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5K Mental Skills Coaches in the United States

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Amy Sitar

Amy Sitar

NY, NY, United States

5km Mental Skills Competitive

5.0 (37) 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

Amy Sitar coaches runners of all levels—Head Coach of the NY Flyers marathon program offering private coaching and consultations to help athletes reach goals faster.

Starting at $75.00

Joe Shayne

Joe Shayne

New York, New York, United States

5km Mental Skills Competitive

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. 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. +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

Dami Alao

Dami Alao

Alexandria, Virginia, United States

5km Mental Skills Competitive

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

5km Mental Skills 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

Nialah Ferrer

Nialah Ferrer

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

5km Mental Skills Competitive

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

5km Mental Skills Competitive

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. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. +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

Cary Morgan

Cary Morgan

Vestavia, Alabama, United States

5km Exercise Science Competitive

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

Karli Saur

Karli Saur

Bernardsville, New Jersey, United States

5km Mental Skills Competitive

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

Tom Palamar and Jenny Crawshaw

Tom Palamar and Jenny Crawshaw

New Port Richey, Florida, United States

5km Mental Skills Exercise Science

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

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

Fleet Feet  Nashville

Fleet Feet Nashville

Nashville, TN, United States

5km Mental Skills Beginner

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

Fleet Feet Nashville builds a like-minded community with in-person/remote training, groups, and consultations. RRCA Level 1 & 2 coaches offer training plans and private coaching for 5K–marathon goals.

Starting at $60.00

Lindsey Altermatt

Lindsey Altermatt

St. Francis, Minnesota, United States

5km Mental Skills 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.

Lindsey builds practical, individualized plans from 26+ years and Twin Cities race experience. Offers consultations, custom plans, The Navigator, and 1:1 coaching.

Starting at $129.00

Maddie Barrett

Maddie Barrett

Minneapolis , Minnesota, United States

5km Mental Skills Competitive

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.

Maddie, RRCA-certified coach with 10 marathons (PR 3:07) and four Bostons, offers remote coaching, consultations and plans for 5K–marathon runners seeking confidence and joy.

Starting at $40.00

Joseph Gendy

Joseph Gendy

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

5km Mental Skills Competitive

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.

Joseph builds VDOT plans for beginners through masters and Boston hopefuls. RRCA L2 coach who led three athletes to marathon PRs; offers remote training and private coaching.

Starting at $80.00

Melissa Labrie

Melissa Labrie

Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, United States

5km Mental Skills 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.

Melissa, former Ironman with 15+ years' endurance experience and RRCA + GGS credentials, offers structured, sustainable coaching and plans for beginners to competitive runners. 20% off (RUNJULY)

Starting at $45.00

Tammy Whyte

Tammy Whyte

Chicago, Illinois, United States

5km Mental Skills 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.

Tammy helps middle-of-pack and beginner runners reach half and full marathon goals with RRCA, NASM and CFSC-backed training plans and remote/group consultations.

Starting at $60.00

Karen Dunn

Karen Dunn

Collegeville, Pennsylvania, United States

5km Mental Skills Competitive

4.2 (5) 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

Karen Dunn helps runners train smarter, stronger and faster. VDOT O2- & RRCA-certified, builds strength, lowers injury risk and offers private coaching.

Starting at $180.00

Martinus Evans

Martinus Evans

Atlanta, New York, United States

5km Exercise Science Masters

3.7 (3) 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.

Martinus helps beginners and larger-bodied runners take first steps to marathons with inclusive training plans, remote coaching, groups, camps, consultations.

Starting at $40.00

5K Running Coaches in the United States

5K Coaching With US Race Context

Coaches based in the United States bring local context to 5K 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 5K Coach in the US

Filter by product type, specialty, or price to narrow the list, then start 5K 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 5K 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 5K. You can further refine by speciality, product type, or language to find your ideal coach.

Yes! These coaches specialize in Mental Skills 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 Mental Skills with 5K training experience. This targeted approach helps you train smarter and reach your race goals.