We trace Paul Wagner’s path from a shared professorship at Washburn to leading the Sunflower Striders and unpack how Topeka’s running scene grew from race-first to community-first. Practical training tips, trail highlights, and the real costs of putting on local races round out a lively, useful conversation.
• why a shared teaching role made space for family and service
• how running clubs shifted from PR chasing to social connection
• conversation pace, run‑walk, and simple plans that work
• Topeka routes from Deer Creek to Lake Shawnee and Shunga
• trail running skills, fueling, and staying present on technical terrain
• what it takes to stage a race, from volunteers to sponsors
• Boston qualifying, big-race energy, and destination events
• weekly meetups, paces for all levels, and post‑run spots
• Topeka’s future: riverfront vision, connectors, and a marquee race
• how to join Sunflower Striders via Facebook or Fleet Feet
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This episode is brought to you by Washburn University.
Graduates of Shawnee County High Schools and homeschools are eligible for the Thrive Scholarship at Washburn University. Other local graduates may qualify for the Promise Scholarship so you can go to college tuition free. Washburn is just right, just for you. Learn more at washburn.edu
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1:41 - The Job-Share Experiment At Washburn
7:20 - Campus Growth And Athletics Momentum
8:40 - What A Running Club Really Is
13:45 - Social Running, Tech, And Timing Evolution
18:10 - Trails, Ultrarunning, And Run‑Walk Method
24:00 - Marathon Class, Group Ethos, And Community
28:20 - Weekly Meetups, Paces, And Routes
34:20 - Trail Systems, Long Routes, And Events
41:35 - Boston Qualifying, Big Races, And Costs
47:20 - Shoes, Mileage, Triathlons, And Training Load
54:30 - Experience Over Speed And Race Economics
1:01:20 - Topeka’s Race Potential And Trail Vision
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