The CITIUS MAG Podcast | A Running + Track and Field Show

My guest for today’s episode is Agnes Ngetich: the 10,000m world record holder on the road, the reigning World Cross Country champion, and one of the most compelling athletes in distance running right now. She is 25 years old. She grew up in rural Kenya, lost her father to cancer at 10, and spent much of her adolescence working on farms and carrying bags of charcoal to help feed her family. She missed school to earn money. She showed up to race barefoot and hungry anyway.A coach named Ruth Bundotich saw something in her at 14 and opened a door. From that point, the progression has been relentless: junior titles in Kenya, an African Championships silver, a World U20 bronze, and then the slow build toward the longer distances where she now lives.In 2024 in Valencia, she ran 28:46 for 10 kilometers on the road — the first woman ever under 29 minutes — a record she had to earn three times: once on a course that turned out to be 25 meters short, once in atrocious weather in Lille where she fell eight seconds shy, and finally in Valencia where it was made official. In January 2026, she won the World Cross Country title in Tallahassee by 42 seconds — the second-largest winning margin in the history of the event.Last weekend here in New York, she came back after getting hypothermia at the United NYC Half in March and ran a course record 30:07 at the Mini 10K, blasting the first mile in 4:47 and pulling away from Hellen Obiri before the race was even a kilometer in.In this conversation that we recorded while she was in town, we dive into her childhood, the coach who changed her life, getting to the point of running world records, her World Cross Country dominance, what she thinks of the marathon and more.____________Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠Guest: Agnes Ngetich | @jebet.agnesProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠@jasminefehr⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSXENDURANCE: Xendurance Protein is designed specifically to help your body recover, rebuild, and get stronger after training. It combines four different types of protein, so your body gets both fast absorbing protein for immediate recovery and slower release protein to support muscle repair over time. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check it out at Xendurance.com and use code CITIUS for 25% off your first order.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VELOUS: VELOUS makes recovery footwear designed to help runners bounce back faster between sessions. Their sandals feature Tri-Motion™ Technology: a technical three-density foam system and contoured footbed engineered to cushion impact, support your arches, and help your toes stretch and relax on every step. Run. Recover. Repeat. with VELOUS! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off your VELOUS order with code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout including FREE Shipping!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OLIPOP: Raspberry Sherbet is a limited-edition, nostalgic new flavor that blends tangy raspberry with creamy vanilla. Every can of Olipop contains their Olismart blend, which includes ingredients designed to support digestive health and help feed your gut microbiome. If you haven't had tried Olipop yet, grab a can and see what the hype is all about!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.⁠⁠

Chris Chavez, Preet Majithia, and Mac Fleet unpack the best week of the 2026 outdoor season with Rome and Stockholm delivering back-to-back historic performances.Discussed in this episode:– Audrey Werro’s 1:53.98: The third-fastest woman in 800-meter history, only the third woman ever under 1:54, beats Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson (1:54.33 personal best, British record) in Stockholm. Historical context: the two women ahead of her — Kratochvílová (1:53.28, 1983) and Olizarenko (1:53.43, 1980) — are from countries that no longer exist and from the peak of the Eastern Bloc doping era. Many can regard Werro’s 1:53.98 as the de facto clean world record.– Cooper Lutkenhaus wins the Stockholm men’s 800 in 1:42.7: Diamond League debut. 17 years old. Junior year of high school in Texas. Beats Marco Arop (1:43.11), the former world champion and fourth-fastest man in history.– Mondo loses: First defeat since July 2023. 44-meet winning streak snapped– Noah Lyles wins the Rome 100m in 9.88: Noah typically builds slowly in the 100, but 9.88 is early and good. Jordan Anthony faded to fourth after looking promising at 60m.– Women’s 200 landscape: Gabby Thomas runs 21.7 at the Lone Star Grand Prix in College Station — third fastest of her career; ulien Alfred has already run 21.86 in Rome, beating Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (her first loss in over a year). MJW bounced back in Stockholm with a 100m win and 10.84. If Shericka Jackson stays healthy, she’s probably the pick.– Tate Taylor, 19.97: The second American high schooler to break 20 seconds in the 200. Hear Preet’s full objection to the concept of high school records as a category– Looking ahead: LA Grand Prix this weekend. NCAA Championships in Eugene — Mac’s pick is Simeon Birnbaum in the 1500, though Carter Cutting will be right there.____________Hosts: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez + Preet Majithia | ⁠@preet_athletics⁠ + Mac Fleet | @macfleetProduced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSXENDURANCE: Xendurance Protein is designed specifically to help your body recover, rebuild, and get stronger after training. It combines four different types of protein, so your body gets both fast absorbing protein for immediate recovery and slower release protein to support muscle repair over time. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check it out at Xendurance.com and use code CITIUS for 25% off your first order.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VELOUS: VELOUS makes recovery footwear designed to help runners bounce back faster between sessions. Their sandals feature Tri-Motion™ Technology: a technical three-density foam system and contoured footbed engineered to cushion impact, support your arches, and help your toes stretch and relax on every step. Run. Recover. Repeat. with VELOUS! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off your VELOUS order with code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout including FREE Shipping!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OLIPOP: Raspberry Sherbet is a limited-edition, nostalgic new flavor that blends tangy raspberry with creamy vanilla. Every can of Olipop contains their Olismart blend, which includes ingredients designed to support digestive health and help feed your gut microbiome. If you haven't had tried Olipop yet, grab a can and see what the hype is all about!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.⁠⁠

Solo episode from Rome as Preet Majithia steps in while Chris Chavez finishes his book on deadline. Preet covers Götzis, a full Rabat Diamond League recap, a Rome preview from press conference day, and a Stockholm preview for the following Sunday.Discussed in this episode:Rabat Diamond League recap:- Tina Clayton wins the women’s 100m in 10.85- Cambria Sturgis surprises with a win in 22.21- Audrey Werro wins in 1:56.56 by running ran away from 2024 world indoor champion and Olympic silver medalist Tsigie Duguma and Tokyo world champion Lilian Odira- Kenny Bednarek's 19.69 shows consistent, impressive early-season form; Jacory Patterson wins the 400m in 44.11- Max Burgin wins the men’s 800m impressively off the front as Emmanuel Wanyonyi inexplicably falls asleep around 350m to go- Yared Nuguse wins in 3:30.35 for the best race of the meet+ More, including Soufiane El Bakkali winning at home in 7:57.25 as Frederick Ruppert of Germany runs 7:57.8 for second place.- Rome Diamond League preview: Dalilah Muhammad races the 400m hurdles (not retired); Keely Hodgkinson runs an open 400m; Julien Alfred vs. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in the women’s 200m — the matchup we didn’t get at Tokyo Worlds; Noah Lyles vs. Jordan Anthony in the men’s 100 + more.- Stockholm Diamond League preview: Rai Benjamin in the 400m with the second-slowest PB in the field; El Bakkali vs. Lamecha Girma in the men’s steeple; Cooper Lutkenhaus Diamond League debut; Keely Hodgkinson’s outdoor 800m opener against Audrey Werro and Roisin Willis + more.____________Host: Preet Majithia | @preet_athleticsProduced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSXENDURANCE: Xendurance Protein is designed specifically to help your body recover, rebuild, and get stronger after training. It combines four different types of protein, so your body gets both fast absorbing protein for immediate recovery and slower release protein to support muscle repair over time. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check it out at Xendurance.com and use code CITIUS for 25% off your first order.⁠⁠⁠⁠VELOUS: VELOUS makes recovery footwear designed to help runners bounce back faster between sessions. Their sandals feature Tri-Motion™ Technology: a technical three-density foam system and contoured footbed engineered to cushion impact, support your arches, and help your toes stretch and relax on every step. Run. Recover. Repeat. with VELOUS! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off your VELOUS order with code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout including FREE Shipping!⁠⁠⁠⁠OLIPOP: Raspberry Sherbet is a limited-edition, nostalgic new flavor that blends tangy raspberry with creamy vanilla. Every can of Olipop contains their Olismart blend, which includes ingredients designed to support digestive health and help feed your gut microbiome. If you haven't had tried Olipop yet, grab a can and see what the hype is all about!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.⁠⁠

“By the time we get there, I don’t think we’ll leave any stone unturned for the first one. There’s still room to grow, but I do think I’ll be very ready.”My guest for today’s episode is Emma Grace Hurley: an ASICS athlete and one of the most consistent American road racers of the last two years. She trains under Andrew and Amy Begley at Heartland Track Club in Indianapolis, and in 2026 she has already set the American Record at 8K (24:29 at the Shamrock Shuffle), won the USATF 10-Mile title at Cherry Blossom, won the 25K title at the Gate River Run and finished second at the USATF 5K Championships in her own city, running 15:00 flat to miss the sub-15 barrier by four-tenths of a second.She is also, as of this week, officially confirmed as one of the scoring members of the U.S. half marathon team for Copenhagen — one of the three athletes who were misdirected in the closing mile of the USATF Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta in March. World Athletics granted a special exception that will allow seven American women to compete, with Jess McClain, Emma Grace, and Ednah Kurgat as the scoring athletes alongside Weini Kelati. The top three official finishers — Molly Born, Carrie Ellwood, and Annie Rodenfels — will make their international debuts as non-scoring athletes.What makes Emma Grace one of the more interesting stories in American distance running right now is the shape of her career. She graduated from Furman in 2020 with a 15:57 5K personal best, quit running entirely, took a client associate job at JP Morgan, and did not think she was coming back to the sport. She is now a 15:00 road 5K runner, an 8K American record holder, a national 10-mile champion, and a two-event Worlds qualifier. She has not run a marathon yet — it’s happening this fall.In this conversation, recorded in Brooklyn, we get into all of it: what it actually took to bounce back after Atlanta and immediately set a national record three weeks later, why she doesn’t love the track but is a 15-flat road 5K runner, the Cherry Blossom 10-mile where she lost the overall by one second to a woman who finished seventh in the 10,000m at the Tokyo Olympics, the moment she finally felt like the long slow build was paying off, and what scares her most about the marathon block ahead.____________Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠Guest: Emma Grace Hurley | @emmagracehurleyProduced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSXENDURANCE: Xendurance Protein is designed specifically to help your body recover, rebuild, and get stronger after training. It combines four different types of protein, so your body gets both fast absorbing protein for immediate recovery and slower release protein to support muscle repair over time. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check it out at Xendurance.com and use code CITIUS for 25% off your first order.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VELOUS: VELOUS makes recovery footwear designed to help runners bounce back faster between sessions. Their sandals feature Tri-Motion™ Technology: a technical three-density foam system and contoured footbed engineered to cushion impact, support your arches, and help your toes stretch and relax on every step. Run. Recover. Repeat. with VELOUS! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off your VELOUS order with code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout including FREE Shipping!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OLIPOP: Raspberry Sherbet is a limited-edition, nostalgic new flavor that blends tangy raspberry with creamy vanilla. Every can of Olipop contains their Olismart blend, which includes ingredients designed to support digestive health and help feed your gut microbiome. If you haven't had tried Olipop yet, grab a can and see what the hype is all about!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.⁠⁠

Chris Chavez and Kyle Merber close out Memorial Day weekend with a debrief on the Enhanced Games, a quick Xiamen Diamond League recap, and a full LA Track Fest breakdown.Discussed in this episode:– Enhanced Games debrief: It’s not track and field, it’s not a competitor to the sport, and last night was actually a best-case scenario for Enhanced Games skeptics because no athlete watching thought, “I should take drugs, look how well it worked.”– Xiamen Diamond League: Masai Russell’s 12.14 was the race of the meet. Broke her own American record and missed Tobi Amusan’s world record of 12.12 by two hundredths; Collen Kebinatshipi running 43.92 for a world lead, now reportedly holding world leads in both the 100m and 400m simultaneously; Alison dos Santos is in arguably the best early-season form of his career; Abby Caldwell wins the women’s 1500 again in 3:57, making Australian Commonwealth Games selection very complicated; Yan Ziyi throws 71.74 in the javelin on her 18th birthday.– LA Track Fest: Parker Valby returns with her first race on the outdoor track in 19 months, winning the 5K in a 14:49 personal best; Brandon Miller wins the 800m over a stacked field, but Josh Kerr gave us data on where he’s at eight weeks out from his London mile world record attempt; Cooper Lutkenhaus runs his first 1500m at 17 years old and goes 3:45 + more results from LA.– This weekend: Bislett Games (Continental Tour), Rabat Diamond League on Sunday, and the Bandit Grand Prix at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York City on Saturday.____________Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Kyle Merber | @kylemerberProduced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSXENDURANCE: Xendurance Protein is designed specifically to help your body recover, rebuild, and get stronger after training. It combines four different types of protein, so your body gets both fast absorbing protein for immediate recovery and slower release protein to support muscle repair over time. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check it out at Xendurance.com and use code CITIUS for 25% off your first order.⁠⁠⁠VELOUS: VELOUS makes recovery footwear designed to help runners bounce back faster between sessions. Their sandals feature Tri-Motion™ Technology: a technical three-density foam system and contoured footbed engineered to cushion impact, support your arches, and help your toes stretch and relax on every step. Run. Recover. Repeat. with VELOUS! ⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off your VELOUS order with code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout including FREE Shipping!⁠⁠⁠OLIPOP: Raspberry Sherbet is a limited-edition, nostalgic new flavor that blends tangy raspberry with creamy vanilla. Every can of Olipop contains their Olismart blend, which includes ingredients designed to support digestive health and help feed your gut microbiome. If you haven't had tried Olipop yet, grab a can and see what the hype is all about!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.⁠⁠

Chris and Preet are back for This Week In Track & Field with Diamond League week finally here, and a lot of hypotheticals to sort through before they get there.Discussed in this episode:– Quincy Wilson runs the 300 meter hurdles: The Olympic 400 gold medalist and high school record holder debuted in the 300m hurdles at his Bullis school league meet, winning in 38.77, about 30 minutes after winning the open 400 in 45.8.– Grant Holloway update: The reigning Olympic 110 hurdles champion posted on Instagram confirming he’s been dealing with a torn hamstring.– Cross country not added to the 2030 Winter Olympics: The IOC confirmed trail running, cross country, cyclocross, and gravel cycling are out for the French Alps games.– The internet’s current hypotheticals: Sebastian Sawe vs. Rachel Entrekin in a 250-miler + Mo Farah vs. Luke Littler darts world champion in a half marathon where you must stop and throw a leg of darts every mile.Diamond League Shanghai/Keqiao preview:– Women’s 5000m: Faith Kipyegon’s return to the distance for the first time since her 2023 world record. – Women’s 400m: Salwa Eid Nasser opened at a Florida youth meet with an 11.7/23.3/50.9 triple.– Men’s 110m hurdles: Cordell Tinch returning to the hurdles after his multi-event indoor detour.– Women’s steeplechase: Closest thing to a world championship semi-final on the schedule — Faith Cherotich, Norah Jeruto, Peruth Chemutai, and five of the top Americans.– Women’s 200m: What does Sha’Carri open up with?– Women’s 100m hurdles: Tobi Amusan, Masai Russell, Akera Nugent.– Men’s 3000m: Andreas Almgren’s track return is the main draw.– Women’s 1500m: Great field — the Australian Commonwealth Games selection battle plays out here since the five top Aussies didn’t get their proper matchup at home due to the fall incident.– Men’s 100m: Bednarek, Bromell, Coleman headline the U.S. presence vs. Letsile Tebogo and Akani Simbine.– Men’s 300m hurdles: Warholm vs. Dos Santos____________Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Preet Majithia | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@preet_athletics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSXENDURANCE: Xendurance Protein is designed specifically to help your body recover, rebuild, and get stronger after training. It combines four different types of protein, so your body gets both fast absorbing protein for immediate recovery and slower release protein to support muscle repair over time. ⁠⁠⁠Check it out at Xendurance.com and use code CITIUS for 25% off your first order.⁠WAHOO: With the Wahoo KICKR RUN, you can simulate the exact Boston or London Marathon course right in your own home. You can also use the run free mode, which uses sensors to automatically match the belt speed to your stride. No buttons, no interruptions, no breaking your flow.⁠ ⁠When you use code CITIUS at checkout, you'll also get a free KICKR Headwind Smart Fan. Check it out today at wahoofitness.com.⁠VELOUS: VELOUS makes recovery footwear designed to help runners bounce back faster between sessions. Their sandals feature Tri-Motion™ Technology: a technical three-density foam system and contoured footbed engineered to cushion impact, support your arches, and help your toes stretch and relax on every step. Run. Recover. Repeat. with VELOUS! ⁠Get 20% off your VELOUS order with code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout including FREE Shipping!⁠OLIPOP: Raspberry Sherbet is a limited-edition, nostalgic new flavor that blends tangy raspberry with creamy vanilla. Every can of Olipop contains their Olismart blend, which includes ingredients designed to support digestive health and help feed your gut microbiome. If you haven't had tried Olipop yet, grab a can and see what the hype is all about!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.⁠⁠