Kassie Parker is in the middle of a breakout year, and this conversation catches her right in the thick of it.
After a rocky transition out of D3, where strong training at Hansons just wasn't translating to race day, she made the move back home to Iowa and found her form again. Now she's riding a hot streak: a win at the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and her first USATF national title, all while working part-time as a pharmacy tech and finishing up grad school for social work.
She talks through the mental disconnect that nearly pushed her away from the sport, bouncing back from a broken collarbone just weeks before a race, and what it's like running solo to the front of the pack, a habit from her D3 days that's carried right into her pro career.
She also opens up about brand rejections fueling her fire, her budding rivalry with Rachel Rudolf, and her marathon debut goal at CIM this December: a bold 2:23.
A reminder that the jump from D3 standout to pro isn't always smooth, but sticking with it pays off.
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Boulderthon
Are you looking for your next race? You hear Noah talk about how much he loves running in Boulder and now’s your chance to see why he loves it so much. is Boulder, CO’s signature downtown marathon series taking place on September 27, 2026!
Boulderthon has it all. From the 5k to the marathon, there is a race for everyone. Believe you can and you will!
Boulderthon is offering $20 off to our readers for the Half or Marathon. Use code D3GloryDays at boulderton.org
