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 77 Episodes
Breaking Barriers: Jill Wolf's Journey from 3:44 to Sub-2:50 Marathons
In this engaging episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel sits down with Jill Wolf, an accomplished marathon runner who shares her remarkable journey from high s...
From Struggling to Soaring: Ariana Allen's 4:40 to Sub-3 Marathon Revolution
Join host Chris Detzel as he interviews Ariana Allen, a dedicated nurse who transformed from a casual runner into an elite sub-3 hour marathoner. This inspiring conver...
Chasing the Dream: How Garrett Mayeaux is Building His Professional Triathlon Career
In this episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel interviews Garrett Mayeaux, an elite triathlete pursuing a professional career. Garrett shares his journey from ...
2:51 Marathon and 2 Kids: Melanie Lassen's Speedy Motherhood Adventure
In this captivating episode, we sit down with elite runner Melanie Lassen who shares her remarkable journey of balancing competitive marathon running with motherhood. ...
20 Marathons, 3 Kids, and Boston Dreams: The Maddie Stier Story
In this inspiring episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel sits down with Maddie Stier, a remarkable marathon runner who balances elite performance with motherho...
Marathon Mindset with Lea Ivy: Lessons from Twelve Bostons and Beyond
In this special episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel interviews his wife and running extraordinaire, Lea Ivy. With no formal running background, Lea transfor...
Michael Jackson's Last Day Was Andy's First: A Six Star Marathon Journey
In this captivating episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel interviews Andy Wheatcroft, an inspiring 'mature runner' who completed all six World Marathon Majors...
Zero to Boston in 8 Months: The Insane Running Journey of Dr. Matt Campbell
In this engaging episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel interviews Dr. Matt Campbell, a pediatric oncologist who transformed from an out-of-shape medical fello...
From Spain to Dallas: Carlos Para's International Running Adventures
In this engaging episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel interviews Carlos Para, a dentist from Spain who has built an impressive running career after moving to...
The Sub-2:40 Club: DFW's Fastest Marathoners Talk Boston & London
Boston & London Marathon Prep with DFW's Elite RunnersJoin host Chris Detzel for an insightful roundtable with six elite DFW-area runners as they prepare for the prest...
Building a Running Community: Alfonzo Gonzalez and the Train Pegasus Journey
In this engaging episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel sits down with Alfonzo Gonzalez, the founder and coach of Train Pegasus, one of the Dallas-Fort Worth a...
975 Days and Counting: Andy Wang on Running Streaks, Race Directing, and Community
In this episode of DFW Running Talk, you (Chris Detzel) hosted Andy Wang, the race director of the Fort Worth Marathon. The conversation provided an in-depth look at A...
Elite Runner, Coaching, Stroller Records, and Golden Tickets: The Cal Neff Story
DFW Running Talk: Cal Nef Episode OverviewIn this engaging episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel interviews Cal Nef, an accomplished elite runner, coach, and ...
Finding Speed in the Pandemic: Jennifer Pope's Path to Elite Running
DFW Running Talk Episode with Jennifer PopeEpisode OverviewThis episode of DFW Running Talk features host Chris Detzel interviewing Jennifer Pope, an elite runner from...
Dallas Running Scene: Dr. Mani Alavi's Journey from Two-Mile Sprints to Marathon Stars
In this engaging episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel interviews Dr. Mani Alavi, a faculty physician at UT Southwestern and accomplished marathon runner. The...
Breaking Barriers: The First Black Runner to Complete Marathons on All Seven Continents with Tony Reed
This episode of DFW Running Talk features an interview with Tony Reed, a pioneering marathon runner with an extraordinary story. The conversation covers his remarkable...
The Business of Running: How Eric & Sharon Lindberg Create Epic Race Experiences
In this episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel sits down with two powerhouses in the Dallas-Fort Worth running community—Eric and Sharon Lindberg from On Your ...
Behind the Scenes of Cowtown: A Conversation with Race Director Heidi Swartz
Host: Chris Detzel (DFW Running Talk)Guest: Heidi Swartz (Cowtown Marathon Executive Director)Episode Overview:This episode offers an intimate look at the Cowtown Mara...