25-Year-Old Juliette Vielhauer Runs 3:01:57 Debut Marathon and Eyes Sub-1:25 Half
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25-Year-Old Juliette Vielhauer Runs 3:01:57 Debut Marathon and Eyes Sub-1:25 Half

Juliette Vielhauer only started running in 2023, and just two years later, she ran a stunning 3:01:57 debut marathon at California International Marathon (CIM). At 25 years old, this former lacrosse player from Cal Poly and SMU has taken the Dallas running scene by storm.

In this conversation, Juliette shares her unconventional journey into running—signing up for a half marathon without ever racing a 5K, finding her competitive edge through the Dallas run club scene, and building up to her first marathon with a mix of solo training and community support. She opens up about the mental and physical challenges of race day at CIM, including battling the cold, hitting the wall at mile 20, and still managing to PR her half marathon split during the race.

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From her lacrosse roots and county cross country championship as a kid to her current goals of running sub-1:25 at Big Star Half Marathon's elite field in April 2027, Juliette represents the next generation of fast young runners in DFW. Whether you're chasing your first race or your next PR, you'll find inspiration in her story of setting big goals and refusing to settle.

Show Notes:
Guest: Juliette Vielhauer
Topics Covered:
  • Growing up playing competitive lacrosse from age 9 through college
  • Winning county cross country championships in elementary school
  • Moving to Dallas for grad school at SMU knowing nobody in Texas
  • Starting running in 2023 with zero race experience
  • First half marathon in May 2023 without proper training
  • Finding the Dallas running community (White Rock Running Co., TNSR Plano)
  • Training solo for CIM while balancing corporate job
  • Race strategy and execution at California International Marathon
  • Running 3:01:57 debut marathon and qualifying for Boston 2027
  • Going sober during peak training and the impact on recovery
  • PRing the half marathon (1:28) during the marathon itself
  • Post-race celebration and recovery challenges
  • Goals for Big Star Half Marathon elite field (targeting sub-1:25)
  • Future marathon plans and long-term running aspirations

Episode Video

Creators and Guests

Chris Detzel
Host
Chris Detzel
Chris Detzel is the passionate host and creator of "DFW Running Talk," the premier podcast dedicated to showcasing the vibrant running community across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Since launching the show in October 2024, Chris has established himself as a central voice in North Texas running culture, conducting in-depth conversations with elite athletes, coaches, race directors, and inspiring everyday runners who define the region's diverse running scene. As both interviewer and active participant in the DFW running community, Chris brings an authentic perspective shaped by years of personal running experience. While he describes himself as primarily a half marathon runner rather than a marathoner - citing the extensive training commitment and unpredictability of marathon race day - his deep knowledge of running culture spans the full spectrum from 5Ks to ultramarathons. His preference for half marathons stems from their balance of challenge and accessibility, allowing him to race monthly without the intensive training demands of longer distances. Chris's connection to elite running runs through his family - his wife Lea Ivy is an accomplished marathoner who has completed the Boston Marathon 12 times consecutively, achieving a personal best of 3:14 at age 45. This personal connection to high-level competition, combined with his own running journey, gives Chris unique insight into both the elite and recreational sides of the sport. He often travels to Boston to support Lea's racing and has become part of the broader running community that gathers around major events like the Boston Marathon. Through DFW Running Talk, Chris has created more than just a podcast - he's built a platform that celebrates the depth and diversity of North Texas running talent. His interviews reveal the stories behind local legends, from sub-3:00 marathoners to innovative coaches, from race directors creating memorable experiences to everyday runners achieving extraordinary personal transformations. The show has featured conversations with accomplished athletes like Shantel Cloud (sub-3:00 marathoner), Travis Dowd (Dallas Marathon winner), and Mimi Smith (Olympic Trials competitor), alongside community builders and running industry professionals. What sets Chris apart as a host is his ability to connect with guests on multiple levels - as a fellow runner who understands training cycles and race strategy, as a community member invested in the local running scene, and as a skilled interviewer who draws out both technical insights and personal stories. His approach prioritizes authentic conversation over surface-level inspiration, resulting in episodes that offer genuine value to runners of all levels. Based in the Dallas area, Chris continues to grow DFW Running Talk's reach across multiple platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube, while maintaining strong connections to local running organizations like Dallas Running Club and participating in the broader Texas running community. His work documents and celebrates a running culture that he believes is "way more badass than it has any right to be."
Juliette Vielhauer
Guest
Juliette Vielhauer
Juliette Vielhauer is a 25-year-old runner making waves in the Dallas-Fort Worth running scene with her remarkable debut marathon performance. In December 2025, she ran 3:01:57 at the California International Marathon (CIM), qualifying for Boston 2027 in her very first 26.2-mile race. A former competitive lacrosse player, Juliette's athletic journey began early—winning her county cross country championship in elementary school before dedicating herself to lacrosse from age 9 through her college years. She played varsity lacrosse all four years in high school and continued with club lacrosse at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, one of the top programs on the West Coast. After earning her bachelor's degree at Cal Poly, she moved to Dallas in 2021 to pursue her master's degree at SMU, where she played one final lacrosse season. Juliette didn't start running seriously until early 2023, when she signed up for her first half marathon without having raced a single 5K. What began as a way to fill the competitive void left by lacrosse and meet people in her new city quickly evolved into something more. She immersed herself in the Dallas running community through groups like White Rock Running Co. and TNSR Plano, building her fitness and finding her tribe. During her CIM marathon, Juliette not only broke three hours but also PR'd her half marathon split with a 1:28, showcasing her untapped potential. Now living in Plano and training for the Big Star Half Marathon elite field in April 2026, she's targeting a sub-1:25 finish—another ambitious goal in what's shaping up to be an exciting running career. When she's not logging miles, Juliette plays in a Dallas adult women's lacrosse league and works remotely in her corporate role. With just two years of serious running under her belt and a 3:01 debut marathon already in the books, she represents the next generation of elite talent emerging from the DFW running community.