31 Marathons and Counting: Farrell Hedrick's Journey from Beginner to Coach

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."

Farrell Hedrick is a Richardson, Texas native whose running journey began as a simple weight loss goal and evolved into a passion that would reshape his entire career. After gaining 50+ pounds during college at LSU and his early years in finance, Farrell couldn't run half a mile when he first laced up his shoes in uptown Dallas at age 23. Eleven years later, Farrell has completed 31 marathons with a personal best of 2:47, along with a 1:21 half marathon PR. His breakthrough race came at the 2021 Woodlands Marathon, where he ran sub-2:50 alongside several other Dallas-area runners in what became a memorable day for the local running community. A former investment banker and public accountant, Farrell transitioned into running coaching after successfully training a friend who ran a 1:27 debut half marathon. As an RRCA-certified coach, he has guided over 20 athletes while building sophisticated training programs using his finance background. In 2024, Farrell made the bold decision to leave corporate finance entirely, joining Fleet Feet as Training Program Director for the Dallas metroplex. He's launching an innovative performance-focused training program designed to unlock the untapped potential he sees in Dallas runners, starting with weekly track nights and expanding into a comprehensive coaching platform. When he's not coaching or planning the next Fleet Feet initiative, Farrell can be found running with the Oak Cliff Running Crew or collaborating with other local runners on unique events like the upcoming 1776-yard race on July 4th.