Author: James Rogers

HR Pod: Seth Norder, Nolan Clark, Will Hewitt

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Photo by Miles Postema.
  • Seth Norder (front) and Nolan Clark (Bib 4) are two of the fastest high school runners in Michigan.

Seth Norder, Nolan Clark and Will Hewitt joined me in conversation for Episode 32. Seth and Nolan represent Grand Haven High School in Michigan and are two of the fastest runners in the state. They had incredible performances at the Division 1 state track meet on June 4 in Rockford, Michigan. Seth finished second in the 1600 meters with a time of 4 minutes, 7.99 seconds (4:07.99). Nolan finished fourth in the 3200 meters with a time of 9:08.74. They were also part of the Grand Haven 4×800 relay team that broke the school record at the state meet — the first Grand Haven 4×8 team to go under eight minutes. Seth and Nolan talk about the state meet in detail, their high school careers so far, team culture, summer miles and goals for 2022 cross country. I then welcomed Will on the pod to get a coaching perspective. Will is one of Seth and Nolan’s coaches, and he shares thoughts on Grand Haven running and what it’s like to coach two of the best high school runners in Michigan.

This episode is sponsored by Sportwatch. Sportwatch is a team management app built by former athletes for track and cross-country coaches. View team performance, track athlete growth and much more all from the convenience of your phone. Ditch the clipboard and pick up Sportwatch! Learn more at sportwatch.us.

Hooray Run Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Overcast, wherever you get your pods. Subscribe, tell a friend, recommend, leave a review!

HR Pod: Freelance Photographer Joe Hale on Running Photography, Tinman Elite, Temporary Move to Eugene

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Photo by Kevin Gunawan.

HOORAY RUN PODCAST RETURNS! Episode 31. Freelance photographer Joe Hale joins host James Rogers in conversation for this comeback episode. Joe is known best for his running photography, and his client list includes Nike, Adidas and Tracksmith — to name a few. Joe graduates from Manhattan College this week and moves temporarily to Oregon later this month to shoot big-time track and field events from late May to late July. Joe talks about his time with Tinman Elite, upcoming travels to Eugene and the best running performances he’s seen in person.

This episode is sponsored by Sportwatch. Sportwatch is a team management app built by former athletes for track and cross-country coaches. View team performance, track athlete growth and much more all from the convenience of your phone. Ditch the clipboard and pick up Sportwatch! Learn more at sportwatch.us.

Hooray Run Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Overcast, wherever you get your pods. Subscribe, tell a friend, recommend, leave a review!

HR Pod: Leah O’Connor, Professional Runner and Former Michigan State Standout

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Photo by James Rogers

Leah O’Connor.

Host James Rogers sits down with professional runner and former Michigan State standout Leah O’Connor for an expansive conversation. Now based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the 27-year-old discusses her hometown roots, decorated MSU career and pro running roller-coaster ride. Topics also include mental health, faith, writing, farm life, support systems and Harper (her dog).

At MSU, Leah captured multiple Big Ten titles—cross country, indoor track, outdoor track—and won a national title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (June 2014) and indoor mile (March 2015). She was a member of the undefeated 2014 MSU women’s cross-country team coached by Walt Drenth that won the national title in dominating fashion.

Leah’s 9:18.85 personal record in the 3K steeplechase set in May 2016 makes her the fifth-fastest American ever in the women’s steeple. Now sponsored by HOKA and coached by Dathan Ritzenhein, Leah is a member of the Gazelle Elite Racing Team.

If you prefer to listen via SoundCloud:

Hooray Run Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Overcast, many more platforms. Tell a friend, recommend, leave a review, SUBSCRIBE—thanks for listening!

HR Pod: Running in Circles Again with Cousin Mike

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Photo by James Rogers

Cousin Mike and his dog, River.

Cousin Mike makes his third appearance on Hooray Run Podcast. Host James Rogers goes all over the running map with Mike in the first portion of this episode, then the cousins talk music, time, nostalgia, Grand Rapids—many non-running topics but thoughtful conversation nonetheless. Mike also gets James to consider registering for a half-marathon in the fall.

If you prefer to listen via SoundCloud:


Hooray Run Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Overcast, many more platforms. Tell a friend, recommend, leave a review, SUBSCRIBE—thanks for listening!

HR Pod: Former D3 Standout Tim Nelson on His UW-Stout Career, National Titles, Army Lessons, Real Estate

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Photos Courtesy of Tim Nelson

Tim Nelson captured several national titles and set multiple school records during his career at UW-Stout.

Host James Rogers welcomes former University of Wisconsin-Stout standout Tim Nelson to the podcast. Tim was on top of the NCAA Division III running world in 2012, the year in which he won the D3 national title in the indoor 5K (March), outdoor 5K (May), outdoor 10K (May) and cross country (November). He set multiple school records—including a sub-14 5K and a sub-24 cross-country 8K—while fine-tuning his collegiate priorities.

Tim reflects on his prestigious UW-Stout career and shares how he became one of the best D3 runners of all time. The conversation also covers his Army service, his career in real estate and a prediction for the 2019 Green Bay Packers.

If you prefer to listen via SoundCloud:


Hooray Run Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Overcast, many more platforms. Tell a friend, recommend, leave a review, SUBSCRIBE—thanks for listening!

Homer Spit Trail

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Photo by Charlotte Pope

How about a run down Homer Spit Trail in Homer, Alaska? Arctic lupine looking fantastic on the Homer Spit, cheering you along the way on this piece of the Kenai Peninsula. The Homer Spit stretches nearly five miles into Kachemak Bay.

Emelie Forsberg’s 2018 Kungsleden Trail FKT Attempt

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Emelie Forsberg-Kungsleden-Day2(2)
Photo by Philip Reiter

Emelie Forsberg on Day 2 of her 2018 Kungsleden Trail FKT (Fastest Known Time) attempt. Forsberg set the FKT in 4 days, 21 hours. Read this Hooray Run post for more on the journey. I’m posting this photo in light of the Salomon TV film released last week chronicling Forsberg’s historic feat. Watch the tremendous film below:

Thanks again to Laura Font of Lymbus for allowing Hooray Run to share this historic FKT attempt in writing and in photos.

HR Pod: Cousin Mike on Fast Food, NBA Finals 5xMile Relay, Favorite Running Shoes

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Cousin Mike during the 2015 Grand Rapids Marathon.

Cousin Mike returns to go in tangents with host James Rogers. This episode includes extensive fast-food talk and a discussion on 2019 NBA Finals players running miles. Also, is Cousin Mike thinking of getting more serious with his training?!

If you prefer to listen via SoundCloud:


Hooray Run Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Overcast, many more platforms. Tell a friend, recommend, leave a review, SUBSCRIBE—thanks for listening!

HR Pod: Amanda Loudin on HOKA NAZ Elite’s String of Successes

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Scott Fauble crosses the finish line at the 2019 Boston Marathon, as sketched by Carly Peil.

Freelance writer Amanda Loudin joins host James Rogers to discuss her May feature entitled “HOKA NAZ Elite: Inside the Hottest Team Going” for PodiumRunner. Northern Arizona (NAZ) Elite—a professional running group based in Flagstaff, Arizona, and led by head coach Ben Rosario—partnered with HOKA in 2015 and had a breakthrough 2018 with multiple team members posting eye-catching results.

Now a 13-member team, NAZ Elite’s most notable performance came this year at the 2019 Boston Marathon, where 27-year-old Scott Fauble finished seventh in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 9 seconds (2:09:09) to become the 11th-fastest American ever for the 26.2-mile distance.

If you prefer to listen via SoundCloud:


Hooray Run Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Overcast, many more platforms. Tell a friend, recommend, leave a review, SUBSCRIBE—thanks for listening!