2:44 in His First Marathon at 24 — Nick Pencil's Wild Road to Boston episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 20, 2026 · 9 MIN

2:44 in His First Marathon at 24 — Nick Pencil's Wild Road to Boston

from DFW Running Talk · host Chris Detzel

Nick Pencil moved to Dallas knowing nobody, found Train Pegasus, and ran a 2:44 in his very first marathon. Now he's toeing the line at the 2026 Boston Marathon after battling an IT band injury that sidelined him for six weeks just months before race day. Chris catches up with Nick live from the Hilton Boston Park Plaza the day before the race. They talk about going from fourth-grade track meets to high school cross country to marathon running, how a running community became his social lifeline in a new city, and why his simple mindset — "there's always another race" — is what keeps the nerves in check. 

Nick Pencil moved to Dallas knowing nobody, found Train Pegasus, and ran a 2:44 in his very first marathon. Now he's toeing the line at the 2026 Boston Marathon after battling an IT band injury that sidelined him for six weeks just months before race day. Chris catches up with Nick live from the Hilton Boston Park Plaza the day before the race. They talk about going from fourth-grade track meets to high school cross country to marathon running, how a running community became his social lifeline in a new city, and why his simple mindset — "there's always another race" — is what keeps the nerves in check.

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2:44 in His First Marathon at 24 — Nick Pencil's Wild Road to Boston

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This episode was published on April 20, 2026.

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Nick Pencil moved to Dallas knowing nobody, found Train Pegasus, and ran a 2:44 in his very first marathon. Now he's toeing the line at the 2026 Boston Marathon after battling an IT band injury that sidelined him for six weeks just months before...

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