Today's episode is special—and honestly, it might be historic.

We've got two of the fastest high school distance runners in the country—maybe ever—joining us just days before they toe the line at one of the most anticipated races of the year: the Festival of Miles.

First up: Josiah Tostenson. He's the second-fastest indoor miler in U.S. high school history, clocking a blistering 3:57.41 at Boston University. He was named the 2023–24 Gatorade Track and Field Player of the Year.

With a New Balance NIL deal and a future at the University of Washington, Josiah is already running at a professional level while still in high school.

Then there's Tayvon Kitchen—the quiet tactician with a monster engine. He broke the national high school record in the 3,000 meters with a jaw-dropping 7:55.48 at the 2025 Husky Classic. He became just the seventh U.S. high schooler to run under 4 minutes indoors, and capped his cross country season as Oregon's Gatorade Player of the Year. He's BYU-bound and has shown time and again he knows exactly when to strike.

Together, they're teammates, rivals, and co-authors of one of the most electric seasons we've ever seen—and it's all coming to a head at the Festival of Miles.

Today's podcast is a conversation with two best friends who happen to be the two fastest runners in the country. Tune in for stories, training insights, and good ol banter. Oh, and some MASSIVE talk around Festival of Miles.

This one won't disappoint you.

Tap into the Josiah Tostenson and Tayvon Kitchen Special.

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From cross country and track star to talent management guru -- Matthew Sonnenfeldt has seen it all.

Matthew’s journey from high school champion to collegiate athlete and now a mentor and representative for other athletes illustrates a career built on passion, resilience, and a commitment to excellence in track and field.

At Knoxville West High School, Matthew captured the Tennessee state cross country championship in 2008, including a 14:50 5000m at the Foot Locker South Regional, earning him a spot at the Foot Locker Nationals.

Matthew began his collegiate running at the University of Kentucky, where he earned All-SEC Freshman Team honors in cross country in 2009. He then transferred to North Carolina State University, where he earned All-ACC honors in 2012 and All-NCAA Southeast Region honors in both 2011 and 2012.

He has PRs of 3:52.74 in the 1500m, 13:59.10 in the 5000m, 29:51.52 in the 10,000m, and 1:07:57 in the half marathon.

After his competitive running career, Sonnenfeldt became a track agent with Flynn Sports Management, where he supports and represents elite track and field athletes.

In today's conversation, Matt takes me through his background in the sport, how that shaped his outlook on the sport, running in the NCAA, becoming an agent, the importance of networking, trends in the sport, and his future goals in the sport.

Tap into the Matthew Sonnenfeldt 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.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

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-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

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Today’s guest needs no introduction—but he definitely earned a new one.

Olin Hacker is back—and this time, he's bringing a U.S. title with him.

Just weeks ago, Olin stormed to victory at the USATF 5000m Championships in Indianapolis, running 13:32 to claim his first national crown. But this moment wasn’t built in a month—it was years in the making.

As a collegiate runner, Olin secured multiple Big Ten championships while running for Wisconsin in 2022, winning both the indoor 3000m and 5000m events, as well as the outdoor 5000m.

The highlight came in 2022 at the Oregon Relays, where he shattered the meet record in the 5000m, clocking 13:19.34 and improving his personal best by 16 seconds.

The rise continued, as Olin represented the U.S. at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, finishing fifth in the 3000m with a season-best of 7:45.4.

The Wisconsin Badger alum owns impressive PRs of 13:08.76 in the 5000m, 7:38.10 in the 3000m, and 3:56.59 in the mile. He took advantage of an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returning for a seventh year, and claiming an NCAA 5000m victory.

In today's conversation, Olin walks me through his recent win at the USATF road 5k championships, winning his first national title, his new mindset going into 2025, why he's racing more this year, going back to FOM next month, his goals for USA's 2025, and starting a podcast.

Tap into the Olin Hacker 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.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz