DFW Running Talk

FIFA World Cup Countdown to the Cup 5K: Inside Dallas' Last Big Race Before the World Cup with Cindy Solomon & Eric Lindberg

Eleven days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in North Texas, runners and soccer fans are converging on The Sound at Cypress Waters for the Countdown to the Cup 5K — and in this episode, I get the full story from the two people making it happen. Cindy Solomon of the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee and Eric Lindberg of On Your Left Marketing & Events join me to break down the race: the cup-shaped finisher medal, the brand-new USATF-certified course with a downhill finish, age group awards featuring the official Dallas World Cup ball, the Flying Saucer after-party, and the virtual option that's pulling registrations from across the country. We also go way beyond the 5K. Cindy walks through everything the Organizing Committee is doing — the FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park (free, open to the public, 96 of 104 matches shown live), the Unity Cup youth soccer tournament, 26 mini pitches going into underserved communities, Dallas hosting nine matches including the July 14 semifinal, and why this is the first World Cup on U.S. soil since 1994. Eric also makes the case for why this is one of the last major DFW running events before the calendar goes dark for the summer — most races June through July moved their dates because of the World Cup. Register: https://www.countdowntothecup5k.com/ [https://www.countdowntothecup5k.com/] Save 15%: Code DFWRG Adults: $60 | Youth (12 & under): $30 Dallas 5K, FIFA World Cup 2026 Dallas, North Texas running events, Countdown to the Cup 5K, On Your Left Marketing, Cypress Waters race, USATF certified 5K Dallas, virtual 5K 2026.

Drew Martig: Self-Coaching to a 2:28 Marathon, Altitude Training in Flagstaff & Berlin Race Day

Drew Martig started running at 27 — talked into a 5K by his CMO at Checkpoint Software. Less than a decade later, he ran 2:28 at the Berlin Marathon while self-coaching from his home in Flagstaff, Arizona. In this conversation, Chris Detzel and Drew (Tanium teammates and fellow distance runners) get into the nuts and bolts of building real marathon fitness on limited time. Drew opens up about leaving structured coaching to design his own plans, why he caps mileage around 70-90 per week, and how altitude in Flagstaff changes everything — including measurable shifts in red blood cell count and ferritin after just three weeks at 7,000 feet. We cover:  → Drew's journey from no athletic background to 2:28 marathoner  → Why "running by feel" beat structured pace-chasing for him  → The Berlin Marathon: pre-race nerves, hip flexor niggles, negative splitting through 50,000 people  → Self-coaching vs hiring a coach — the real tradeoffs → Why strength training prevents most running injuries  → ChatGPT coaches, AI training plans, and the value of human mentorship  → Coming back from September hernia surgery for a Chicago Marathon fall goal  → Heat training in Texas vs altitude in Arizona  → Why community matters even when you train alone A grounded, honest conversation between two working runners who balance demanding corporate careers, family life, and serious training goals. Subscribe to DFW Running Talk for new episodes weekly. Newsletter: dfwrunningtalk.substack.com

The DFW Running Legend: Nick Polito's 19-Year Journey From Nike+ iPod to Western States 100

Nick Polito is a DFW running institution — 60 marathons, 30+ ultras, a 2:58 Boston PR, a Western States 100 buckle, and 19 straight years of high-mileage training. He founded Dallas Running Project, helped shape White Rock Running Club, and has paced 40-50 races for runners chasing their own goals. He's also the rare runner willing to tell on himself: in this episode, Nick shares the full story of banditing Boston, getting caught, and the suspension that followed — a cautionary tale he now uses to warn other runners. Chris Detzel and Nick cover everything from the early DRC days, the legendary "3:20 or Bust" Runner's World forum, training Nicole Bitter for her first 50-miler at Palo Duro, the super shoe revolution, and what it actually takes to stay motivated for two decades of running. If you've ever run at White Rock Lake, lined up at Plano Pacers, or wondered what the DFW running scene looked like before Pegasus existed — this is the episode. Listen, follow, and share with a running friend. 📬 www.dfwrunningtalk.substack.com

DFW Running OG Scott Manis on Ironman Training, Knee Surgeries & the WRRC Community That Changed Everything

Scott Manis didn't start running until his early 40s, and he started in a swimsuit. Twenty years later, he's logged 45 marathons, five Boston appearances, a full Ironman, and become one of the most well-known and well-loved figures in the Dallas running scene through the White Rock Running Co-op. In this conversation, Chris and Scott trace the whole journey — from a lonely job transfer to West Palm Beach that accidentally ignited a running obsession, to a 4:33 first marathon that stung enough to spawn a second attempt just 12 weeks later (and nearly an hour faster). Scott talks honestly about what it felt like to finally stand on the Boston start line, what it took to drop from 3:38 to 3:09, and why the running community — not the miles — is the whole point. They also dig into the WRRC's famous "run my hood" summer tradition, two knee surgeries and the stubborn determination to pace a race right after recovery, what Ironman training actually does to your body and your soul, and Scott's now-iconic Gatorade bottle pre-race bathroom strategy that belongs in the runner's hall of fame. Scott is marathon-retired, officially. But if Tokyo calls — or one of his kids wants company at the start line — all bets are off. A great listen for anyone who started running late, anyone who's part of a running community, and honestly anyone who just loves hearing from a guy who's been quietly putting in the work for two decades.

Running Gave Me My Job" — Sergio Mena on Winning Dallas, Cowtown & Life in DFW

Sergio Mena grew up running cross country in Spain, earned a full D1 scholarship to the University of Kentucky, got his MBA in Texas, and is now one of the most dominant half marathon runners in the DFW area — all while working full-time as an accounting manager. In this episode, Chris sits down with Sergio to talk about his journey from Spain to Kentucky to Texas, his years-long quest to win the BMW Dallas Half Marathon (which he finally achieved in December 2025), and how he followed it up with a win at the Cowtown Half Marathon. Sergio also tells the incredible story of how running literally got him his job — thanks to a Dallas Morning News article before the 2019 BMW Half. Topics include D1 college running, self-coached training, balancing racing with a full-time career, race strategy, and what keeps you lacing up when you've already hit your biggest goal. A great episode for DFW runners, half marathon fans, and anyone who runs because they just love it.