The CITIUS MAG Podcast | A Running + Track and Field Show

Chris Chavez and Kyle Merber close out Memorial Day weekend with a debrief on the Enhanced Games, a quick Xiamen Diamond League recap, and a full LA Track Fest breakdown.

Discussed in this episode:

– Enhanced Games debrief: It’s not track and field, it’s not a competitor to the sport, and last night was actually a best-case scenario for Enhanced Games skeptics because no athlete watching thought, “I should take drugs, look how well it worked.”

– Xiamen Diamond League: Masai Russell’s 12.14 was the race of the meet. Broke her own American record and missed Tobi Amusan’s world record of 12.12 by two hundredths; Collen Kebinatshipi running 43.92 for a world lead, now reportedly holding world leads in both the 100m and 400m simultaneously; Alison dos Santos is in arguably the best early-season form of his career; Abby Caldwell wins the women’s 1500 again in 3:57, making Australian Commonwealth Games selection very complicated; Yan Ziyi throws 71.74 in the javelin on her 18th birthday.

– LA Track Fest: Parker Valby returns with her first race on the outdoor track in 19 months, winning the 5K in a 14:49 personal best; Brandon Miller wins the 800m over a stacked field, but Josh Kerr gave us data on where he’s at eight weeks out from his London mile world record attempt; Cooper Lutkenhaus runs his first 1500m at 17 years old and goes 3:45 + more results from LA.

– This weekend: Bislett Games (Continental Tour), Rabat Diamond League on Sunday, and the Bandit Grand Prix at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York City on Saturday.

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Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Kyle Merber | @kylemerber

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

XENDURANCE: Xendurance Protein is designed specifically to help your body recover, rebuild, and get stronger after training. It combines four different types of protein, so your body gets both fast absorbing protein for immediate recovery and slower release protein to support muscle repair over time. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check it out at Xendurance.com and use code CITIUS for 25% off your first order.⁠⁠⁠

VELOUS: VELOUS makes recovery footwear designed to help runners bounce back faster between sessions. Their sandals feature Tri-Motion™ Technology: a technical three-density foam system and contoured footbed engineered to cushion impact, support your arches, and help your toes stretch and relax on every step. Run. Recover. Repeat. with VELOUS! ⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off your VELOUS order with code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout including FREE Shipping!⁠⁠⁠

OLIPOP: Raspberry Sherbet is a limited-edition, nostalgic new flavor that blends tangy raspberry with creamy vanilla. Every can of Olipop contains their Olismart blend, which includes ingredients designed to support digestive health and help feed your gut microbiome. If you haven't had tried Olipop yet, grab a can and see what the hype is all about!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.⁠⁠

Chris Chavez, Preet Majithia and Paul Hof-Mahoney are back for a packed episode covering the biggest throw in fourteen years, a viral North Carolina high school DQ, the Enhanced Games coming up, ATHLOS expanding to two meets, conference championship weekend, and the full Shanghai Diamond League recap.

Discussed in this episode:

- North Carolina 8A State Championships DQ: Mallard Creek anchor Nyan Brown raised five fingers in the final two meters of the four-by-four relay — signaling a fifth consecutive state title — and was immediately DQ’d for unsportsmanlike conduct. The team title went to Jordan High School. The clip has been viewed over nine million times, landed in the New York Times, and the case may be heading to court.

- ATHLOS expands to two meets: The women’s track series returns to Icahn Stadium in New York City on October 2nd and is adding a second international meet.

- Marvin Bracey doping case update: Florida man Paul Askew, who operated under a fake female virtual medical persona, is scheduled to plead guilty on May 26th to sports doping conspiracy.

- Enhanced Games predictions: The Las Vegas event is this weekend. We predict what they end up running and some of the questions we have around the event.

Shanghai Diamond League recap:

- Women’s shot put: Jessica Schilder threw 21.09, the first throw over 21 meters in 14 years.

- 33-year-old Mark English wins in 1:43.85 and steals the win from Kethobogile Haingura, who celebrated early.

- Mohamed Abdullahi wins in 7:25.77 with a move from 600m out. 14 athletes went sub-7:30 in the same race.

- Birke Haylom wins in 3:55.56 in a tactically controlled race

- Tsige Duguma impresses with a 3:55.71 in just her second-ever 1500m. Analyzing Jess Hull’s tactics.

- Shericka Jackson runs 22.07 for her fastest outdoor opener since 2023. Sha’Carri Richardson fourth in 22.42 is still a good sign.

+ More results from the meet

- NCAA Conference Championship round-up

- Looking ahead: Track Fest takes place at UCLA this weekend with Emma Coburn’s first steeple in two years, Parker Valby returns to the 5000m, Josh Kerr and Donovan Brazier in the 800, Michael Norman’s first open 400 in years and more. The Xiamen Diamond League takes place on May 23rd — mostly same fields as Shanghai, with the men’s 3K upgraded to 5K.

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Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Preet Majithia | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@preet_athletics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠+ Paul Hof-Mahoney | @phofmahoney

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

XENDURANCE: Xendurance Protein is designed specifically to help your body recover, rebuild, and get stronger after training. It combines four different types of protein, so your body gets both fast absorbing protein for immediate recovery and slower release protein to support muscle repair over time. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check it out at Xendurance.com and use code CITIUS for 25% off your first order.⁠⁠

VELOUS: VELOUS makes recovery footwear designed to help runners bounce back faster between sessions. Their sandals feature Tri-Motion™ Technology: a technical three-density foam system and contoured footbed engineered to cushion impact, support your arches, and help your toes stretch and relax on every step. Run. Recover. Repeat. with VELOUS! ⁠⁠Get 20% off your VELOUS order with code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout including FREE Shipping!⁠⁠

OLIPOP: Raspberry Sherbet is a limited-edition, nostalgic new flavor that blends tangy raspberry with creamy vanilla. Every can of Olipop contains their Olismart blend, which includes ingredients designed to support digestive health and help feed your gut microbiome. If you haven't had tried Olipop yet, grab a can and see what the hype is all about!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.⁠⁠

Chris and Preet are back for This Week In Track & Field with Diamond League week finally here, and a lot of hypotheticals to sort through before they get there.

Discussed in this episode:

– Quincy Wilson runs the 300 meter hurdles: The Olympic 400 gold medalist and high school record holder debuted in the 300m hurdles at his Bullis school league meet, winning in 38.77, about 30 minutes after winning the open 400 in 45.8.

– Grant Holloway update: The reigning Olympic 110 hurdles champion posted on Instagram confirming he’s been dealing with a torn hamstring.

– Cross country not added to the 2030 Winter Olympics: The IOC confirmed trail running, cross country, cyclocross, and gravel cycling are out for the French Alps games.

– The internet’s current hypotheticals: Sebastian Sawe vs. Rachel Entrekin in a 250-miler  + Mo Farah vs. Luke Littler darts world champion in a half marathon where you must stop and throw a leg of darts every mile.

Diamond League Shanghai/Keqiao preview:

– Women’s 5000m: Faith Kipyegon’s return to the distance for the first time since her 2023 world record.

– Women’s 400m: Salwa Eid Nasser opened at a Florida youth meet with an 11.7/23.3/50.9 triple.

– Men’s 110m hurdles: Cordell Tinch returning to the hurdles after his multi-event indoor detour.

– Women’s steeplechase: Closest thing to a world championship semi-final on the schedule — Faith Cherotich, Norah Jeruto, Peruth Chemutai, and five of the top Americans.

– Women’s 200m: What does Sha’Carri open up with?

– Women’s 100m hurdles: Tobi Amusan, Masai Russell, Akera Nugent.

– Men’s 3000m: Andreas Almgren’s track return is the main draw.

– Women’s 1500m: Great field — the Australian Commonwealth Games selection battle plays out here since the five top Aussies didn’t get their proper matchup at home due to the fall incident.

– Men’s 100m: Bednarek, Bromell, Coleman headline the U.S. presence vs. Letsile Tebogo and Akani Simbine.

– Men’s 300m hurdles: Warholm vs. Dos Santos

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Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Preet Majithia | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@preet_athletics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

____________

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

XENDURANCE: Xendurance Protein is designed specifically to help your body recover, rebuild, and get stronger after training. It combines four different types of protein, so your body gets both fast absorbing protein for immediate recovery and slower release protein to support muscle repair over time. ⁠⁠⁠Check it out at Xendurance.com and use code CITIUS for 25% off your first order.⁠

WAHOO: With the Wahoo KICKR RUN, you can simulate the exact Boston or London Marathon course right in your own home. You can also use the run free mode, which uses sensors to automatically match the belt speed to your stride. No buttons, no interruptions, no breaking your flow.⁠ ⁠When you use code CITIUS at checkout, you'll also get a free KICKR Headwind Smart Fan. Check it out today at wahoofitness.com.⁠

VELOUS: VELOUS makes recovery footwear designed to help runners bounce back faster between sessions. Their sandals feature Tri-Motion™ Technology: a technical three-density foam system and contoured footbed engineered to cushion impact, support your arches, and help your toes stretch and relax on every step. Run. Recover. Repeat. with VELOUS! ⁠Get 20% off your VELOUS order with code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout including FREE Shipping!⁠

OLIPOP: Raspberry Sherbet is a limited-edition, nostalgic new flavor that blends tangy raspberry with creamy vanilla. Every can of Olipop contains their Olismart blend, which includes ingredients designed to support digestive health and help feed your gut microbiome. If you haven't had tried Olipop yet, grab a can and see what the hype is all about!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.⁠⁠

The World Athletics Relays wrapped up Sunday with world records, championship records, and the first automatic qualifiers secured for Budapest and Beijing 2027.

Discussed in this episode:

- Jamaica broke their own mixed 4x100m world record — 39.62 in the final

- USA smashed the mixed 4x400m championship record — 3:07.47

- Host nation Botswana won the men’s 4x400m in 2:54.47 — third fastest in history — in front of a packed home crowd described as one of the best atmospheres in recent track memory

- Norway stunned the field in the women’s 4x400m with a world-leading national record of 3:20.96

- The race of the meet: The men’s 4x400m final produced one of the most jaw-dropping relay performances ever. Botswana (2:54.47), South Africa (2:55.07), and Australia (2:55.20) went 2nd, 3rd, and 4th all time. The world record of 2:54.29 — set by the US in 1993 — survives, but barely. All three anchors were shoulder to shoulder on the final bend before Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi pulled away with what witnesses described as otherworldly closing speed.

- The split that turned heads: South African sprinter Lythe Pillay ran a 42.66 relay split — a stunning leg for an athlete whose individual PB coming in was 44.31.

- The lane 3 controversy Another story emerged from Day 1 of the World Relays — and it’s a troubling one. Belgian coach Bram Peters posted photographic evidence that the starting line for lane 3 in the 4x400m heats was incorrectly placed, meaning teams in that lane ran short of the full 400 meters.

- Why USATF skipped the men’s and women’s 4x400m – USATF didn’t send men’s or women’s 4x400 teams to Gaborone — and the reasoning is more logical than it might seem.

- Allyson Felix announces comeback – Felix announced via TIME that she’s coming out of retirement to pursue the 2028 LA Olympics at 42, calling it “Project Six.” Felix’s last season best was 50.71 at age 36 in 2022.

Mentioned in this episode: These are the questions I would ask the Enhanced Games … if they would let me by Sean Ingle via The Guardian

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Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Preet Majithia | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@preet_athletics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

____________

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

XENDURANCE: Xendurance Protein is designed specifically to help your body recover, rebuild, and get stronger after training. It combines four different types of protein, so your body gets both fast absorbing protein for immediate recovery and slower release protein to support muscle repair over time. ⁠⁠Check it out at Xendurance.com and use code CITIUS for 25% off your first order.

WAHOO: With the Wahoo KICKR RUN, you can simulate the exact Boston or London Marathon course right in your own home. You can also use the run free mode, which uses sensors to automatically match the belt speed to your stride. No buttons, no interruptions, no breaking your flow. ⁠When you use code CITIUS at checkout, you'll also get a free KICKR Headwind Smart Fan. Check it out today at wahoofitness.com.

VELOUS: VELOUS makes recovery footwear designed to help runners bounce back faster between sessions. Their sandals feature Tri-Motion™ Technology: a technical three-density foam system and contoured footbed engineered to cushion impact, support your arches, and help your toes stretch and relax on every step. Run. Recover. Repeat. with VELOUS! Get 20% off your VELOUS order with code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout including FREE Shipping!

OLIPOP: Raspberry Sherbet is a limited-edition, nostalgic new flavor that blends tangy raspberry with creamy vanilla. Every can of Olipop contains their Olismart blend, which includes ingredients designed to support digestive health and help feed your gut microbiome. If you haven't had tried Olipop yet, grab a can and see what the hype is all about!⁠⁠ ⁠Head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.⁠⁠

“I just had to always remind myself: be yourself, put in the work, stay present, and trust that it gets better as you go.”

My guest for today’s episode is Sharon Lokedi: the back-to-back Boston Marathon champion. Last month, she became only the second athlete since 1994 to win Boston in consecutive years, crossing the finish line in 2:18:51 for her second straight crown. The way she won it was extraordinary: she sat patiently through a 19-woman lead pack, waited until the hills, and then between 35K and 40K ran a 14:48 5K split — faster than the NCAA outdoor 5K record set on the track just two days earlier. She won by 44 seconds.

Sharon won New York in 2022, finished 4th at the 2024 Paris Olympics, won Boston in 2025, and again in 2026. She has become one of the most complete competitors in the women’s marathon — someone who doesn’t need the fastest time on paper to believe she can beat anyone in the field on race day. She also ran the entire race on a borrowed Garmin because she left her own watch at the hotel and only realized it on the bus ride to Hopkinton.

In this conversation, Sharon walks through the build, the pressure of returning as defending champion, and how she managed the expectation while staying grounded. She takes us inside the race itself: covering early moves, reading the hills, using the lead car as her focal point during that extraordinary 35-40K surge, and the moment she finally let herself enjoy it on Boylston Street.

We also get into what it means to her to inspire other women and how she got to throw out the first pitch at Fenway Park.

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Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez

Guest: Sharon Lokedi | @shazrine

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr

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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

XENDURANCE: When you finish a hard workout, the work isn't actually done. That's when recovery starts. Xendurance Protein is designed specifically to help your body recover, rebuild, and get stronger after training. It combines four different types of protein, so your body gets both fast absorbing protein for immediate recovery and slower release protein to support muscle repair over time. ⁠⁠Check it out at Xendurance.com and use code CITIUS for 25% off your first order.

WAHOO: With the Wahoo KICKR RUN, you can simulate the exact Boston or London Marathon course right in your own home. You can also use the run free mode, which uses sensors to automatically match the belt speed to your stride. No buttons, no interruptions, no breaking your flow. ⁠When you use code CITIUS at checkout, you'll also get a free KICKR Headwind Smart Fan. Check it out today at wahoofitness.com.

VELOUS: VELOUS makes recovery footwear designed to help runners bounce back faster between sessions. Their sandals feature Tri-Motion™ Technology: a technical three-density foam system and contoured footbed engineered to cushion impact, support your arches, and help your toes stretch and relax on every step. They keep your feet and legs properly aligned after you put in all of those weekly miles. Run. Recover. Repeat. with VELOUS! Get 20% off your VELOUS order with code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout including FREE Shipping!