Mark Olateju the Picture Guy: How One Runner's Camera Became White Rock Lake's Memory Keeper

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."

Mark Olateju has been a cornerstone of the Dallas-Fort Worth running community for over two decades. Known affectionately as "Mark O" or "the Picture Guy," Mark began his running journey in 2004-2005 with an 8K race at Travis McKinney school, motivated by his principal's promise of a home-cooked breakfast for participating staff. What started as treadmill running evolved into a passion that would see Mark complete over 640 races throughout his career, averaging 50 races per year during his peak decade. A self-proclaimed "5K expert" in his early years, Mark made an unexpected leap to marathon distance, running his first 26.2-mile race in basketball shorts and a durag—finishing with an impressive 3:08:59 time that remains his personal best. Mark's dedication to training was legendary, waking up at 3 AM for years to run with training partners like Shaheen Satar and Susanna. His consistent 40-45 mile weeks kept him "half-marathon ready" year-round, leading to sub-1:30 half marathon times and Boston Qualifying performances at Houston and Huntington Beach marathons. Beyond road racing, Mark ventured into ultra-trail running, completing 50K and 50-mile distances at events like Rocky Raccoon and Possum Kingdom. He holds a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M Commerce, which he completed over eight years while balancing teaching and training. After a knee replacement ended his competitive running career two and a half years ago, Mark transitioned seamlessly into his role as the community's unofficial photographer and memory keeper. Armed with his camera and phone, he can be found at White Rock Lake, Bachman Lake, and races throughout DFW, capturing thousands of moments and helping document the journeys of countless runners. Today, Mark maintains his fitness through weight training five days a week and low-impact cardio, while continuing to serve as a positive force in the running community—proving that the end of one chapter simply opens the door to another way of contributing to the sport he loves.