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5K Running Coaches

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13 coaches found

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Joe Shayne

Joe Shayne

New York, New York, United States

5km Competitive Boston Marathon

5.0 (1) RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. +2

Joe offers flexible, structured coaching for 5K–marathon runners. USATF/VDOT/RRCA-certified, he's guided 1,000+ runners including 20+ Boston qualifiers.

Starting at $25.00

Dami Alao

Dami Alao

Alexandria, Virginia, United States

5km Competitive Boston Marathon

5.0 (1) RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Dami builds consistency through full diagnostics of mechanics, strength, breathwork and aerobic limits, then crafts individualized plans. RRCA Level 1; private in-person or remote coaching.

Starting at $400.00

Juan Carlos Arcos Lira

Juan Carlos Arcos Lira

Acolman, CDMX, Mexico

5km Competitive Boston Marathon

RRCA Level 2 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 2 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Juan Carlos guides beginners to 5K–marathon athletes with science-based, structured plans. VDOT O2 & RRCA L2 certified; offers private coaching, plans and consultations.

Starting at $30.00

Bruce MCINTOSH

Bruce MCINTOSH

BOARDMAN, Ohio, United States

5km Competitive Beginner

RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Bruce guides 5K–marathon runners with nearly 20 years' experience and 300+ races (14 marathons). RRCA & VDOT O2 certified; offers private in-person and remote coaching.

Starting at $120.00

Cary Morgan

Cary Morgan

Vestavia, Alabama, United States

5km Competitive High School

RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Cary Morgan offers remote private coaching grounded in exercise science and PT expertise. VDOT O2, RRCA, UESCA-certified for all distances and levels.

Starting at $125.00

Derrick Isaac

Derrick Isaac

Smyrna, Delaware, United States

5km Recreational Beginner

RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Derrick brings 20+ years, a Division I background and military discipline to coach beginners through marathoners. Offers remote, group and private plans—explore his coaching.

Starting at $120.00

Andrew Samuels

Andrew Samuels

New York, NY, United States

5km Competitive High School

RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Andrew tailors in-person and remote plans for busy runners (5K–marathon), pairing VDOT O2 & RRCA coaching with NASM strength work to prevent injury and boost speed.

Starting at $150.00

Joseph Gendy

Joseph Gendy

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

5km Competitive Boston Marathon

RRCA Level 2 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 2 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Joseph builds VDOT plans for beginners through masters and Boston hopefuls. RRCA L2 coach who led three athletes to marathon PRs; offers remote training and private coaching.

Starting at $80.00

Brian Lock

Brian Lock

Dunlap, Illinois, USA

5km Competitive Boston Marathon

RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Brian offers remote, athlete-centered TrainingPlans for 5K–marathoners—recreational, masters, competitive and Boston hopefuls. RRCA Level 1 coach focusing on steady, safe progress.

Starting at $50.00

Eric Thomas

Eric Thomas

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

5km Competitive Recreational

RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Eric, RRCA Level 1 coach since 2015, has completed 15 marathons (Boston qualifier) and trained hundreds from 5K to 100K. Offers in-person and remote coaching and plans.

Starting at $55.00

Martinus Evans

Martinus Evans

Atlanta, New York, United States

5km Exercise Science Masters

3.7 (3) RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Martinus helps beginners and larger-bodied runners take first steps to marathons with inclusive training plans, remote coaching, groups, camps, consultations.

Starting at $40.00

Paul Taylor

Paul Taylor

Surrey, BC, Canada

5km Competitive Boston Marathon

5.0 (8) RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 2 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +2

Paul coaches remotely with a "make your miles count" philosophy—VDOT O2 & RRCA-certified, 2:58 marathoner. Offers private coaching and training plans.

Starting at $50.00

Coach Kevin Strehlo

Coach Kevin Strehlo

Los Angeles, CA, United States

5km Competitive Boston Marathon

5.0 (3) RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. +2

Kevin has coached runners since 1997, guiding BQ attempts and PRs from 1600m to marathon. USATF, VDOT O2 and RRCA certified; offers private coaching and training plans.

Starting at $50.00

5K Coaching for Runners Chasing Speed, Not Just Miles

Short Distance, High Demands

The 5K is unforgiving: three-plus miles of sustained near-max effort where fitness, pacing, and race execution all have to line up. 5K coaches on V.O2 use the VDOT methodology - the individualized training-pace system from two-time Olympic medalist and exercise scientist Dr. Jack Daniels - to calibrate your VO2max and threshold workouts precisely, so your interval sessions build real speed instead of just fatigue. From high schoolers chasing a varsity time standard to masters runners rebuilding speed after years of distance work, marketplace coaches cover every stage of a competitive 5K career.

Built for Track Season and Road Races Alike

Whether you're racing on the track, at a local road 5K, or building 5K speed as a foundation for longer distances, a coach tailors your interval structure and recovery to your specific race calendar.

Get Faster With a 5K Specialist

Compare coaches by specialty and pricing, read reviews from athletes they've coached, then message one directly to start a plan built around your goal time.

FAQ

VO2max interval pace and threshold pace drive most of a 5K build - both calculated from your current fitness, so your hardest sessions build real speed instead of just fatigue.

Dr. Jack Daniels: a two-time Olympic medalist and exercise scientist named "The World's Best Running Coach" by Runner's World. His VO2max and threshold pace research is exactly what 5K training draws on.

V.O2 Certified coaches have passed an 80-question exam authored by Dr. Jack Daniels, scoring 80% or higher. It's optional and sits alongside USATF and RRCA as one of three credentials shown on profiles.

First, look for coaches with experience in your target distance, relevant specialities, and positive reviews. Or, search for coaches by location, product type, and price. Once you’ve narrowed your search, read the coaching bios to ensure the coach is the right fit for you. You can also message coaches directly to ask about their approach and whether they're a good fit for your goals.

Yes! All coaches on this page specialize in 5K. You can further refine by speciality, product type, or language to find your ideal coach.

Online coaches on V.O2 provide personalized training plans, feedback via messaging, phone calls and/or in-app commenting, and progress tracking without requiring in-person meetings. Most adjust your plan based on your weekly feedback and performance.

Most coaches on the V.O2 Marketplace encourage you to message them with questions before purchasing. This helps you evaluate fit and ensures they're the right choice for your goals and timeline. Otherwise, please email us at info@vdoto2.com and we’ll help you match with the right coach.