Dustin Darakhshan: From First-Time Marathoner to 2:34 - Lessons on Coaching, Comebacks, and Consistency

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."

Dustin Darakhshan is a Richardson, Texas-based runner, coach, and community builder whose incredible transformation story has inspired countless local runners. A former competitive high school runner at JJ Pierce who was once ranked the 17th fastest freshman in the nation, Dustin took a 20-year hiatus from the sport before rediscovering his passion in 2020. After the birth of his son in February 2020, Dustin—then weighing 235 pounds and unable to run a mile—embarked on a remarkable journey that saw him lose over 50 pounds and return to competitive running. In just over three years, he progressed from a 3:11 first marathon to a personal best of 2:34 at the St. George Marathon in October 2023. He's also run three major marathons (Boston, Chicago, and New York) in a single year and excels at road ultras, finishing third at both the Cowtown 50K and Dallas 50K. Now an RRCA-certified coach with Straight Speed, Dustin specializes in helping beginners and first-time marathoners achieve their goals. He founded the Canyon Creek Running Club in his neighborhood and regularly trains with the Dallas Sloths. His coaching philosophy emphasizes enjoying the process, building community, and remembering that everyone has their own unique story. Dustin runs in honor of his late father, a Boston Marathon finisher who immigrated from Iran and was his biggest inspiration. At 42, he balances his passion for running with a full-time career and family life with his wife Katie and their two children.