Episode 694: Rachael Rudel – After a Decade Away, She’s Now One of America’s Best

Rachael Rudel is having one of the biggest breakthrough seasons in American distance running. After years away from elite racing, she’s back in a big way. This spring she became the top American woman at both the Boulder Boulder and the B.A.A. 10K, finished second overall at the B.A.A. 10K in a personal best 31:31, placed runner-up at the USATF 4 Mile Championships, and broke the course record at the Horsetooth Half Marathon.

Rachael shares the story behind her journey, from battling an eating disorder that stemmed from an undiagnosed case of celiac disease, to making the difficult decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA gene mutation. She talks openly about rebuilding her relationship with running, returning to competition after nearly a decade away from the elite level, and why she believes she’s still only scratching the surface of her potential.

We also dive into her work with Front Range Elite, training under coach David Roche and now recently beginning to work with agent Josh Cox, balancing a demanding full-time career alongside professional-level racing, and what’s next as she eyes the marathon and beyond.

Rachael is one of the most refreshing personalities in the sport right now, and I absolutely loved this conversation.

Topics discussed:

• Rachael’s breakout 2026 racing season
• Finishing second at the B.A.A. 10K and becoming the top American
• Growing up as a multi-sport athlete
• Being recruited to Colorado State as a jumper before becoming a distance runner
• Living with undiagnosed celiac disease
• Recovering from an eating disorder
• Undergoing a preventative double mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA gene mutation
• Finding joy in running again after stepping away from elite competition
• Working full-time while competing at a national level
• The culture and mission of Front Range Elite
• Why she’s taking a patient approach toward the marathon
• Learning to race fearlessly while staying healthy
• What’s next for the second half of the season

Get connected with Rachael’s team:

Front Range Elite

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