3,700 Days and Counting: Kerry Little on Ironman, Boston, and the Luke's Locker Legacy | The OGs
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3,700 Days and Counting: Kerry Little on Ironman, Boston, and the Luke's Locker Legacy | The OGs

Welcome to The OGs: DFW's Running Pioneers - a series dedicated to the runners who built the DFW running community from nothing. These are the originals. The ones who ran when nobody cared, when the shoes were garbage, when there were no gels, barely any water, and definitely no fanfare. They did it because they loved it, and they created the foundation we're all standing on today.

Kerry Little launches the series with an incredible journey: growing up as a swimmer in Illinois, moving to Texas in the early '80s, and discovering she could run - really run. Her first marathon? A 3:15 that would still turn heads today. Multiple Boston qualifiers, Ironman Hawaii, coaching with Luke's training programs, and a current streak of over 3,700 consecutive days of running. Now working at Luke's Locker Dallas (Mockingbird/75) for 17 years, Kerry connects the past to the present, sharing what it really took to be a runner when running was still finding its identity.

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."
Kerry Little
Guest
Kerry Little
Kerry Little is a DFW running icon who's been logging miles since the early 1980s. From college swimmer to 3:15 first-time marathoner, multiple Boston qualifier, and Ironman Hawaii finisher, Kerry represents the generation that built DFW's running community from the ground up. She's maintained a running streak exceeding 3,700 consecutive days and has spent 17 years at Luke's Locker Dallas (Mockingbird/75), where she combines four decades of running wisdom with a Parks and Recreation degree earned during a 31-year career with the City of Richardson. Kerry ran when women were just proving they belonged in distance running, when shoes were terrible, gels didn't exist, and water stops were scarce. She's the OG who keeps showing up, day after day, helping runners find their stride while embodying the endurance and grit that defined her era.