Become a Coach

5K Trail Running Coaches – Page 5

What type of runner are you?

107 coaches found

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Char Griess

Char Griess

Erie, Colorado, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

Char coaches all levels from 800m to marathon with personalized, evidence-based training and nutrition. Offers in-person, remote and group training plans.

Starting at $50.00

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

Elizabeth Miller

Elizabeth Miller

San Antonio, Texas, 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.

Elizabeth is an RRCA Level II coach and 2023 Boston finisher who blends faith with tailored remote, group and private training for beginners to BQ hopefuls.

Starting at $75.00

Nathan Pennington

Nathan Pennington

Grand Haven, Michigan, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

Nathan Pennington, sub-2:20 marathoner and retired Army Major, coaches beginners to competitors with remote plans, consultations and private coaching.

Starting at $67.00

Angela Reckart

Angela Reckart

Cape May Court House, New Jersey, 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.

Angela Reckart, ex-NCAA D1 coach and USATF L1, 2:45 Boston marathoner, coaches 800m–marathon runners (competitive to masters). Offers training plans, consultations & private coaching.

Starting at $25.00

Derek Riedel

Derek Riedel

San Antonio, TX, 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. USATF Level 2 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. +1

Derek, USATF L1/L2 coach with 20+ years at UIW, tailors strength-based plans for 800m–marathon; offers remote, in-person, plans & private coaching.

Starting at $80.00

David Schwinger - ETA

David Schwinger - ETA

Rochester, New York, 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.

David uses an autonomy-supportive, behavior-science approach to help runners (800m–ultra) unlock physical and mental potential. Offers consultations & private coaching.

Starting at $50.00

Hannah Shakeshaft

Hannah Shakeshaft

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

5km Cross Training Mental Skills

Hannah helps everyday runners build consistency, strength and confidence with flexible, science-based plans. Offers 1:1 remote coaching and V.O2 plans.

Starting at $130.00

Andrew Shivery

Andrew Shivery

Miami, Florida, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

Andrew builds individualized plans using Jack Daniels' methods, guiding beginners to marathons, big PRs and sub-3:00 training. Remote, group and private coaching.

Starting at $150.00

Arj Thiruchelvam

Arj Thiruchelvam

Solihull, Birmingham, United Kingdom

5km Cross Training Competitive

Arj uses sports‑science tools (VDOT, blood‑lactate, Freelap GPS, force analysis) to end plateaus, integrate strength and MNU‑informed nutrition for PBs. Explore his plans.

Starting at $45.00

Eric Thomas

Eric Thomas

Birmingham, Alabama, 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.

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

Rob VanCleve

Rob VanCleve

Columbus, OH, 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.

Rob VanCleve pairs collegiate coaching and USATF L1 expertise with five Master Track national titles to craft personalized plans for runners and triathletes.

Starting at $35.00

Tammy Whyte

Tammy Whyte

Chicago, Illinois, United States

5km Cross Training Masters

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.

Tammy helps middle-of-pack and beginner runners reach half and full marathon goals with RRCA, NASM and CFSC-backed training plans and remote/group consultations.

Starting at $60.00

Casey Comber

Casey Comber

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

Casey offers remote/consult coaching for HS to masters runners, pairing pro experience (3:51 mile, Pan Am bronze) with lactate testing, custom plans, and direct access.

Starting at $135.00

Evan Espinoza

Evan Espinoza

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

Evan coaches high schoolers to marathoners with race-proven, fundamentals-based plans (2:56:58). Uses gait analysis, nutrition and cross-training to improve form and performance.

Starting at $125.00

Amy Windle

Amy Windle

Langley, BC, Canada

5km Cross Training Competitive

Amy helps parents, postpartum and beginner-to-competitive runners with tailored endurance and strength plans plus nutrition and physio referrals.

Starting at $45.00

Karen Dunn

Karen Dunn

Collegeville, Pennsylvania, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

4.2 (5) 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

Karen Dunn helps runners train smarter, stronger and faster. VDOT O2- & RRCA-certified, builds strength, lowers injury risk and offers private coaching.

Starting at $180.00

Martinus Evans

Martinus Evans

Atlanta, New York, United States

5km Cross Training Exercise Science

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

Chase Solarin

Chase Solarin

San Diego, California, United States

5km Cross Training Competitive

1.0 (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.

Chase guides beginners to marathoners—including Boston hopefuls—using 15 years' experience and VDOT O2 expertise. Offers in-person, remote, group coaching and private consultations.

Starting at $60.00

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 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.