Elite Runner, Coaching, Stroller Records, and Golden Tickets: The Cal Neff Story
DFW Running Talk: Cal Nef Episode Overview
In this engaging episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel interviews Cal Nef, an accomplished elite runner, coach, and race director based in Houston, Texas. The conversation explores Cal's multifaceted running career and his journey through various aspects of the running world.
Background and Running Career
Cal shares his lifelong journey with running, starting at age 4 in Louisiana before his family moved internationally for his father's oil industry career. These moves took him to places like Scotland, England, Thailand, Canada, and Australia, with running becoming his constant companion and defining characteristic. After competing at the collegiate level for the University of Little Rock and University of Houston, Cal took a break from running before rediscovering his passion through trail running.
Elite Running Accomplishments
As an elite athlete, Cal has impressive achievements including:
- Multiple Houston Marathon finishes (7 full marathons, 3 half marathons)
- Serving as an official pacer for elite women like Sarah Hall and Keira D'Amato
- Helping Keira D'Amato break the American marathon record (2:19)
- Winning both the Cowtown 50K and Dallas 50K
- Winning the Marine Corps Marathon
- Setting world records for running with strollers in the 10K, half-marathon, and marathon distances
- Competing at the prestigious Comrades Marathon in South Africa
Trail Racing Over Texas
A significant portion of the interview focuses on Cal's role as owner and race director of Trail Racing Over Texas (TROT). He explains how he acquired the company when it was about to shut down, driven by his passion to preserve the vibrant trail running community in the Houston area. Under his leadership, TROT hosts over 10 events annually, including signature races like:
- The Habanero 100 (a uniquely challenging race that begins at noon in the summer heat)
- San Felipe Shootout (where runners compete in 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances back-to-back)
- Brazos Bend 100 (a Western States qualifier)
- Big Dog's Backyard Ultra (modeled after Lazarus Lake's famous format)
Cal emphasizes how he strives to create unique race formats that challenge runners in different ways, moving beyond the standard "gun start, race to finish" model. He discusses the challenges of race directing, including logistics, safety protocols (drawing on his experience with Texas Search and Rescue), and balancing growth with maintaining quality experiences.
Coaching and Training Philosophy
Cal discusses his coaching business, Hard Loop Endurance, revealing that he had 50 athletes competing in the Houston Marathon. He explains his personal training approach, noting that despite being an elite runner, he's not a high-mileage athlete (typically running 30-50 miles weekly, rarely exceeding 100), though he coaches athletes across the spectrum, including some who regularly run 110-120 miles weekly.
Other Passions and Lifestyle
The interview also touches on Cal's other interests, particularly his passion for unpowered flight through hang gliding and paragliding. He lives in a fly-in community where his business operates from a hangar, and he and his wife are working toward their private pilot's licenses.
Cal also mentions:
- His podcast "The Neff Pace" that he hosts with his wife Rachel
- His volunteer work with Texas Search and Rescue
- Upcoming races including the Black Canyon 100K, where he's seeking a "golden ticket" to Western States
The episode provides a comprehensive look at Cal's diverse interests, accomplishments, and approach to running, coaching, and race directing, highlighting his unique position as someone who has succeeded at multiple levels of the running world while creating opportunities for others through his businesses and events.
Creators and Guests
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."
Guest
Calum Neff
Canadian Long Distance Runner of over 30 years with multiple Guinness World Records. Business Owner: Coach (Hardloop Endurance) and Race Director (Trail Racing Over Texas). Competitive endurance athlete from one mile to ultramarathon, mountain, trail, road, track, XC, Canadian National 50k Record Holder (2:51), Marathoner (2:19), Elite Pacer (paced Sara Hall and Keira D'Amato for 2 of 4 Fastest American Women's Marathon Times). Canadian Mountain/Ultra/Trail National Team at 6 World Championship, Guinness World Record Holder - Fastest Marathon with a Stroller (2:31), Fastest Half Marathon with Stroller (1:11), and Fastest 10k with Stroller (31:43). Brand & Product Ambassador. Social Media & Marketing. Brand & Product media production and talent: video and stills. Product testing and development. Race consultant. Coach (NCCP Level 1 Sport Coach, RRCA, USATF) youth-to-elite. Motivational and Educational Speaker. Professional 15+ years experience in oilfield: drilling and completions operations at the wellsite, operations technical management, logistics, real-time data, acoustic telemetry method for measurement while drilling and completions with along-string measurements, software product owner, QHSE officer. Volunteer experience in fundraising, youth athletics, and non-profit board and participation including Search and Rescue