Season 3, Episode 29: A conversation with Sam Grotewold of the New York Road Runners

Sam, a Simpson College alum, tells how an invitation by coach Keith Ellingson to join the Storm cross country team in the mid-1990s changed the trajectory of his life. Sam turned that moment into something much more when he applied for a job as a web editor at the New York Road Runners. Sam tells the story of interviewing for the job and not thinking he would get it. Sam, the NYRR director of professional athletes since 2005, reveals one of the hardest days of his career in 2012. He explains why he believes the Fifth Avenue Mile is the best race in the world. He says why this race stresses him out much more than the New York City Marathon. Sam gives his view of the biggest change in distance running the past 10 years and why Iowa native Jenny Simpson is one of his favorite people in running. He also talks about how former Iowa State All-American Annie Frisbie made him a believer a couple of years ago and the process of moving elite runners from Midtown Manhattan to Staten Island on marathon morning.