Rizzo Run Club Podcast

What really happens behind the scenes of the ASICS Los Angeles Marathon? This week on the Rizzo Run Club Podcast, I sit down with Pamela Price, the five-time official ASICS Los Angeles Marathon run host.

Every race day, Pamela runs alongside thousands of marathoners, goes live on the LA Marathon Instagram, interviews runners throughout the course, and captures the unforgettable moments that make race day so special.

Beyond the marathon, Pamela is a respected leader in the Los Angeles running community and an advocate for trail running through her work with So Cal Trails.

The man behind the iconic Tracksmith Envoy van joins the Rizzo Run Club Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Joachim Cassel, former leader of the Tracksmith Envoy Program, during the Broken Arrow Sky Race in Lake Tahoe, California.

For years, Joachim drove the Tracksmith Envoy across America, showing up at major marathons, leading shakeout runs, supporting local running clubs, and becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the running community. We dive into the stories behind Tracksmith, the growth of marathon culture, the explosion of running clubs, and what it's like to spend years...

What does it take to run a marathon every single Sunday for an entire year?

In this episode, I sit down with Kati Israel, an endurance athlete originally from Estonia and now living in Montreal, who has taken on the remarkable challenge of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks. That's 26.2 miles every Sunday for a full year.

I recently caught up with Kati at the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, where she completed marathon number 22 of her journey. Along the way, she is raising money for charity while inspiring runners around the world to believe in...

The future of marathon racing may be changing forever.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into one of the biggest questions facing the running world after the record-breaking demand for the 2027 London Marathon:

Can the London Marathon realistically pull off a two-day event?

With more than a million runners applying for entry, the pressure is growing for race organizers to expand capacity. But what happens when one of the world’s biggest marathons stretches across an entire weekend?

We break down every angle of the debate:

In this episode, I take you inside the full experience of the 2026 London Marathon — from the excitement of the London Marathon Expo to the energy of race morning in one of the biggest marathons in the world.

I break down everything from the weather conditions, traveling through London, arriving at the start line on a private shuttle, navigating the starting corrals, and what it truly felt like running through the streets of London on marathon day.

This is more than just a race recap — it’s an immersive look into one of the world’s six majo...

Fresh off one of the most electric race days in marathon history, this episode breaks down everything from the 2026 Boston Marathon. From elite dominance to historic performances across the American field, we dive into the moments that defined the day.

We cover the race winners, key moves from the elite field, and why this year felt different — with records falling and American runners stepping into a new era on both the men’s and women’s sides.

Plus, with the London Marathon just days away, we shift gears and look ahead to what could be anothe...

If you're running the Boston Marathon, this is the only episode you need before race weekend.

In this episode, I’m joined by Boston Marathon finisher Leah Ruiz to break down everything—from the moment you arrive in Boston to the final stretch down Boylston Street.

We cover:

The Los Angeles Marathon 2026 was anything but normal.

What started as a perfect race morning quickly turned into one of the toughest days on the course — with rising temperatures, runners hitting the wall early, and a race that became more about survival than speed.

In this episode, I break down everything: what it felt like out there, how the heat changed the race, the controversy involving the elite field and a fan on the course, and the moment at Mile 18 that had everyone talking.

From the front of the pack to the middle of...

In this episode I highlight the course features in miles 1-13. The Los Angeles Marathon is a tough, challenging course and the first 6 miles present steep downhill sections and hills that can trick you and leave you feeling defeated in the later miles.

Tune in for the 2026 Dodger Stadium to the Stars in century City finish line.

Leslie Santos, aka, Dj Lezlee is a Dj at The Real 92.3 radio station in Los Angeles. DJ Lezlee recently found running and ran her first marathon at the 2025 Los Angeles Marathon. Since then she has found running to be her solace and has been immersed in the LA Running community.

Lezlee also gives us a sneak peak into working at The Real 92.3 radio station and all the artists and musicians she gets to interact with and meet.

Tune in to follow Lezlee's running journey and her DJ adventures all over the world.

The 5am Crew is a hiking group in Los Angeles and has gained national attention for taking big groups of hikers early in the morning at 5am to the top of the hills of Griffith Park, often showcasing amazing views above the clouds and views of the city early in the morning with spectacular sunrises.

The 5am crew continues to inspire hikers to start running with various running groups throughout the Los Angeles area.

The founder Omar Covarrubias, takes us on his journey to creating the 5am Crew and their plans to run the Los...

Dr Jess Mena is a well respected runner in the Los Angeles Running Community. She has been featured in Runners World Magazine and several publications across the nation for her running expertise. She is a talented trail runner, marathon runner and running coach.

Tune in to hear her incredible journey from Students Run LA, to marathon runner, to Ultra marathon runner to running coach, to Boston Qualifier.

Jess has a scientific approach to running and training and share some insights on running and the current state of the running community

Tune in for...

The LA Marathon Legacy Runners are a group of individuals who have run every LA Marathon since 1986. They are gearing up for their 40th consecutive marathon on March 16, 2025.

There are currently 93 members remaining in this exclusive group and while most of them do walk the majority of the race these days, there are a few that still run the whole distance.

Lou Briones also known as Legacy Lou takes us on a 40 year journey of the history of The Los Angeles Marathon. Cliff Hausego, the voice of the Legacy Runners also tells stories of the...

Welcome back to my 1st time marathon edition, where I follow the stories of three women attempting their first marathon at the 40th running of the Los Angeles Marathon 2025.

The women talk about the final preparations and the challenges with training in Los Angeles after the fires that destroyed Pacific Palisades and the Eaoton Canyon fires in Altadena., affecting the air quality for almost a month.

Join me in honoring and following the story of these three incredible women:

Kim Alvarez

Estrella Delgadillo

Lauren Garcia

Episode one of this special edition of the Rizzo Run Club Podcast features three first time marathoners training for the their first marathon at the 40th running of the Los Angeles Marathon on March 16, 2025.

The episode introduces these three incredible women and their unique individual stories that have led them to tackle the challenge of 26.2 miles.

Each month, we will get together and check in on their progress and follow them all the way to race day as well as the episode after the race to see how their journey finished.

Join me...

LA Marathon Ambassador talks about the Los Angeles Marathon, his thoughts and expectations of the 40th running approaching in March 2025. Anthony also discusses the LA Marathon Ambassador program and his participation with the Los Angeles Road Runners in Santa Monica, CA.

We also discuss his content creation methods and how he uses his social media platforms to create his art with a purpose to inspire runners and individuals to live their best life through running.

Anthony Bailey gets really candid about his life upbringing and the challenges and difficulties he experienced growing up which ultimately...

The founders of Dog Haus Running Club Azusa come to the studio in Venice, CA to discuss their mission for their running club and the community. They recently celebrated their one year anniversary and continue to run strong every Thursday in Azusa, California where they continue to make a big impact in the community. We dive into their individual running stories and how the club was created and their endearing love for their runners and the community.

We also broadcast the podcast from their one year anniversary where we interviewed several members of their running club as...

Guest Ezra Weisz is a fixture in the Los Angeles running community and is known for running in his tutu, a tribute to the show he works on, MIRACULOUS: TALES OF LADYBUG AND CAT NOIR. Ezra is a long time member of the Pasadena Pacers in Pasadena, CA and serves as ambassador for many races here in the Southern California area. His passion for running is evident but his passion for connecting with the community is his strong suit and Ezra remains loved and adored in the running community.

We also deep dive into the Los Angeles...

Guests and founders of the Running Mamis, Jo Anna Mixpe Ley and Raquel Román Romero, join the podcast to talk about the safe space they have created for Women, Moms, and indigenous members. The Running Mamis are transforming the community with their support for one another and empowering not only women but the community to understand the power of movement and transforming generations through movement and support.

We also deep dive into the LA Marathon and their thoughts on the race and how the race plays a prominent part of their running club.

The R...

Azusa Pacers are located in Azusa, California. The founders, Maria Delgadillo and Frank Delgadillo discuss the club and how it evolved as well as sharing their own personal running journeys.

The Azusa Pacers recently celebrated their 3 year anniversary and we talk about how the community came out to celebrate them

We also deep dive into the LA Marathon and their thoughts on the race and how the race plays a prominent part of their running club.

Eastside traffic Track Club is located in Whittier, California. The founder, Eddie Bernal is joined by club member Rocio Carrillo where they discus the club and how it evolved from various running clubs in downtown Los Angeles.

Late last year, Eastside Traffic had an incredible collaboration with a running club from Mexico City, Cartuchos Quemados, and continue their affiliation with Cartuchos Quedamos, a true story of community and breaking barriers beyond borders.

We also deep dive into the LA Marathon and our own strategies with navigating the course and how to conquer a personal best...

Malibu Moves race director Erica Segel joins the podcast to talk about her inaugural event in Malibu, CA. The 5k and half marathon will take place in October with incredible views of the ocean and Santa Monica mountains. Tune in to hear how the race was started and the vision and expectations for this inaugural event.

Erica is joined by Malibu Moves race ambassador Francis Robles from the Whittier Pacers in Whittier, CA. Malibu Moves has an ambassador program in place to represent the community and Francis is one of many representing this event. Tune in to...

Guest Gracee Weinrieb is the founder and leader of Cafe Jam Run Club in Sherman Oaks, California,. Gracee has created a safe space for runners in her community every Monday night in Sherman Oaks and on the weekends in various locations throughout the Los Angeles area.

Gracee started the club to create a safe space for women and Mom's to unite with commonalities while focusing on movement as the most important aspect.

Gracee is gearing up for her 21st consecutive LA Marathon this March 2025. She is a community leader and beloved member that everyone in...

Guest Chely Rodriguez leads the running group, Valley Runners Los Angeles, also known as VRLA. Chely discusses the San Fernando Valley running scene and how the Valley has seen a big growth in runners and running clubs.

Valley Runners Los Angeles has a unique set up as they rotate on a monthly basis through various cities in the San Fernando Valley. With this rotation, they are able to reach various runners throughout the whole valley.

VRLA also has a partnership with LA Marathon and every year has pinatas hanging in the course at mile 20 and...

Guest Jocelyn Rivas holds the current world record for the youngest woman to run 100 marathons. Jocelyn is a longtime Los Angeles resident. She is a sponsored athlete and a Los Angeles Marathon Ambassador.

Jocelyn talks about her recent run at Western States 100. She also discusses her partnership with the San Francisco Marathon and affiliations with HOKA, Maurten and numerous more running sponsors.

She also discusses holding the current world record for youngest woman to run 100 marathons and the journey to that accomplishment.

Jocelyn was born with some medical issues and was told she...

Guest Miguel Peralta is a Los Angeles Marathon Ambassador, LA Marathon Pace Leader and a member of the Los Angeles Road Runner program. . Miguel shares his insights of his running journey, his training, the Los Angeles running community, the Los Angeles Road Runners, The LA Marathon and the 2025 LA Marathon which will be the 40th anniversary.

At the 2024 LA Marathon, Miguel led the 2:55 Pace group and ran the course to perfection at 2:54. Listen to his insights how to properly run the LA Marathon course. His practices can be used for any marathon course

Guest Liz Aguiniga, is the leader of Latinos Run Los Angeles and is a Los Angeles Lululemon ambassador. She is a community leader in the Los Angeles Running Community.

Guest, Alan Figueroa is the founder of the LADWPacers, the running club at the Department of Water and Power in Downtown Los Angeles. Alan is also a Los Angeles Lululemon ambassador and is a community leader in the LA Running community.

Both guests continue to collaborate each weekend in the Los Angeles running community with numerous running events and community runs. Learn how they navigate through...

Guest Rolando Cruz is the leader of the Boyle Heights Bridge Runners. Rolando shares his insights of the city of Boyle Heights and the community that has evolved around the running club, The Boyle Heights Bridge Runners.

The Boyle Heights Bridge Runners have been featured on the Anthony Bourdain Show, The Roy Choi show, The Today show and are constantly being featured on major news stories such as CNN and The LA Times to name a few.

Rolando discusses his love for Boyle Heights, gentrification in Boyle Heights and Los Angeles and the running culture...

Guest Julie Weiss, aka Marathon Goddess, is a Los Angeles Marathon Ambassador, published author and motivational speaker. She appeared in the movie, Spirit of the Marathon Part two and ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks. She has raised over 1 million dollars for Pancreatic Cancer research.

Julie gives her insights how she was able to run a marathon every weekend for a year, what truly inspired her and how her mental toughness leads the way to inspire and create amazing stories in the Los Angeles running community and the nation and world.

Listen in for a tremendous story...

Every year, The McCourt Foundation organizes the LA Marathon. Guests, Lucie Murray and David Levine discuss the upcoming 40th anniversary of the LA Marathon as well as the history and behind the scenes of the race and the upcoming 40th running.

We also discuss the structure of the Los Angeles Road Runner program, the official training program for the LA Marathon which meets on Saturday's in Santa Monica, Griffith Park and our new location on Sunday's, Balboa Park in Encino, California.

Tune in for a great conversation about LA Marathon, the various course changes over...