By: Claire O'Leary

From high school star to Ivy League golden boy to pro underdog, Kyle Merber made as much of name for himself by being the antithesis of Galen Rupp as he did on the track. But what has @TheRealMerb been up to since hanging up his spikes earlier this year? 

1. He’s not finished yet.

Merber hasn’t been coy about potentially taking a run at the 2024 Olympic marathon trials (a distance he has yet to debut in). In the meantime, Merber’s generous definition of retirement includes an average of 50 miles a week and a handful of workouts a month.

2. He has a few irons in the fire.

In addition to having a “real job” at American Express, Merber also finds himself in the announcing booth with Citius Magazine’s Chris Chavez. He also started The Lap Count, a weekly newsletter that breaks down the latest action on the track.

“If you think there’s something that should be in the sport you have a duty to create it,” he says.

3. He’s out to fix the sport of Track & Field.

“If the Olympics are the only thing that matters then nothing else matters.” Merber said he’d like nothing more than for domestic titles to carry prestige and to win over athletes dodging each other and chasing standards in secret time trials--and athlete incentives would play a huge role in that.

4. He has a knack for engaging announcing.

COVID has sparked the rise of the secret micro meet, and core to that is a stellar video feed. Merber sees himself as “the Tony Roma of track and field” with his quick transition to the booth, but says that lets him understand what’s really happening on the track.

5. He made a few bold predictions for the Tokyo Olympics.

Put on the spot for a bold upset should the Tokyo Olympics actually happen, he tapped women’s 400 meter hurdle specialist Shamier Little for gold. He also put in a word for longtime buddy Johnny Gregorak in the men’s 1500.