He broke the barrier—and the sport felt it.

Quentin Nauman is back on the pod in the final episode of our Festival of Miles series—a fitting finish to a week that reminded us just how far the sport is moving.

Just days ago at the HOKA Festival of Miles, Quentin lined up against the top high school milers in the country and ran 3:58.65—joining the elite ranks of sub-four athletes and pushing the ceiling of what high school runners can do.

It wasn’t just a win. It was a cultural moment in high school track.

This year has been something different. Sub-four miles are no longer mythical, they're happening. But Quentin’s not just following the wave. He’s setting it.

Earlier this season, he became the first high school athlete in U.S. history to run sub-1:50 in the 800 and sub-4:00 in the 1600 at the same meet. That’s not progression. That’s a shift in what young athletes believe is possible.

What’s fueling this surge in high school distance running? What does it mean to carry the weight of a generational leap? And where do we go from here, now that the old limits are falling?

This isn’t just a fast kid running fast. This is a flashpoint in the evolution of the sport and Quentin Nauman is right in the middle of it.

In today's conversation, Quentin takes me through a race that will define him and his legacy for years to come. We dive into the BTS of the 2025 FOM and Quentin's legendary performance, where he won in 3:58 in a 54 close; we talk about the rest of his season, his ambitions for the future, including breaking Alan Webb's record, and more.

Tap into the Quentin Nauman Special.

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Recorded live. Fueled by the energy of the crowd. Powered by HOKA.

Straight from the Big River Running Company in Missouri on June 4th, this special episode of the podcast captures the excitement, energy, and anticipation just one night before the iconic HOKA Festival of Miles.

We sit down with four of the sport’s most compelling figures: Olin Hacker – NCAA champion turned pro who thrilled fans with his powerful closing speed in previous Festival races; Krissy Gear – Steeplechase star known for her fearless racing style, who brought the heat to this meet with memorable performances in the past; Brandon Miller – A local favorite and middle-distance standout whose past runs at the Festival showcased both talent and heart in front of his hometown crowd; and Colleen Quigley – Olympian and St. Louis native who’s been a longtime supporter and star attraction of the Festival, using this stage to inspire the next generation.

Whether you're a die-hard track fan or just tuning in, this episode sets the stage for one of the most exciting nights in distance running.

Tap into the Live Festival of Miles Special.

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What does it take to run for 28 hours straight?

To go beyond exhaustion—when your body gives out and only your will is left?

Alyssa McClellan knows.

She’s a former elite CrossFit athlete, a mother of four, and an ultra-endurance machine. At the Go One More Last Man Standing Ultra, Alyssa ran nearly 120 miles in just under 28 hours, outlasting every other woman and placing fourth overall. No pacers. No excuses. Just pure grit.

But her story doesn’t start there.

Before ultra running, Alyssa competed at the highest levels of CrossFit, ranking 252nd in the world and 156th in the U.S. at the 2018 Open. Her numbers speak for themselves: 320-pound back squat; 236-pound clean and jerk; 340-pound deadlift and 196-pound snatch.

Now, she’s bringing that same fire to the ultra scene—trading barbells for blisters and short bursts for soul-crushing distance. And she’s doing it all while raising four boys.

This episode goes deep into the pain cave—the place where most people quit and Alyssa keeps going. We talk aboutmental toughness, comebacks, and what it really means to show up, suffer, and choose to keep moving.

No fluff. No finish line. Just raw endurance.

Let’s go.

In today's conversation, Alyssa takes me through her 28 hours of pain, how she kept pushing when things got difficult, training for these endevours as a wife and mother, her ambtions for the future, and so much more.

Tap into the Alyssa McClellan Special.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.

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S H O W N O T E S

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-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

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