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

Chris Chavez and Kyle Merber reunite for the first time in nearly two years on the podcast for This Week In Track and Field.
At The New Balance Indoor Grand Prix:
– Hobbs Kessler broke the 2000m WR (4:48.79), outkicking Grant Fisher on the final lap with a 26.31 last 200m.
– Josh Hoey broke the  800m WR (1:42.50) and broke Wilson Kipketer’s legendary 1997 record (1:42.67). He was paced by his brother Jaxson Hoey, who hit textbook splits.
– Elle St. Pierre won the 3000 just eight months after having her second baby with a 8:26.54 victory over Australia’s Linden Hall in a last-lap surge.
– Jereem Richards took the men’s 300m 32.14 to 32.15 win, despite Noah Lyles’ WWE-style entrance from the stands.
– Cian McPhillips won the men’s 600m in 1:16.37, surged late to win over American hopefuls.
– Roisin Willis ran 1:59.59 wire-to-wire to win her professional debut.
Elsewhere:
– Cooper Lutkenhaus ran 1:45.23 to win the 800m, smashing the World Indoors standard at the Dr. Sander Invitational.
– 5000m World champion Cole Hocker opened his indoor season at the Hokie Invitational and broke the U.S. 2000m record in 4:52.92 just 24 hours before Kessler and Fisher took it down.
– New Zealand’s 16-year-old running phenom Sam Ruthe clocked a 3:53.83 mile at the Cooks International Classic — the fastest U16 mile in history.
Other news discussed:
– Two-time Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone announced Thursday she is expecting her first child with husband Andre Levrone Jr.
– Grant Fisher will make his half marathon debut at the NYC Half in March.
– Jakob Ingebrigtsen update: In a profile with The Guardian, he said: “I’ve fed my obsession my whole life” and added that he might be “autistic” due to his all-in intensity and singular focus. He also said he is still haunted by finishing 4th in the 1500m at Paris 2024. “Nine out of 10 times I win that race. That was the 10th.”
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Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Kyle Merber | @kylemerber
Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
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Some light results took place over the week but it’s officially the indoor track season as a few pros drop some scheduling breadcrumbs as to when they’ll plan to step out onto the track for the first time this year.
Preet explains how qualifying for the World Indoor Championships works.
New Balance Indoor Grand Prix is in Boston on January 24th and it’s loaded with Noah Lyles, Donavan Brazier, Bryce Hoppel, Grant Fisher, Jake Wightman, Josh Hoey, Jessica Hull, Elle St. Pierre, and a lot more. In some cases, the talent is split off into two close race distances and it’s not great!
Plus, the 2026 Boston Marathon women’s elite field is out and it is stacked! Sharon Lokedi is back to defend against a modest international group but it’s a ridiculous wave of U.S. talent headlined by Emily Sisson and Fiona O’Keeffe. Plus more news from the past week!
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Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Preet Majithia | ⁠⁠⁠@preet_athletics⁠⁠
Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
____________
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

“I’m drawing a lot more confidence for the track from what I did on the grass just this last weekend. I’m really excited just to get there, get going, and keep building strength. The sky’s the limit because if I can do that on the cross course, who knows what I can do on the track. I’m super pumped for it!”
My guest for today's episode is Parker Wolfe. If you're paying attention to the next generation of American distance running, his name has been on that list for a while now. Just last weekend, Parker made his World Championships debut representing Team USA at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida. In a loaded men's 10K field, he ran with patience and composure and steadily worked his way forward and finished as the top American across the finish line in 12th place.
Just a few months back, Parker left the NCAA as an 11-time All-American at North Carolina, anchoring the program during the early years of coach Chris Miltenberg's tenure and leading the Tar Heels to multiple top 10 national finishes in cross country. Individually, his highlight was probably winning the 2024 NCAA Outdoor 5K title where he upset Nico Young in one of the biggest races of his career.
The resume for Parker speaks for itself. He's run 3:34 for the 1500m, 3:54 for the mile, 7:30 for 3K, and 13:10 for the 5K. In this conversation, we talk about his transition from college to the world stage, what he's learned from racing these international studs, and what comes next as he steps into the next phase of his career as a pro with Swoosh TC under coach Mike Smith. Also, he's in a loaded men's two-mile at the Millrose Games on February 1st in New York City.
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Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠
Guest: Parker Wolfe | @parkerw19 on Instagram
Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠
____________
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

“The top three spots [at the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials], you've got to work very hard to get one of them—which is exciting for me. Nothing was ever handed to me. I have to work hard for it and I'm willing to do the same thing for it now."
Zouhair Talbi joins the CITIUS MAG Podcast to share his journey from Morocco to becoming an American citizen. He discusses his recent victory at the Houston Marathon, the decision to switch his allegiance to the United States and the challenges he faced along the way from the Moroccan federation.
He reflects on his early running career, the setbacks he encountered during the Tokyo Olympics where an issue with Morocco’s drug testing ruined his chance to become an Olympian and his transition to marathon running.
Talbi also talks about his experience in the US Army, his training insights, and his aspirations for the future, including the upcoming 2028 Olympic Trials.
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Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠
Guest: Zouhair Talbi | @zouhairathle on Instagram
Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
____________
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

This week in track and field, Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia cover:
– The World Cross Country Championships showcased impressive performances but faced broadcasting challenges. Preet explains his experience with watching.
– Houston’s half marathon saw the U.S. men’s half marathon list get totally re-written and then a strong run by Taylor Roe to move to No. 2 on the U.S. list.
– Zouhair Talbi runs the fourth-fastest marathon by an American but it takes a bit of explaining; Sara Hall went the full distance and continues to impress.
– Valencia produced European records by Andreas Almgren and Eilish McColgan.
– The bidding for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials is underway and St. Louis is interested.
– Preet likes figure skating!
– Unsurprisingly, Marvin Bracy-Williams has signed with the Enhanced Games
– A look at the other washed-up, has-been runners that are joining the doped Olympics.
– Albert Korir was provisionally suspended after testing positive for CERA.
– Our way too early picks for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.
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Mentioned in this episode:
Listen: World Cross Country Championships Reactions: Jacob Kiplimo Wins 3rd Straight Title, Agnes Ngetich Dominates + More Highlights
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Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Preet Majithia | ⁠⁠@preet_athletics⁠
Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
____________
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
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OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.