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5K Competitive Runners Coaches – Page 5

What type of runner are you?

Emily Kopacz

Emily Kopacz

Mansfield, Massachusetts, United States

5km Competitive 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.

Emily coaches 5K–marathon runners as a VDOT O2 coach. Former DII NCAA runner, recovered from under-fueling; she offers remote consults and training plans.

Starting at $25.00

Tim Kruger

Tim Kruger

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

5km Competitive 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.

Tim offers VDOT O2-certified in-person, remote and group coaching, camps, consultations and training plans for 5K–half marathon runners. Explore his 'Run to Peak!' approach.

Starting at $60.00

Stuart Lamp

Stuart Lamp

Decatur, Alabama, United States

5km Competitive 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.

Stuart builds tailored plans and offers consults for runners and triathletes of all levels, from beginners to national champions. Explore his coaching.

Starting at $49.99

Matt LoPiccolo

Matt LoPiccolo

Apex, North Carolina, United States

5km Competitive 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. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. +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

Bruce MCINTOSH

Bruce MCINTOSH

BOARDMAN, Ohio, United States

5km Competitive Recreational

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

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

Melissa Malani

Melissa Malani

Winter Park, FL, USA

5km Competitive 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. 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. +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

Christina Mather

Christina Mather

Fort Worth, Texas, United States

5km Competitive Recreational

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.

Christina helps beginners to marathoners with remote, flexible plans that fit busy lives. VDOT O2 coach offering plans, consultations and private coaching.

Starting at $35.00

Brendan McGoldrick

Brendan McGoldrick

Matawan, NJ, United States

5km Competitive 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. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. +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

Kyle McKinley

Kyle McKinley

Edmond, Oklahoma, United States

5km Competitive Recreational

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

Kyle provides virtual coaching and training plans (800m-ultra), with biomechanics, nutrition and elite post-collegiate support - explore his offerings.

Starting at $30.00

Andy Mellor

Andy Mellor

England, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom

5km Competitive 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.

Andy uses a broad athletic background and VDOT O2 certification to craft tailored plans for runners (1600m to ultras). Offers consultations, private coaching and training plans.

Starting at $20.00

Cary Morgan

Cary Morgan

Vestavia, Alabama, United States

5km Competitive 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. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. +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

Jerry Mullins

Jerry Mullins

Dallas, Oregon, United States

5km Competitive 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.

Jerry coaches beginners to competitive and masters runners. VDOT O2-certified with nutrition expertise; offers in-person, remote and group training plans.

Starting at $60.00

Jakob Quentin

Jakob Quentin

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

5km Competitive Recreational

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.

Jakob helps beginners to Boston Marathon hopefuls with VDOT O2 coaching, 17 marathons (PR 2:42:29). Offers remote/in-person plans, private coaching and consultations.

Starting at $15.00

Jillian Reyna

Jillian Reyna

Akron, Ohio, United States

5km Competitive 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. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. +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 Competitive 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. 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. +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

Spencer St. Cyr

Spencer St. Cyr

Escondido, California, United States

5km Competitive Recreational

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.

Spencer coaches 800m–half marathon runners—beginners to masters—using individualized VDOT O2-informed plans, strong communication, and long-term development. Explore his coaching.

Starting at $89.99

Brian Taggart

Brian Taggart

Co Tyrone, N.Ireland, Ireland

5km Competitive 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.

Brian is a VDOT O2 Certified coach who cut his marathon to 2:41, paces sub‑3 and coaches runners from beginners to masters. Offers training plans and consultations.

Starting at $33.00

Kelly Vigil

Kelly Vigil

Summerville, Virginia, United States

5km Competitive 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.

Kelly uses 12+ years' experience with VDOT O2 and Health Mindset coaching to train beginners through competitive runners (5K–ultra). Remote, group & private coaching available.

Starting at $117.00

Joseph Winwood

Joseph Winwood

Dallas, Texas, United States

5km Competitive Recreational

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.

Joseph, a VDOT O2 coach with ultra experience, guides beginners to masters from 5K to ultra. Offers in-person/remote training plans & private coaching.

Starting at $45.00

Cathy Yancey

Cathy Yancey

Eagle River, Ak, United States

5km Recreational Beginner

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

Cathy helps beginners through masters build consistent, injury-aware fitness from 5K to marathon with evidence-based plans. VDOT O2 & RRCA certified.

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 Competitive Runners, Trail Running, and Recreational Runners 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 Competitive Runners with 5K training experience. This targeted approach helps you train smarter and reach your race goals.

Yes! The coaches on this page combine 5K training expertise with experience coaching Competitive Runners and Recreational Runners.