The Run Around Iowa

Lance Bergeson
  • 0.0 (0)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The podcast dedicated to interviews and insights on the individuals who are making headlines in distance running and triathlons in our great state.

  1. FEB 8

    Season 6, Episode 3: Part 2 of interviews from the Cyclone Open in Ames

    Lance continues the interviews from the Friday, Jan. 23 indoor meet at Iowa State. But first, he updates listeners on some news, including where a former Iowa State runner has landed. Then, the interviews start with Wartburg College senior and former Washington High prep Lance Sobaski, who chats about the Knights' team culture and where he envisions himself after graduation. Central College senior Payton Steffen is next. The former Marion runner discusses her role on the Dutch team and the goals they have for indoor nationals. Mount Mercy junior Abby Knepper, a former Dyersville of Beckman athlete, talks about goals for the rest of this season and why she's locked in on remaining at the college. Iowa Western sophomore Landon Hartley, who attended Urbandale in high school, discusses remaining tasks he wants to achieve during the final year he has left at the Council Bluffs school. And DMACC sophomore Zack Stoermer, who ran for Des Moines Lincoln, tells about the rise of the Bears' program and how cross country nationals in November could have been even better.

    1h 5m

  2. JAN 29

    Season 6, Episode 2: Six interviews from the Cyclone Open in Ames

    Lance recorded an unprecedented number of interviews - 11 - from the Friday, Jan. 23 indoor meet at Iowa State. He starts the podcast with news on Cedar Falls senior and Iowa State commit Jaden Merrick, who gave up his final season of eligibility to compete in - and win - the 3,000. Merrick tells his reasons for making the move. Former Drake standout Emilie Meyer talks about joining Minnesota Distance Elite and what's on the horizon. He talks to Air Force officer Jason Renze, a former Madrid prep who set a new mile personal record and is now based in Omaha. Lance corrals Drake assistant track coach Hannah Weiss, who provides her views on the program and if she wants to lead a program again. Nikki Borner of Indianola finished second overall in the 3,000 in 9:59 and Lance finds out what is ahead for the 40-year-old mother of four who topped almost all of the collegians. The podcast ends with former Simpson College and Ames High runner Ean Warrick telling how he is juggling a new job with competing at a high level.

    52 min

  3. JAN 16

    Season 6, Episode 1: A conversation with former Atlantic and Dordt University runner Craig Becker

    Craig comes on the podcast to talk about his journey that took him from Northern Iowa his freshman season to Tennessee his sophomore season to Dordt University in his junior and senior seasons and now Arkansas State as a graduate student. He describes how the path he has taken has made him stronger. The Atlantic High grad tells about foot issues that sidelined him his final season at Dordt and now at Arkansas State and how he has kept positive through it all. Craig talks about his new paperback book, "In the Throne Room," that provides unconventional poems regarding Christian life and how the idea for a book came to fruition. He looks back at the Dordt program's success and how that program continues to thrive. Craig looks back at a prep career that included participation in four spots before he locked in on distance running. He tells how a fortunate scheduling situation at the Drake Relays allowed him to slip into the boys' 800 field and allowed him the chance to claim second place. He talks about having his mother as a coach his senior season and how they continue to talk about coaching. Craig, who was raised on a farm, mentions a gift that farmers have, but why he feels certain he won't be returning to live in Iowa again.

    59 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    Season 5, Episode 26: A conversation with former Norwalk and Central College standout Angie Chaney

    Angie comes on the show to talk about competing in two marathons in a span of eight days in November. In the first, the resident of rural Drakesville set a new personal best time of 2:43:53 at the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on Nov. 8. Angie then finished third overall at the Every Woman's Marathon in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Nov. 16. The longtime Runablaze Iowa athlete chats about choosing running over basketball after seeing success at both sports in high school. She talks about dealing with adversity while having her best finish at cross country nationals for Central College. Angie, who teaches and coaches at Davis County in Bloomfield, talks about the tall task of juggling motherhood, teaching and coaching the school's cross country and youth running teams, all while trying to fit in her own running routine. Angie talks about the biggest challenge she has working with kids. She tells how a new coach has opened her eyes to new training plans and workouts that were scary at first. Angie also describes why she couldn't enjoy her first marathon win, at the IMT Des Moines race in October of 2024. She also recounts her conversation meeting with running legends Kathrine Switzer, Deena Kastor and Des Linden after the marathon in Arizona. Angie also talks about the joy of lacing up the shoes for a fun run with her sons in Bloomfield earlier this month.

    1h 7m

  5. 12/12/2025

    Season 5, Episode 25: A conversation with former Pleasant Valley standout Parker Huhn

    Parker joins the program to talk about the origins of the professional running team that he and Riley Coulter co-founded about a year ago. The Driftless Distance Project team, primarily based in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin, includes former Central College All-American Caroline McMartin. Parker, who earned all-WIAC and all-region honors competing for Wisconsin-La Crosse, talks about the dominant Eagles program and what has helped them stand out nationally. Parker details his busy schedule, which includes pursuing a masters degree and serving as an assistant coach for Wisconsin-Stout. He talks about his running goals and why the Quad-City Times Bix 7 has played a big part in his running life. Parker also tells the story of how he knows Olympic marathon medalist Deena Kastor.

    54 min

  6. 11/24/2025

    Season 5, Episode 24: A conversation with "Track Guy Movie" director Andrew Snyder

    Lance starts the show by putting the finishing touches on the college cross country season. He mentions three Iowa colleges who picked up team trophies during NCAA and NAIA championships over the weekend. He then gives his viewpoint on the controversy surrounding BYU coach Ed Eyestone's criticism of college cross country programs that rely on international runners to fuel their success. Two of the top men's teams, Oklahoma State and Iowa State, have defended the practice of using recruiting services in the new age of NIL. The show finishes with Andrew Snyder, director of "Track Guy Movie" that focuses on announcing legend Mike Jay, talking about his top highlights from the documentary that debuted in September. Andrew, a native Iowan, tells the work that went into making his first full-length film and what he hopes to accomplish next in his career.

    43 min

  7. 11/14/2025

    Season 5, Episode 23: A conversation with Augustana University standout and former Glenwood prep Bryant Keller

    Bryant comes on the program to talk about his recent performance at the Central Region meet in Joplin, Missouri, when he and his Vikings team qualified for the NCAA Division II nationals in Wisconsin next week. Bryant tells about how this season has exceeded his expectations. The redshirt freshman gives the story of how he became motivated to become an exercise science major with an eye toward become a chiropractor. Bryant, a five-time state medalist at Glenwood, details some struggles during his first cross country season at Sioux Falls in 2024 and how he has been nursing an injury the past month of this season. He looks back at his early running career and the success that Glenwood has had in producing college runners. Bryant also chats about his interests outside of this sport and why distance running doesn't define him.

    43 min

  8. 11/02/2025

    Season 5, Episode 22: A commentary on Iowa State's men's cross country program after suspensions

    Lance gives his thoughts on the Cyclones men's program after the suspension of multiple athletes the previous weekend. He also provides comments on the challenges that lie ahead for the team in its final two races and if the loss of depth will be too much to overcome. He also remarks on the integrity of the program and coach Jeremy Sudbury.

    18 min
See All (218)

Trailer

About

The podcast dedicated to interviews and insights on the individuals who are making headlines in distance running and triathlons in our great state.

Information

  • Creator
    Lance Bergeson
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    218
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lance Bergeson
  • Show Website
    The Run Around Iowa