Become a Coach

Trail Running Running Coaches – Page 4

What type of runner are you?

111 coaches found

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Ian Hutchinson

Ian Hutchinson

Tow law, Durham , United Kingdom

Cross Training Beginner 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.

Ian guides beginners to ultras with UK Athletics and VDOT O2 expertise, focusing on enjoyment, variety and steady progress. Offers training plans, private coaching and consultations.

Starting at $30.00

Mikkel Gisle Johnsen (MGJ Coaching)

Mikkel Gisle Johnsen (MGJ Coaching)

Asker, Norway, Norway

Cross Training Beginner 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.

Mikkel offers VDOT O2‑certified coaching for 800m–ultra: in-person Oslo, remote plans, groups and consultations, plus nutrition and mental skills.

Starting at $100.00

Bryan Kelpe

Bryan Kelpe

Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States

Beginner Competitive High School

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

Bryan uses Jack Daniels–inspired training to build fitness and confidence for 800m to ultras. Offers in-person, remote & group coaching plus training plans.

Starting at $40.00

Rob King

Rob King

Wake Forest, North Carolina, United States

Beginner Competitive High School

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

Cross Training Beginner 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 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. +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

Emily Kopacz

Emily Kopacz

Mansfield, Massachusetts, United States

Cross Training Beginner 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.

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

Cross Training Beginner 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.

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

Cross Training Beginner High School

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

Cross Training Beginner 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. 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

Beginner 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

Cross Training Beginner 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 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

Beginner 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

Cross Training Beginner 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. 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

Andy Mellor

Andy Mellor

England, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom

Cross Training Competitive Nutrition

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

Cross Training Beginner 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 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

Cross Training Beginner 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.

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

Beginner Competitive Boston Marathon

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

Cross Training Beginner 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 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

Cross Training Beginner 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 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

Beginner Competitive High School

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

Running Coaches Who Specialize in Beginner Runners

Start Running the Right Way, With the Right Support

Starting a running habit is more likely to stick when the plan respects where you're actually starting from. Coaches who specialize in beginner runners on V.O2 build programs that prioritize injury prevention, gradual mileage progression, and sustainable habits over aggressive early gains. You still get the same individualized VDOT training paces used by experienced racers - developed from the research of Dr. Jack Daniels, a two-time Olympic medalist and exercise scientist named "The World's Best Running Coach" by Runner's World - just calibrated for a beginner's fitness base and adjusted as you build consistency.

Whether Your Goal Is a First 5K or a Lifelong Habit

Beginner-focused coaches understand that early goals range from finishing a first race to simply building a sustainable routine, and they tailor communication, pacing, and expectations accordingly.

Find a Coach to Start With

Read reviews from other new runners who've actually trained with each coach, then message a beginner specialist directly to start the right way from day one.

FAQ

No - beginner-specialist coaches start from wherever you are, including from zero. Plans are built around gradual progression and injury prevention, not someone else's mileage.

That's set with your coach based on your starting fitness and schedule - the point of coaching is a plan you can actually sustain. Most coaches adjust frequency and intensity as your consistency builds.

No. Many athletes on V.O2 hire coaches for structure, accountability, and safe progression rather than race results - and coaches who list beginner runners as a specialty are set up for exactly that.

Dr. Jack Daniels: a two-time Olympic medalist and exercise scientist named "The World's Best Running Coach" by Runner's World. The same research behind elite marathoners' paces is simply recalibrated for a beginner's starting fitness.

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

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.