Run the 313 5K

This year’s Run the 313 5K isn’t just about chasing fast times on a flat Detroit course—it’s also about following the stories unfolding at the front of the pack. After the showdown at Dearborn Decades 5K, where Daniel Garza, Joseph X, Thomas Trala, and Malik Jordan brought both competition and camaraderie to the race, excitement is building again. What makes this group stand out isn’t only their talent, but their kindness, humility, and the joy they bring to racing. They’ve turned local road races into something bigger: a story worth following, one finish line at a time.

At Dearborn, the buzz was electric. Daniel stormed home with a new course record, Malik came in second, and Joseph edged Thomas after a dramatic final turn. It was the kind of race that had spectators leaning over the fence and cheering louder with every stride. These weren’t just results—they were moments that pulled the whole community in.

But those finish times are only part of the story. Behind every surge and sprint are the personal journeys fueling them. Ahead of Saturday, we caught up with Daniel, Thomas, and Joseph to hear how they got here and why this summer’s races have meant so much.

Daniel Garza is chasing a bold challenge in 2025: 25 5Ks in a single year. Run the 313 will be number 16 on his list. Known for his consistency and ambitious goals—last year’s quest was every 5K under 17 minutes—he’s become one of the names to watch at the front. This year’s Run the 313 will mark his return after winning the event in 2024, and he’s ready to test himself again.

Thomas Trala came to running later in life, starting in 2020 as a way to explore his new neighborhood. It wasn’t long before he built the chops to toe serious start lines—progressing from his first Detroit Half to qualifying for Boston at Bayshore, and now taking on world majors like Chicago. This season, he’s made the Trivium Series part of his calendar, chasing tough competition and proving he belongs in the conversation. Outside of racing, he balances training with a career as an HRIS Manager, often waking at 3:30 AM to put in the work. On the mornings when it feels impossible, what keeps him going are the people who tell him he inspires them. Knowing his story can light the way for someone else is what pushes him to lace up again and again.

Joseph X shares the story from inside the race. At Prove It, he remembers chasing Daniel off the line, with Thomas right there too, and realizing he was running against two of the best. “Racing against Daniel feels like racing against time itself,” Joseph said. “And Thomas has been a wealth of encouragement since the day we met.” At Trenton Summerfest, Daniel won the 5K, Malik (Joseph’s teammate through Machine Athletics and now a new dad) claimed the 8K, and Thomas took third in the Half. By the time Dearborn rolled around, Joseph knew the competition was only heating up. “Daniel set the tone up front, Malik right behind, and there we were—the three of us fighting for placement. Down the final stretch, Thomas and I were stride for stride until he overshot the last turn, handing me third overall by a whisper. That race proved what I already knew: this competition is far from over.”

Now the road leads to Run the 313. Malik will be sitting this one out, but Daniel, Thomas, and Joseph are all set to line up in Palmer Park. The race is sure to deliver another chapter in one of the most exciting storylines in Michigan road running this season. And with the Sydney Marathon on deck for Thomas, Joseph, and their WeRun313 crew, the story is still being written—one that reminds us what running at its best really is: competition, friendship, and the inspiration we find in each other.