Ross and Petar's Pod on the Run
by Ross Field and Petar Milardovich
What happens when two buddies hit 42 and decide to celebrate with 42 kilometers? The Birth-K sparked something extraordinary, and now Ross and Petar are here to reflect on their journey—mud, memories, and all—while exploring the heartbeat of Chico’s running culture. Whether you’re here for the behind-the-scenes tales, the spirited banter (serious runners? not really...), or the chance to meet the incredible people pounding the trails and roads of Chico, this podcast is your go-to for all things running—and a lot of things not running. From the history of the running community to favorite routes, future challenges, and even the big existential question, “Why do we even run?”, Ross and Petar serve up insights, laughs, and plenty of moments where things didn’t go quite as planned. And speaking of incredible people: Chico’s running community is fueled by local legends, inspiring everyday athletes, and fantastic organizations like Fleet Feet Chico and the <stron
Episodes
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Built for the Long Run
If you run the trails around Chico, there’s a good chance you know Karen Weintraub’s name — or at least recognize it from a race result. But how well do you actually know Karen? In this episode of Pod on the Run, Ross and Petar sit down with one of Chico’s most accomplished ultrarunners to talk...
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Katie Runs for Chico
Katie Hawley came to Chico to run for the Wildcats. That was the plan, anyway. What she found was a place that slowly, almost quietly, became hers. A team became family. A park became home turf. A college town became home. And somewhere between workouts in Bidwell, long conversations, fun little...
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200 Miles Into The Flow
Episode 26 goes long. Before Ross and Petar sit down with today’s guest, they check in on training, Chico summer heat, good miles, fresh pavement, and a running community that continues to absolutely crush. BRC, CRC, Fleet Feet, Union Run Club, Colby Mountain TrailFest - the local scene is…
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Chico State's Humble Hammer
Episode 25 brings the heat. Before Ross and Petar sit down with today’s guest, they run through a stacked lineup of summer shoutouts because the Chico running community has been absolutely cooking. Tahoe 200, Dipsea, Broken Arrow, Headwaters, Lemurian, CRC, BRC, Fleet Feet — the whole region is...
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Sage Advice from The Real Deal Neil
Episode 24 is a full‑stride tour through the Chico running universe - community highs, big race breakthroughs, and the kind of mid‑life brilliance that only comes from someone who has lived enough life to know better… and run anyway. We kick things off at Global Running Day, where Fleet Feet…
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Race Recaps: The Community That Carries Us
This episode is a celebration of community - the people who shape our races, carry us through the hard miles, and remind us that running is never a solo act. Through stories from Boston, Eugene, Big Sur, and the Mendocino Coast, these voices share how togetherness, weather, terrain, crowds, and...
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Choppin' it up with Chops
In the latest episode of Pod on the Run, Ross and Petar sit down with one of Chico’s most quietly iconic figures: Bill Parnell, the runner you’ve probably seen floating up North Rim with Fred or Leia trotting beside him. Bill is one of those rare Chico characters whose reputation reaches you long...
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Girls on the Run: Where Confidence Takes Flight
In Episode 21 of Pod on the Run, we sit down with someone who helps more than one-thousand girls each year discover confidence through movement. Claire Johnson, Executive Director of Girls on the Run North State, is one of those rare leaders who doesn’t just run a program — she builds a…
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Two Pods, One Trail: A Conversation in Motion
For this special crossover episode, we laced up and headed out onto the North Rim Trail in Upper Bidwell Park, where we spent the morning hiking, talking, and filming with Nick Woodard of Tails, Ales & Trails. What started as a simple idea — two local podcasts meeting on a trail — turned into a...
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From 25-to-Life to 25 Marathons: A Story of Relentless Transformation
Episode 19 of Pod on the Run traces the life of a man who rebuilt himself through discipline, imagination, service, and thousands of counter‑clockwise laps on a prison track. Joaquin Jordan grew up in Los Angeles during the height of the War on Drugs, raised by a single mother. He was a strong...
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The Chico State XC Dynasty
In Episode 18 of Ross and Petar’s Pod on the Run, the hosts sit down with legendary Chico State head coach Gary Towne, the man behind one of the most dominant dynasties in collegiate distance running. After a quick warm‑up on the latest running news and local chatter, they dive into Gary’s...
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Motion is Lotion
Episode 17 brings us an important conversation with Dr. Alan Hivale — a Chico‑based physical therapist with a doctorate from Loma Linda, 15+ years in outpatient ortho, and a concierge practice built around one mission: keep people doing what they love. The episode kicks off with classic Pod on…
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We Came for the Miles, Stayed for the People
Ross and Petar close out an unforgettable first season of the Pod on the Run podcast — a year that started with a simple idea and grew into a community-powered storytelling hub. This episode brings together the voices, victories, and vibrant personalities that shaped 2025 for the Chico running...
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Flat Runner, Full Heart - The 50-State Quest
What drives someone to lace up, race across the country, and chase 50 finish lines? In this episode of Pod on the Run, Ross and Petar sit down with Sarah Batiste, a marathoner on a mission to conquer every state—already 28 marathons deep across 26 states. Fresh off running two marathons in six...
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The Vegan Badass
In Episode #14 of Pod on the Run, Ross and Petar kick things off with their signature banter - swapping stories from recent runs, race-day antics, and behind-the-scenes moments that set the tone for another unforgettable episode. But this one’s extra special. Why? Because they’re sitting down…
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Running Toward Greatness
From the streets of Chicago to the trails of Chico, Katie Crane has logged over 2,000 miles this year - and every step tells a story. In this episode, Ross and Petar sit down with the six-star marathon finisher whose running resume spans continents, cultures, and courageous feats. But Katie’s...
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Fall Trail Classic Recap
In this episode of Pod on the Run, Ross and Petar are joined by returning guest Shawna Batham from Fleet Feet to recap the third annual Fall Trail Classic, held in Upper Bidwell Park. They kick things off with a warm welcome and a quick reintroduction to Shawna, teasing the highlights of the race...
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From Bidwell to Mont-Blanc
In this special episode, we welcome back Logan Ziegenmeyer - Bidwell Run Club leader, community connector, and freshly returned from the legendary UTMB 2025. From the familiar trails of Bidwell Park to the rugged peaks of Mont Blanc, Logan takes us on a journey of endurance, emotion, and…
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The Biggest Comeback in Ultra Running
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...
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The Most Interesting Manny in the World
In this episode of Pod on the Run, Ross and Petar kick things off by setting the pace with updates from the local endurance scene. They touch on highlights from the Butte College Cross Country team’s recent performance at the State Preview, where both the men’s and women’s teams did well - an...
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Roadrunners on the Rise - Inside Butte College Cross Country
In this special season preview podcast episode, we spotlight a program on the rise: Butte College Cross Country. Coaches Mark Chavez and Kyle Fales join us to reflect on last year’s journey and share what’s fueling their team’s momentum heading into the new season. From standout performances to…
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Running with Purpose - The Chico Striders Story
In Episode 7 of Pod on the Run, Ross and Petar sit down with Danny DiMeo—coach, co-founder of Chico Striders, and a passionate advocate for youth running in Northern California. Danny’s story is one of purpose, perseverance, and the belief that movement can be a powerful tool for connection and...
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Built to Endure
In this episode of Pod on the Run, we’re lacing up for a deep dive into the mindset, miles, and meaning behind one of Chico’s most tenacious athletes. “Built to Endure” introduces Logan Ziegenmeyer, an ultra-runner with a heart as big as his race calendar and legs built for 200-plus mile...
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Race Highs, Trail Faves & Draft Day Vibes
In this fifth episode of On the Run, Ross and Petar go guest-free and gratitude-full as they recap recent race highlights—including Petar’s impressive podium finish in a 12K trail race in Lake Tahoe. They also share their Top 5 Trails in Upper Bidwell Park, revealing personal favorites and hidden...
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All Paces & All Spaces
Lace up and join us for another exciting episode of Pod on the Run! This week in running updates, we break down performances from the Armed Forces Half-Marathon, where Ross secured 11th overall and 2nd in his age group—running to honor those who serve. We also celebrate stellar results from the...
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Miles, Coaching & Shoe Game
Lace up and get ready for another episode of Pod on the Run! This week, we celebrate standout performances from recent races, including Ross’s third-place finish in his first-ever 30K at the Paiute Meadows Trail Run. We also highlight Fleet Feet Half-Marathon results and Logan’s absolutely...
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Miles & Milestones
Join Ross and Petar as they dive into the latest standout performances from Chico’s running community! From epic race wins to personal endurance challenges, this episode celebrates the moments that define dedication and camaraderie. They’ll also take a deep dive into their own running…
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The Birth-K
Out of 42 kilometers came a story worth sharing—more than just a run, the Birth-K was an extraordinary adventure that embodied resilience, camaraderie, and the unshakable spirit of community. In their debut episode, Ross and Petar peel back the layers of this unforgettable challenge, exploring…
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About this show
What happens when two buddies hit 42 and decide to celebrate with 42 kilometers? The Birth-K sparked something extraordinary, and now Ross and Petar are here to reflect on their journey—mud, memories, and all—while exploring the heartbeat of Chico’s running culture. Whether you’re here for the behind-the-scenes tales, the spirited banter (serious runners? not really...), or the chance to meet the incredible people pounding the trails and roads of Chico, this podcast is your go-to for all things running—and a lot of things not running. From the history of the running community to favorite routes, future challenges, and even the big existential question, “Why do we even run?”, Ross and Petar serve up insights, laughs, and plenty of moments where things didn’t go quite as planned. And speaking of incredible people: Chico’s running community is fueled by local legends, inspiring everyday athletes, and fantastic organizations like Fleet Feet Chico and the <stron
Hosted by
Ross Field and Petar Milardovich