Rephonic
Artwork for Road to the Trials
Olympic Trials
Marathon Running
California International Marathon
2028 Olympic Marathon Trials
Chicago Marathon
CIM
Running
Marathon Training
Olympic Trials Marathon
Houston Marathon
Boston Marathon
2028 Olympic Trials
CIM Marathon
Marathon Project
Running Community
Twin Cities Marathon
Olympic Marathon Trials
Mental Health
2024 Olympic Trials
Flagstaff, Arizona

Co-hosts Matt Chittim, Lindsey Hein, and Peter Bromka interview every 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier along with a wide-ranging group of industry professionals in preparation for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes200Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsRunning

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Artwork for Road to the Trials

Latest Episodes

Rachel Schilkowsky joins us after earning her spot at the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with a breakthrough 2:35:51 and second-place finish at the Vermont City Marathon. A five-time NCAA Division I All-American at Cornell, Rachel is a biomechanic... more

Lily Anderson joins us fresh off another strong marathon that secured her spot at the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Lily shares how she went from teaching in New York City public schools through Teach For America to pursuing the marathon at a hi... more

Andrew Colley has represented Team USA three times, won the USATF 25K Championships, and qualified for four U.S. Olympic Team Trials across the marathon, 5,000 meters, and 10,000 meters. Yet despite running 2:09 for the marathon and 60:47 for the hal... more

Alex Burks has a unique relationship with Rockland Lake. It's where he ran his first breakout half marathon, his first major marathon breakthrough, and this spring, where he punched his ticket to the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials with a 2:15:49, quali... more

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Recent Guests

Lily Anderson
Athlete, Brooklyn Track Club member
Brooklyn Track Club
Episode: Lily Anderson: From Teaching in Brooklyn Classrooms to Brooklyn Track Club & an OTQ
Andrew Colley
Professional runner, three-time Team USA member, 2026 US 25K champion
Professional running
Episode: Andrew Colley Knows His Best Marathon Is Still Ahead
Alex Burks
Marathon runner, Olympic Trials qualifier
Independent athlete
Episode: Alex Burks: Three Breakthroughs at the Same Course, a 2:15 OTQ, and Why Running Is Still Fun
Esteban Trujillo
Elite marathoner, master competitor, interview guest
Independent athlete
Episode: Esteban Trujillo: A Decade Away from Running, Then a 2:14 Marathon at Age 40
Erin McDonald
232 marathoner, 4-year break return, CIM top performer
Peninsula Distance Club
Episode: Erin McDonald: Rediscovering Running and a 2:32 Marathon Breakthrough
Ryan Smith
Marathon debutant who won Vermont City Marathon; Division III athlete
Bates College alumnus, professional runner
Episode: Ryan Smith: The Finish Line Reaction Everyone Was Talking About
Megan Connolly
OTQ qualifier; former Division I runner; broadcaster with WWE; runner who returned to peak form after pregnancy
McCurdy OTQ, Track Shack (boxing through sponsorships and community running groups), WWE
Episode: Megan Connolly: The WWE Broadcaster Who Qualified for the Olympic Trials
Madey Dickson
Marathoner, sub-elite athlete and ICU nurse
Run Elite Utah
Episode: Madey Dickson: From the Mile to a 2:28 Marathon and Learning to Take Risks
Annie Frisbie
Olympic Trials qualifier, distance runner
Minnesota Distance Elite, Puma
Episode: Annie Frisbie: A 2:22 Breakthrough and Another Boston Masterclass

Hosts

Lindsey Hein
Co-host of Road to the Trials, engages with guest
Matt Chittim
Host of Road to the Trials, discusses the guest and format
Peter Bromka
Co-host of Road to the Trials, facilitates discussion

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 220 ratings
  • Interviews that give you an insight into what it takes to make it into the marathon Olympic trials

    This show does a great job to connect the audience to elite amateur and professional runners. You hear about who they are and what has brought them to qualifying for the USA Marathon Olympics Trails!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cory the MS Science Teacher
    United States2 months ago
  • Full on running nerd and loving it!

    This is a must listen and will make watching the 2028 trials race even more exciting! Love getting to know each of the athletes on their journeys and a personal level too.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    StephSpeedstickSandoval
    United States9 months ago
  • Do we really need another running podcast?

    One that follows runners digging deep for the next few years to qualify for the ‘28 Olympic marathon trials. Men, women, elites, subelites, anyone and everyone.

    Absolutely we need this, love it already!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    stkiley
    United States10 months ago
  • Lots of Good Nuggets

    I have been enjoying this series so much. Every person interviewed so far, whether really famous in the running world, or simply a talented running trying to hit this big goal, has offered such thoughtful insights into running toward your goals. Kudos to the interviewers for bringing out such great stories and responses. I am absolutely addicted to this series.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Roberta K94
    United States10 months ago
  • Love hearing from a variety of runners

    Matt, Peter, & Lindsey do a great job speaking with experts and runners leading up to the Olympic Trials. Love their dynamic and the conversations flow so well!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    quigsmsu354
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners want more episode concurrency and fewer cliffhangers between episodes.
Listeners praise the in-depth athlete stories and practical training insights.
Shows strong production with engaging host dynamics and sponsor reads that fit the audience.
Fans note the balanced mix of elite and sub-elite guests as a major strength.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#31
United States/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#74
Canada/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#202
United Kingdom/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#141
Australia/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#11
Singapore/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#17
Finland/Sports/Running

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Esteban Trujillo: A Decade Away from Running, Then a 2:14 Marathon at Age 40
Q: What does the two-year outlook look like for your path to the 2028 Trials?
The plan involves maintaining a sustainable high-mileage foundation, reiterating patience, prioritizing recovery, and continuing to target big marathons and fast halves that build toward the Trials, with a mindset that anything is possible if I stay healthy and focused.
Esteban Trujillo: A Decade Away from Running, Then a 2:14 Marathon at Age 40
Q: What influenced your decision to switch coaches and adopt Brad Hudson's program?
I sought guidance after years of self-coaching, recognizing I needed a plan from someone with experience coaching Olympians; Hudson's track record and his willingness to tailor plans for an almost-40 athlete aligned with my goals and gave me confidence to push for an Olympic Trials target.
Esteban Trujillo: A Decade Away from Running, Then a 2:14 Marathon at Age 40
Q: How did you approach Mesa and the first half of Boston in terms of strategy?
I went into both races with aggressive first halves and a plan to test my limits, but I had to manage the second half carefully, especially at Boston where the pace and hills demanded smart pacing to avoid blowing up; my aim was to learn and improve while staying within my target ranges.
Jax Siddall’s Marathon Debut Win: From 6th Grade Teacher to Eugene Marathon Win
Q: How did you balance the teaching job with elite training and travel for races?
I built a strict weekly routine around double T days and long runs, planned meals, and tried to keep teaching responsibilities separate while leveraging support from a coach who understood the schedule.
Jax Siddall’s Marathon Debut Win: From 6th Grade Teacher to Eugene Marathon Win
Q: What was going through your mind in the final hundred meters on the Eugene track?
I was focused on holding off cramps, riding the energy of the crowd, and pushing toward the line with whatever remaining energy I had, hoping to break 2:15 and secure the OTQ if possible.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Road to the Trials

What is Road to the Trials about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep-dive interview series focused on Olympic Trials qualifiers and the wider endurance running ecosystem. Episodes center on training cycles, race strategy, fueling, injury recovery, and balancing demanding lifestyles with elite goals. Expect candid conversations with athletes across road, trail, and marathon disciplines, plus coaching insights, documentary storytelling takes, and sponsor integrations that highlight the realities of pursuing Trials qualification in the lead-up to a Los Angeles Games. Noteworthy is the show's willingness to explore non-linear paths to OTQ—injuries, pivots between road and trail, motherhood, and long-term mindset—making it valuable for listeners who want practical training ideas as well as personal resilie... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Road to the Trials?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Road to the Trials:

1. I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein Podcast
2. The CITIUS MAG Podcast | A Running + Track and Field Show
3. Off The Rails With Eric And Aisha
4. Relay
5. Ali on the Run Show

How many episodes of Road to the Trials are there?

Road to the Trials launched 7 years ago and published 200 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Road to the Trials?

Recent guests on Road to the Trials include:

1. Lily Anderson
2. Andrew Colley
3. Alex Burks
4. Esteban Trujillo
5. Erin McDonald
6. Ryan Smith
7. Megan Connolly
8. Madey Dickson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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