• Boston Marathon 2024 Special
    Apr 13 2024

    The Boston Marathon is a big deal. It's this weekend. And we found Leto and Largo runners who competed in the prestigious spring race (they aren't the only ones). So, the alternate title could be ATMM Goes to Boston. Hear the words (occasionally of the four-letter variety) from John Brennan (Largo Class of 84) and Matt Heiser (Leto Class of 85). Thanks for coming along for the run! Music credits: "Out on my Skateboard", Mini Vandals; "Is This Really Happening," TrackTribe

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    34 mins
  • November 1980: The Letter
    Jan 31 2024

    In early 1979, Mark Altimari didn't know much about Largo cross country. His family had moved recently from suburban Philadelphia to Tampa, and he was a confessed "wrestling dummy" at his new school, Leto High. Then, he met Leto coach Bobby Ennis, "the first adult to truly believe in me," Altimari said. He soon learned more about the rival Packers and more about cross country, and then more about the work it would take to take down Largo. The events of fall 1980 on cross country courses in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties didn't end Altimari's interaction with Largo. Instead, a letter created a lifelong bond. This episode of All The Miles Mattered goes in-depth on the mail sent to Altimari after the state meet in 1980, which in 4A boys competition was decided by 3 points.

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    15 mins
  • Belen’s book not yet finished
    Nov 16 2023

    Belen Jesuit in Miami has won more FHSAA boys cross country state championships than any program. This weekend, Belen goes for the 15th title in program history. Coach Frankie Ruiz's team has its sights on other championships, as it will run at least one other race after the 3A state meet on Friday, Nov. 17 in Tallahassee. In this episode of All The Miles Mattered, Ruiz talks history, his call to Coach Brent Haley in 2019, his runners' quest for 15, and more.

    Music: Mini Vandals, Out On My Skateboard

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    32 mins
  • Chasing 15: A closer look at 1983 Largo
    Nov 5 2023

    This episode of All The Miles Mattered, the third of Season 2 and the 22nd if you count the trailer, has a lot of familiar voices in the story of Largo, Leto and the challengers to those programs’ dominance in cross country. It also has a new one, from a challenger the dominant 1983 Largo team never saw. It’s a voice from 2,000 miles away, a coach who expected maximum effort from his runners. The episode also takes a deeper look at just how good the Packers were, how that famous five-across photo came about, and how the returning Largo runners dealt with a new teammate. Come along for the run! Music: Mini Vandals (Out On My Skateboard, Inconsciousness), Bob Bedell (acoustic version of Video Killed The Radio Star)

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    32 mins
  • Out There With My Brothers
    Oct 23 2023

    Chris Palmer, a 1984 Largo graduate, was part of three cross country state titles for the Packers in the early 1980s. This episode features Palmer's talk at the start of the Sept. 15 reunion of Largo runners, which came one night after the track at Largo was named for Coach Brent Haley. Special thanks to Largo's Mike Fowler for the audio.

    Music: Is This Really Happening (Track Tribe)

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    17 mins
  • Track Tribute, Reunion Reminiscing
    Oct 5 2023

    Welcome to the start of Season 2 of All The Miles Mattered. This is as close to a news episode as you’re going to get for a story 50 years in the making. Last month, at halftime of a Largo High School football game, the track at the stadium got a new name and also a familiar name. It was the first of two nights honoring Coach Brent Haley. Come along for the run!

    Sound: Turn3 Productions Largo High School PA Music: Mini Vandals (Out On My Skateboard) BK Productions

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    22 mins
  • Coach Z: Muscles and magnetism
    Jun 22 2023

    Leto's cross country program in the 1980s was on par with Largo's. The Long Red Row won five 4A state titles in the decade, just ahead of the Packers' four championships. Leto had a disadvantage then against Largo when it came to developing talent: It was a three-grade school, and Largo had four grades. So while Largo coach Brent Haley could develop freshman runners, Leto's Bobby Ennis had to wait for them to show up after spending their ninth-grade year in junior high.

    That's why the subject of this ATMM bonus episode was so important. His name is Phil Zimmerman, aka Coach Z, and he developed generations of runners at Webb Junior High, sending the "raw material" to Ennis. This episode is mainly an interview with Coach Z, but it also teases another critical moment in the history of the Leto program, one that can be called forgettable and memorable at the same time. Thanks for coming along for the run!

    Music: Mini Vandals (Out on My Skateboard; Fingerprint)

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    29 mins
  • I Wanna Be One of These Guys
    Apr 25 2023

    The formal structure of All The Miles Mattered concluded with the end of the Largo-Leto rivalry in the late 1980s. But the lessons from those programs and other runners carry on today. In the second of two bonus episodes are clips that didn’t make it into the main show. You’ll hear the voices of Tommy Hampton, Pat McDonough, Trey Culbertson, Nick Radkewich, and others. Photos mentioned are on my Instagram page or on the public All The Miles Mattered Facebook page.

    Music credits: Out On My Skateboard by the Mini Vandals; BK Productions

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    24 mins