Chris Detzel
Bio
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."Appears in 62 Episodes
Theo Murdaugh's Run It Up Revolution: Making Running Accessible to Black Communities
In this powerful conversation, Chris Detzel sits down with Theo Murdaugh, founder of Run It Up Dallas, to explore how one man's vision transformed the running landscap...
Breaking Down to Break Through: How Julie Rembold Overcame 4 Years of Health Issues to Return to Elite Running
In this compelling episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel sits down with Julie Rembold for an in-depth look at one of the most remarkable running journeys you'...
Hard-Easy Every Day: How Jim Dietz Maintains 1:20 Half Marathon Times in His 60s
Meet Jim Dietz, a 65-year-old retired TI engineer who's been defying age-group expectations with sub-1:20 half marathon times and consistent sub-18-minute 5Ks. In this...
Four 100-Milers in Ten Weeks: Alison Miller's Ultimate Test
Join host Chris Detzel for an extraordinary conversation with Alison Miller, a 46-year-old physical therapist and endurance athlete attempting one of ultra running's m...
RISE RACING: Rob Goyen's Big Comeback to Texas Trail Racing
After three years away from race directing, legendary Texas trail running organizer Rob Goyen is officially back with the launch of Rise Racing Co. In this candid conv...
Mark Olateju the Picture Guy: How One Runner's Camera Became White Rock Lake's Memory Keeper
In this captivating episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel sits down with Mark Olateju (affectionately known as "Mark O" to those who struggle with his last na...
Why We Never Run Alone: The White Rock Running Co-op Experience
What happens when strangers become family through the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other? In this heartwarming episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chri...
From 232 Pounds to 2:46 Marathon: Greg Rankin's Incredible Transformation
Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Greg Rankin, a cornerstone of the Dallas-Fort Worth running community whose journey proves it's never too lat...
Chris & Anne Barnwell: Creating Texas Trail Community
Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Chris and Anne Barnwell, the husband-and-wife team behind Blaze Trails Running, one of Texas's most beloved t...
31 Marathons and Counting: Farrell Hedrick's Journey from Beginner to Coach
Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Richardson native Farrell Hedrick, whose remarkable running journey embodies the power of transformation and ...
Phillip Paris Leaves Colin Hamilton Hanging: The 4AM Houston Marathon Text
What do you get when you mix a guy who got hit by a car at 14, another who abandoned his marathon buddy via 4AM text, and enough curry paste to feed a small army? This...
Matthew Barron: From 3:25 Plateau to 2:38 Marathon Through Consistency and Community
Join host Chris Detzel as he sits down with Matt Barron, whose incredible marathon journey spans over a decade of ups, downs, and breakthrough moments. Matt shares his...
16 Consecutive Boston Marathons: Amanda Hicks on Sub-3:01 Training & Racing
Marathon training at 7,000 feet elevation: Amanda Hicks shares how she's run 16 consecutive Boston Marathons with a 3:01 PR while living in Flagstaff, Arizona. From Da...
Rebecca Roush: From College Injuries to 2:57 Marathon - Smart Training After Motherhood
Dallas runner Rebecca Roush shares her journey from college injuries to running a 2:57 marathon as a new mom. Discover her low-mileage training approach, cross-trainin...
Athletic Trainer Turned Marathon Mom: Amy Lyles on Bone Density, Peloton & PRs
From devastating stress fractures to a 3:14 marathon PR - athletic trainer and mom Amy Lyles shares her incredible running comeback story with host Chris Detzel. After...
Matt Campbell's Race Day Formula: Control, Flow, and Commitment
In this compelling follow-up episode, Matt Campbell returns to share his evolved approach to racing and the mindset shifts that have transformed his competitive strate...
Michael Mazzara: CEO of Rogue Expeditions on Running Travel
Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Michael Mazzara, CEO of Rogue Expeditions, who's revolutionizing how runners think about their sport. After s...
First Marathon, Sub-3:10 Finish: How Ski Bum Kevin Hebert Shocked Everyone (Including Himself)
What happens when a former ski bum who used to hide in pickup trucks to avoid running decides to chase a Boston qualifier in his very first marathon? You get one of th...