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Certified Strength and Conditioning Running Coaches

What type of runner are you?

27 coaches found

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Danny Mercado

Danny Mercado

West Covina, California, United States

Strength & Conditioning Competitive High School

5.0 (10)

Danny guides runners—from beginners to competitive athletes—leveraging NCAA titles, Olympic Trials marathon experience and Hall of Fame honors. Offers training plans and private coaching.

Starting at $99.00

Kristyn R Smith

Kristyn R Smith

New York, New York, United States

Strength & Conditioning Competitive Boston Marathon

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

Strength & Conditioning Competitive High School

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

Caitlin Rushlander

Caitlin Rushlander

Mars, Pennsylvania, United States

Strength & Conditioning Competitive High School

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

Sue McDonald

Sue McDonald

Santa Barbara, CA, United States

Strength & Conditioning Competitive High School

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

Ariane Hendrix Roach

Ariane Hendrix Roach

Portland, OR, United States

Strength & Conditioning Competitive High School

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

Becky Croft

Becky Croft

Tulsa, OK, United States

Strength & Conditioning Boston Marathon Cross Training

5.0 (1) 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.

Becky offers tailored, injury-aware VDOT02 plans for beginners to veterans, coaching 800m–ultra with RRCA, Chi Running and strength focus; remote, group or private.

Starting at $25.00

Bonnie Wilder

Bonnie Wilder

West Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Strength & Conditioning Competitive High School

5.0 (1) 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.

Bonnie, a DPT and USATF L1 coach with marathon experience, prioritizes injury prevention and evidence-based training. Provides in-person, remote and group coaching.

Starting at $49.00

David Abbott

David Abbott

Sacramento, California, United States

Strength & Conditioning Cross Training 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.

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

Strength & Conditioning 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.

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

Conner Benson

Conner Benson

Georgetown, Texas, United States

Strength & Conditioning 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.

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

Starting at $90.00

Melanie Boyd

Melanie Boyd

Panama, Panama, Panama

Strength & Conditioning 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. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. +1

Melanie, Boston-qualified 12x marathoner and VDOT O2/RRCA/NASM-certified coach, guides beginners to competitive runners with in-person/remote coaching, camps, consultations and training plans.

Starting at $125.00

Nelle Fox

Nelle Fox

Bridgewater, Virginia, United States

Strength & Conditioning 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. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. +2

Nelle—30+ marathon/ultra finisher with podiums—offers a health-first, holistic coaching style focusing on strength, mobility and nutrition. Consultations, training plans, private coaching.

Starting at $15.00

Forrest Hamilton

Forrest Hamilton

Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

Strength & Conditioning 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.

Forrest offers VDOT O2-certified, NASM-informed plans blending endurance, strength, recovery and injury prevention for beginners to marathoners; private coaching and training plans available.

Starting at $80.00

Emily Kopacz

Emily Kopacz

Mansfield, Massachusetts, United States

Strength & Conditioning 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.

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

Tom Palamar and Jenny Crawshaw

Tom Palamar and Jenny Crawshaw

New Port Richey, Florida, United States

Strength & Conditioning Nutrition 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

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

Evan Titus

Evan Titus

Norwalk, Connecticut, United States

Strength & Conditioning Nutrition 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.

Evan pairs rugby grit and endurance results (3 ultras to 100K, 1:25 HM, 3:10 M) with VDOT O2-certified, holistic coaching. Remote consultations and tailored training plans.

Starting at $50.00

Gaby  Go

Gaby Go

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Strength & Conditioning Competitive High School

Gaby Go, former D1 athlete and sport physical therapist, offers 1:1 coaching, strength programs and VDOT plans to build strength and prevent injuries.

Starting at $45.00

Laura Filla

Laura Filla

St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Strength & Conditioning Competitive Boston Marathon

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

Angela Reckart

Angela Reckart

Cape May Court House, New Jersey, United States

Strength & Conditioning Competitive Boston Marathon

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

Running Coaches With Certified Strength and Conditioning Expertise

Why Specialty Matters When Choosing a Coach

Not every running coach brings the same background. Coaches on this page list Certified Strength and Conditioning among their specialties, which means their plan design, workouts, and communication reflect hands-on experience in that exact area - whether it's an athlete population, a race, or a discipline alongside running. Specialty guidance is layered on top of data-driven training, not substituted for it: coaching on V.O2 runs on the VDOT methodology, with individualized training paces from the research of Dr. Jack Daniels.

What You Can Check Before You Commit

Every profile shows credentials and certifications - USATF, RRCA, and V.O2 Certified among them - alongside coaching philosophy, pricing, and reviews written exclusively by athletes who purchased coaching from that coach. Each profile was also reviewed before it went live on the marketplace. If you have a specific situation in mind, message the coach directly - most encourage questions before you buy.

Connect With the Right Specialist

Compare a few profiles, narrow by distance or price if you need to, and choose the coach whose Certified Strength and Conditioning background lines up with what you actually need.

The Research Behind Every Specialist's Training

VDOT comes from Dr. Jack Daniels - a two-time Olympic medalist and exercise scientist Runner's World called "the Albert Einstein of the sport" and named "The World's Best Running Coach." His book Daniels' Running Formula is the same material coaches study for the V.O2 Certification exam. Every Certified Strength and Conditioning specialist on the marketplace still builds training from that research, not a generic pace chart pulled off the shelf.

FAQ

It means their coaching background includes hands-on experience in that area, and they've chosen to focus on it. Specialties appear on each profile alongside certifications, pricing, and reviews from athletes who purchased coaching.

Yes - specialty expertise comes on top of standard coaching, not instead of it. Training still runs on individualized VDOT paces from the research of Dr. Jack Daniels, with the specialist lens shaping workouts, communication, and advice.

Check the profile: credentials and certifications are listed, reviews can only be written by real clients, and you can message the coach directly with questions about their background before you buy.

Dr. Jack Daniels: a two-time Olympic medalist and exercise scientist named "The World's Best Running Coach" by Runner's World. His research still sets the individualized paces Certified Strength and Conditioning specialists build on.

V.O2 Certified coaches have passed an 80-question exam authored by Dr. Jack Daniels, scoring 80% or higher. It's one of three credentials shown on coach profiles alongside USATF and RRCA, and it's optional - not every Certified Strength and Conditioning specialist holds it.

USATF (USA Track & Field) and RRCA (Road Runners Club of America) both run tiered coaching-education programs covering training science and coaching practice - separate from V.O2 Certified, which is V.O2's own credential built on Dr. Jack Daniels' methodology. Coaches can hold any combination of the three, and all are optional.

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 Certified Strength and Conditioning and are experienced in helping runners with these specific needs. Check individual profiles for more details about their coaching philosophy and approach.