and stays in Seattle under coach Andy Powell.Hosts: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on InstagramGuest: Nathan Green | @nathanrgreen on InstagramSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders.PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to pillarperformance.shop, or if you're in North America, go to thefeed.com and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

Jun 30, 2025 • 1h 36min
This Week In Track and Field: Final Thoughts On Faith Kipyegon’s Sub-4 Minute Mile Attempt, Event-By-Event Prefontaine Classic Preview
This week, Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia share their reactions and analysis on Faith Kipyegon's sub-four minute mile attempt at Nike's Breaking4 event in Paris. We also preview each event and the top athletes and matchups to watch for at the Prefontaine Classic this Saturday on July 5th.Mentioned in this episode...Listen: Off The Rails With Eric And Aisha: We Need To Talk About Chris Robinson’s Wardrobe Malfunction, Faith Kipyegon’s Sub-4 Attempt + Voicemails From ListenersHosts: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram + Preet Majithia | @preetmajithia on InstagramSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders.PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to pillarperformance.shop, or if you're in North America, go to thefeed.com and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

Jun 28, 2025 • 27min
The Parker Valby Show | Special Guest: Quincy Wilson
U.S. Olympian, 6x NCAA champion and Team New Balance professional Parker Valby sits down for a wide-ranging, laidback one-on-one interview with Olympic gold medalist, U.S. high school 400m record holder and Team New Balance NIL star Quincy Wilson. Kick back, crack open a kombucha, and have a few laughs as they connect over life on and off the track.From favorite moments in Paris to handling pressure and social media madness, Parker and Quincy talk everything from screen time to school grades, the wild world of TikTok, and what it’s like to be part of the New Balance family. Quincy spills on his infamous Starbucks order, gives a kombucha a shot for the first time, and updates us on his driver’s license journey—yes, the final test is coming.This episode is part track talk and all good vibes.Follow Parker Valby on Instagram: @parkervalby Follow Quincy Wilson on Instagram: @quincy_wilson Filmed and recorded at New Balance Nationals Outdoor 2025.

Jun 25, 2025 • 1h 15min
This Week In Track and Field: CRAZY 1500m Races In Paris & Ostrava, Faith Kipyegon Breaking4 Predictions + Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone To Run 400m At Pre Classic
This week, Chris Chavez, Mac Fleet and Paul Hof-Mahoney break down all the action from the Ostrava Golden Spike meet and Paris Diamond League, predictions ahead of Faith Kipyegon's attempt to break four minutes in the mile, thoughts on Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone racing the 400m at the Prefontaine Classic on July 5th, and lots more.Mentioned in this episode...Listen: Off The Rails With Eric And AishaHosts: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram + Mac Fleet | @macfleet on Instagram + Paul Hof-Mahoney | @phofmahoney on InstagramSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders.PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to pillarperformance.shop, or if you're in North America, go to thefeed.com and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 33min
This Week In Track and Field: Grand Slam Track Cancels LA Slam, Nico Young Breaks U.S. 5K Record In Oslo, Stockholm Diamond League Recap, Best of NCAAs + Donavan Brazier Goes 1:43 + More
This week, Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia unpack a huge week of track and field action across the globe:- Details and analysis on Grand Slam Track: LA being canceled- Biggest performances from the Oslo and Stockholm Diamond Leagues- Top highlights from the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships- Key results from the Portland Track Festival+ More Mentioned in this episode...Listen: Donavan Brazier’s Comeback Story: The Long Road Back, Resilience, Injury Recovery And Gratitude To Be Able To Race AgainHosts: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram + Preet Majithia | @preetmajithia on InstagramSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders.PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to pillarperformance.shop, or if you're in North America, go to thefeed.com and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

Jun 13, 2025 • 22min
From The Final Leg - Grand Slam Track Cancels LA Slam, Planning For 2026 Season | Rapid Reaction
Grand Slam Track has canceled its upcoming meet in Los Angeles, which was set to take place June 28th and 29th at UCLA’s Drake Stadium, and be the final competition of the inaugural season. The league is still planning to return in 2026 for a second season. Several athletes who have signed onto the league are on multi-year deals, according to sources close to the league.In its first season, the league featured six event groups and planned to award $12.6 million in prize money. Winners of each Slam take home $100,000. The league made in-season changes by pivoting to a two-day model for Philadelphia. (Long distance group winners were awarded $50,000, since one of those changes was the removal of the 5000m from the schedule.)The league is planning to announce new investors and partners in the coming weeks. Grand Slam Track ends its inaugural season after three meets in Kingston, Jamaica (April 4-6), Miami, Florida (May 2-4) and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (May 31-June 1).We'll be breaking down more of the details in next week's edition of This Week In Track and Field.Watch the episode here | Follow The Final Leg hereSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders.PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to pillarperformance.shop, or if you're in North America, go to thefeed.com and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

Jun 11, 2025 • 49min
Donavan Brazier’s Comeback Story: The Long Road Back, Resilience, Injury Recovery And Gratitude To Be Able To Race Again
“A lot of people when they go out and do things [after an injury] have this vengeance. It’s always like, ‘I’m doing it for the people who counted me out,’ or ‘I’m doing it for revenge.’ But I’m doing it for the people who say I can do it because I have such an overwhelming amount of people who have been supportive and have known I can come back. It’s so cool to prove them right.”It’s not every day that an athlete disappears from racing for nearly three years—undergoes multiple surgeries, leaves their training group, and then returns to the track to drop a 1:44 in their first 800m back. But that’s exactly what Donavan Brazier just did.The former world champion, American record holder, and longtime face of U.S. middle-distance running made a stunning comeback in Nashville this past weekend—not just running well, but dominating the field and flashing the brilliance that once made him one of the most electrifying athletes in the sport.If you’ve followed Donavan’s career, you know the road back has been anything but easy. He’s battled injuries, Achilles surgeries, a fractured tibia, bursitis—over 1,000 days without stepping onto a start line. He could have walked away. No one would have blamed him. But he didn’t.Today, we dive into why. What kept him going? What was it like to toe the line again? And how does he see himself fitting into the most competitive U.S. 800m field in years?We reflect on the highs, the lows, the what-ifs and look ahead at what’s next for both Donavan and the event he helped redefine. This is a story about resilience, patience, perspective—and the kind of raw talent that refuses to fade.Host: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on InstagramGuest: Donavan Brazier | @donavanbrazier on InstagramSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders.PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to pillarperformance.shop, or if you're in North America, go to thefeed.com and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

Jun 10, 2025 • 58min
What Does The House v. NCAA Settlement Mean For The Future Of Track and Field + Cross Country (With Russell Dinkins)
“There is a pretty significant amount of track and field athletes for whom a college opportunity will only come through the participation of track and field. That is something we need to really educate the public around. Coining the term, ‘the opportunity sport,’ encapsulates all of that. It’s something I believe the broader public can get understanding around.”Starting July 1, NCAA Division I schools can directly pay athletes for the first time ever. This shift follows the House v. NCAA antitrust settlement, approved last week by Judge Claudia Wilken. The $2.8B deal doesn’t make athletes employees, but it does allow them to finally receive a share of the billions in revenue they help generate. Schools will be able to offer up to $20.5M annually to student-athletes across all sports (amounts not required to be equal). It also tightens oversight of NIL collectives via a new clearinghouse that ensures deals are “fair-market value.” After major pushback over lost roster spots, the final version protects current and incoming athletes, though schools aren’t required to restore those spots. Now, athletic departments are racing to implement these changes. Some are lobbying Congress for federal regulation, hoping this deal becomes a stepping stone toward nationwide legislation. Either way, college sports — and particularly cross country and track — will never look the same.Mentioned in this episode…Read: Track Is America’s Opportunity Sport. Colleges Need To Save ItHost: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on InstagramGuest: Russell Dinkin | @dancingdinks on InstagramSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders.PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to pillarperformance.shop, or if you're in North America, go to thefeed.com and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!