Maksim Chmerkovskiy Attends 2024 ESPYS, Ready to 'Run' If Peta Murgatroyd Calls with Baby News (Exclusive)

“If you see me run fast here at some point, that means it’s go time,” Chmerkovskiy tells PEOPLE

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 11: Maksim Chmerkovskiy attends the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California.
Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Photo:

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Maksin Chmerkovskiy is on daddy duty at the 2024 ESPYS!

Although the Dancing with the Stars alum, 44, is walking the red carpet for the annual awards ceremony, he could be leaving at a moment’s notice.

Speaking to PEOPLE at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 11, Chmerkovskiy says his wife Peta Murgatroyd could give birth to their third child at any minute — which would send him running!

Maksim Chmerkovskiy attends the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California.
Maksim Chmerkovskiy attends the 2024 ESPY Awards.

Frazer Harrison/Getty 

“I mean I’m about to run to see the sign that you have a third child,” he says of his “pretty highlighted summer.”

“Also, our second kid just turned 1 two weeks ago,” he adds. 

Chmerkovskiy and Murgatroyd, 37, tied the knot in 2017, and share sons Shai and Rio

“When she calls I’m gonna hang up, because she knows I’m here, and if she calls the second time, right away, we have a plan where I’m in the car calling her back,” Chmerkovskiy notes of his birthing plan.

He admits that Murgatroyd, a Dancing with the Stars alum herself, told him it’s okay to just text her back if she calls him, but he doesn’t want to take any chances.

“No. You have to just be responsible,” he says.

“If you see me run fast here at some point, that means it’s go time,” Chmerkovskiy explains. 

Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd
Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd. Momodu Mansaray/WireImage

The television star adds that he feels “fantastic” still being able to be at events such as the ESPYS because he already has two children and has “done it before,” so he’s not “freaking out.”

In March, Chmerkovskiy and Murgatroyd revealed the sex of their third child via social media, letting their followers, family and friends know they would be adding another boy to their family.

At the time, the proud parents shared the joint announcement, referring to their family as “a real-life wolf pack.”

Chmerkovskiy caught up with PEOPLE in April at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, where he continued to share his excitement for being a soon-to-be dad once again. 

“I already feel like when you walk around and you feel like you're part of the small club,” he said. “Now I understand what most of Utah feels like with a lot of kids in their families. I didn't before. Now I get it.”

The pro dancer added, “I do feel like mothers of two-plus kids deserve a special extra medal.”

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“You’re going to have to stock up medals for that. It's a lot of energy. It's about to be chaotic, and I love it.”

The ESPY Awards are airing live on ABC beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

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