THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

Mike Scannell is back on The Running Effect Podcast.

The last time he joined the show, we talked about the long-term vision behind coaching one of America’s most talented distance runners. Since then, that vision has turned into one of the most remarkable stretches in American distance running history.

His athlete, Grant Fisher, has won two Olympic bronze medals in Paris, broken indoor world records in both the 3,000m and 5,000m, and firmly established himself as one of the most dominant distance runners on the planet.

And now, the next chapter is about to begin.

On March 15th at the United Airlines NYC Half, Fisher will make his professional half-marathon debut.

Coach Scannell’s coaching record speaks for itself: Footlocker and Dream Mile national titles, multiple state records in the 1600, Olympic Trials qualifiers, and Olympians. He was an incredible runner himself, but in many ways he’s an even better coach.

That is continuing to evolve with some of the best runners on the planet, and we can’t wait for you to hear our latest chat with one of the best minds in the sport.

Tap into the Coach Mike Scannell Special. 

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. 
If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W  N O T E S 

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run  

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

The last time Connor Burns and Simeon Birnbaum were here, they were two highly anticipated freshmen trying to find their footing in one of the most historic distance programs in NCAA history.

Now? They’re conference-dominating sophomores ready for their next target.

At the 2026 Big Ten Indoor Championships, Simeon Birnbaum swept the distance double, winning both the 3,000m and the 5,000m to claim two Big Ten titles while continuing to climb the Oregon all-time lists.

Connor Burns dropped a 7:40 in the 3000m at Boston University, one of the fastest times in the NCAA this season, and crossed the line second in the Big Ten 5000m before a controversial disqualification changed the results of the race.

Now, both are headed to the NCAA Indoor Championships, where Simeon enters as a double threat in the 3000m and 5000m, and Connor arrives as one of the top contenders in the 3000m.

We’re watching two of the most talented distance runners of their generation grow into championship racers at the NCAA level, and with the NCAA Indoor Championships up next, the Oregon Boys’ story is still being written.

Tap into the Conner Burns and Simeon Birnbaum Special. 

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W  N O T E S 

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run  

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Clayton Young fell early at the Marathon World Championships, and still finished as the top American. He also ran 2:07:04 at Boston (the fastest marathon of his life), and somehow it still felt like there was more in the tank. 

Since 2024, he’s been everywhere that matters: including 2nd in the U.S. Olympic Trials, 9th at the Paris Olympics, 7th in New York, 7th in Boston, and 9th in Tokyo. This man is stacking top-10 finishes on the biggest stages in the sport of marathon running. 

And now, with Tokyo, Boston, and Berlin lined up in 2026, he’s not just racing majors, it appears that he’s chasing history as he closes in on becoming a Six Star finisher.

Clayton was the 2019 NCAA Champion in the 10,000m while at BYU. He’s a native of American Fork, Utah, and is a mechanical engineer by profession, often sharing detailed training data through partnerships with brands like Stryd.

He runs professionally for ASICS and is coached by Ed Eyestone at Brigham Young University, his former college coach.

Clayton’s career is a masterclass in durability, humility, and quiet progression.

Clayton Young isn’t chasing attention.

He’s chasing excellence.

Tap into the Clayton Young Special. 

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W  N O T E S 

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run  

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

In the span of a few months, Trent McFarland has gone from conference contender to one of the most dangerous milers in the NCAA, running 3:52.73 to break a school record and then defending his Big Ten title in a gritty, tactical 4:11 championship race.
 
As one of the top milers in the Big Ten and the NCAA, Trent has had a tremendous 2025-26 season so far. He is the back-to-back Big Ten mile champion, and helped anchor the Michigan DMR team to gold at the 2026 Big Ten Indoor Championships.

In early 2026, he set a new school record in the mile with a 3:52.73, which at the time was an NCAA number 6 all-time performance. Trent’s collegiate PRs include 1:47.50 in the outdoor 800m (1:47.22 indoor), 3:38.45 in the 1500m, 3:52.73 in the mile, and 7:50.75 in the 3000m. 

Trent McFarland is no longer just a rising name in the Big Ten conference, he’s becoming one of the defining milers of this NCAA era. 

From 3:52 precision to tactical championship wins when it matters most, his 2026 season has been a masterclass in evolution: speed, strength, patience, and competitive fire.

Tap into the Trent McFarland Special. 

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W  N O T E S 

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run  

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Cameron Hanes didn't inherit greatness. He built it: one mile, one arrow, one brutally consistent day at a time. 
 
He wasn't a child prodigy hunter or a naturally gifted runner. He was a warehouse worker, a utility employee, and a guy who struggled through his first mile of running.

And through obsession, discipline, and an uncompromising personal code, he became the man who can run 20 miles before breakfast, lift after work, shoot in the dark, and line up for the hardest ultras in the world, all while preaching a simple philosophy–earn it. 

The prominent bowhunter, endurance athlete, and author, known for his "Keep Hammering" philosophy is here, a man who epitomizes self-discipline and physical preparation. 

In terms of running, he has finished the Moab 240 (238 miles), the Bigfoot 200, and the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. In 2025, he completed the Cocodona 250 in approximately 84 hours (and 18th place overall) and the Leadville Trail 100 in just over 24 hours. And he has some speed to boot: his mile PR is 5:18. 

Whether you are reaching your potential or someone who needs a higher standard, you won't want to miss this one. As Cameron says, Keep Hammering. 

Tap into the Cameron Hanes Special. 

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word"PODCAST" below and I'll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

Comment the word "PODCAST" below and I'll DM you a link to listen. 
If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W  N O T E S 

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run  

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz