Episodes
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Gloria Jansen has been a fixture in the Minnesota running community for decades, building a remarkable resume that continues to grow. A 27-time USATF Minnesota Age Group Runner of the Year, Gloria was also named the 2025 USATF Minnesota 75–79 Age Group Runner of the Year. Most recently, she won her age group at Grandma's Marathon while celebrating another incredible milestone completing her 50th marathon at the 50th running of the iconic race. In this episode, Gloria joins Carrie to reflect on discovering running as an adult, the evolution of women's running, and why supporting female athletes at every level remains so important. She shares some of her favorite racing memories, the lessons she's learned over a lifetime in the sport, and the mindset that has kept her motivated decade after decade. Gloria's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to chase big goals and that passion, perseverance, and joy in the sport only grow stronger with age. If anyone proves that age is just a number, it's Gloria Jansen.
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Fresh off an impressive victory at the Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon in Minnesota Acer Iverson is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young names in running. In his debut year as a professional athlete with Union Athletics Club, Acer has already proven he can compete across a wide range of distances, from the 5K to the half marathon. While he's new to the professional scene, success has followed him throughout his running career as a state champion in high school and an All-American at both Harvard and the University of Washington. But there's more to Acer than fast times and finish-line victories, he's also a software engineer balancing elite athletics with a career in tech. In this episode, Acer joins Carrie to discuss his journey through the sport, his transition to professional running, and what comes next. You may just be learning his name now, but if his recent performances are any indication, Acer Iverson is an athlete you won't want to forget.
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Crown Running professional athlete Kassie Parker is having a breakthrough season. Fresh off her victory at the USATF 4-Mile Championships and her first USATF National Road Championship title, Kassie currently sits at No. 2 in the USATF Road Running Circuit standings. But there's much more to Kassie than championship performances. In this episode, Kassie shares her running journey, from her early days in the sport to her remarkable collegiate career at Division III Loras College, where she became a seven-time NCAA champion and set multiple school and conference records. She reflects on the experiences that shaped her as both an athlete and a person, and how her approach to training and racing has evolved over the years. Kassie also opens up about preparing for her first marathon, balancing the demands of professional running with work and everyday life, and what goals she has her sights set on next. This episode is the perfect opportunity to get to know one of America's rising distance stars before she toes the starting line.
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Emily Venters hasn't always had it easy. A childhood cancer survivor who has navigated the highs and lows of elite competition while managing race anxiety, she has met every challenge with positivity and that resilience has carried her far. Emily is now a professional runner for Nike, backed by a standout collegiate career that earned her five All-American honors. Based in Utah and training under coach David Roche, everything is clicking for Emily. Fresh off the Mastercard New York Mini 10K, where she was the top American finisher and fourth overall in a deep, competitive field, she joins Carrie for a wide-ranging conversation about running and life. Together they reflect on Emily's early career, what keeps her passionate about the sport, and how she channels her own experiences into meaningful lessons for the athletes she coaches. Emily is proof that a positive mindset can take you further than you think.
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If you don't know the name Klara Lukan yet, now is the time to learn it. The Slovenian standout is a professional runner for Puma, a two-time Olympian in the 5,000m and 10,000m, and the first European woman to break 30 minutes for the road 10K. Off the track, she holds a Master's degree in International Business and a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology. In this episode, Klara joins Carrie to share her journey into running, life growing up in Slovenia, and the important role her family has played throughout her career. They discuss her collegiate experience, how she's putting her two degrees to use, and what she enjoys besides running. As she prepares for the upcoming New York Road Runners Mini 10K, Klara also shares insights into training and racing at the highest level with plenty of stories along the way.
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Mercy Chelangat may be relatively new to the marathon, but she’s already making a major impact on the world stage. In just her latest breakthrough performance, Mercy ran an incredible 2:20 marathon to finish 4th at the Boston Marathon, firmly establishing herself among the sport’s elite. A professional runner for HOKA Northern Arizona Elite, Mercy built an outstanding collegiate career at University of Alabama, where she became a 2-time NCAA Champion, earned 9 All-American honors, and captured 8 SEC titles. In this episode, Mercy reflects on her journey from dominant collegiate athlete to rising marathon star, sharing the lessons she’s learned along the way and what continues to drive her forward. She also opens up about balancing training with the demands of family life, including raising her seven-year-old daughter while pursuing excellence on the global stage.
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Drew Hunter is no stranger to C Tolle Run, but this time he joins the show with some new hardware. Fresh off winning the USATF Road 5K Championship and qualifying for the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Drew is riding a wave of success both on and off the course. Beyond racing, Drew wears many hats: CEO of Hammer and Axe Training, entrepreneur, podcaster, husband, and proud father of two, with a third daughter on the way. Despite a packed schedule, he shares why this season of life has never felt more fulfilling. In this episode, Drew opens up about staying motivated at the highest level, balancing elite training with work and family life, and how fatherhood continues to shape his perspective and success. He also reflects on lessons he’d share with his younger self and the goals that still lie ahead.
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Eden Rainbow-Cooper has built a career defined by resilience, speed, and ambition. Introduced to Wheelchair Racing in 2012, Eden quickly found her success progressing through distances before making a bold move to the marathon. The leap to the marathon distance paid off in a major way, earning her a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and launching a streak of standout performances on the global stage. Eden has established herself as one of the sport’s most dominant competitors. She is a 2x Boston Marathon winner and British Record Holder in the 5k and marathon cementing her place among the elite in Wheelchair Racing. In this episode, Eden joins Carrie to reflect on the journey that shaped her, from early challenges to international success. They dig into her current training and racing schedule, as well as the goals driving her forward, not just for herself, but for the future of the sport.
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You may not know Gracie Hyde yet, but that’s about to change. A rising star in professional distance running, Gracie competes for Puma and trains with Team Meridia in Boulder, Colorado. Her résumé is already turning heads: a standout collegiate career where she set six Division II records, followed by a breakout pro season that includes a win in the steeplechase at the Drake Relays and her first selection to Team USA for the World Road Championships. In this episode, Gracie shares how she found her way into the sport, the key decisions that shaped her path, and what it’s like stepping onto the global stage as a new professional. She and Carrie reflect on the highs and lessons of 2025, and look ahead to the goals, challenges, and opportunities waiting in 2026 and beyond!
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Addy Wiley is a fighter in every sense of the word. After overcoming childhood cancer, she found her strength in running, turning it into a superpower that’s propelled her onto the world stage. Now, she’s not just competing; she’s rewriting the record books as a World Indoor bronze medalist, National Champion, and American record holder. In this episode, Addy breaks down her electrifying indoor season, her dominant Road Mile Championship win that earned her a spot on Team USA, and the performances that have made her one of track and field’s most exciting names. She also opens up about her past, the realities of chasing greatness, and the hunger to win more!
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Fresh off her first national title at the USATF Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Championship, Emma Grace Hurley joins Carrie Tollefson to break down a career-defining moment. Emma Grace shares the mindset behind her win, how she approaches racing the best in the world, and why she’s not afraid to push the pace. She also reflects on a rollercoaster stretch that included a heartbreaking half marathon, a pending American record in the 8K, and finally, a breakthrough victory. Beyond racing, Emma Grace opens up about her journey back into the sport, staying healthy, and balancing professional running with a job outside of it. Plus, she talks Boston Marathon takeaways, her future marathon debut, and what’s ahead.
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Ashley Paulson is a professional triathlete, marathoner, and ultrarunner known for taking on some of the toughest races in the world including becoming a two-time champion of the legendary Badwater 135 (often called the world's toughest foot race), 25-time IRONMAN, ultramarathon veteran and an iFIT trainer. Beyond her impressive results, Ashley is also mother and a grandmother who rocks hot pink hair. In this episode, she shares how she got started in endurance sports, what drives her to push past extreme limits, and how she stays healthy through it all. We also talk about her journey into coaching, balancing family life with elite competition, and the story behind her signature pink hair. Ashley’s energy is contagious, and her story will leave you inspired to take on your own next adventure, whether that’s an ultramarathon or simply a new challenge in your everyday life.
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Dom Scott is one of South Africa’s all-time great distance runners: an Olympian, National Champion, professional athlete, coach, one of the kindest people you’ll meet. With an incredible career behind her and plenty still ahead, Dom returns to C Tolle Run to reflect on her running milestones, life beyond the track and what’s next! Dom opens up about how recent experiences have shaped her current trajectory and how her support system has been in her corner through thick and thin. This honest and powerful conversation will leave you motivated and inspired, with practical and real-life advice that every runner (and person) can take to heart.
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Randi Zuckerberg may have a recognizable last name, but her story is entirely her own. A wife, mother, entrepreneur, radio host, and ultramarathoner, Randi has built a life that blends high performance with genuine heart. In this episode, she shares her incredible achievement of setting the fastest known time (male or female) at Mexico’s grueling Baja Sur 135km Trail Run, completing the rugged course in just under 25 hours as a powerful comeback from injury. Randi breaks down the mental and physical strategies that helped her endure one of the toughest races out there, offering practical tips for ultrarunning and how those same lessons can be applied to everyday life. She also reflects on her journey into running, sharing how it became a space she could claim for herself and build a strong sense of identity, while also speaking about her passion for supporting the running community both locally and around the world. Randi will leave you motivated to go out and conquer the world (or your next run)!
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Moroccan-born Zouhair Talbi is a father, husband, and one of the fastest marathoners in the United States. Now an American citizen, Zouhair currently ranks as the third-fastest American in the men’s marathon. Fresh off a win at the Chevron Houston Marathon and a runner-up finish at the United Airlines NYC Half, he’s now setting his sights on the Boston Marathon next month. In this episode, Zouhair shares his journey into running, what’s fueled his longevity in the sport, and how he’s competed and excelled at short and long distances (from 3000m all the way to marathon) revealing which distance truly feels like home. Running is a family affair: his wife Elizabeth recently placed tenth in Houston and qualified for the Olympic Trials just 10 months after giving birth. Zouhair opens up about balancing elite training with fatherhood, the unique challenges of training during Ramadan, and how he continues to pursue excellence both on and off the course.
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Every March, New York City buzzes with energy for both St. Patrick's Day and the iconic United Airlines NYC Half Marathon. With more than 30,000 runners racing through Times Square and Central Park, unforgettable moments are guaranteed, and this year delivered in a big way! After providing the race-day commentary Carrie joined the Set The Pace Podcast team for exclusive, post-race interviews with the day’s champions. This week on C Tolle Run, we’re bringing you those finish-line conversations. Hear from champions Hellen Obiri, who set a blazing course record of 1:06:33, Adriaan Wildschutt, and wheelchair race winners Daniel Romanchuk and Eden Rainbow-Cooper. Each shares an inside look at their race, just moments after crossing the finish line. Carrie was there to capture it all and now you get to experience it too!
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Jordan (Hasay) Hogan has been a household name in the running world since she burst onto the scene as a teenage phenom, winning at nearly every level and representing Team USA both in high school and as a professional. With a marathon personal best (2:20:57) that ranks among the ten fastest ever by an American woman, Jordan has firmly secured her place among the greatest runners in U.S. history. Last summer, Jordan welcomed her son, Micah, and stepped into a brand new chapter: motherhood. In this episode, Carrie catches up with Jordan to talk about training during pregnancy, how becoming a mom has reshaped her perspective, and whether the competitive fire to race is still burning. Jordan also shares what’s next, from launching her coaching business to the possibility of returning to professional running. It’s an honest, heartfelt conversation full of stories, laughter, and advice for runners everywhere.
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Born in Mexico to Uruguayan parents and raised in the UK, Julia Paternain’s journey to the international stage is anything but ordinary. With deep family roots in Uruguay, she chose to represent the country and made history doing so. Julia captured Uruguay’s first-ever medal in distance running, earning bronze at the World Championships in Tokyo, and set a national record in her marathon debut at the McKirdy Micro Marathon with an impressive 2:27:09. Now based in Flagstaff, she’s competing professionally and gearing up for the NYC Half and the London Marathon this spring. Carrie sits down with Julia to talk about her global upbringing (growing up with three passports and a green card), her breakthrough performance in Tokyo, life as an elite athlete, and what she’s like beyond the race course. Julia also shares her ambitious goals for the future and what it will take to reach them. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about identity, resilience, and chasing big dreams on the world stage.
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At just 24 years old, Charles Hicks is already building an impressive résumé. The professional Nike athlete recently placed 7th at the TCS New York City Marathon, clocking a blazing 2:09 (finishing as the second American in his debut marathon), and captured his first USATF Championship title at the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler. In this episode, Charles shares what’s fueled his breakthrough at longer distances, what it was like running alongside Eliud Kipchoge in New York, and the key lessons he’s learned throughout his rise in the sport. We also look back at his standout collegiate career at Stanford, preview what’s next on his racing calendar, and get a glimpse into who he is beyond the starting line. From mindset to mileage, this is a deep dive into one of American distance running’s brightest young stars.
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We hope you're hungry for a conversation about nutrients! Today we’re joined by experts Jillian Tholen and Alex Larson to break down what athletes actually need to know about fueling their bodies. We cover building a balanced plate for best performance (protein, carbs, fats, yes, all of them) and we get tips for how to keep it simple in the kitchen. Carrie tackles the hot-button topics head-on, including when to fuel, adapting as we age, and athletes using GLP-1s, what they are, why they matter, and how to approach them safely and responsibly. As endurance athletes, Jillian and Alex explain the value of working with a dietitian and how their athletic experience enhances their professional expertise. Add in rapid-fire Q&A to answer your biggest nutrition questions, and you’ve got an episode packed with practical tips to help you fuel smarter for your next adventure.
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