From Dallas Marathon Winner to Chairman: Logan Sherman's Running Journey
This engaging episode of DFW Running Talk features an in-depth conversation with Dr. Logan Sherman, current Chairman of the Board for RunDallas and former Dallas Marathon champion. The interview reveals Sherman's remarkable journey from an overweight child nicknamed "Jelly Roll" to becoming a significant figure in Dallas's running community.
Key storylines from the episode include:
Early Life and Running Origins:
- Born in Dallas to a runner father who was motivated by his own father's cardiac-related death
- Started as an overweight kid who discovered running through a memorable punishment from his PE teacher, Coach Holiday, who made him run two miles
- Developed under coach Terry Jessup, who initially questioned what to do with "this fat little kid" but helped shape him into a serious runner
Athletic Development:
- Dealt with heart arrhythmia issues throughout high school and college
- Won state championships in high school, including a dramatic story about being added as an unprecedented ninth runner in a state meet
- Attended Texas A&M, where he achieved a notable 29:41 10K time but struggled with various personal challenges
- Won his first Dallas Half Marathon in 2003 after his father literally pulled him out of bed to race
Professional Career:
- Inspired by his college chiropractor to pursue chiropractic medicine
- Attended Parker University for his chiropractic degree while continuing to race
- Won the 2015 Dallas Marathon after 16 years of pursuing that goal
- Finished second to Keith Pierce in 2016 in another memorable race
Leadership Role:
- Joined the Dallas Marathon board in 2017
- Currently serves as Chairman of the Board
- Works with a small but effective team of four people who manage an event drawing over 30,000 participants
- Emphasizes the marathon's connection to Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
The episode provides intimate details about Sherman's personal struggles and triumphs, including his battle with heart issues, academic challenges, and the mentorship he received throughout his journey. It also offers insight into the current state of the Dallas Marathon and its significance to the local community.
The conversation feels particularly timely as it was recorded just before the upcoming Dallas Marathon, with Sherman now serving in a leadership role for the event he once won as an athlete. Throughout the interview, Sherman's passion for running and his commitment to the Dallas running community clearly shines through, making it a compelling listen for both runners and community members interested in local sports leadership.
The episode effectively balances personal anecdotes with insights into race organization and community building, providing listeners with both entertainment and valuable information about one of Dallas's premier sporting events.
Key storylines from the episode include:
Early Life and Running Origins:
- Born in Dallas to a runner father who was motivated by his own father's cardiac-related death
- Started as an overweight kid who discovered running through a memorable punishment from his PE teacher, Coach Holiday, who made him run two miles
- Developed under coach Terry Jessup, who initially questioned what to do with "this fat little kid" but helped shape him into a serious runner
Athletic Development:
- Dealt with heart arrhythmia issues throughout high school and college
- Won state championships in high school, including a dramatic story about being added as an unprecedented ninth runner in a state meet
- Attended Texas A&M, where he achieved a notable 29:41 10K time but struggled with various personal challenges
- Won his first Dallas Half Marathon in 2003 after his father literally pulled him out of bed to race
Professional Career:
- Inspired by his college chiropractor to pursue chiropractic medicine
- Attended Parker University for his chiropractic degree while continuing to race
- Won the 2015 Dallas Marathon after 16 years of pursuing that goal
- Finished second to Keith Pierce in 2016 in another memorable race
Leadership Role:
- Joined the Dallas Marathon board in 2017
- Currently serves as Chairman of the Board
- Works with a small but effective team of four people who manage an event drawing over 30,000 participants
- Emphasizes the marathon's connection to Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
The episode provides intimate details about Sherman's personal struggles and triumphs, including his battle with heart issues, academic challenges, and the mentorship he received throughout his journey. It also offers insight into the current state of the Dallas Marathon and its significance to the local community.
The conversation feels particularly timely as it was recorded just before the upcoming Dallas Marathon, with Sherman now serving in a leadership role for the event he once won as an athlete. Throughout the interview, Sherman's passion for running and his commitment to the Dallas running community clearly shines through, making it a compelling listen for both runners and community members interested in local sports leadership.
The episode effectively balances personal anecdotes with insights into race organization and community building, providing listeners with both entertainment and valuable information about one of Dallas's premier sporting 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."
