The Runners Reunion Podcast

A life of running, coaching, and community with Sue McNatt

As a 10-year old Sue McNatt’s equestrian coach suggested she supplement her training with running to improve her endurance.  The next day she went for an endless run around the “block” and has never looked back.  Sue’s impressive competitive career spans decades as a high school all-American, Division One runner at Northwestern, and top masters runner.  Impressive as her running resume is, Sue's personal qualities as a coach and community member are even more notable.  Typical of Sue she attributes her success to the many mentors she has had during her journey including the many passionate members of our local running community including her husband Terry, Jon Waldron, Rich Benner, Chris Van Cott and Mike Shea. 

The 50th Anniversary of "Run For The Hoses" Marathon Tour

In this episode the Runners Reunion podcast was at the Morse Tavern in Natick recording live on January 14th.  The Morse Tavern is the second stop on the 50th anniversary of the “Run For The Hoses” tour celebrating Jack Fultz’s memorable win.  The “tour” was organized by Jack’s wife Jan in celebration of Jack’s long and storied history with the Boston Marathon.  We hope you enjoy this episode that features insights from Jack, Jan, Hodgie, and other local runners. 
The next stop on the tour is scheduled for February 19th at the Lower Falls Wine Company.  The establishment is owned by Phil Minervino who just happens to be a Georgetown track alum where Jack went to school.  Lower Falls is not only along the famous marathon course but also played a unique role during the running boom.  On any given day in the 1980’s you may have seen Phil consulting on the latest fine wine, Bob Fitzgerald manning the register, Ron Gillooly managing the Bottle Returns, Tom Ratcliffe training for the Grape Stompers track club, Shawn Whalen working in the convenience store across the street, Charlie Spedding refueling at the convenience store after reps on Pump House Hill, and if you stayed up late enough, you would see Greg “Slammer” Lautenslager running by with shorts on in 20 degree weather at 10:30 p.m. We hope to see you on the 19th!  Thank you Grant for the live recordings!

This week we catch up with Matt Centrowitz Sr. with a colorful discussion on his remarkable career in running and coaching

Growing up in the Bronx a young Matt Centrowitz was running with the wrong crowd getting into trouble before he entered high school. Fortunately, a move to Queens and a new start at Andrew Jackson High School running took on a new meaning when he joined the track team.  After transferring to the legendary sports powerhouse Power Memorial Academy Matt had a 4:02 mile and a 14:17 5k to his credit leaving high school.  After a year at Manhattan College Matt transferred to Oregon training with some of the best runners in the country under the legendary guidance of Bill Dillinger.  We hope you enjoy this episode that covers Matt’s remarkable career fueled by passion as a runner and coach.   

From Walk-On to Category One: Hank Pfeifle's Journey in Running and Cycling

As a senior at UVM Hank Pfeifle walked on to the cross-country team and instantly became one of the interchangeable top runners on a very competitive team.  The cross-country skier was inspired by the likes of Vermont legend John Dimick who encouraged him to give cross country a try.  Dimick was just one of the many mentors that Hank encountered during his elite running and cycling career that included participating in the famous Dr. Ken Cooper 1975 Elite Runners Study.  We hope you enjoy this episode that covers Hank’s unique journey from running down Gary Bjorklund and Mike Slack at the Maple Leaf Half Marathon to his remarkable  transition to compete as a category 1 cyclist in mid 40’s.

Running to stay alive with Vietnam Combat Veteran Tom Egan

With more than 110,000 miles logged that included 130+ marathons and 10+ ultra-marathons it is safe to say that running has been a big part of Tom Egan’s life.  As time has passed Tom has reflected on his experiences throughout his adventurous life including a year long stint in Vietnam during the height of the war.  Fifty years later Tom found the courage to relive his experiences in Vietnam through the stories of the courageous men and women in Al Santoli’s New York Times Bestseller Everything We Had.  Their stories were very similar to his experiences with the daily struggle to stay alive and the public hostility that accompanied the transition back to civilian life.  Join us in this episode as Tom reflects on his service in Vietnam and remarkable running journey that helped him cope with his return to civilian life.

Catching up with 1982 NCAA & TAC XC Champion Lesley Lehane

Growing up in Peabody, MA the inseparable twins Lesley and Lisa Welch decided to join the cross country ski team in middle school.  Unbeknownst to them the meeting they attended was for the cross country running team!  Before club sports dominated middle school sports and parents were, for the most part, hands off, the twins decided to give it a shot. From that point on the twins dominated the high school, college and ultimately the pro ranks.  Join us this episode as we follow Lesley’s career and her relationship with running sage Bruce Lehane, her coach and husband throughout her journey.

Join us this episode as we follow Richard Mulligan's incredible journey from one of the top runners in Ireland to the top of the Country Music charts decades later

Born at the notorious Sean Ross Abbey, Richard Flaherty was forcibly taken from his mother hours after birth. Good fortune smiled when he was fostered by the Mulligan family. Despite the stigma, supported by his adoptive parents while living on their rural family farm, and possessing an internal drive he first seized on his athletic gifts in football, then to running where at 17 he wore the Irish colors of the national team for the first time. Prodigious talent took young Richard Mulligan to Providence College and success, and on graduation he returned to win Irish titles on the roads, the track and cross country. While music had been a life constant, it was not until - in an understandable quest to find his roots - he discovered the musical pedigree of his father's family. Music then provided a platform to share his life story and where recently, he landed atop the Irish Country charts. 

Our guest this episode is 1996 Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier Kim Carlson Benner

Like many of us who started running in the 70’s and 80’s it was pure happenstance. After a stint on the west coast for college Kim Carlson Benner moved to the Boston area.  After a brief stay in Salem her sister’s apartment near the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Mass Ave in Boston on the marathon course had an opening.  Moving into the Eliot Lounge neighborhood Kim was quickly swept up by the aura of the Boston Marathon.  After watching a guy run by dressed as a canoe she thought “If he can do it I can too”.  At the time she did not realize she was taking a page out of Mimi Fallon’s playbook and entered the NYC marathon for her first race.  Her progression from that first marathon was remarkable, especially considering she continued smoking a pack a day while occasionally bumming cigarettes off the Eliot Lounge doorman.  Join us for Kim’s story of love, friendship, and her single minded focus that resulted in qualifying for the 1996 Olympic Trials marathon.

Our guest this episode is recent author of “Two Clicks Above Mediocre: An Athlete’s Story” Jon Berit

Our guest this episode is long time GBTC team member and recent author of “Two Clicks Above Mediocre:  An Athlete’s Story” Jon Berit.  Mediocre is an understatement in reference to Jon’s running resume and certainly his longevity in the sport.  For example his marathon PR of 2:29 would have placed in the top 117 finishers in the 2024 Boston Marathon which would hardly be considered mediocre by today’s standards.  Jon’s talent label was likely associated from his years at Providence College when the likes of John Treacy, Dan Dillon and Ray Treacy were just a few of the legendary runners on the team where running 25 minutes for 8K would get you a spot on the JV team.  We hope you enjoy Jon’s journey through decades of competing for the love of the sport fueled by the early influences of the running boom.

Catching up with Brad Schlapak the master of mileage and antique clocks

On December 3, 1995, the US Cross Country Championships were held at fabled Franklin Park.  Reuben Reina was the heavy favorite to repeat his title from the year before.  His plan was simple - stay with the leaders, unleash his signature kick and win two in a row.  Local fan favorite Brad Schlapak and Boston’s own version of Quenton Cassidy had different ideas.  Franklin Park was his domain, having raced there more than 30 times running for Narragansett Regional High School and Northeastern University.  Join us on Brad’s journey to that day in Franklin Park from his youthful aspirations to become the next “Rocky” to elite runner and master craftsman in restoring antique clocks.  
Brad Featured in the New York Times
Steeple Chase Clock