Steep Ravine...Deep Thoughts About Running

Hosts Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank chat with longtime friend Steve Gerhart about his unlikely rise as a 6'5" middle-distance runner: transferring from Cal to UC Davis, battling injuries, winning the Division II 1500 national title, and running a 3:42 1500.

The episode also covers Steve’s post-competitive involvement with the USA Track & Field Foundation, fundraising to support athletes, and personal moments—family, coaching memories, and the joy of continuing in the sport.

Hosts Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank break down Chicago Marathon highlights, including Galen Rupp’s remarkable 2:06:55 at age 40. Then they reflect on the Nuttycomb cross‑country results before diving into Dave's epic return to Crystal Springs.

Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank dive into the Mountainside cross country season: expanding the coaching staff, managing a 65-person roster, picking 21 athletes for the Crystal Springs trip, handling injuries, and practical mileage progression for developing freshmen.

They also recap highlights from the World Athletics Ultimate Championships and recent road-race events, touch on college and high-school meet schedules, and share alumni stories and team culture moments from a UC Davis gathering.

Matt and Dave recap the Brussels Diamond League meet, highlighting big performances, tactical race drama, some post race smack talk, and standout winners like Cameron Myers and Claudia Kazimierska.

They also praise FlowTrack's Athlete Lounge for solid meet coverage, side with Jakob on the pacer replacement drama, and catch up on Mountainside cross-country.

In episode 103 Matt and Dave catch up on the start of high school cross-country season: coaching logistics, parent expectations at meets, team growth, and memorable anecdotes about athletes and families.

They also review recent elite track action, including Ethan Strand’s upset in Poland, Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s comeback, standout performances across the Diamond League, and two new world records.

On this Steep Ravine episode Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank sit down with Jeff Atkinson to trace his early life from Manhattan Beach junior lifeguard to Stanford freshman runner. Jeff shares candid memories of family, loss, unexpected recruiting moments, Kinney/Foot Locker nationals, training summers, injuries, and the shift from cross-country to middle-distance racing.

This is the first part of a two-episode conversation covering Jeff’s formative years and the choices that set him on the path to elite competition.

Hosts Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank recap a packed episode covering their Tillamook cross‑country training camp, Josh Kerr’s mile world record in London, and standout moments from the US Championships and Commonwealth Games.

They discuss race tactics, surprise winners, rising stars, and notable performances, then close with reflections on Mary Cain’s book and a promising high‑school talent. Brief, candid, and full of running insight.

Hosts Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank mark the Steep Ravine Podcast's 100th episode with special guest Chris Capeau. Chris shares his story of perseverance to become the first in his family to graduate from college, to realize his dream job as a track coach, and to prevail through the extraordinary transition from high school coach to coach of the generational talent, Cooper Lutkenhaus.

The wide-ranging conversation covers coaching philosophy, gut coaching decisions, and preparing and protecting a teenage athlete who found himself amidst the world's very best.

Dave thrives in France and Spain for three-and-a-half-weeks despite travel delays, wrong connections, three emergency-room visits, stitches, and dental work.

He still attended the Paris Diamond League, sat with Evan Jager, drank a beer with Andrew Coscoran, watched record-setting races, enjoyed local food and wine, did some epic hikes and returned home to coaching and recovery.

Matt stayed home and did not go to the emergency room once.

Matt and Dave recap the NCAA Division I Track & Field Championships Car Talk style, as Dave drives from Eugene back to Portland. Listen in to get the skinny on the new 110M Hurdle world record, crazy mishaps in the 4x100 relay final, surprising tactics in the women's 10K Final, a notable disqualification. Plus other big things happening in the world of track and field.

Hosts Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank recap a packed high-school track week, covering California and Oregon district and state meets, standout performances, and surprising results.

They spotlight Mountainside athletes Lucas and Miranda, discuss training, injuries, race tactics, and memorable moments from sprinters to distance runners.

The episode also previews NCAA regionals, shares coaching insights, and celebrates the highs and lows of the season.

Hosts Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank chat about the last-minute excitement before Mountainside's district track meet, coaching strategies, and memorable athlete stories.

They recap college and pro meets (including Diamond League highlights), conference championship performances, and the road to the Oregon state meet at Hayward Field.

Interwoven with personal anecdotes about team logistics, parent support, food, and new favorite drinks, the episode blends practical coaching insight with lighthearted behind-the-scenes moments.

Hosts Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank break down the astonishing London Marathon where two men ran under two hours, the role of shoes and strategy, and standout performances across the field.

They also cover Chico State's 5K conference championship ownage, Valerie Sion's wedding, NCAA and last-chance meet stories, local high school coaching wins, and upcoming pro meets and Diamond League events.

Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank sit down with Gary Walton to trace his journey from high‑school runner to UC Davis coach and founding dean of the Graduate School of Management. They discuss Walton’s coaching philosophy, the Sage's 10‑mile tradition, his 88‑mile endurance run, a dramatic Achilles injury and comeback, and later life passions like jazz saxophone and mentoring in Prague.

The episode highlights themes of leadership, balance, and the lasting impact a coach can have on athletes’ lives, showing how athletics can shape character and lifelong success.

Matt and Dave recap a packed weekend of track and field: the Boston Marathon’s thrilling finishes, standout American performances, and veteran runners making headlines.

They also cover major collegiate meets including the Brian Clay Invitational and Mt. SAC, highlight record-breaking efforts and emerging NCAA stars, and share personal stories from past races and coaching updates.

Matt and Dave trade stories from the high school track circuit — weather, PRs, coaching tweaks, and standout performances at local meets.

They chat about some Arcadia Invitational highlights, review the Australian national championships, spotlight a rising Australian sprint star, and tease ideas for the podcast's 100th episode.

Hosts Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank catch up on life in Napa—Matt describes swapping Roundup for sheep, cultivating and rolling the vineyard, and shares small‑town farming stories.

They also break down recent track & field highlights: Shelby Hillahan’s 10K attempt, Kai Robinson and Woody Kincaid’s duel, Jane Hedengren’s NCAA‑level 10K, Cooper Lutkenhaus’s 800m world indoor win at 17, Stanford meet breakouts, college and high‑school results, coaching updates, and upcoming meets.

Matt and Dave interview Gary Towne, longtime Chico State cross country and track coach, about his 30-year career building a nationally competitive distance program and the culture behind sustained success.

Gary discusses recruiting, athlete development, training philosophy, memorable races, alumni support, and the programs remarkable consistency, including a decades-long streak of conference 5K winners.

In this episode Matt and Dave speak with Peter Goldmacher about the Thousand Mile Club, a running program at San Quentin where incarcerated men train to run a marathon and find purpose, community, and rehabilitation.

They discuss the club’s impact, coaching practices, the documentary 26.2 to Life, sponsor support, and how running helps transform lives both inside and beyond the prison walls.

Episode 88 of the Steep Ravine Podcast features Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank talking with Brad Barquist about his running journey from Bellevue and Interlake High School to the University of Michigan and a professional career with Mizuno. They cover his rapid rise in high school and college, coaching relationships, and memorable PRs and All‑American performances.

The conversation culminates with Brad’s dramatic making of the 1996 U.S. Olympic 10,000m team — training in Georgia’s heat, battling Achilles issues, and rallying through the trials.