From 232 Pounds to 2:46 Marathon: Greg Rankin's Incredible Transformation

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."

Greg Rankin is a respected marathon coach and longtime pillar of the Dallas-Fort Worth running community. With a personal best of 2:46 in the marathon, Greg has qualified for and completed the Boston Marathon 9 times out of 10 attempts, including surviving the 2013 bombing. After earning a cross country scholarship to Southwest Texas State (now Texas State), Greg experienced three distinct "running careers" - overcoming a divorce that saw his weight balloon to 232 pounds before staging a remarkable comeback that led to sub-3-hour marathons in multiple age groups. Currently coaching runners of all levels toward their marathon and half-marathon goals, Greg has helped dozens of athletes achieve personal bests and Boston qualifications. His coaching philosophy emphasizes smart training, community support, and the long-term development that comes from consistency and patience. When not coaching, Greg continues pursuing his goal of running a marathon in all 50 states (currently at 20+) and remains an active member of the White Rock Running Co-op. He's also coached at the high school and college levels, including a stint coaching his son's college cross country team. A former corporate IT professional, Greg now dedicates his time to helping others discover what's possible when you combine proper training with the support of a strong running community.