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3K Certified Strength and Conditioning Coaches in the United States

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Will Baldwin

Will Baldwin

Denver , Colorado, United States

2mi/3km Exercise Science Competitive

5.0 (75) 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

Will Baldwin builds personalized plans and ongoing coaching for beginners to competitive runners, focusing on faster, healthier, and more enjoyable training.

Starting at $29.99

Danny Mercado

Danny Mercado

West Covina, California, United States

2mi/3km Strength & Conditioning Competitive

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

John Carstens

John Carstens

Kansas City, MO, United States

2mi/3km Strength & Conditioning Exercise Science

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

2mi/3km Strength & Conditioning Competitive

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

2mi/3km Strength & Conditioning Competitive

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

Harvey Nelson - McKirdy Trained

Harvey Nelson - McKirdy Trained

Flagstaff, Arizona, United States

2mi/3km 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

Becky Croft

Becky Croft

Tulsa, OK, United States

2mi/3km Strength & Conditioning 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.

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

2mi/3km Strength & Conditioning Exercise Science

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

2mi/3km Strength & Conditioning 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.

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

2mi/3km Strength & Conditioning Exercise Science

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

2mi/3km Strength & Conditioning Exercise Science

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

Nelle Fox

Nelle Fox

Bridgewater, Virginia, United States

2mi/3km Strength & Conditioning 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. 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

2mi/3km Strength & Conditioning 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.

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

Rob King

Rob King

Wake Forest, North Carolina, United States

2mi/3km Exercise Science 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 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

Stuart Lamp

Stuart Lamp

Decatur, Alabama, United States

2mi/3km Exercise Science 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

Cary Morgan

Cary Morgan

Vestavia, Alabama, United States

2mi/3km Exercise Science 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

Tom Palamar and Jenny Crawshaw

Tom Palamar and Jenny Crawshaw

New Port Richey, Florida, United States

2mi/3km Strength & Conditioning Exercise Science

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

Gaby  Go

Gaby Go

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

2mi/3km Strength & Conditioning Exercise Science

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

John Hoffman

John Hoffman

Wesley Chapel, Florida, United States

2mi/3km Exercise Science 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.

John, D1 runner and USATF L1 coach, coaching since 2006 to help runners reach PRs and Boston qualifying. Offers private, in-person, remote and group coaching.

Starting at $80.00

Nathan Pennington

Nathan Pennington

Grand Haven, Michigan, United States

2mi/3km Exercise Science 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

3K Running Coaches in the United States

3K Coaching With US Race Context

Coaches based in the United States bring local context to 3K training: the US race calendar, qualifying standards, and the reality of training through very different seasons and regions. Every plan runs on the VDOT methodology - individualized training paces developed by two-time Olympic medalist and exercise scientist Dr. Jack Daniels. Profiles show each coach's specialties, pricing, and reviews from athletes they've actually coached, so you can compare US-based options side by side before deciding.

Local Knowledge, Data-Driven Training

Whether your goal is a major-city event or a local race, a US-based coach can talk through logistics, typical conditions, and realistic time goals - and you can message them with questions before you commit to anything.

Find Your 3K Coach in the US

Filter by product type, specialty, or price to narrow the list, then start 3K training built around your fitness and your calendar.

FAQ

Yes - coaching on V.O2 works remotely, so you can train with a coach based anywhere in the United States. Communication happens through messaging and in-app feedback, with workouts and paces delivered wherever you run.

Each coach publishes their own pricing on their profile, and product types range from one-off consultations to ongoing private coaching. Use the price filter to compare options within your budget.

Dr. Jack Daniels, the exercise scientist and two-time Olympic medalist Runner's World named "The World's Best Running Coach." His research sets the individualized paces every 3K plan on V.O2 is built from, including US-based coaches' plans.

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! All coaches on this page specialize in 3K. You can further refine by speciality, product type, or language to find your ideal coach.

Yes! These coaches specialize in Certified Strength and Conditioning 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.

Yes! The coaches on this page combine expertise in Certified Strength and Conditioning with 3K training experience. This targeted approach helps you train smarter and reach your race goals.