The CITIUS MAG Podcast | A Running + Track and Field Show

“The top three spots [at the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials], you've got to work very hard to get one of them—which is exciting for me. Nothing was ever handed to me. I have to work hard for it and I'm willing to do the same thing for it now."

Zouhair Talbi joins the CITIUS MAG Podcast to share his journey from Morocco to becoming an American citizen. He discusses his recent victory at the Houston Marathon, the decision to switch his allegiance to the United States and the challenges he faced along the way from the Moroccan federation.

He reflects on his early running career, the setbacks he encountered during the Tokyo Olympics where an issue with Morocco’s drug testing ruined his chance to become an Olympian and his transition to marathon running.

Talbi also talks about his experience in the US Army, his training insights, and his aspirations for the future, including the upcoming 2028 Olympic Trials.

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Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Guest: Zouhair Talbi | @zouhairathle on Instagram

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

This week in track and field, Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia cover:
– The World Cross Country Championships showcased impressive performances but faced broadcasting challenges. Preet explains his experience with watching.
– Houston’s half marathon saw the U.S. men’s half marathon list get totally re-written and then a strong run by Taylor Roe to move to No. 2 on the U.S. list.
– Zouhair Talbi runs the fourth-fastest marathon by an American but it takes a bit of explaining; Sara Hall went the full distance and continues to impress.
– Valencia produced European records by Andreas Almgren and Eilish McColgan.
– The bidding for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials is underway and St. Louis is interested.
– Preet likes figure skating!
– Unsurprisingly, Marvin Bracy-Williams has signed with the Enhanced Games
– A look at the other washed-up, has-been runners that are joining the doped Olympics.
– Albert Korir was provisionally suspended after testing positive for CERA.
– Our way too early picks for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Listen: World Cross Country Championships Reactions: Jacob Kiplimo Wins 3rd Straight Title, Agnes Ngetich Dominates + More Highlights

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Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Preet Majithia | ⁠⁠@preet_athletics⁠

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

WAHOO: The KICKR RUN responds to you: run faster, it speeds up. Ease back, it slows down. It's called the run-free mode – no buttons, just running that actually feels like running. The Wahoo KICKR RUN turns those long indoor miles into something you actually look forward to. Add in a quiet motor, a buttery smooth belt, and speeds up to 15 MPH, it's the closest thing you can get to an outdoor run without dealing with the ice, wind, or darkness. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at Wahoofitness.com and unlock a special offer when you use code CITIUS⁠⁠⁠⁠.

OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

Join Chris Chavez, Aisha Praught-Leer and Eric Jenkins as they unpack all of the action at the 2026 World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee.

Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo continued his reign at the World Cross Country Championships, cruising to a third consecutive title in commanding fashion. Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi claimed silver for the third time in his career, while Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo rounded out the podium with bronze.

In the women’s race, Agnes Ngetich delivered a statement performance, powering to victory to extend Kenya’s streak to 10 straight World Cross Country titles. The 10km world record holder broke clear early and won by 42 seconds, the second-largest winning margin in the history of the championships.

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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

ASICS: When you move your body, amazing things happen to your mind. Lace up and feel the good vibrations. ⁠Check out all of ASICS’ latest running shoes and gear here.⁠

OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

The World XC Championships return to the U.S. for the first time since 1992, with Saturday’s races in Tallahassee offering a chance to reignite global attention on the best distance runners in the world.

How to watch: The races will be broadcast on Peacock (starting at 9:35 a.m.) and will be televised on CNBC (starting at 10 a.m. ET).

Schedule (All times ET):

• 9:45 a.m. – Mixed 4x2K Relay
• 10:20 a.m. – Women’s U20 6K Race
• 10:55 a.m. – Men’s U20 8K Race
• 11:35 a.m. – Women’s Senior 10K Race
• 12:20 p.m. – Men’s Senior 10K Race

You can read our full race preview here.

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Mixed Relay Preview:

Favorites: Kenya w/ Reynold Cheruiyot

Challengers:

• Australia (Jessica Hull, Olli Hoare)
• France (Agathe Guillemot)
• USA (Sage Hurta-Klecker, Ethan Strand)
• Morocco's NCAA stars
• Kenya has won 3 of 4 editions since 2017.

Senior Women’s Race:

Star Power Dip: No Beatrice Chebet (pregnancy), no Olympic or World medalists from 5000m/10,000m entered.

Top Teams:

• Kenya: Agnes Ngetich leads (14:01/28:46 PBs); Maurine Chebor debuts
• Ethiopia: Loaded with U20 grads like Senayet Getachew, Asayech Ayichew
• Uganda: Joy Cheptoyek, Sarah & Rebecca Chelangat return
• USA: Led by Weini Kelati; Schweizer, Kurgat, Izzo in the mix
• Wild cards: Megan Keith, Lauren Ryan

Senior Men’s Race:

Deepest Field Post-COVID: 145 entrants

Title contenders:

• Jacob Kiplimo: Two-time champ, fresh off 2:02:23 marathon win
• Ethiopia: Berihu Aregawi + rising star Biniam Mehary
• Kenya: Daniel Ebenyo returns; Weldon Langat, Robert Koech support
• France: Jimmy Gressier headlines strong squad

Team USA Outlook:

• Potential for medal with Graham Blanks, Nico Young, Parker Wolfe, Rocky Hansen
• U.S. last medaled in 2013 (silver)

____________

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

ASICS: When you move your body, amazing things happen to your mind. Lace up and feel the good vibrations. Check out all of ASICS’ latest running shoes and gear here.

OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.

Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia break down the 2026 calendar in track and field how certain athletes are targeting specific events in the lead-up to the debut of the World Ultimate Championships. Plus: Gut reactions to the release of the 2026 World Cross Country Championship entries and how the Valencia 10K isn’t the only event taking talent away.

Chris and Preet are then joined by Anderson Emerole, Mac Fleet, Paul Hof-Mahoney, and David Melly to share their boldest predictions in 2026 including news/cultural topics, performance-related predictions, and then World Ultimate Championships predictions.

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Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Preet Majithia | ⁠@preet_athletics + Mac Fleet | @macfleet + Paul Hof-Mahoney | @phofmahoney + David Melly | @chaserofsteeples + Anderson Emerole | @atkoeme

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

____________

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

WAHOO: The KICKR RUN responds to you: run faster, it speeds up. Ease back, it slows down. It's called the run-free mode – no buttons, just running that actually feels like running. The Wahoo KICKR RUN turns those long indoor miles into something you actually look forward to. Add in a quiet motor, a buttery smooth belt, and speeds up to 15 MPH, it's the closest thing you can get to an outdoor run without dealing with the ice, wind, or darkness. ⁠⁠⁠Learn more at Wahoofitness.com and unlock a special offer when you use code CITIUS⁠⁠⁠.

OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.