30 Hours and Still Running?! Behind the Finish Line with Patrick Todd | Ep 92

Patrick's route into race timing was anything but direct. He studied marketing, pursued a commercial pilot's license, followed his wife Katie's performing career, managed running stores, and even started an accounting business before going all in on events.

Then there was his first Resolution Run: about 75 runners, a course ready to go, and 20 minutes until the start when he realized he had no timing plan. Volunteers and tear-off bib tags got him through. Learning chip timing opened the door to something bigger.

Today, Patrick says Timer Guys times about 200 races a year, and his work has taken him behind the scenes at Boston, Chicago, and Houston. He explains the technology behind photo finishes, why timing data matters for runner safety, and what it's like watching elite athletes chase extraordinary performances.

The conversation also gets personal. Patrick reflects on losing runners at events, the weight of responsibility, and why people take on these distances in the first place—from personal recovery to running for someone they love. Samuel and Patrick also talk about coaching young athletes, celebrating progress beyond the podium, and strengthening the El Dorado community.

• Flight school, running stores, and an unexpected career path
• The first Resolution Run's last-minute timing scramble
• Learning chip timing and choosing racing over accounting
• The partnership that became Timer Guys
• Losing roughly 80 scheduled events in two weeks during COVID
• Tracking runners across 100-mile, 30-hour events
• Photo finishes and working major marathon timing teams
• Faster runners, shoe technology, and sports science
• Race-day loss and the stories behind every runner
• Youth coaching, swimming access, and community collaboration

Whether you run, organize events, coach, or own a business, this conversation offers a look at the work—and the people—behind the finish line.