Theo Murdaugh's Run It Up Revolution: Making Running Accessible to Black Communities

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."

Theo Murdaugh is the founder and visionary behind Run It Up Dallas, a nonprofit organization that has revolutionized running culture in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Theo brings over 12 years of serious running experience to his mission of making fitness accessible and inclusive for all communities. After spending 15 years in corporate America's automotive sector, working with companies like Nissan and General Motors across seven different cities, Theo developed a deep appreciation for the power of running clubs to build community wherever life takes you. His extensive experience participating in run clubs nationwide revealed a gap in the market: most groups catered to experienced runners but left beginners feeling intimidated and excluded. In March 2023, Theo launched Run It Up Dallas as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a bold mission to promote cardiovascular health and mental wellness, particularly in Black and brown communities where heart disease and hypertension disproportionately impact lives. What started with 30-40 participants exploded into a movement of 200-300 regular runners after a single viral video, making Run It Up one of the largest and most dynamic running communities in Texas. Under Theo's leadership, Run It Up has grown into a sophisticated organization with a 15-person team, offering everything from beginner walking groups to advanced marathon training plans—all completely free. The organization partners with health advocacy groups like the Black Heart Association to provide free health screenings and education, extending its impact far beyond fitness into life-saving health initiatives. Theo continues to balance his automotive sales career with Cars Direct while building Run It Up's national presence. His vision includes expanding to HBCU campuses across the country, hosting health clinics, and proving that running can be both serious training and joyful community celebration. Currently based in Dallas, Theo remains an active runner who prefers half marathons to full marathons and believes that every runner, regardless of pace or experience level, deserves a welcoming place to belong.