In Episode 1 of our multi-part series leading up to the 2026 Drake Relays / Drake Road Races, Jon sits down with Cory Scarbrough to talk about what it takes to chase an audacious goal in midlife: win Drake again (after taking the title last year) and run sub-2:00 in the 800 meters as a master’s athlete.

The Drake Relays are a cornerstone of American track and field, dating back to 1910, and Cory’s using that historic blue oval as the proving ground for something bigger than a time on a clock. In this first conversation, you’ll hear Cory’s story, how the 800 “chose” him, and why his training is as much about fatherhood, discipline, and identity as it is about splits, mileage, and speed work.

We get tactical on what his weeks look like at 60 days out, the adjustments he’s making from last year, and the mindset shifts that keep him committed when the work gets uncomfortable. Along the way, we talk about tradeoffs, staying healthy, and the kind of purpose that doesn’t just make you faster—it makes you better everywhere else.

If you’re a runner, a parent, or a Masterlete chasing your own version of “the line,” this series is for you.