Ryan Burrell ran 2:53:01 in his very first marathon at the 2026 Houston Marathon —
one of the fastest marathon debuts in the Dallas running community in recent memory.
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Sponsor: Rise Racing Co., Get 10% off, use code DFW, Register for the Panther City Ultra in Fort Worth,

50k, 25k, 10k and 5k

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April 4th, 2026

Marion Sansom Park

2501 Roberts Cut Off Rd,

Fort Worth, TX 76114

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But the story behind that time is what makes this episode unmissable. Ryan was a
4:23 miler in high school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana — a state qualifier who burned
out from overtraining without an aerobic base. He walked away from running for years.
Then he moved to Dallas in 2021, got reinspired, linked up with coach Matt and the
Sloth Running Club, and quietly built himself into one of the most exciting distance
runners in DFW.

In this episode, Chris Detzel sits down with Ryan to talk about:

- His high school track career — 4:23 mile, state finalist, 4x800 relay
- How overtraining without easy running derailed his college career
- The 4+ year running gap and what finally brought him back
- Getting connected with DFW's run club scene (ZFT, Sloth RC, Velvet Hammer 5K)
- Training for Houston — long runs, aerobic base building, and race strategy
- The brutal final miles: cramping and stopping three times between miles 23–25
- Crossing the finish line in 2:53:01 and what's next (Boston qualifier? You decide)

If you're a runner in Dallas-Fort Worth, training for your first marathon, chasing
a sub-3, or just love a great comeback story — this one's for you.

🎙️ DFW Running Talk | Hosted by Chris Detzel
📬 Newsletter: dfwrunningtalk.substack.com
🏃 Community: DFW Running Group (11,000+ members on Facebook)

Keywords: marathon debut, Houston Marathon 2026, Dallas running, DFW running,
sub-3 marathon, marathon training, running comeback, Sloth Running Club,
first marathon, running podcast

Houston Marathon qualifier Andrew Smith ran 2:53:52 in January 2026 to earn his Boston Marathon 2027 BQ — with a hamstring cramp at mile 24 nearly derailing everything.

In this episode of DFW Running Talk, Andrew shares the full three-year marathon journey that took him from signing up for his first half marathon on three days' notice to qualifying for Boston. We cover his first marathon at Irving (4:03), running NYC for charity through Hope Story, hiring a coach, the training cycle that changed everything, and the chaotic race-day at Houston — strep throat nine days out, his family stuck at home, and a brutal cramp in the final miles he had to run through on a prayer.

Topics: Houston Marathon 2026, Boston Marathon qualifier, BQ training, marathon race strategy, Dallas marathon community, running coach, marathon fueling, DFW running

DFW Running Talk is Dallas-Fort Worth's running podcast. New episodes every week. Subscribe at dfwrunningtalk.substack.com.

This episode is sponsored by Rob Goyen and Rise Racing Co. The Panther City Ultra at Marion Sampson Park on April 4th brings trail running to Fort Worth with distances from 5K to 50K. Limited to 300 runners. Use code DFW for 10% off at https://www.riseracingco.com/panther-city-ultra

What does it take to run one of Texas's most iconic marathons — and then launch a brand new one from scratch?

This week, Chris sits down with Jason Schuchard, President of the BMW Dallas Marathon, for a candid conversation about his life in running, what's fueling Dallas Marathon's incredible growth, and the exciting new McKinney Historic Half Marathon launching March 28th.

Jason shares how his mom's passion for running shaped his own journey — from cross country at Plano Senior High, to 8-10 marathons, to Ironman competitions — and how all of it eventually led him to lead one of DFW's premier running events.

They cover what's behind the Dallas Marathon's annual sellouts, why adding more bibs isn't as simple as it sounds, and what makes the
McKinney Historic Half a completely different experience — a half and half road/trail course winding through McKinney's historic square with a 4,000-person cap in year one.

If Dallas is on your 2026 race calendar, don't sleep on registration — it opens May 1st and sells out fast.

In this episode:

• Jason's running origin story & 3:23 marathon PR
• What's driving the Dallas Marathon's growth
• The story behind the new McKinney Historic Half (March 28th)
• How the race benefits Scottish Rite for Children
• Why you should register for Dallas 2026 early

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to DFW Running Talk on Substack, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Eric Bretl's running story is one of humility, growth, and the undeniable power of community. In this episode, Eric shares how a humbling 1:34 half marathon finish — after training solo and thinking he was working harder than everyone around him — set him on a path to completely reinvent himself as a runner. From lifting weights and eating Jack's pizza in college to dropping from 225 lbs and eventually running a 2:35 at the California International Marathon (CIM), Eric's journey is a testament to what's possible when you find your people. He talks about training alongside Jennifer and Aaron, waking up at 5 AM for 14-mile workouts, and the unforgettable moment all three of them crossed the CIM finish line within 30 seconds of each other. If you've ever wondered whether running with a community really makes a difference — Eric's story is your answer.

Joe Hale has won the Dallas Marathon twice — and in 2025 came back from a year battling an Achilles injury to finish third in one of the most competitive fields the race has seen. In this episode, Joe takes us through his full running journey: from summer track in Grapevine at age seven, to building a marathon career on 140-mile training weeks. He breaks down race day 2025, the frozen glove incident on the lake, how the front pack split apart in the final miles, and what it actually takes to compete at the front of a major marathon as a non-professional. Honest, tactical, and packed with insight for runners at every level.

Braden Keefer's running story is one of redemption and consistency. After running mediocre times in high school and never making varsity, Braden quit running entirely in college—gaining 40 pounds, smoking American Spirits, and developing some unhealthy habits along the way.

But in December 2019, a girlfriend got him back on the track. What started as casual runs slowly turned into something more serious. Fast forward to November 2024, and Braden just ran 2:47 at the Indy Monumental Marathon—a 10-minute PR and a testament to what happens when talent meets structure.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Why he never made varsity despite running cross country and track all four years
• The five-year gap where running wasn't part of his life
• Running his first marathon (3:08) with zero structured training
• The turning point: hiring coach Jeff Cunningham and joining Pegasus Running
• Building up to 80-mile weeks and learning to run easy
• His tactical mistake at Indy that cost him in the final miles
• Why he's targeting sub-2:40 at the Boston Marathon
• The importance of running for yourself, not comparing to others

Braden's message is simple but powerful: it doesn't matter where you start or how long you've been away from the sport. With the right community, coaching, and mindset, you can accomplish things you never thought possible.

Subscribe to DFW Running Talk: dfwrunningtalk.substack.com

At just 20 years old, Jera Crandall ran 3:05:39 in her first-ever marathon at the 2025 Dallas Marathon—shattering the Boston qualifying standard by over 20 minutes and finishing 13th overall women and 6th in her age group. This race became deeply meaningful when Jera lost her father in early September during her training cycle, turning the marathon into a tribute to him and a way to process her grief.

This episode is brought to you by Rise Racing Co.

Join us for the inaugural Panther City Ultra at Marion Sampson Park on April 4th, 2025! Race director Rob Goyen is bringing true trail running to Fort Worth with distances from 5K to 50K. Experience natural trails, rocky terrain, and real elevation gain—capped at just 300 runners for an intimate trail racing experience.

This will sell out, so register now at https://www.riseracingco.com/panther-city-ultra and use code DFW for 10% off your registration.

In this episode, Jera shares her unconventional path from competitive figure skater to distance running phenom. She opens up about running her first 5K in 19:28 with absolutely zero training knowledge, taking nearly a year off from racing to focus on skating, then deciding to become a "seriously competitive distance runner" after the 2024 Turkey Trot.

We discuss her methodical approach to the marathon—hiring coach Alfonzo Gonzalez Jr (Fonz) before even attempting the distance, nailing her carb loading and nutrition strategy, executing perfect pacing starting conservatively at 7:15 pace, and fighting through the brutal final 5K to achieve her goal.

Jera also talks about overcoming past struggles with disordered eating, the mental toughness developed through figure skating and her powerlifting background, her harrowing 14-mile training run where she got lost on the trails and had to be rescued by the Train Pegasus crew, joining the running community at White Rock Lake, and why she's waiting until 2027 Houston Marathon to race the full distance again so she can build raw strength and speed at shorter distances first.

Key Stats:

• First marathon: 3:05:39 (Dallas Marathon 2025)
• 13th overall women, 6th in age group
• Half marathon PR: 1:26:56
• 10K PR: 40:08
• 5K PR: 19:28
• Age 20

Topics Covered:

• Running 3:05:39 debut marathon and qualifying for Boston
• Dedicating the race to her late father
• Transitioning from figure skating to distance running
• Working with coach Alfonzo Gonzalez Jr (Fonz) and Train Pegasus
• Marathon nutrition: carb loading, fueling, hydration strategy
• Race pacing and execution through adversity
• Building 60-70 mile training weeks at age 20
• Overcoming eating disorder history through healthy training
• Running through grief and loss
• The importance of finding your running community
• Future plans: focusing on 5K-Half Marathon speed through 2026

Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Nicole Bitter, one of the most accomplished ultrarunners in North America. Nicole's journey began with an unexpected tap on the shoulder from her 7th-grade gym teacher who redirected her from basketball to cross country—a decision that would change her life forever.

From running at Northwestern University to discovering trail running during law school in Waco's Cameron Park, Nicole shares how she found her way to the Dallas White Rock Running Co-op and eventually set the North American 100-mile trail record at Rocky Raccoon in 2015. With three top 10 finishes at Western States 100, wins at Black Canyon 100km and Javelina 100, and a third-place finish at the incredibly competitive 2025 Javelina 100, Nicole's ultrarunning resume speaks for itself.

This episode is sponsored by Rob Goyen and Rise Racing Co. The Panther City Ultra at Marion Sampson Park on April 4th brings trail running to Fort Worth with distances from 5K to 50K. Limited to 300 runners. Use code DFW for 10% off at https://www.riseracingco.com/panther-city-ultra

But beyond the achievements and records, this conversation explores what truly matters: the lifelong friendships formed through running, the importance of supportive partners and community, and finding what brings you joy after decades of competitive training. Nicole reflects on her time with the White Rock co-op, her current training with Rogue Running in Austin, and what motivates her as she contemplates her next chapter in the sport.

Whether you're an aspiring ultrarunner, a road racer, or someone who simply loves hearing stories of dedication and community, Nicole's journey will inspire you.