Relay

This week on group chat, we have Erika Kemp, Peter Bromka, and Matt Chittim talking all things USAs!

Today on group chat, we have Tommie Runz, Erika Kemp, Lindsey Hein, Peter Bromka, and Matt Chittim.Top Topics Covered:1. Doping Scandals Rock Running: Deep dive into Ruth Chepngetich’s doping news, reactions from within the running world, and how it impacts both elite athletes and fans.2. What Mainstream Audiences Actually Hear About Running: Which stories make it beyond the running bubble—records vs. scandals.3. Who’s to Blame?: Discussion on accountability—athletes, agents, sponsors, and federations.4. The Systemic Issues in Global Athletics: Why countries like Russia got banned but Kenya hasn’t, and the complexities of systemic doping.5. How Fans Cope with Scandals: Balancing skepticism with joy for the sport and why cynicism can’t win.6. USA Championships Hype: Previewing the most exciting events at USAs, especially the 1500m and 800m.7. Hot Take Showdown – Who’s the Best Athlete on the Track?: Fierce debate—1500m runners, 400m hurdlers, pole vaulters, or decathletes?8. Culture of Doping and Pressure to Perform: Comparing doping cultures in Kenya, cycling, and other sports.9. Wild Side Tangents – Coldplay Cheating Scandal & Internet Virality: How a random CEO, an HR rep, and Coldplay hijacked social media.10. Emotional Intelligence & Crying in Movies: A hilarious and heartfelt wrap-up with favorite sad movies and what makes people cry (or not).Media mentioned in the episode: PodcastsSounds Like a CultTV Shows & MoviesThe Bear Seven Pounds The Pursuit of Happyness Train to Busan Yes Day The Florida Project BooksDinner for Vampires

Today on group chat, we have Lindsey Hein and Peter Bromka.Episode Rundown:Track and Field Summer Highlights: From Bailey Hertenstein's world standard in the 5K to Diamond League drama and Noah Lyles vs. Letsile Tebogo.Hardrock 100 and Trail Running Talk: Why 50-year-old Ludo dominated, Katie Schide's calm dominance, and the challenge of long ultras.Swimming Confessions: Lindsey and Peter share their struggles with swimming form, awkward pool encounters, and comparing swim meets to track.Inside Podcasting: Reflections on becoming better interviewers, letting guests sit in silence, and podcasting pet peeves.Summer Parenting Chaos: Camps, swim meets, trying to avoid too much structure, and nostalgic summer boredom with four kids at home.

Today on group chat, we have Peter Bromka and Erika Kemp.Episode Rundown:50th anniversary atmosphere and in-person experience at Pre ClassicStandout performances across events, including Gudaf Tsegay’s and Faith Kipyegon’s world recordsSage Hurta-Klecker’s standout pacing job and pacing strategy overallLong jump drama and showmanship from Tara Davis-WoodhallTactical racing missteps, including Yard Nuguse drifting in the final stretchPhysicality and unpredictability of the 800mPrize money delays and Grand Slam Track League controversySha’Carri Richardson’s return and injury timelinesErika’s marathon build and “get fit to get fit” approachAthlete personalities, celebrations, and the importance of storytelling in track and field

Today on group chat, we have Erika Kemp, Peter Bromka, Tommie Runz, Kofuzi, and Marcus Brown.Episode Rundown:Running in the Heat and the “Park” Workout DebacleThe Ethics of Running in CemeteriesPeachtree Road Race PreviewFaith Kipyegon and Breaking 4 Event Legitimacy vs. StorytellingHow Track Can Be More Fun (Without Losing Respect)Should Kipchoge Keep Racing?Western States Shoutout + Tommie’s Ultra AspirationsHow to Start Running (Literally Just Take Off?)

Western States 100 is always one of the highlights of the running calendar and the 2025 edition was no different! There was more pre-race hype than we've ever had before and the race absolutely delivered.In this episode, Stefanie Flippin, Peter Bromka, and Matt Chittim break the men's and women's races, talk about lasting impressions from the race, and what they learned this year that could inform future races.

Petear Bromka and Matt Chittim preview the Western States Endurance Run in a year that is so full of storylines that they didn't come close to mentioning them all in an hour long episode! With that said, they cover the Return of the King (Killian), the hunt for course records (and the attrition that could result), and a look at the potential Top 10 for the men's and women's races.You can watch Western States starting Saturday morning on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WesternStates

Today on group chat, we have Erika Kemp, Peter Bromka, Lindsey Hein, and Kofuzi.Topics Covered:How elite runners train and race in extreme heatBehind the scenes at Brooks HQ Kofuzi accidentally holding Des Linden’s prototype race shoeWhat running gear says about your race-day confidenceThoughts on breaking the women’s mile world record (Breaking 4)Matching personalities with running shoe brandsPros reacting to performance tech like Omius headbands and 3D race kitsRace-day mantras—from serious to hilariousWhat’s going on with the New Balance Boston team Trail running growth and Broken Arrow race highlightsMedia suggestions:Lindsey Hein – It’s a Love Story by Annabel MonaghanPeter – The Way Around by Nicholas Triolo Kofuzi – The Observer’s Guide to Japanese Vending Machines by Tanner Bowden Erika Kemp – Watching the Netflix series Trainwreck

In this episode of Relay, host Lindsey Hein introduces the newest member of the Relay team: Erika Kemp. Erika is an accomplished professional distance runner for Brooks, a 2:22 marathoner, and a two-time U.S. champion. She made headlines in her debut marathon at Boston in 2023, running the fastest time ever recorded by an American-born Black woman.Since then, she’s dropped over ten minutes off her PR, running 2:22 at the 2025 Houston Marathon, and most recently earned a spot on Team USA for the World Championships in the marathon. Erika will line up this September alongside Brooks teammates Susanna Sullivan and Jess Tonn, who is replacing Betsy Saina following her pregnancy announcement.In this conversation, Lindsey and Erika catch listeners up on Erika’s recent career milestones, her current training in Rhode Island under coach Kurt Benninger, and what’s ahead. Erika also shares her passion for representation in the sport and her commitment to mentoring young runners.We're thrilled to have Erika joining the Relay podcast as a regular co-host. She’ll be part of the Monday crew, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday. This conversation is your chance to get to know her a little better and hear her perspective heading into an exciting summer.A quick note: the audio quality in this one isn’t perfect due to a technical issue during recording. There’s a bit of crackle in Lindsey’s mic, but the conversation is still worth the listen.Enjoy this introduction to Erika Kemp—Relay’s newest voice on the mic.

Today on group chat, we have Peter Bromka and Matt Chittim. Episode Rundown:All of the subscriptions that you need to be a track fanThe recent news on Grand Slam trackBoston Marathon’s consideration of downhill coursesChanges to the Boston Marathon registering processOslo Diamond League Nico Young’s breakout 5k winThe Women’s 400m race in OsloPortland Track Festival