Long distance runner Deena Kastor was an eight–time national champion in cross country and set American records in the marathon, Master’s marathon, half–marathon, and 5K races. As of 2024, she still holds the American records in the10 mile, 8K, and15K races. Born Deena Drossin, Kastor won three California state cross–country titles and numerous other championships while still in high school. She was a four–time SEC champion and eight–time All–American at the University of Arkansas and won silver medals in the 2002 and 2003 World Cross Country Championships. During the 2000 World Cross Country Championships in Portugal, she lost consciousness after a bee stung her in the back of her throat, but she still managed to complete the 8K race and earn twelfth place. She competed in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympics, winning the bronze medal in 2004, but she had to withdraw from the 2008 Olympics when she injured her foot in the middle of a race. Kastor was honored with the 2003 Jesse Owens Award and was named USATF Runner of the Year in 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2008, among her many awards. In 2018, Kastor published a New York Times bestselling memoir, Let Your Mind Run, about her psychological and physical journey as an athlete. She joined the Marathon Talks podcast as a co-host in 2022.