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Beginner Runners Running Coaches – Page 2

What type of runner are you?

Bonnie Wilder

Bonnie Wilder

West Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Beginner 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

Juan Carlos Arcos Lira

Juan Carlos Arcos Lira

Acolman, CDMX, Mexico

Beginner Competitive Boston Marathon

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

Melanie Boyd

Melanie Boyd

Panama, Panama, Panama

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

Shaina Cales

Shaina Cales

Boise, Idaho, United States

Beginner Boston Marathon Cross Training

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

Shaina (Boise) — VDOT O2 & RRCA coach, ten-time marathoner (3:16). Offers individualized, periodized training plans (remote or in-person) for runners of all levels.

Starting at $25.00

Nialah Ferrer

Nialah Ferrer

Washington D.C and NYC, New York, United States

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

Nialah guides beginners to competitive runners with practical, work-life-friendly marathon and half plans. VDOT O2 & RRCA-certified; offers private coaching.

Starting at $200.00

Nelle Fox

Nelle Fox

Bridgewater, Virginia, United States

Beginner Competitive High School

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

CESAR HUBBARD

CESAR HUBBARD

Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico

Competitive Recreational 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. USATF Level 2 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +2

Cesar guides 5K–marathoners with 20+ years' experience, USATF L1 & L2 and VDOT credentials, multiple Boston finishes; offers TrainingPlan and PrivateCoaching.

Starting at $90.00

Matt Hotaling

Matt Hotaling

Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

Beginner Competitive High School

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

Matt guides runners to balanced, consistent progress—VDOT O2 & USATF L1 coach with 15+ years’ experience. Ashley is a 5x Boston qualifier. Offers plans, private coaching, consultations.

Starting at $60.00

Bryan Kelpe

Bryan Kelpe

Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States

Beginner Competitive High School

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

USATF Level 2 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. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +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

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

Matt LoPiccolo

Matt LoPiccolo

Apex, North Carolina, United States

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

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

Beginner 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. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +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

Brendan McGoldrick

Brendan McGoldrick

Matawan, NJ, United States

Beginner Competitive High School

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

Competitive Boston Marathon Biomechanics

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

Cary Morgan

Cary Morgan

Vestavia, Alabama, United States

Beginner Competitive High School

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

Jillian Reyna

Jillian Reyna

Akron, Ohio, United States

Beginner Competitive Nutrition

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

Beginner Competitive High School

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

Cathy Yancey

Cathy Yancey

Eagle River, Ak, United States

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

Running Coaches With Competitive Runners Expertise

Why Specialty Matters When Choosing a Coach

Not every running coach brings the same background. Coaches on this page list Competitive Runners 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 Competitive Runners 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 Competitive Runners 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 Competitive Runners 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 Competitive Runners 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 Beginner Runners and Competitive Runners and are experienced in helping runners with these specific needs. Check individual profiles for more details about their coaching philosophy and approach.