What Citius Mag does

Citius Mag is a privately held, US-based digital media company dedicated exclusively to track and field content. Founded in 2016 by Chris Chavez as a passion project while working at Sports Illustrated, the company transitioned to a full-time operation in 2021 and now operates as a multi-platform publisher spanning podcasts (five shows including the flagship CITIUS MAG Podcast, Off The Rails, Getting Chicked, The Final Leg, and More Than Running), two newsletters (The Lap Count and the CITIUS MAG Newsletter), long-form articles, video programming on YouTube, and social channels across Instagram, X, and Threads. The core product is free-to-consumer track and field coverage — athlete interviews, race analysis, and live event watchalongs — monetized primarily through brand sponsorships and supplemented by Patreon support and merchandise sales through a Bonfire-powered store. The audience is highly engaged for its size: 18,000+ newsletter subscribers at 60%+ open rates, 125,000+ social followers, 20,000+ YouTube subscribers, and millions of podcast downloads. Citius Mag does not develop proprietary technology; its competitive position rests on human talent (former professional athletes and credentialed journalists), an accumulated content library, and a deeply niche community that athletic brands value for targeted reach.

Name

Citius Mag

Legal name

Citius Mag

Website

https://citiusmag.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Citius Mag is a privately held, US-based digital media brand dedicated exclusively to track and field, producing podcasts, newsletters, videos, and articles. It monetizes primarily through athletic brand sponsorships and serves an engaged niche community of running enthusiasts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Sponsorships and Brand Partnerships: The company generates revenue through sponsored content slots in podcasts and partnerships with athletic brands including Nike, New Balance, Adidas, Brooks, Puma, On, and others. Sponsorship slots are limited (max 4 per episode).
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise through their online store (citiusmagshop.com).
3. Patreon/Support: Direct support from fans through Patreon platform.
4. Newsletter Subscriptions: The Lap Count newsletter and CITIUS MAG Newsletter distributed to subscribers, driving engagement and sponsorship value.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Citius Mag is a digital media brand dedicated to track and field that produces news articles, podcasts, videos, newsletters, and live event coverage. It distributes content through its website, YouTube, podcast platforms (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher), social media, and email newsletters, monetizing through sponsorships, merchandise, and patron support.

Product overview

CITIUS MAG is a multi-platform media company dedicated to track and field content. The core offering combines The CITIUS MAG Podcast (weekly athlete interviews hosted by Chris Chavez), The Lap Count newsletter (Wednesday morning race recaps with 18,000+ subscribers and 60%+ open rates), and CITIUS MAG Articles/Videos for comprehensive coverage. The network extends through multiple branded podcasts including Off The Rails With Eric and Aisha, Getting Chicked, The Final Leg, and More Than Running. Content is distributed across social media (125,000+ followers), YouTube (20K+ subscribers), and a merchandise store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The CITIUS MAG Podcast Weekly podcast hosted by Chris Chavez featuring interviews with top track and field athletes, coaches, influencers and personalities. Distributed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.
• The Lap Count Weekly Wednesday newsletter by David Melly, Paul Snyder, and Chris Chavez recapping the biggest stories, events, performances and controversies in track and field with expert commentary.
• CITIUS MAG Newsletter Weekly newsletter providing updates on all CITIUS MAG coverage, commentary, and content announcements.
• CITIUS MAG Videos Video content including pre and post-race live shows, athlete interviews, race coverage, and documentary-style spotlights available on YouTube with over 20K subscribers.
• CITIUS MAG Articles Written editorial content including news articles, analysis, commentary, and race recaps covering track and field events worldwide.
• Off The Rails With Eric and Aisha Podcast hosted by former pro runners Eric Jenkins and Aisha Praught-Leer discussing life on the track circuit.
• Getting Chicked Podcast hosted by Karen Lesiewicz, Megan Connolly Morant and Rachel DaDamio discussing running culture.
• The Final Leg Podcast hosted by Anderson Emerole providing balanced track and field coverage focused on sprints, jumps and hurdles.
• More Than Running Podcast hosted by Dana Giordano featuring interviews with runners and coverage of running culture.
• CITIUS MAG Merch Merchandise store selling branded apparel and gear for track and field fans through citiusmagshop.com.

Quantifiable outcome

• Millions of podcast downloads and top chart rankings on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for sports shows
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NikecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor athletic brand partnership. Citius Mag has partnered with Nike for brand content and athlete coverage.
• New BalancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAthletic footwear brand partnership for content creation and athlete storytelling.
• AdidascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAthletic brand partnership for track and field content coverage.
• BrookscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRunning shoe brand partner supporting athlete coverage and content creation.
• PumacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAthletic brand partnership for content and athlete storytelling.
• OncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAthletic footwear brand partner for track and field coverage.
• TracksmithcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium running apparel brand partnership.
• HokacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for marathon live watchalong videos including New York City Marathon and Chicago Marathon coverage.
• GarminminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWearables technology brand partnership.
• TherabodyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecovery technology brand partnership.
• OlipopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWellness beverage brand partnership.
• Lagoon SleepminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSleep technology brand partnership.
• Article OneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEyewear brand partnership.
• PatreonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatform for fan support and direct patron engagement.
• Butter StudiominorOthersDesign studio responsible for website design.
• Buena SuerteminorOthersDevelopment agency responsible for website code.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Track & Field News: The historic U.S. track and field magazine and results service. Direct comparable in subject-matter focus and audience, though more print/traditional in distribution model.
• LetsRun.com: Long-standing track and field news, results, and community forum serving elite and amateur runners. Comparable in niche coverage and audience but distinguished by community/forum model versus Citius Mag's editorial/podcast model.
• Flotrack: Was the dominant dedicated track and field/running video and live-event media brand, now owned by Runner's World/Outside Inc. Most directly comparable peer in niche, format, and audience.
• Believe in the Run: Running-focused podcast and media brand with similar sponsorship-driven model and athletic brand partner ecosystem. Slightly broader (road running) but overlapping audience.
• House of Run: Track and field-focused podcast network hosted by former professional runners. Closely comparable in format (podcast-led), niche, and host profile.

Broad incumbents

• Outside: Outdoor and endurance media conglomerate that owns Flotrack, Runner's World, and other running brands. Indirect peer through portfolio overlap and aggregator of niche running media.
• Runner's World: Leading running media brand with broader scope (training, gear, nutrition) and now owner of Flotrack. Overlaps with Citius Mag's audience but at much larger scale and broader editorial remit.

Emerging players

• Ali on the Run Show: Popular running podcast and media brand focused on personal stories from the running community. Comparable in format and sponsorship model, with overlapping brand partnerships.
• Morning Shakeout: Independent running media brand and newsletter with similar newsletter-led model and athletic brand partner ecosystem. Comparable in audience profile and monetization approach.

Regional players

• Canadian Running Magazine: Running media brand focused on the Canadian market with editorial, event coverage, and community. Similar audience composition but geographically distinct and more traditional in format.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/citiusmag
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/CitiusMag
• Instagraminstagram.com/citiusmag
• Facebookfacebook.com/citiusmag
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/citius-mag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Citius Mag