Become a Coach

Beginner Runners Running Coaches – Page 2

What type of runner are you?

Sue McDonald

Sue McDonald

Santa Barbara, CA, United States

Beginner 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

Bawcom Running

Bawcom Running

Flagstaff, Arizona, United States

Beginner 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

Janet & Jay mix VDOT O2 and USATF Level 1 coaching with nursing experience at Grand Canyon National Park, guiding runners from beginners to Boston Marathon athletes.

Starting at $60.00

Andre Laboy

Andre Laboy

Los Angeles, California, United States

Beginner Competitive Mental Skills

5.0 (3)

Andre Laboy, NYC coach and ex-collegiate runner (14:12 5K, 2:56 M). Builds structured 5K–marathon plans; private in-person, remote & group coaching.

Starting at $20.00

Harvey Nelson - McKirdy Trained

Harvey Nelson - McKirdy Trained

Flagstaff, Arizona, United States

Beginner Exercise Science Competitive

5.0 (2) 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.

Harvey pairs VDOT O2 certification and NAU elite experience (5K 14:14, HM 1:01:46) to coach beginners through Boston-qualifiers via remote plans and consults.

Starting at $15.00

Chucky Bizzarro

Chucky Bizzarro

Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, United States

Beginner Competitive Boston Marathon

5.0 (2) 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.

Chucky coaches beginners to competitive runners (5K–marathon) remotely. VDOT O2-certified, he offers run analysis, check-ins, and private coaching or training plans.

Starting at $100.00

Becky Anthony

Becky Anthony

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Beginner Competitive Boston Marathon

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.

Becky builds injury‑proof bases and tailored plans for 1600m–marathon runners, from beginners to Boston qualifiers. VDOT O2 certified; offers in-person, remote, and group coaching.

Starting at $80.00

Malindi Elmore

Malindi Elmore

Kelowna, BC, Canada

Beginner 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.

Malindi combines Olympic 1500m experience, a 2:24 Canadian-record marathon and VDOT O2 coaching to create individualized plans for goal-oriented, youth, and busy runners.

Starting at $80.00

Ariane Hendrix Roach

Ariane Hendrix Roach

Portland, OR, United States

Beginner 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

Pamela Hunt

Pamela Hunt

New York, New York, United States

Beginner Competitive Nutrition

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.

Pamela tailors VDOT O2-informed plans for beginners to competitive and masters runners, offering consultations, training plans and private coaching to unlock PBs.

Starting at $30.00

Oleksii Kocheshkov

Oleksii Kocheshkov

Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Beginner Competitive Boston Marathon

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.

Oleksii blends a decade of running, six years in running science and VDOT O2 certification to coach 300+ athletes remotely or via consultations (private coaching).

Starting at $60.00

Diane Neubauer

Diane Neubauer

Ambler, Pennsylvania, United States

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

Diane coaches remotely for beginners to Boston qualifiers, offering VDOT O2 and RRCA Level 1 guidance with training plans and private coaching.

Starting at $75.00

Joe Shayne

Joe Shayne

New York, New York, United States

Beginner Competitive Boston Marathon

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. 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

Joe offers flexible, structured coaching for 5K–marathon runners. USATF/VDOT/RRCA-certified, he's guided 1,000+ runners including 20+ Boston qualifiers.

Starting at $25.00

Natural Athlete Training System

Natural Athlete Training System

Arlington, Virginia, United States

Beginner 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. 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. +2

Amy & Ryan pair elite marathon experience with VDOT O2 and USATF L1/L2 certifications to offer remote consultations, training plans and private coaching for all runners.

Starting at $59.00

Sarah Kozul

Sarah Kozul

Lakeland , Florida, United States

Beginner Recreational Masters

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

Sarah coaches beginners to competitive marathoners with RRCA Level 1 & 2 expertise, offering tailored TrainingPlan and PrivateCoaching using evidence-based methods.

Starting at $60.00

Dami Alao

Dami Alao

Alexandria, Virginia, United States

Beginner Competitive Boston Marathon

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.

Dami builds consistency through full diagnostics of mechanics, strength, breathwork and aerobic limits, then crafts individualized plans. RRCA Level 1; private in-person or remote coaching.

Starting at $400.00

Becky Croft

Becky Croft

Tulsa, OK, United States

Beginner 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

Ramon Laboy

Ramon Laboy

Bethlehem , Pennsylvania, United States

Beginner Competitive High School

5.0 (1)

Ramon coaches beginners to masters from 800m to marathon. State champion with a 14:45 5k and 2:36 marathon PR. Private coaching (in-person/remote/groups).

Starting at $160.00

Bonnie Wilder

Bonnie Wilder

West Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Beginner Exercise Science Competitive

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

Ruth Atkinson - McKirdy Trained

Ruth Atkinson - McKirdy Trained

Texas, Texas, United States

Beginner Recreational 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.

Ruth helps beginner and recreational runners train K5 to marathon and Boston Marathon with VDOT O2 certified remote coaching, consultations and private plans.

Starting at $30.00

David Abbott

David Abbott

Sacramento, California, United States

Beginner Cross Training 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.

David helps runners 40+ get stronger, stay healthy and improve with strength, injury-prevention, and high-low training. Offers consultations.

Starting at $50.00

Running Coaches With Exercise Scientist Expertise

Why Specialty Matters When Choosing a Coach

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