Beneath The Grandstand

John Anderson has been hosting ESPN's flagship SportsCenter since 1999. While at ESPN, he has stood as the resident evangelist for track and field. A former high-jumper for the Mizzou, John joins Ryan and Alex for an honest assessment of the current state of coverage in the sport.

Tinker Hatfield is credited as the lead designer for both the Jordan line and the original Air Max. Tinker is a legend in sneakerhead culture, but at his core is a Pole Vaulter. An athlete of the Bill Bowerman era, Hatfield parallels all of his design ethos through the lens of speed and power. We chat about the influence of MJ and Kipchoge, and his final assessment of the “New” Hayward Field.

Michael Woods is a runner. Yes, he's one of the top cyclists in the world, but his soul still lives on the track. To this day, Michael Woods ranks as one of the most impressive North American junior athletes track has ever seen. "Woodsy" tried to make it as a runner until a foot injury finally forced him to hobble away from the sport. He took up cycling as a form of cross-training until a coach said his "numbers" were world-class.

In 2018, Des Linden arrived at the starting line of the Boston Marathon with two pairs of shoes. When the gun went off in Hopkinton what was on her feet was a blacked-out, almost completely untested prototype of Brooks' newest innovation, the Hyperion Elite. In the episode, we dive into Des' leap of faith as well as the design evolution behind a moment that American distance running will not soon forget.

Fresh off a 196-mile week, Des Linden is reshaping her perception of what is next. In 2021 she bears the burden that comes with being the "alternate" for the US Olympic team. But 2021 might also be the opportunity to launch her career into its next chapter. Des Linden is a two-time Olympian and in 2018 became the first American woman to win to the Boston Marathon in 33 years.

Today's episode features Strava co-founder Mark Gainey. COVID has awoken an arms race in the wearable device and connected fitness industry. Through it all, Strava has remained open and adaptable to every new platform thrown at it. Mark and Alex dive into what the gamification of endurance sports will look like moving forward, as well as the corporate responsibility that comes with fostering our community's data.

The affects of COVID-19 continue to leave unanswered questions in so many facets of our world, even once decisions are made. Most recent in college cross country, the NCAA announced the new date of the NCAA Cross Country on Monday, March 15, 2021...only two days after the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. The decision leaves coaches and athletes with many questions including how to qualifying, how to train for potentially two very different races and how to plan competitions with current travel and budget restrictions in place. Ryan and Alex sit down with defending NCAA Championship (indoor, outdoor and xc...triple crown in 2019!) coach at the University of Arkansas, Lance Harter. Harter has led the Lady Razorbacks for the past 31 years and is the most decorated women's track and field/xc coach in SEC history

Less than two weeks from Eliud Kipchoge Vs Kenenisa Bekele at the 2020 London Marathon, a matchup that we thought might never happen, Ryan and Alex sit down with London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher. Hugh's heritage in the sport will shock you and help you understand his unwavering grit and dedication to make the 40th edition of the event happen. We dive into all the race scenarios that were considered amidst COVID restrictions and the business challenges that those decisions effect. We wrap up the interview teasing the course innovations that will enable the deepest marathon field in history.

Eliud Kipchoge's sub-2 attempt in the marathon wasn't only the chase of a human to do the impossible, but it also became one of the most significant moment's in running footwear innovation in recent years. And in turn, it became a chase for all shoe companies to develop their own carbon tech footwear. In episode three of our series, we catch up with the brand that embraced the thickness before it was cool; Hoka One One. For an athlete perspective, we bring on Rory Linkletter of NAZ Elite. We close out the episode with Hoka's head of design, Matt Head who balances form and function for a brand with undeniable momentum.

Eliud Kipchoge's sub-2 attempt in the marathon wasn't only the chase of a human to do the impossible, but it also became one of the most significant moment's in running footwear innovation in recent years. And in turn, it became a chase for all shoe companies to develop their own carbon tech footwear. In the second installment of the series, we explore the Asics Metacracer. Elite marathoner, Emma Bates, joins us after rocking the newest model while snagging 7th at the US Olympic Trials. Following the athlete's perspective, we get insight into the design process with Asics product line manager Chad Mullavey.

ON Has officially committed to developing elite-level running in the US by announcing the launch of the "On Athletics Club". But how did a brand land some of the most promising young talent without them ever wearing their shoes? We chat with the newly appointed head coach, Dathan Ritzenhein, and Sports Marketing Director Steve Dekoker about the development and sustainability of the newest group in the game.

145 consecutive years of track and field championships thwarted by Covid-19. Was there any scenario that could have salvaged a championship this year? We went straight to USATF to find out. Director of Sports Science and Medicine for USATF Dr. Robert Champman joins us to lay out all the hurdles and challenges that needed to be overcome to responsibly hold a competition.

Eliud Kipchoge's sub-2 attempt in the marathon wasn't only the chase of a human to do the impossible, but it also became one of the most significant moment's in running footwear innovation in recent years. And in turn, it became a chase for all shoe companies to develop their own carbon tech footwear. Welcome to our first installment of the “Flats and the Furious” where we dive into the footwear innovations that are pushing the boundaries of what we thought possible. We will meet the industry professionals who poured their lives into building the next generation of fast, and get an athlete’s perspective on how each brand's new models feel on foot. In our first episode we talk to Nick Roche from adidas to hear the story on how their answer, the adidas Adizero Adios Pro, came to be. We also get pro athlete insight from Reed Fischer.

How can the Ivy League make major athletic decisions before the rest of the NCAA? Is it the right decision? American Collegiate record holder and Columbia alumni, Kyle Merber, joins us this week to dive into options facing Ivy league athletes as well his perspective on fall track racing.

USATF President and University of Virginia Director of Track & Field/XC, Vin Lananna, joins BTG to talk with Ryan and Alex about the state of sports this fall, the challenges faced by USATF during the pandemic, how track can contribute to social change and the build up to the LA Olympics in 2028.

Hassan Mead, now professional runner for Nike's Oregon Track Club, graduated from high school and college in Minneapolis and grew up only a mile from the site of George Floyd's murder. Mead talks with Ryan and Alex about his experiences growing up in Minneapolis, how racism has reared its ugly head in his life and what the sport of track & field can do to help educate people about the struggles of black and colored people today.

In a span of just over two months, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd are all black Americans that have been subject to wrongful deaths, with two dying due to police misconduct. This week Frank Ross, Vice President of Player Personnel for the Washington Wizards of the NBA (Monumental Sports & Entertainment) and former Arlington (VA) Police Officer, provides context and perspective around the recent events that have caused such pain and unrest throughout the United States. Ross gives insight on how the police dealt with George Floyd and how it did not match up with regular training of police. Ross also provides insight on how the Wizards organization and the NBA are handling the recent events with players in one of the most well known leagues around the world. Ross helps shed light on how we can push conversations forward to bridge the gap between people of color and people not of color. Our hope is that this episode provides some educated the struggles in the black community and how you can progress in these conversations. Have questions for the hosts or guests? Email us at beneaththegrandstand@gmail.com

University of New Mexico's Coach, Joe Franklin, lives in the now. The cancer survivor and 2-Time NCAA team XC champion represents one of the most unique and influential perspectives in the sport. Joe reacts to the most recent cuts across the NCAA and lays out a roadmap through the next evolution of collegiate athletics.

Nike, adidas, New Balance, Brooks, Saucony, Asics, Hoka....some of the major brands that dominate the running industry. Even with all this competition in the market, Matt Taylor saw an opportunity. Who out there was focusing on quality men's running apparel? When he couldn't find an answer, he decided that he would be the solution....enter Tracksmith. Taylor, the Co-Founder and CEO of the boutique brand based in Boston, tells his story that found him creating some of the first digital content in running and led him to working in partnership with Usain Bolt. He always knew he wanted to create his own company and Tracksmith became that outlet. The brand, which is nearly 90% online going direct to consumer, recently made a splash at the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta and recently employed top runners Nick Willis and Mary Cain.

In this week's episode, Ryan and Alex sit down with the Mayor of Minneapolis Jacob Frey. Frey, a William & Mary alum, ran professional for Hansons-Brooks and Saucony after college and through 2008. Frey represented team USA at the 2007 PanAm Games where he finished 4th in the marathon (one spot from bronze medal), ran at the Olympic Marathon Trials and holds a marathon PR of 2:16. Frey talks about his transition from runner to Mayor and also speaks not only about how running plays a role in his personal life today, but how it has help shaped some of the decisions he has made for Minneapolis during the coronavirus pandemic. The Mayor discusses how he approaches tough daily decisions during this pandemic and also gives insight on what it was like to be on the receiving end of tweets from President Trump.

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing sports as we know it in many ways, but that's not the only thing that could change NCAA cross country forever. Recently, a report was published from a teleconference held by the NCAA DI Men's and Women's Track & Field and Cross Country Committee that provides insight on a potential change in the way DI teams would qualify to the NCAA Cross Country Regionals and Championships. The change could see a shift in the current nine region system, that allows all DI programs to compete, to a five region system that allows only 60-80 teams to compete for a spot at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. In this episode of BTG, we talk to 3-time NCAA Cross Country championship coach, Dave Smith of Oklahoma State, who sheds light on the talk currently circulating within the coaching world on this proposed change. Smith, who was a past member of the NCAA DI Men's and Women's Track & Field and Cross Country Committee, explains the typical process he's experienced around changes to qualifying systems. Smith also shares his thoughts on how the upcoming 2020 NCAA Cross Country could be affected by the pandemic, if the season was to take place, and how this could affect the ability for teams to qualify to the NCAA Cross Country Championships in the current system. Link to NCAA committee meeting report - https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/crosstrack/d1/common/Apr2020D1XTF_Report.pdf

Episode 6 of Beneath the Grandstand Podcast features Chris Solinsky, former American Record holder at 10,000 meters, on the 10 year anniversary of his historic 10k record run at the 2010 Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational. Chris talks about memories from the run, his relationship with Galen Rupp, the atmosphere between the Bowerman and Nike Oregon Project groups, and lessons learned in his career.

If you don't know much about the trail running scene (or if you do), this episode of Beneath the Grandstand is for you. Ryan and Alex talk to 2019 UltraRunner of the Year and Western States course record holder, Jim Walmsley. Jim, known to not shy away from big goals, had his sights set on UTMB and the Comrades Marathon in 2020, two of the biggest races in the Ultra running world. With COVID-19 cancelling events around the world, Jim announces that he will no longer pursue Comrades in 2020, but instead will look at taking down an FKT (fastest known time) here in the US which is currently held by Kilian Jornet. Jim gives his thoughts on the disciplines within the sport of trail/ultra running and how people can get started. He also talks about the perception of the sport and what pro track runners he thinks could hack it if they tried.

In this episode of Beneath the Grandstand, Keith Kelly, former NCAA and Irish XC Champion, sheds light on how COVID-19 has impacted the running industry, particularly shoe companies, shoe innovation, retail/specialty running stores and pro athlete contracts. Kelly has been working in the industry for more than a decade and currently holds the role of Brand Manager for Running Specialty at New Balance.

Ryan and Alex talk with the Director of track & field and XC at University of Tennessee, Beth Alford-Sullivan. Beth brings experience as the former president of the USTFCCCA and a head coach in three of the Power 5 Conferences (PAC-12 at Stanford, Big Ten at Penn State and SEC at Tennessee). Beth goes into specifics around the NCAA ruling dealing with seniors who lost their spring eligibility and addresses the biggest elephant in the room....what happens to college sports if college football doesn't happen in the fall. Alford-Sullivan also discusses the landscape of transfers and the importance of track & field coaches having their elevator pitch ready for their programs.

There were a lot of great pieces of information from Christian Taylor and insights from the athlete perspective , here are some of those timestamps throughout the show:3:34-5:45: What was the reach of the athlete survey and who did it target5:48-8:26: What were the most surprising outcomes coming from survey11:18-12:53: Did the Athletics Associations have any negative feedback resulting from survey13:04-14:50: Examples of how athletes' training is being negatively affected by COVID-1915:17-16:17: What federations/organizations reached out to Christian for the first time after the survey results were published?16:18-19:48: What are the questions that are being asked now that they olympics have been postponed - current drug testing plan, will meet directors put on events and how will sponsors respond20:04-22:02: Athletes want to, and have to, compete in a fall/later season22:05-24:44:  Financial impact for athletes with postponement of Olympics and COVID-1924:45-27:35: Are brands/sponsors talking to athletes about not being able to compete and how it affects contracts27:39-30:18: Expectations from athletes in how their involved in decision making moving forward, and communication with World Athletics30:18-32:20: Do athletes have to speak out publicly to be heard and taken seriously?32:22-34:07: What are the questions that governing bodies are asking34:17-35:28: What was the biggest result of the survey36:17 - 38:23: How does Christian stay hungry in a time of uncertainty and what are his goals

FloTrack OG's Ryan Fenton and Alex Lohr reunite in a brand new podcast on FloTrack called Beneath the Grandstand. Their first episode features guests Canadian distance star Justyn Knight, Sound Running founder Jesse Williams and sports agent Stephen Haas of Total Sports. These three guests represents three different parts of the track and field/running industry and provide insight on how all sectors of the sport are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.