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5K Certified Strength and Conditioning Coaches

What type of runner are you?

Megan Cooke

Megan Cooke

Hillsborough, North Carolina, United States

5km Triathlon Competitive

4.9 (57) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

Megan builds tailored plans for beginners to BQ hopefuls, blending VDOT O2, 15 yrs D1 coaching, elite marathon/ultra experience, plus nutrition and mental skills.

Starting at $30.00

Kristyn R Smith

Kristyn R Smith

New York, New York, United States

5km Strength & Conditioning Competitive

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

Kristyn pairs eight years coaching, 26 marathons (8 Boston) and VDOT/RRCA/ACE credentials to create training plans and private coaching. Book a free intro.

Starting at $45.00

John Carstens

John Carstens

Kansas City, MO, United States

5km Strength & Conditioning Competitive

5.0 (19) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

John Carstens uses VDOT-based speed work and hands-on coaching to get runners PRs, prevent injury, and adapt plans. Offers training plans and private coaching.

Starting at $50.00

Jennifer Andrews

Jennifer Andrews

Interior, BC, Canada

5km Physical Therapy Competitive

5.0 (15) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

Jennifer coaches all levels with an effort-based approach that fits busy lives; offers VDOT O2-certified training plans and private coaching.

Starting at $45.00

John Reniewicki

John Reniewicki

Baltimore, Arizona, United States

5km Triathlon Competitive

5.0 (13) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

John, VDOT O2-certified pro at Under Armour HQ, helps beginners to Olympic hopefuls hit PRs from 800m to marathon. Offers consultations, training plans and private coaching.

Starting at $60.00

Dr. Matt DeBole, DPT

Dr. Matt DeBole, DPT

Albany, New York , United States

5km Physical Therapy Nutrition

4.9 (51) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

Matt blends elite racing (5x All‑American, 2008 Olympic Trials & Boston qualifier) with DPT and VDOT O2 coaching, biomechanical tech, training plans and private coaching.

Starting at $47.00

Will Small

Will Small

St. John's, NL, Canada

5km Triathlon Competitive

5.0 (9) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

Will Small offers 20+ years' experience and VDOT O2 training with periodized, time-based plans delivered via V.O2 app for beginner to competitive runners.

Starting at $45.00

Caitlin Rushlander

Caitlin Rushlander

Mars, Pennsylvania, United States

5km Strength & Conditioning Competitive

5.0 (8) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

Caitlin coaches remote/group runners (1600m–marathon) with VDOT O2-based plans, emphasizing 'Train, Don't Strain' and consistency; offers private coaching for tailored progress.

Starting at $120.00

Katie Fedoronko

Katie Fedoronko

Chicago, Illinois, United States

5km Triathlon Competitive

5.0 (7) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

Katie helps runners build consistent, injury-resistant fitness with VDOT O2 coaching, nutrition and strength guidance. Offers plans and private coaching.

Starting at $35.00

Sue McDonald

Sue McDonald

Santa Barbara, CA, United States

5km Strength & Conditioning Triathlon

5.0 (3) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. 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. +1

Sue McDonald — Olympic‑Trials finalist, masters national titlist and Boston‑qualifier. VDOT O2 & USATF L1 coach offering private coaching and training plans.

Starting at $90.00

Andy McGhee

Andy McGhee

Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

5km Strength & Conditioning Competitive

5.0 (2) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

Andy guides beginners to elite runners (5K–marathon) with VDOT O2-backed training, nutrition and strength work. Offers bespoke training plans and private coaching.

Starting at $79.95

Jordan Colby

Jordan Colby

Chico, CA, USA

5km Physical Therapy Competitive

5.0 (1) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

Jordan Colby pairs DPT/OCS clinical expertise and VDOT O2 coaching with distance-racing experience (2:44 marathon) to offer private coaching, plans and consultations.

Starting at $99.99

Malindi Elmore

Malindi Elmore

Kelowna, BC, Canada

5km Triathlon Competitive

5.0 (1) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

Malindi combines Olympic 1500m experience, a 2:24 Canadian-record marathon and VDOT O2 coaching to create individualized plans for goal-oriented, youth, and busy runners.

Starting at $80.00

Ariane Hendrix Roach

Ariane Hendrix Roach

Portland, OR, United States

5km Strength & Conditioning Competitive

5.0 (1) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

Ariane, a V.O2 Certified coach and 2:42:51 marathoner training for the 2024 Olympic Trials, offers private in-person and remote coaching with nutrition and S&C.

Starting at $80.00

Tom Myers

Tom Myers

New York, NY, USA

5km Strength & Conditioning Competitive

5.0 (1) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

Tom offers diligent, supportive coaching for 800m–marathon runners. VDOT O2-certified with NASM corrective training, he builds individualized plans and rehabs injuries.

Starting at $50.00

Pete Simon

Pete Simon

Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom

5km Strength & Conditioning Triathlon

5.0 (1) Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

Pete, VDOT O2 coach with 17+ years as a British Army PT instructor, offers in-person and remote VDOT plans, runTRAIN cross-training, private coaching and consultations.

Starting at $45.00

David Abbott

David Abbott

Sacramento, California, United States

5km Strength & Conditioning Cross Training

Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

David helps runners 40+ get stronger, stay healthy and improve with strength, injury-prevention, and high-low training. Offers consultations.

Starting at $50.00

Richard Airey

Richard Airey

Seneca , South Carolina, United States

5km Strength & Conditioning Competitive

Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

Rich blends 30 years of racing/coaching, Leadville top-20 finishes and a strength-first RunningWOD approach to boost longevity. Consultations available.

Starting at $75.00

Juan Carlos Arcos Lira

Juan Carlos Arcos Lira

Acolman, CDMX, Mexico

5km Strength & Conditioning Competitive

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

Conner Benson

Conner Benson

Georgetown, Texas, United States

5km Strength & Conditioning Competitive

Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.

Conner blends VO2 testing, exercise physiology and strength/biomechanics expertise to coach competitive, high school and masters runners remotely.

Starting at $90.00

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 Certified Strength and Conditioning, Injury Prevention, and Triathlons 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 Certified Strength and Conditioning 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.