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

This week, Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia preview all the storylines, athletes, and matchups to watch at the 2025 Chicago Marathon this Sunday.

We dive into the top contenders in both the men’s and women’s fields, share our predictions, and highlight a few sleeper picks and dark horses who could shake things up. We also break down which American runners to keep an eye on and take a closer look at the full elite start list to give you a better sense of what to expect on race day.

We also preview ATHLOS, which returns to NYC this Friday with a stacked lineup. We run through the top athletes competing, the events we’re most excited about, and what fans should know heading into the meet.

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

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

HOKA: We’re takin’ over Happy Camper Chicago (Old Town) with HOKA during the Chicago Marathon festivities. On Sunday morning, we’ll be posted up as part of the HOKA cheer zone to host our alternate broadcast watchalong, where Eric Jenkins, Karen Leciewicz, Paul Hof Mahoney and other guests will be providing their own commentary, reactions, insights and analysis live as the elite races unfold. Stay tuned for some surprise giveaways that we’ll have on-site for marathon finishers. Don’t miss the HOKA Hub at the expo for a chance to demo the all-new Rocket X 3 and the up-tempo Mach X 3. ⁠RSVP to all of these events via the HOKA Eventbrite page at the link here.

WAHOO: The KICKR RUN isn’t just another treadmill; it’s a complete rethink of indoor running. With Dynamic Pacing, it automatically adjusts to your stride—no buttons, no breaking form, just pure running freedom. Its Terrain Simulation makes the deck feel like a track or trail, while lateral tilt mimics real-world conditions so you’re always prepared for race day. So whether you’re chasing your first half-marathon finish, a marathon PR, or your next trail adventure, the KICKR RUN is built to help you Run Your Run. Check it all out at ⁠⁠WahooFitness.com⁠⁠ and use code CITIUS at checkout.

OLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide.⁠⁠ ⁠You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.⁠

“Probably 20, hopefully 24 miles, I'm working with people. But then somewhere between the last 10K and the last two miles, it's going to be a race with whoever is around me. You never know how these races play out, but hopefully I'm going to see people in front of me, I'm going to catch them…and place as high as I can. That's how I see this race playing out: I'm in a pack for 18 to 20 or 24 miles and after that I'm hawking down people.”

My recurring guest is back – Conner Mantz is back before he takes on one of the longest-standing marks in American distance running: Khalid Khannouchi’s 2:05:38 American record in the marathon. It’s been 23 years since anyone has touched that time and if there’s an American ready to rewrite the standard, it’s Mantz.

He’s already run faster — 2:05:08 this spring in Boston — but because that course isn’t record-eligible. Chicago will be his chance to make it official.

As we’ve unpacked on this show all throughout the year, it’s been a breakthrough year for him. In January, he took down Ryan Hall’s American half marathon record with a 59:17 in Houston. He ran a little faster in another non-record eligible course at the NYC Half in March. In April, he went stride for stride with 2:02 and 2:03 guys in Boston and finished fourth – just shy of the podium.

This weekend, he’ll line up in Chicago as America’s top marathoner and someone who continues to take the next steps to becoming one of the best in the world. He’s got quiet confidence and we’ve grown accustomed to seeing him test his limits in workouts and these races. In this episode, we talk about what it takes to chase a record, how this build compares to others, what’s his race plan and how he’s sizing up his competitors.

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Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠

Guest: Conner Mantz | @connermantz on Instagram 

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

____________

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

HOKA: We’re takin’ over Happy Camper Chicago (Old Town) with HOKA during the Chicago Marathon festivities. On Sunday morning, we’ll be posted up as part of the HOKA cheer zone to host our alternate broadcast watchalong, where Eric Jenkins, Karen Leciewicz, Paul Hof Mahoney and other guests will be providing their own commentary, reactions, insights and analysis live as the elite races unfold. Stay tuned for some surprise giveaways that we’ll have on-site for marathon finishers. Don’t miss the HOKA Hub at the expo for a chance to demo the all-new Rocket X 3 and the up-tempo Mach X 3. RSVP to all of these events via the HOKA Eventbrite page at the link here.

WAHOO: The KICKR RUN isn’t just another treadmill; it’s a complete rethink of indoor running. With Dynamic Pacing, it automatically adjusts to your stride—no buttons, no breaking form, just pure running freedom. Its Terrain Simulation makes the deck feel like a track or trail, while lateral tilt mimics real-world conditions so you’re always prepared for race day. So whether you’re chasing your first half-marathon finish, a marathon PR, or your next trail adventure, the KICKR RUN is built to help you Run Your Run. Check it all out at WahooFitness.com and use code CITIUS at checkout.

OLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. ⁠You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.⁠

“The one thing I reminded myself of and something my coach has been telling me all year is this: Don’t feel like you have to be anybody else. What you’ve been doing has been working for you. Continue to do that. If you’ve been being Melissa all year and you’ve been winning all year, what else do you need to do? Just go out there and be yourself.”

My guest for today’s episode is Melissa Jefferson-Wooden — the 25-year-old from Georgetown, South Carolina who just pulled off one of the rarest feats in track and field: the golden sprint triple crown.

At the World Championships in Tokyo, Melissa won the 100, the 200, and was part of the Team USA team that took gold in the 4x100m relay — becoming the first American woman ever, and only the second woman in history after Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, to sweep the sprints at a single Worlds.

Her winning times — 10.61 in the 100m and 21.68 in the 200m — weren’t just dominant; they cemented her as the fourth-fastest woman of all time and within striking distance of Flo-Jo’s world record.

But what makes Melissa’s story so special isn’t just the speed. It’s also the journey.

If you’ve followed some of her career leading into 2025, she calls herself a self-described ‘village kid’ who had two partial college offers. She saved her dad’s life at 17 years old with a bone marrow transplant. She built herself from an NCAA champion out of Coastal Carolina to a global superstar, who can boast the title of the fastest woman on earth.

In this episode, we talk about that rise, the lessons that come with greatness all throughout 2025 from her races in April through September, and how she’s thinking about being one of the faces of the sport.

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Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠

Guest: Melissa Jefferson-Wooden | @__melissaj19 on Instagram 

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

____________

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

HOKA: We’re takin’ over Happy Camper Chicago (Old Town) with HOKA during the Chicago Marathon festivities. On Sunday morning, we’ll be posted up as part of the HOKA cheer zone to host our alternate broadcast watchalong, where Eric Jenkins, Karen Leciewicz, Paul Hof Mahoney and other guests will be providing their own commentary, reactions, insights and analysis live as the elite races unfold. Stay tuned for some surprise giveaways that we’ll have on-site for marathon finishers. Don’t miss the HOKA Hub at the expo for a chance to demo the all-new Rocket X 3 and the up-tempo Mach X 3. RSVP to all of these events via the HOKA Eventbrite page at the link here.

WAHOO: The KICKR RUN isn’t just another treadmill; it’s a complete rethink of indoor running. With Dynamic Pacing, it automatically adjusts to your stride—no buttons, no breaking form, just pure running freedom. Its Terrain Simulation makes the deck feel like a track or trail, while lateral tilt mimics real-world conditions so you’re always prepared for race day. So whether you’re chasing your first half-marathon finish, a marathon PR, or your next trail adventure, the KICKR RUN is built to help you Run Your Run. Check it all out at WahooFitness.com and use code CITIUS at checkout.

OLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. ⁠You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.⁠

“You almost need to just have this fearlessness towards it. You can absolutely look at what each of the athletes have done and put them up on a pedestal, but you almost have to be like, ‘They’ve done that, but I’m going to try and do this today.’”

My guest for today’s episode is Jessica Hull, who just earned her second straight global medal with a bronze in the 1500m at the World Championships in Tokyo. Hull went toe-to-toe with the greatest of all time, Faith Kipyegon, hanging on until the final 200 meters before battling all the way to the line to secure her spot on the podium.

Last year was obviously a dream season for Jess — an Olympic silver medal, a 2000m world record, a 3:50 personal best. This year, she didn’t always hit the same highs, but she raced with consistency, courage, and adaptability, proving she’s a contender in every scenario. In Tokyo, she left it all out there, fending off a charging Nelly Chepchirchir to hang on for bronze in 3:55.16. A repeat of the disastrous tie-up that happened in the Diamond League final was avoided.

In this episode, we talk about how she leveled up to get to this point, we talk about the bond shared between all of the 1500m women and the reverence and respect for Faith Kipygeon, her exploration of the 800m which saw her break the Australian record in 1:57.15 in the semifinals and then reaching the final, where she ran another 1:57.

Plus, you’ll learn where some of her early thoughts are on her plans for 2026.

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Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠

Guest: Jessica Hull | @jessicaahull on Instagram

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

____________

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

HOKA: We’re takin’ over Happy Camper Chicago (Old Town) with HOKA during the Chicago Marathon festivities. On Sunday morning, we’ll be posted up as part of the HOKA cheer zone to host our alternate broadcast watchalong, where Eric Jenkins, Karen Lesiewicz, Paul Hof Mahoney and other guests will be providing their own commentary, reactions, insights and analysis live as the elite races unfold. Don’t miss the HOKA Hub at the expo for a chance to demo the all-new Rocket X 3 and the up-tempo Mach X 3. RSVP to all of these events via the HOKA Eventbrite page at the link here.

WAHOO: The KICKR RUN isn’t just another treadmill; it’s a complete rethink of indoor running. With Dynamic Pacing, it automatically adjusts to your stride—no buttons, no breaking form, just pure running freedom. Its Terrain Simulation makes the deck feel like a track or trail, while lateral tilt mimics real-world conditions so you’re always prepared for race day. So whether you’re chasing your first half-marathon finish, a marathon PR, or your next trail adventure, the KICKR RUN is built to help you Run Your Run. Check it all out at WahooFitness.com and use code CITIUS at checkout.

OLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. ⁠You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.⁠

“A year ago, I just wanted to get on that team. The goals changed as the season went on. Things progressed and then it was like: you’re sixth in the world and you’re still hungry for more. That’s a really encouraging spot to be in.”

My guest for today’s episode is Josette Andrews, who just finished sixth in the 5000m final at the World Championships in Tokyo, one of the best global finishes by an American woman ever in the event. Josette’s run caps off a season that’s been nothing short of STRONG.

From making her first outdoor U.S. team in Eugene with a gutsy third-place finish, to racing Diamond Leagues in Brussels and Zurich, to standing on the line in Tokyo ready to take on the best in the world, she’s tested herself all throughout and come away with impressive results each time.

We’ve had Josette on the show multiple times in the past and it’s always felt like she was on the cusp of a breakthrough on the global stage. This year she put it all together. Today we talk about her path in 2025, what clicked so well to lead to the success and the lessons she’s taking away for the future.

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Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠

Guest: Josette Andrews | @josettenorris on Instagram 

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

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WAHOO: The KICKR RUN isn’t just another treadmill; it’s a complete rethink of indoor running. With Dynamic Pacing, it automatically adjusts to your stride—no buttons, no breaking form, just pure running freedom. Its Terrain Simulation makes the deck feel like a track or trail, while lateral tilt mimics real-world conditions so you’re always prepared for race day. So whether you’re chasing your first half-marathon finish, a marathon PR, or your next trail adventure, the KICKR RUN is built to help you Run Your Run. Check it all out at WahooFitness.com and use code CITIUS at checkout.

OLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. ⁠You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.⁠