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5K Trail Running Coaches – Page 2

What type of runner are you?

Matt Hotaling

Matt Hotaling

Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

5km Cross Training High School

USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Matt guides runners to balanced, consistent progress—VDOT O2 & USATF L1 coach with 15+ years’ experience. Ashley is a 5x Boston qualifier. Offers plans, private coaching, consultations.

Starting at $60.00

Rob King

Rob King

Wake Forest, North Carolina, United States

5km Exercise Science Competitive

USATF Level 2 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 2 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Rob King offers remote and limited in-person private coaching to middle-, high-school, collegiate and recreational runners in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill Triangle.

Starting at $150.00

Alissa Kolarik

Alissa Kolarik

Wadsworth, Ohio, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

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

Alissa helps beginners to BQ hopefuls with remote/group coaching, personalized plans and consultations. VDOT O2 & RRCA coach with a 2:56:24 marathon PR.

Starting at $50.00

Matt LoPiccolo

Matt LoPiccolo

Apex, North Carolina, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Matt guides beginners to competitive runners - sprints to marathons - using USATF L1 & VDOT O2 expertise, collegiate results, remote or in-person coaching.

Starting at $100.00

Melissa Malani

Melissa Malani

Winter Park, FL, USA

5km Cross Training Competitive

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. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +2

Melissa offers remote private coaching (VDOT O2, RRCA L1, USATF L1), crafting custom 5K–marathon plans for beginners, recreational, masters and Boston Marathon hopefuls.

Starting at $99.00

Brendan McGoldrick

Brendan McGoldrick

Matawan, NJ, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Brendan builds tailored training and nutrition plans for runners of all levels—from beginners to state champions—and offers remote, group, and private coaching.

Starting at $80.00

Cary Morgan

Cary Morgan

Vestavia, Alabama, United States

5km Cross Training Exercise Science

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

Jillian Reyna

Jillian Reyna

Akron, Ohio, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

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

Jillian Reyna, D1 alum and three-time Boston qualifier, offers remote consultations and private coaching for beginners to ultras, blending VDOT O2 & RRCA expertise with CrossFit strength.

Starting at $30.00

Karli Saur

Karli Saur

Bernardsville, New Jersey, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

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

Karli provides purposeful, challenging training—speed, hills, endurance, cross-training and nutrition—for beginners to competitive runners. VDOT O2 & RRCA-certified; in-person or remote. Learn more.

Starting at $55.00

Tom Palamar and Jenny Crawshaw

Tom Palamar and Jenny Crawshaw

New Port Richey, Florida, United States

5km Cross Training Exercise Science

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

Tom & Jenny deliver science-based, personalized plans via the VDOT app for beginners to Boston qualifiers. Training plans and private coaching available.

Starting at $50.00

Andrew Samuels

Andrew Samuels

New York, NY, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

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

Lindsey Altermatt

Lindsey Altermatt

St. Francis, Minnesota, United States

5km Cross Training Mental Skills

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.

Lindsey builds practical, individualized plans from 26+ years and Twin Cities race experience. Offers consultations, custom plans, The Navigator, and 1:1 coaching.

Starting at $129.00

Maddie Barrett

Maddie Barrett

Minneapolis , Minnesota, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

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.

Maddie, RRCA-certified coach with 10 marathons (PR 3:07) and four Bostons, offers remote coaching, consultations and plans for 5K–marathon runners seeking confidence and joy.

Starting at $40.00

Katie Brady

Katie Brady

St. Louis, Missouri, United States

5km Cross Training Beginner

USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science.

Katie offers remote USATF Level 1 private coaching that fits training into busy lives—beginners to competitive runners and triathletes targeting 5K to marathon.

Starting at $80.00

Riley Coulter

Riley Coulter

Platteville, Wi, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science.

Riley founded Driftless Distance Project to deliver science-based 5K-marathon coaching. USATF L1, guided Boston qualifiers. View his plans and services.

Starting at $15.00

Laura Filla

Laura Filla

St. Louis, Missouri, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

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. +1

Laura, RRCA Level 1 & 2 coach and 2:58 marathoner, offers in-person/remote coaching for 5K–marathoners, helping busy athletes break plateaus and balance life.

Starting at $80.00

Joseph Gendy

Joseph Gendy

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

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

John Hoffman

John Hoffman

Wesley Chapel, Florida, United States

5km Exercise Science Competitive

USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science.

John, D1 runner and USATF L1 coach, coaching since 2006 to help runners reach PRs and Boston qualifying. Offers private, in-person, remote and group coaching.

Starting at $80.00

Toni Kengor

Toni Kengor

Pittsburgh, PA, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

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.

Toni offers remote RRCA Level 1 coaching for beginners to competitive and masters runners (1600m–Ultra). 3:35 marathon PB; offers cross-training and VirtualRace.

Starting at $5.00

Melissa Labrie

Melissa Labrie

Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, United States

5km Cross Training 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.

Melissa, former Ironman with 15+ years' endurance experience and RRCA + GGS credentials, offers structured, sustainable coaching and plans for beginners to competitive runners. 20% off (RUNJULY)

Starting at $45.00

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.

Yes! These coaches specialize in Trail Running and Exercise Scientist and are experienced in helping runners with these specific needs. Check individual profiles for more details about their coaching philosophy and approach.

Yes! The coaches on this page combine expertise in Trail Running with 5K training experience. This targeted approach helps you train smarter and reach your race goals.

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.