C Tolle Run

Crown Running professional athlete Kassie Parker is having a breakthrough season. Fresh off her victory at the USATF 4-Mile Championships and her first USATF National Road Championship title, Kassie currently sits at No. 2 in the USATF Road Running Circuit standings. But there's much more to Kassie than championship performances. In this episode, Kassie shares her running journey, from her early days in the sport to her remarkable collegiate career at Division III Loras College, where she became a seven-time NCAA champion and set multiple school and conference records. She reflects on the experiences that shaped her as both an athlete and a person, and how her approach to training and racing has evolved over the years. Kassie also opens up about preparing for her first marathon, balancing the demands of professional running with work and everyday life, and what goals she has her sights set on next. This episode is the perfect opportunity to get to know one of America's rising distance stars before she toes the starting line.

If you don't know the name Klara Lukan yet, now is the time to learn it. The Slovenian standout is a professional runner for Puma, a two-time Olympian in the 5,000m and 10,000m, and the first European woman to break 30 minutes for the road 10K. Off the track, she holds a Master's degree in International Business and a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology. In this episode, Klara joins Carrie to share her journey into running, life growing up in Slovenia, and the important role her family has played throughout her career. They discuss her collegiate experience, how she's putting her two degrees to use, and what she enjoys besides running. As she prepares for the upcoming New York Road Runners Mini 10K, Klara also shares insights into training and racing at the highest level with plenty of stories along the way.

Drew Hunter is no stranger to C Tolle Run, but this time he joins the show with some new hardware. Fresh off winning the USATF Road 5K Championship and qualifying for the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Drew is riding a wave of success both on and off the course. Beyond racing, Drew wears many hats: CEO of Hammer and Axe Training, entrepreneur, podcaster, husband, and proud father of two, with a third daughter on the way. Despite a packed schedule, he shares why this season of life has never felt more fulfilling. In this episode, Drew opens up about staying motivated at the highest level, balancing elite training with work and family life, and how fatherhood continues to shape his perspective and success. He also reflects on lessons he’d share with his younger self and the goals that still lie ahead.

Carrie chats with Rhonda Vetere, a global executive, STEM ambassador, speaker, mentor, 2x author, triathlete, and 6-star World Major Marathon finisher! Rhonda shares how she balances a high-powered career with intense training, her journey into sports and STEM, and how she continues to inspire others to get after it every day.

Carrie chats with Olympian Sandi Morris! The pole vaulter joins the show to talk about the sport, her latest song called Up and Over, her animals, cooking and building things, being injured, changing coaches and residence, her goals going forward, and so much more!

Oh, don’t cha know? Carrie welcomes Dick Beardsley back to the show! The two tried and true Minesotans talk about how Dick is doing, what he is up to now, running on his knee replacements, his memories of the Boston Marathon, and so much more!

Carrie chats with Tommie Runz! The sober, vegan runner talks about his journey, how he got into running, being an entrepreneur, diversity in the sport of running, and much more!

Carrie chats with 2020 Olympian Heather MacLean! They talk about her races at the trials, being away from her family who couldn't attend the Trials, struggling with feeling like she belongs, being grateful, not being afraid to ask for support, and so much more!

Carrie chats with 3-time Ironman Champion Dede Griesbauer as part of UCAN’s Stay In The Game Longer series! They chat about how she got into sports, the ups-and-downs of her career, how she’s built grit and tenacity, why she’s driven to push herself with ultra endurance races, and much more!

Carrie interviews two guys who are on two separate inspiring missions! Johnny Gregorek is a world class runner who is preparing for the 2021 Olympic Games, and he is getting ready to attempt a World Record for Fastest Mile in Blue Jeans to raise awareness for mental illness. Brian Thomas is an ultra runner and cancer survivor who has run across the country three different times! He is currently preparing to run uncrewed across the Rocky Mountains to raise money for COVID-19 patients.

Carrie chats with USATF Champion Renee Metivier! They chat about overcoming injuries, running a rehab business, and qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon.

Carrie goes for a walk with 6-time Olympic medalist Jackie Joyner Kersee! Jackie discusses her favorite Olympic memories, managing her asthma as an athlete, playing in the American Basketball League and her Winning at Life curriculum. Show notes for this episode can be found at ctollerun.com. Jackie Joyner-Kersee Jackie grew up in East St. Louis, Illinois. The second of four children born to Al and Mary Joyner, Jackie’s athletic talent and determi­nation helped her to push through obstacles and go on to win six Olympic medals, including three gold, one silver, and two bronze in four total Olympic games. Jackie has become known as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Her list of achievements include:Jackie grew up in East St. Louis, Illinois. The second of four children born to Al and Mary Joyner, Jackie’s athletic talent and determi­nation helped her to push through obstacles and go on to win six Olympic medals, including three gold, one silver, and two bronze in four total Olympic games. Jackie has become known as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Her list of achievements include: First woman to win back-to-back gold medals in the heptath­lon, a 7-discipline event First woman to score 7,000 points in the heptathlon First American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the long jump Current world-record holder in the heptathlon with 7291 points (1988, a record that has stood for 30 years now). Jackie’s success as an athlete is only surpassed by her achievements in serving her community. She has open-heartedly leveraged her athletic ability to give back and has been honored for this work by The Jesse Owens Award, The Sullivan Award, Volunteers of America Humanitarian Award, The Trumpet Award, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award, International Olympic Committee Women in Sports Trophy, and 8 Honorary Doctorate degrees. In her autobiography A Kind of Grace, Jackie explains that, in itself, giving back to the community is a kind of grace. She travels throughout the United States as a motivational speaker to raise awareness about issues such as: overcoming social injustices; winning with grace and humility; dealing with health problems; team building; track and field; youth health and fitness; and women in sports. Her speeches highlight how to combine and apply dedication, determination, and desire. Jackie ex­emplifies the theme she wrote about in her book A Woman’s Place is Everywhere by applying her famed athletic tenacity to develop great programs and discover committed sponsors in her Foundation’s initiatives worldwide.

Carrie interviews Olympic marathoner Ryan Hall! Ryan talks about his recent retirement from running and his new life as a father of four. Show notes for this episode can be found at ctollerun.com.