Chipotle x Strava: The City Challenge – Motivating Runners One Burrito Bowl at a Time

Guest [00:00:00]: And you saw people running, like, the equivalent of five marathons in the last two days of the challenge. I think that free Chipotle was motivating, and, I think that was you know, it's just a testament to that authentic relationship the brand has in the space.

Cory Nagler [00:00:18]: That clip you just heard describes the city challenge, which motivated runners across the globe in January with an opportunity to win free burrito bowls for a year. Through a partnership with Strava, Chipotle Mexican Grill became an unexpected leader in community building among runners. This tasty prize went to whoever became the local legend of various designated segments. Chipotle's been dishing out fresh burritos and tacos for years, but they're pretty new to the running scene. The challenge started last year by giving runners in five cities the opportunity to compete for free Chipotle for a year. This year, they went even bigger with 25 cities. And some runners went to pretty extreme lengths to win, running hundreds of miles on busy downtown streets. My guest today is the vice president of brand marketing at Chipotle, Stephanie Perdue.

Cory Nagler [00:01:04]: I reached out after hearing about the challenge to find out how it works, and learn more about why a little fun competition can be such a strong motivator. I'm a huge fan of Chipotle, and I do not recommend listening to this episode on an empty stomach. So grab a snack, or maybe your next energy gel if you're listening to this while on the run, and let's get into the interview. Hello, runners, and welcome to the Run to the Top podcast, where our goal is making you a better runner with each and every episode. I'm your showrunner, Corey Nagler. And I'm not an elite runner, but together, we'll explore new strategies and topics to take your running to the next level. This podcast is created and produced by the expert team of coaches at runnersconnect.net, where you can find the best running information on the Internet as well as training plans to fit every runner and every budget. Alright.

Cory Nagler [00:02:02]: I am joined by the VPree of brand marketing at Chipotle Mexican Grill. Stephanie, how are you doing? And is this your first running podcast?

Guest [00:02:11]: Hey, Corey. Yes. This is my first running podcast. So happy to be here with you guys.

Cory Nagler [00:02:17]: Amazing. Well, we're lucky to have you. And before anyone draws any conclusions that we're no longer running podcast, why don't you tell us a little bit about both what you do and why you're on the show today?

Guest [00:02:28]: Yeah. Excellent. Yeah. Yeah. I'm the I'm the VP of marketing at Chipotle, and, we have, through our our lifestyle bowls line, which is basically a curated line of bowls on the app, that really cater to people's dietary preferences, whether that's high protein, keto, gluten free, vegetarian, vegan. We have, engaged, with the running community with a Strava partnership, both last year and this year. And the genesis for that is, you know, Chipotle is one of the the few places, the few restaurants that, uses real ingredients. We don't have freezers in our restaurants.

Guest [00:03:08]: Our food is sourced with some of the highest, standards from animal welfare to, you know, we really support organic and local producers. And so it's one of those rare occasions where you look at the ingredients that Chipotle uses, they're all familiar. And and because of that, athletes at all levels love going to Chipotle. And specific to the running community, what we found out was, we did a survey of Chipotle customers and seven out of 10 runners who also love Chipotle use Chipotle as part of their training regimen because they can customize the bowls and burritos to their dietary preferences whether they're looking at, you know, gain or cut or shred. And so we found, you know, as a restaurant brand, a unique niche, even though we're used by a lot of health and wellness communities, a unique niche with with runners.

Cory Nagler [00:04:00]: Yeah. I will say so. Personally, I'm a huge fan of Chipotle both from a branding marketing perspective, but also for sure the food. I think it's fantastic fuel before or after the run.

Guest [00:04:09]: Awesome. And everyone has their order. Like, I what's your order? What's your Chipotle order? What's your go to?

Cory Nagler [00:04:15]: This this is such a tough question, and it's funny. You're, like, spoiling the surprise because I was gonna ask your order at the end, but may maybe I'll jump to that. I'll go next. Sure. Okay. So my go to order, I have to say, almost always go for a bowl. And I get half chicken, half sofritas, and then I get them to absolutely load it up with the fajita vegetables and and all the salsas and toppings. What about yourself?

Guest [00:04:37]: Nice. I actually use two of the lifestyle bowls, and I use them for different reasons. We have a Whole30 bowl. It's a salad bowl. It's under 500 calories. It tastes fantastic. It's got protein, so I go for the chicken, our super greens, lettuce blend, fajita veggies just like you. Love those.

Guest [00:04:54]: They're freshly grilled in our restaurant every day. Guac. You can't have a bowl without the guac, and fresh salsa. So, that's what my Whole30 go to and then there's also a balanced macros bowl. Pro tip on the app on the Chipotle app, you can customize extra light on the side. So what the extra with the what the balanced macros bowl does is you can go extra, lettuce, which we cut fresh every morning, the romaine lettuce. Whole heads of lettuce come into the kitchen. We're chopping them daily.

Guest [00:05:24]: So it goes heavy on the lettuce, light on the cilantro lime rice, and then, you know, chicken, a little bit of cheese. Gotta go with a little bit of cheese. Sometimes, fajita peppers, again, the guac, and fresh salsa. So it just depends if I'm, you know, looking to keep my calories intact or, you know, load up a little bit because I had a great workout.

Cory Nagler [00:05:47]: Yeah. I think there's a lot of runners, including myself, who are gonna be salivating listening to this. So let's let's get back into the city challenge. So you talked a little bit about this partnership with Strava. So what are the rules here, and where do these lifestyle goals you just talked about plan?

Guest [00:06:05]: Yeah. So as part of our work with, like, just any kind of fitness community, we know that January is always an important month to set goals. And we know that usually these community these communities are very committed, but it doesn't hurt to have a little extra motivation. And so, you know, that's why we think, you know, both everyday training and us being the place where you get real ingredients fast customized, but also, like, how do we we go into your lifestyle and and help bring value? So we we thought, Strava was a unique partnership because, again, the everyday runners there, the elite runners there, it's runners of all different kinds of levels, and we wanted to engage in, a challenge for January. So last year, we did it in five cities. This year, we expanded it to 25. And basically, we did a local local legend segment challenge. They were passed and and routes, created by the Strava community.

Guest [00:07:00]: They were only point two miles, and they ended at a Chipotle. Again, using that insight that, you know, after people run and train, that post workout meal is a big occasion for Chipotle. And so the the local legend challenge for the month of January was whoever ran that point two mile segment the most times in their city. And then, we actually added, another, opportunity. So, the most miles logged in January by a city, also got to win a free buy one get one entree for for their entire city. So the race was on over the month of January against these 25 cities, with local legends in each city as well as one city being the winner of of of free Chipotle for their city.

Cory Nagler [00:07:46]: And I think I have the standings in front of me. And anyone listening who's in San Francisco, I guess they're the lucky recipients of a buy one get one.

Guest [00:07:52]: Francisco. Yeah. Exactly. So, incredible. I think almost 2,000 miles logged and, which is just outstanding. And there was, you know, top three cities. You gotta also give it up to Tempe and Portland all the way in there as well. But, yeah, they will be getting a a free Chipotle, next Tuesday, February 12, the buy one get one in any city in, any Chipotle in in San Francisco, after 3PM.

Guest [00:08:22]: So, congrats congrats both to the local legend as well as, as well as to the entire city of San Francisco.

Cory Nagler [00:08:30]: And you have to be a resident if I fly down to San Francisco? Am I eligible for the offer?

Guest [00:08:35]: You can you can fly and go. Make the trek.

Cory Nagler [00:08:38]: Yeah. Anything for free Chipotle. Right?

Guest [00:08:41]: Yes. Exactly. Exactly. Yeah. And the local legend I didn't mention it. While the city gets, free Chipotle, San Francisco, this case, on February 12, the local legend in each of the 25 cities gets free lifestyle bowls for a year. So there was a a dual prize involved.

Cory Nagler [00:08:57]: Amazing. And what was the genesis of this? Are you a runner yourself, or how did you come up with the city challenge?

Guest [00:09:04]: Yeah. I have a great team, and they use the Strava app incessantly. And so, you know, they saw the insight. You know, Chipotle, like I said, has an authentic relationship to athletes of all levels. And, you know, whether it's CrossFit or or basketball or college sports, we see a natural relationship with Chipotle and we see that over the course of the athlete's journey and and that we love that role. And so for us, you know, as we continue to enter into different fitness communities and understand how we add value, a woman on my team, her name is Isabel, uses the Strava app all the time and said, you know, runners are passionate about what they do. They love Chipotle. Let's do something no brand's ever done.

Guest [00:09:46]: Let's let's do a restaurant brand has never done. You know, let's get on the Strava app and do and and and try to digitally engage, these communities around Chipotle as, you know, being part of their regimen over January. And and and hopefully, you know, those new customers that try Chipotle for the first time, it becomes part of the regimen even beyond January.

Cory Nagler [00:10:07]: That's incredible. I think your team is clearly caught on to the fact that runners are both passionate about athletics and the pursuit of bettering themselves, but also really passionate about food.

Guest [00:10:17]: For sure. It's you know, I think what you eat is just as important as how you train. And so, you know, we we we take that role and responsibility serious. And, you know, the idea that we're making fresh ingredients every morning and, you can customize it to what your diet needs are is is it's not it's not common at every restaurant.

Cory Nagler [00:10:36]: And how does this really fit into the ethos of Chipotle? Because when I think of Chipotle personally, I really think of it as one of the leaders in this sort of healthy fast food movement.

Guest [00:10:46]: Yeah. You know, again, you know, we love when whether it's a college athlete or nutritionist or a runner reaches out and, you know, we've done we've done sponsor me challenges, and you can just feel the passion and on the authenticity of, like and I think that's why the Strava Challenge, I mean, we log so many incredible miles and you saw people running, like, the equivalent of five marathons in the last two days of the challenge. I think that Free Chipotle was motivating, and, I think that was, you know, it's just a testament to that authentic relationship the brand has in the space.

Cory Nagler [00:11:22]: Yeah. Now is a good time for me to point out that this is not a paid partnership. We are not getting any form of payment, not even free Chipotle. We're just lovers of food and running here. So I think it's so cool just how these things are brought together and that you've caught on to a trend that you know, I think running clubs have become so much more popular. And it's it's so commonplace now for people to go down for either a beer or, you know, a nice meal like Chipotle.

Guest [00:11:48]: Totally. And I think I think our challenge was accessible. You know, it's a short it's a short segment. And you could see, like, if you follow any of the running clubs on social and and and and how they rallied around the challenge, I think pushing each of them who were participating as well as doing it for the city, which is really cool to see. You had, you know, runners, like, asking the mayor to run. You had runners, you know, bringing someone a piece of cake after their segment and really just kind of engaging as a community as well as pushing each other. And I think, that's that's unique for for for sports communities that you have that that social aspect, that community aspect, and then with that passion. It's not an it's it can be individual, but it also can be, you know, very motivating from a group perspective, which, I think also surprised us.

Cory Nagler [00:12:40]: And why do you think it is that these challenges get so competitive? Is it the food? Is it the community aspect? Because I do know last year, Washington in particular had multiple runners who completed over a thousand, segment attempts. And it it sounds like this year, some of the some of the cities even topped that.

Guest [00:12:59]: Yeah. For sure. I think it's that social nature of the Strava platform being able to see people's, you know, progress over the course of the month. So I think we're taking an inherent aspect of an existing behavior of runners on the Strava platform. And then we're just, like, you know, again, just upping the ante in motivation with with some free Chipotle, and that and that seems to, it seems to have have been fun as well as very motivating.

Cory Nagler [00:13:27]: And how does the prize work if you are one of the individual winners of a city? Is it unlimited Chipotle for the year? Is it a set number? How do you cash it in?

Guest [00:13:36]: Yeah. You could basically get free Chipotle every week. So, you you know, you for the fifty two weeks, you'll have a a Chipotle meal, once a week.

Cory Nagler [00:13:43]: Okay. So does it extend it in the next year if you win at the January?

Guest [00:13:48]: Yeah. So if we come back with another Straub partnership, you know, we definitely think that the free Chipotle for a year was probably the most motivating motivating prize, and and we see that a lot too. We have, we have athletes who hold, like, VIP cards and who have, like, relationships with Chipotle. And that's, like, one of the things that is the most motivating to create a partnership with Chipotle. So, again, we kinda look at athletes at all levels, and and we know that the value that the brand brings in terms of that aspect.

Cory Nagler [00:14:15]: Stephanie, this is kind of a detour from our main conversation, but what is a VIP card? Is this some form of sponsorship for runners?

Guest [00:14:24]: The VIP card, we basically we, launched a launched a celeb card last year, and it's a group of, like, our biggest superfans. And it was actually the first time we opened it up to, we know that, again, athletes and and influencers or celebrities love Chipotle. So they're part of the program, but also everyday superfans. So we actually did a contest in social media last year for people to show their fandom. And so it was the first time we opened it up to anyone. And it was it was really cool. Again, very motivating like the Strava challenge because you get this card of free Chipotle for a year. So, that's where it stemmed.

Guest [00:15:01]: And, and and and that's where you know, and with the Strava challenge, we're also giving runners that same benefit.

Cory Nagler [00:15:09]: That's pretty cool. So if you win the Strava challenge, you're in the company of all these elite athletes and celebrities, I guess.

Guest [00:15:15]: Definitely. Definitely. Exactly.

Cory Nagler [00:15:19]: So coming back into what you're achieving with the challenge here, why do you think it is that in general, people tend not to stick to their fitness goals and how do fun challenges like the Chipotle Challenge help to combat that and get people motivated?

Guest [00:15:33]: Yeah. We did a series of things. I mean, we know that our consumers are kind of always on with their fitness goals. But we know that, like, January, you know, like, post winter and, you know, that this, kind of the doldrums of the hall you know, at post holiday effect

Cory Nagler [00:15:48]: that, you

Guest [00:15:49]: know, January is is is very important. And I I think our consumers actually strive to do even better. They're just highly motivated, and it's something that, you know, I think it's that pursuit of being your best self, both with your diet as well as your as well as your fitness regimen. So we recognize that as a unique part of our customer base, and then, you know, we just we looked at, like, you know, the the first the January is what they call no quitters day. So if you can actually set goals and get past that day, then it becomes more of a habit. It becomes more of a something that you will achieve. So we actually, do do, activation on that day, to keep people motivated, a free lifestyle bowl. So, that was something that, again, another incentive movement challenges like the Strava partnership.

Guest [00:16:43]: And and just, like, even just the line of our our bowls, like, educating customers on how to customize Chipotle. I don't know if you, with your bowl, go on the app and, like, do all the toggles around, you know, how to customize it exactly for your macros that you wanna take, but that's something that is easily achievable through the Chipotle app. So all that goes into into January, and I think all that helps our customers, you know, be stay motivated and then make it easy. That's really kinda what we're trying to do is just make make that easy because it's it's not every day where you can get delicious food that also, you know, makes you feel good, and also meets your goals. I think it's a very rare combination. You know, food that usually tastes good doesn't usually do the other two things. So, and I and I think that's what makes Chipotle unique.

Cory Nagler [00:17:31]: I think you're completely right, and I love that customizability in in particular because I I find as a runner and an athlete, it makes such a big difference to choose what goes into it. And the types of foods that you love to eat after your run, some might not sit as well right before the run, so that's a huge plus.

Guest [00:17:47]: Right. Totally.

Cory Nagler [00:17:49]: In terms of the activations for January, I will put in a petition to expand the scope because I saw there were some pretty cool stuff during January, but it seems like not all of them were open outside of The US.

Guest [00:18:00]: Definitely. Definitely. Well, you know, last year, we we were in five cities. This year, in '25, I think we continue to learn. We listen to the to the running community. We listen to, you know, everyone's watching everyone's posts on social and what they're saying, what works and what doesn't. So, you know, we'll continue to grow. It's it we we feel like the partnership has been very successful, and we're always looking to bring, you know, how do we up the Annie Annie? How do we, you know, bring something unexpected to the challenge? But it definitely seems like we have something here that's unique because a lot of segment challenges are not point two miles, right next to a Chipotle.

Guest [00:18:39]: I mean, I think just the the ease of it really appeals to runners of all levels, and you you can see that in the results.

Cory Nagler [00:18:46]: Yeah. So in terms of those segments themselves, I I guess, what is the rationale for the small segments? Because a lot of them are sort of central hubs within the cities or maybe navigating pedestrians and traffic lights. Is is that intentional?

Guest [00:19:01]: Yeah. I think I think the insight is just like the path that's near Chipotle also just being accessible. But, yeah, that's one of the insights that we heard is like, oh my gosh. You gotta dodge street lights and and and and road obstacles. So, you know, that's something we'll always take a look at, but we're we're we're looking at how, the running community is is using Strava, what's the pass that they're taking, and then I think just connecting it to the brand is is is part of that segment. But we've heard good things on the on this on the on the length. And I think, again, that makes us stand out as a brand partner. But, you know, open if you have any suggestions on how to, you know, continue to ratchet up the the the competition and, you know, as well as any any any of your listeners.

Cory Nagler [00:19:49]: Yeah. No. I I'll put some thought into it. I think it's it's a cool challenge though. So love the setup and I agree with you. It's it's totally approachable. Would be curious why runners in particular, I think, you know, as somebody who's passionate about the sport, I'm I'm thankful. And I I know so many fellow runners who are excited about the challenge, but why not cycling or or weightlifting or another kind of physical activity?

Guest [00:20:12]: Yeah. We we've done activations in those communities. A lot of it has been, like, looking at kind of the the elite in the sport. So like CrossFit, we we partnered with Tia Claire. We put her actual Chipotle order in our app so you can access kinda what she eats, you know, one of the strongest women in the world. And so we've we've done that with different communities. I think I think Strava is something that I think to your point is something that you you can go beyond the elite athlete, you know, and you're really scaling your impact as a brand because you're reaching the everyday runner, and I and I think that's unique. But we have definitely gone into other sports.

Guest [00:20:55]: I just think there there hasn't been something as unique, to running, as well as, like, finding the socialness of this community. It's it's it's it's very different. The the passion, the energy, the vibe is very different. And that's a good thing, and I I think, it lends itself to different ways to activate.

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Cory Nagler [00:24:14]: That's a big part of some people's lives, but it's often done at home or in the gym. Whereas in a lot of these cities, it sounds like people are going out and they're scoping and looking for when other people are out running and maybe even going at the same time on the same segment. So there is really that community aspect to it.

Guest [00:24:29]: For sure. I mean, it was really cool to see that people have become friends, like, during this this during January. And, you know, we talked to a lot of the local legends, and they're saying that they're forming groups, you know, post January. I know people all motivated by Free Chipotle, but who love running. But it you know, I think that's that's it's that's really cool and something that we would have never thought of as an outcome. But we're glad that as a brand, we can we can play that role.

Cory Nagler [00:24:56]: Yeah. I'd love it if we could get into a little bit more of the storylines from the most recent edition of the the City Challenge. We talked a little bit about San Francisco coming out on top. I think there were there were 25 cities. A lot of those outside of The US. So I know Toronto, Canada, 1 of them included. What were some of the other cities outside of The US?

Guest [00:25:17]: Yeah. Also, we were in Paris, as well as London. So we Chipotle has restaurants there. We're we're we're new new to the scene, and we but we definitely also had, engagement there and, you know, runners, like, post run, you know, meeting up at a a London Chipotle, so which is really cool. Yeah. But that's last year was all US, and and this year, yeah, to your point, we this was the first time we went, to Canada as well as Europe.

Cory Nagler [00:25:46]: Awesome. Super exciting. And just bringing it back to The US, One city that I think was particularly interesting to follow and actually came second on the leaderboards, was, I believe, Tempe in Arizona.

Guest [00:26:00]: Right.

Cory Nagler [00:26:00]: And one of the storylines I saw there so there were two runners. I don't want to pronounce their names wrong, but Jameel Curry and Kevin Russ, I believe, who each completed over 700 miles on these small segments. Is that anything you accept expected to come out of the City Challenge?

Guest [00:26:17]: Not at all. I mean, that means you ran it over a thousand times. I mean, really incredible. And and you if you followed any of them on social media, they were pushing each other. The community was pushing them. You know, they want you know, they're it was it was awesome to see. And so yeah, you know, and I think they're both, you know, obviously running running enthusiasts who who do this all the time. And so for them to participate in our brand challenge, says a lot.

Guest [00:26:45]: And, yeah, I just loved loved loved the camaraderie, loved the competitive spirit, and, you know, yeah, you couldn't you couldn't, like, even imagine someone running five marathons in the last, you know, two days of the of the challenge. Like, that's an insane.

Cory Nagler [00:27:05]: And I think the the hardest part might be if you're I believe it was Kevin Russ ended up coming second. Does he get anything to show for completing that many miles?

Guest [00:27:13]: Yeah. We in a couple cities, we did, do prizes for second place as well. Just, you know, depending, you know, obviously, this level of passion from Kevin, you know, that that was something that we wanted to to recognize.

Cory Nagler [00:27:26]: Yeah. Absolutely. That's a lot of miles to put into a very small area.

Guest [00:27:31]: For sure.

Cory Nagler [00:27:32]: Yeah. I think one of the other interesting cities was my own hometown of Toronto. And, I was particularly invested not just because it's close to me, but one of my colleagues at the Canadian Running magazine, where I also work at, was quite invested in the challenge. And it sounds like there was actually an interesting outcome there where a runner uploaded a massive number of segments, last minute. Is that something that you've seen before in the challenge?

Guest [00:27:59]: Definitely it happens. I think in this particular case, if I'm familiar, is, you know, he was injured. And so, you know, I think he uploaded, you know, post his recovering from that injury. But I I do think that what we've seen is that there's pushes at the end and different strategies. Right? So, like, whether it's a city that, you know, five people have bonded together to get the exact same miles so they could be in a tie to, you know, what you had mentioned. I don't think, that one was intentional because I think it was post injury. But but also just like people coming forward like Jamil and Kevin, you know, at the end and really turning it on. So I think I think people are pushing each other, and I think that's something that's pretty common on the Strava app.

Guest [00:28:45]: But, you know, I do think this Chipotle challenge, brought out brought out the best in terms of competition.

Cory Nagler [00:28:51]: Yeah. And Stephanie, I think with the sharing, you're referring to LA last year. Is that something you saw this year as well?

Guest [00:28:57]: We didn't see that this year. So but, I mean but it does speak to the ingenuity of of the communities and and also just the camaraderie. But yeah. No. Not this year.

Cory Nagler [00:29:06]: Runners are creative people.

Guest [00:29:09]: They are.

Cory Nagler [00:29:10]: Yeah. Okay. And then for LA this year, you know, I I wish the best to everyone in that city. I know it's been a a tough month there. I believe the challenge had to be cut short. So how did that work?

Guest [00:29:25]: It did. It did. Yeah. So, after January 9, like, once the wildfires started happening, it just we stopped the competition and awarded whoever had ran the most, times in the segment, and awarded them the local legend status. It just wasn't healthy. And so, what we did is really focus our efforts in the community to helping the firefighters and helping people who are evacuated. So we worked with Red Cross, And and if you, were on the Chipotle app and got a bowl of burrito, you could round up to to Red Cross, as well as we, committed a million dollars in burritos, to to the frontline. So we actually went to the command centers where the firefighters and police officers and first responders were and delivered our our teams and the restaurants delivered burritos straight straight to the frontline.

Guest [00:30:17]: So that's where we really focused our efforts, but LA has always been a great participant. And hopefully, next year, just wasn't just wasn't the right time. Didn't make sense.

Cory Nagler [00:30:26]: Yeah. A million dollars in Chipotle burritos. That must have been a massive shipment.

Guest [00:30:33]: Yeah. Yes. It was. Yeah. Well, it it's interesting. Like, athletes, I mean, like, you know, firefighters, police, they also have to be in great physical condition. So they love eating Chipotle. And so, you know, I think, they're our teams were were more than grateful to to deliver to deliver the burritos considering what the, you know, the heroic, nature of what they did for the city and, and, you know, so we played a very, very minute role, but, our teams and the restaurants were very proud to be able to help out their community.

Cory Nagler [00:31:08]: I think it's pretty cool that what started as kind of a a small challenge in five cities has expanded to the point where you have people putting in, you know, hundreds and hundreds of miles and and supporting frontline workers with burritos, you know, when you have something that gets in the way.

Guest [00:31:23]: Yeah. For sure. For sure. And then, you know, to your point, I think that's what people probably underestimate with, like, running clubs and running communities. They they they feel small, but this this challenge actually connects them, to have greater a lot much greater scale on a national basis where, you know, you know, you you don't just have people com com, competing in a city. You have them competing at this national level.

Cory Nagler [00:31:46]: Yeah. Are there any other storylines either from this year or last year that your team found particularly interesting that I didn't bring up?

Guest [00:31:55]: I mean, I think just go on Instagram and, like or on Strava and, like, just check out check out the vlogs and the content. And, I mean, it's it's fascinating. But, yeah, I think we we've we've touched on a few, and it's just more about, you know, I think seeing someone running the same route, like, so many times. And I think the friends and people that you pick up in the community along the way, I think that's the part that really gains steam. And that that's the really fun part to see in social.

Cory Nagler [00:32:26]: Oh, we'll link your, your Instagram and and x, in the show notes. So if you see a massive in plot influx of people wanting running content, you'll know why.

Guest [00:32:34]: Nice. Alright. Sounds good.

Cory Nagler [00:32:38]: Awesome. Okay. And then in terms of the future looking forward, do you expect that the challenge will continue to come back and maybe even grow?

Guest [00:32:47]: I think we're just getting started with the running community. I think, this this last year was we felt was a huge success. This year, we expanded it, got incredible engagement. And, you know, we're just gonna continue to try to find how do we add value to that community and how do we make, you know, make running fun, when and it doesn't have to be so serious and, you know, just an another reason to stay motivated. And it's just part of our ethos on, you know, you know, how does Chipotle make that easy for people to to to to keep on their goals.

Cory Nagler [00:33:21]: Yeah. Absolutely. I think it's a really fun way to motivate people to get out and run. Maybe just to wrap up after we've spent a lot of time talking about Chipotle and running, I think it would be fun to ask you a few kind of rapid fire questions about Chipotle. Are you game?

Guest [00:33:37]: Yeah, let's do it.

Cory Nagler [00:33:38]: Alright. Well, I think my first one was gonna be, what is your go to Chipotle bowl? But we've already answered that. So maybe I'll ask you what your go to order would be if it were not a lifestyle bowl.

Guest [00:33:52]: Okay. Good question. Again, if I got my workouts in, if you have tried our quesadilla, it's excellent. You can only get it through the app. You get the I can get the steak fajita quesadilla, comes with three different, you know, our freshly made salsas and guac. It's it's pretty incredible. So definitely don't sleep on the quesadilla. And, you know, I think if you're I think if, you know, if you haven't had our burritos in a while, also, like, great value, and just, you know, easy to eat on the go.

Guest [00:34:25]: So those are probably be I would probably steer you to two other entrees, but those two bowl orders are my go tos all the time. And I'll just usually more switch up the proteins. I I I know you know you said you were half sofritas, half chicken, which a lot of people don't know you can get half and half of the protein. So that that's definitely a pro tip. And especially if you want, you know, more vegetarian, our sofritas is an organic tofu, and and it pairs really well with that chicken. So that's a great combination. But yeah. So, like, for me, I'll also just on our bowls, like, mix up the protein.

Guest [00:35:00]: So, I'll go from our chicken, to our steak to you haven't had barbacoa. Excellent. It's our braised beef barbacoa. And we just finished up, with with our brisket. So yeah. So, you know, it proteins can totally change up your order. So, a lot of people are creatures of habit with their Chipotle order. So, like, they we kinda joke that, like, you know, whatever you started eating in high school or college, a lot of times doesn't change.

Guest [00:35:31]: I have the luxury of eating Chipotle a lot, and, so, like, I do experiment. But, yeah, I would I would encourage different proteins and then try out the quesadilla and burrito if you haven't had it in a minute.

Cory Nagler [00:35:42]: Alright. I wanna bring up a little hack of my own and find out if this is something you've tried.

Guest [00:35:46]: Okay.

Cory Nagler [00:35:47]: But I I love it. I always order guac on the side as something to dip in and then I love adding in, like, in every restaurant, there always seem to be some kind of hot sauce, Chipotle, and variations of that, put it in inside the guac and then use that as a dipping sauce.

Guest [00:36:02]: For sure. Our if you wanna get, like, experiment, you go on social and look at what people are eating through Chipotle. Like, to your point, the creativity on the dips is next level. So a lot of people take the Tabasco, specifically the Chipotle Tabasco and mix it with the either our sour cream or queso. It it's delicious. Also, they take our chipotle honey vinaigrette that comes with our salads. They mix it with the sour cream. Amazing.

Guest [00:36:29]: You got the spice of the chipotle, sweet of the honey, our awesome sour cream, and, it it it takes great as well as they'll take the hot salsa and mix it with the sour cream called dragon sauce. So, way more than meets the eyes on the dips front. But so if you haven't tried any of those, I can definitely change up your order.

Cory Nagler [00:36:48]: Yeah. Those are great ideas too. Alright. I'm gonna go to the next question, which I think is a really controversial one. But what is the right way to eat a Chipotle burrito? Do you eat it from the top? Do you eat it from the side? What's what's the right way to do this?

Guest [00:37:03]: You know, some people do it from the middle. I mean, so I haven't I haven't been as savage as that. That's true. But, I the other controversy is how you eat your bowl, if you go side to side or if you mix. I'm a side to side girl, but there there's there's there's lots of passion on the mixing, shaking the bowl, mixing, and then yeah. For a burrito, I I'm more I'm more a traditionalist. I'm going I'm going from start to finish.

Cory Nagler [00:37:30]: Right. But so for a bowl, are you side to side or from the top?

Guest [00:37:33]: I'm side to side. I'm side to side, but that you know, there's I think it's equal on the sides here on what's the right thing to do.

Cory Nagler [00:37:41]: Okay. Yeah. I'm I'm side to side as well, but that it's contentious.

Guest [00:37:46]: The other thing is whether you eat your your Chipotle with a fork, our fork or your own utensils or what's blasphemy is is a spoon. But people really love our fork, but that's that's the other ongoing discussion on how the best way to eat Chipotle.

Cory Nagler [00:38:03]: Will people bring their own utensils to a Chipotle?

Guest [00:38:07]: When they get it delivered when they get it delivered, you know, do you elevate with, you know, your own cutlery or there's just something about that Chipotle fork that just makes, I think, Chipotle taste awesome.

Cory Nagler [00:38:17]: I I think the wood is part of the flavor. Okay. I know you brought up the brisket as a meat option, and and this is a fairly new option with Chipotle. So I wanna get a little bit of your insight on your favorite food innovations. So I did a little digging, and it sounds like you've done some roles in the food department even before Chipotle. So if you had to take a pick between the Doritos Locos Tacos and a brisket burrito, which one takes the cake?

Guest [00:38:50]: I think they're both good for different reasons, but I have to tell you the the what I love about Chipotle is is I think, you know, for me, it's a really high animal welfare standards, our food with integrity, like, the real ingredients. We don't have freezers in our restaurants. We bring whole heads of lettuce. We shred the cheese. We make the guac from scratch. You know? So, like, for me, I really love the freshness of our food. So, I'm gonna, of course, give it to the brisket burrito. But there's there's there's no shame in the other product either.

Guest [00:39:23]: Different reasons.

Cory Nagler [00:39:25]: Yeah. Yeah.

Guest [00:39:25]: Different occasions.

Cory Nagler [00:39:27]: Totally fair. Okay. And then maybe the last question I will wrap up with is for any hungry runners who haven't tried Chipotle before, what's the best first time order?

Guest [00:39:41]: I would definitely check out the lifestyle bowls because they're they've been curated by by our chef, and they they definitely, are interesting from, like, a dietary perspective. It gives you ideas, on how to customize Chipotle, like I said, through our app. And I think it's it's it's really surprising for people, like, to really think about so many options. So that's where I would start.

Cory Nagler [00:40:04]: Awesome. Stephanie, at this point, I'm not sure whether I'm more eager to go get out and run or go eat a giant bowl of Chipotle, but either way, I loved having you on.

Guest [00:40:14]: You both. That's what yeah, winning combination.

Cory Nagler [00:40:17]: Good call. Love it. All right. Thanks, Stephanie.

Guest [00:40:20]: All right. Thanks, Corey. Nice meeting you.

Cory Nagler [00:40:36]: Thanks for listening to the Run to the Top podcast. I'm the showrunner at Runners Connect, where as always, our mission is to help you become a better runner with every episode. You can connect with me on Instagram at Corey underscore Nagler. Birth your strap up by searching Corey Nagler, and please consider connecting with the rest of our team at runnersconnect.net. If you're loving the show, you can help us reach more runners by leaving a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcast. Lastly, if you want bonus content, behind the scenes experiences with guests, and premier access to contests, then consider subscribing to our newsletter by going to runnersconnect.net/podcast. I'll see you on the next show, but until then, happy running, everyone.