This episode of Pod on the Run kicks off with Ross and Petar lacing up the mic and hitting stride with a pulse check on the local running scene. Chico State and Butte College take center stage after strong showings at the Kim Duyst XC Twilight Invitational, where the energy was electric and one Wildcat earned a national honor that rippled far beyond the finish line.

From there, the spotlight shifts to the heartbeat of the community: Bidwell Run Club and Fleet Feet. These local hubs aren’t just gathering runners, they’re cultivating connection. Whether it’s group go's, testing new shoes, sipping coffee after a café run, or swapping stories over a pub pint, these meetups fuel more than just miles. They’re where camaraderie, momentum, and movement converge.

Enter today’s guest: Kevin Radtke. His story is the kind that sticks with you - last place at the Folsom 100 in 2024, crossing the line after the cutoff, and returning one year later to win it all!

What began as a personal challenge evolved into a mission powered by redemption, curiosity, and something deeper than revenge.

Kevin’s training journey unfolds with raw honesty. He shares the weekly mileage, solo long runs, and mental shifts that shaped his comeback. From terrain choices to fueling strategies, every detail reveals a runner quietly building toward something bigger. His goal? Simply to do better than last year. The result? Victory.

Race day plays out like a drama in motion, early miles, internal battles, and a timely assist from fellow local runner Matt Bonner, who was crewing someone else but stepped in when it mattered most.

Kevin recounts the chaos: runners suggested to drive between a segment, hopping fences, and navigating sparse aid stations. Through it all, he kept moving forward, until the finish line met him with more than just a medal. It met him with meaning.

As the conversation winds down, Kevin reflects on what the win truly meant and what’s next on his horizon. He offers advice to anyone who’s ever finished last and the valuable lessons he learned about digging deep.

The episode closes with Petar’s signature rapid-fire questions, a teaser for what’s ahead, and a warm send-off that invites listeners to share, rate, and connect. Whether you’re chasing podiums or simply chasing your own story, this episode reminds us: the comeback is always stronger than the setback.