Running Times

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes Freddy Mahugu into the studio for an uplifting and warm conversation with the founder of the Wynnefield Track Club.    Freddy was born in Nairobi, Kenya, but during his formative years lived all over the world as his father worked to become the Kenyan Ambassador to the United Nations. Unbeknownst to Freddy, the lessons learned from this experience wo...

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz connects with Jarad Schofer, a math professor and journey runner from Washington DC who asks himself one simple question: I wonder if I can do that?  Jarad recently completed a Trans-Am run across the USA, which began on π day in Santa Monica, CA, and ended in Virginia Beach, VA, 89 days later!  He was self-supported, pushing a modified baby stroller loaded w...

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes Faith Hall into the studio for a conversation about comfort zones, and the difference between being scared and having a healthy respect for a daunting challenge. What's remarkable about Faith is that she began running less than 4 years ago, and just finished 3rd Female at the notoriously unforgiving Eastern States 100 - her first 100 miler!    In add...

Philly Runner Center City is back and opening soon! So I stopped by to see Liz and take a sneak peak at their new store. We had a quick chat and she walked me through their new space, explained the vision for the store, and reinforced why Philly Runner is the hub for our local fitness community. Visit one of their five store locations or shop local with them online at  www.philadelphiarunner.com ....

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes Philly's top running brass into the studio for a lively discussion about community building, race planning, and all things running related in Philadelphia.  They wax nostalgic over the humble origins of Philly Runner and the annual Philly 10K; explore the gender inclusivity efforts of the Philadelphia Distance Run and what it means to say "All Runner...

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes Bob Law into the studio for an honest discussion about addiction, transformation, and altruism.  Bob used to weigh 300+ pounds and was consumed by a compulsive eating disorder and depression. These days, however, Bob has a much healthier relationship with food and himself.  His physical, mental, and spiritual metamorphosis have taken root and blossom...

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes Vanessa Kline to share her experiences at The Last Annual Heart Of The South - a 334 mile race she completed only 5 days before our conversation. Just 4 days later she was back on a plane to complete The Volstate 500k, a 314 mile race, for a 2nd consecutive summer. During her 9 day gap in between races, she was the race director for The Hainesport Hu...

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes Michael Gazaleh and Rich DIGIACOMO, of City Running Tours, into studio to celebrate Independence Day with a conversation about odd Philadelphia history and running your everyday surroundings with a tourist's eye.  Join us as we review the popular and not-so-popular charms of the city, and discuss the forgotten history of the Wood Street Steps and 95...

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes living legend Trishul Cherns to discuss his role as a pioneer in the sport of Ultrarunning. Trishul was an original member of the fabled Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team and a trusted confidant of the famed Guru himself, Sri Chinmoy, until 1986 - when he was abruptly and unceremoniously expelled from the monastic life after 11 devoted years. Trishul is join...

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes Padraig Mullins to the studio for a conversation about representing his country on the international stage. Padraig speaks with a brogue, and the Irish wit & humor are on full display as he shares his story of competing for Ireland at the IAU World 24-Hour Championships. Also told is the harrowing tale of being written off for dead at Badwater; how a...

On this episode of RTWG, Gagz connects with The North Face Endurance Running Athlete, Hillary Allen, to discuss her new book, Out and Back: A Runner's Story of Survival Against All Odds. Hillary is a fierce competitor with an infectious personality and an indomitable will who beat the odds to run again. This powerful, raw, and relatable conversation makes clear that the road to recovery is a perso...

On this special Mother's Day episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes to the studio one of Philly's most treasured running matriarchs, Lauren Siegel, to discuss her run streak that began in the 90's and is currently the 10th longest active female streak in the world! Lauren tells her story with candor and grace, to reveal how streaking gave her the fortitude to provide for her family, confront her...

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz sits down with Pat Heine to discuss his passion for Alpine racing, what inspires him to push his limits, and how he recently tamed Pennsylvania's Wildest Trail. Pat is a Video Producer for Bicycling and Runner's World, and a Beast Coast ultrarunner who just set the fastest known time on the 327 mile PA Mid State Trail! When he's not testing the latest & great...

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz sits down with Cole Crosby to discuss his transition from a scrappy D1 collegiate athlete to sponsored elite runner, what it's like to battle sleep deprivation and hallucinations while running, where he sees the future of Ultrarunning, his place in the sport, and his ardence and passion for people to become a better version of themselves. Cole Crosby is an Ok...

On the Season 2 Premiere of Running Times, Gagz sits down with local ultra-legend, Jim Blandford, to discuss mountain running, accomplishing lofty goals, the importance of giving back, how to manage burnout, and the psychology of successfully returning from a DNF.  Jim is a highly regarded Beast Coast runner from Hamburg, PA, who broke 1,000,000 feet of vertical gain in 2020!!! Over the course of...

On this episode of Running Times, Takia McClendon, talks about founding City Fit Girls, an all levels running and fitness community for cis and transgender women, and her role as a USATF Run Coach. With a degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from West Chester University, Takia changed career paths after starting a Philly food blog critiquing grocery stores. It turned into a job wh...

To close out this season, host Michael Gagliardi, AKA Gagz, and Christopher Plant talk about accomplishing Season 1, what they'd like to see for next season, and what they love about producing the Running Times podcast. Follow Gagz on Instagram and stay tuned for Season 2.

In the season finale of Running Times with Gagz, Eddie Gieda returns to chat with Gagz about Season 1 and to update the listeners on his very personal - albeit public - quest. Eddie is a high-mileage endurance runner who uses running to process grief and loss. Eddie and Gagz wax poetic as they reflect on the three C's of running: community, comradery, and competition.  Danielle Kocher also stops b...

In this Thanksgiving day episode of Running Times with Gagz, Todd Aydelotte joins Gagz in the studio to talk about The Warriors 50K, the Poe Ultrarun, and the run he has yet to complete - the Howl ultra run. They also discuss Todd's work with the Bowery Mission, where he will be volunteering with his family today and for whom he ran his Hallway Marathon, raising around $4,000 to help the Bowery Mi...

In this inspiring episode of Running Times, Gagz sits down with running prodigy, Nate Viands, and his father, Scott. Just before Nate's 4 th birthday, he was diagnosed with Leukemia and underwent strenuous chemo treatments for the next 18 months. Now, at age 10, and 6 years in remission, Nate is not only winning races outright, he is breaking world records! To top it off, Nate is also a sponsored...

This week, Gagz sits down with Keilynn Hopkins to talk about the FKT she set this summer and how she uses trail running as a coping mechanism. Keilynn set an FKT (Fastest Known Time) while completing a self supported out and back run along the Appalachian Trail. She began at the Pennsylvania border, ran through New Jersey to the New York border and then ran back to the Pennsylvania border, complet...

This week, Gagz and Mary Arnold reminisce about the run that brought them together, how the community based organization Run 4 All Women came to be", and how she plans to "connect communities virtually in an authentic way" with the Womxn Run the Vote Relay.    Mary is a storyteller, ultrarunner and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in sports and fitness marketing in New York City. The...

Gene Dykes started breaking world records for marathon running at 70 years old and he has no intention of slowing down. In this Running Times episode, Gagz and Gene Dykes discuss his life long running journey and late start into hardcore training, the joy of running 200 mile ultramarathons, and the importance of accomplishing small goals during every run. For more information on Gene Dykes and his...

Rebecca Barber is a seasoned distance and ultra runner who has been tackling the Philly Marathon for over 10 years. In this Running Times interview, Rebecca and Gagz talk about her long history with marathons, the importance of crew, and how she founded the Rocky 50K.

David April is one of the founders of Fishtown Beer Runners: whose mission is to test the scientific study that beer and water have similar rehydration effects. Gagz and David talk about how and why he started running, the conception of Fishtown Beer Runners, and their plans for the future.