What Are the Qualifications to Be a Running Coach?

Running is a popular sport, pastime, and fitness activity. Some people run simply because they love it. Others slog it out to burn calories. Whatever the reason, a lot of people run. According to surveys, even more people started running thanks to the lockdowns of the pandemic. 

As a growing activity, running offers opportunities for fitness careers. If you are a runner and enjoy working with people, you could turn your sport into a side hustle or full-time gig. Here’s what it takes to become a successful running coach. 

What Is a Running Coach? 

The term running coach might make you think about track or cross country teams, but it's so much more. Track and field coaches work with athletes and teams, in high schools, colleges, or at the national level. 

A running coach usually refers to someone who works with hobby runners. These are people who run for fun or fitness, have a running goal they want to meet, and hire a qualified coach to help them. They might hire a coach to go from the couch to a 5k or to achieve a sub-three-hour marathon.

Running coaches work with clients, usually one-on-one. They assess their current running performance and fitness, help them set goals, and then work with them to achieve those goals. They create training plans and race strategies and motivate their clients along the way. This is true whether you are coaching athletes or beginner runners. Traditionally, run coaching is done in person, but online coaching has become more prominent. 

Related Post: What do clients expect when hiring a running coach? 

Do Running Coaches Need to Be Certified? 

This kind of coaching is not regulated by an agency or the government. In an unregulated industry, certification is actually very important. When anyone can call themselves a running coach, it is essential to have a credential that communicates your skills and professionalism. 

So, while certification is not legally a qualification for working as a run coach, it is vital to being successful in this position. 

One reason to get certified is because you can earn more. Learn more about what to charge clients as you begin working as a running coach. 

Qualifications to Be a Running Coach

Careers like this are self-regulated in a way. Qualifications are likely unofficial but incredibly important. The market ultimately demands the qualifications because most consumers will not hire a coach who isn’t skilled, experienced, or certified in some way. Before becoming a running coach, consider what it takes to succeed in the role: 

Running Experience

The very first thing you need to be a good running coach is experience as a runner. You don’t have to be a serious athlete or achieve a certain pace or race results. But you should participate in and enjoy the sport. It’s difficult to coach people if you don’t know what they’re going through.

There is a lot of range in running. Consider coaching what you know. For instance, if you only run 5k and 10k races, you might not be in the best position to coach endurance athletes. Want to expand your experience? Get involved in your local running community to meet other runners and learn about new opportunities.

Running Coach Certification

Being a runner gives you a lot of great firsthand experience. It helps you figure out what works for you in terms of training, race strategies, recovery, and nutrition. This can be extremely valuable when coaching other runners, but it isn’t enough. What works for you doesn’t work for everyone. 

To be a skilled and successful running coach, you need to understand the basics of running (including good running form and technique), fitness, and nutrition. You can adapt this foundational knowledge to meet the needs of varied clients with different abilities, limitations, and goals. 

This is the most important reason to earn a running coach certification. You must be knowledgeable about basic human anatomy, running mechanics, training adaptations, training programs, injury prevention, and so much more before you begin coaching clients. 

The other reason to get certified is to be competitive among other coaches. Clients are unlikely to hire an uncertified over a certified coach. With this credential, you will attract more clients, communicate your professionalism, and be able to charge higher rates. 

A Knack for Coaching

This might seem obvious, but to be a good running coach, you have to actually be a coach. The best coaches do much more than simply write training programs for their clients. They educate, motivate, and guide them toward their goals. They are hands-on and involved. 

It’s ok if you have never officially worked in a coaching capacity, but you should have a knack for it or a willingness to learn the art of coaching. Maybe you have paced at races and found you were good at pulling people along, or you helped a friend get off the couch and train for their first 5k. You might have organized a running club. These are coaching experiences. 

Flexibility

People are unpredictable and delightfully varied. One client will probably be completely different from the next. Even when working with a client, they can be different from day to day, presenting new challenges. Their training might be going well and then suddenly hit a wall. Running coaches must be flexible and adaptable to deal with it all. 

You should be willing and able to pivot even in the middle of a set training plan. If you can see it’s not working, be prepared to recognize that and make changes. If your coaching style just isn’t meshing with a client, consider how you can shift your style a little to help them. If they get injured, how will you help them be flexible and patient? 

Commitment

Coaching runners can be a full-time gig or a part-time side hustle, but in either case running training requires commitment. If you have a client who wants to train for a full or half marathon, you need to stick with them for months. They are counting on you to be there every step of the way. Coaching requires a commitment of your time as well as your energy and involvement. You can’t do it halfway; you must be all in with each client. 

Good People Skills

Naturally, being a coach involves working with people one-on-one. Even more than other types of people-interfacing jobs, coaching requires you to develop personal relationships. You should be able to get to know your clients enough to provide the best services. You should also be compassionate, empathetic, and able to judge when to push or let up when coaching. These are all vital interpersonal skills that a great coach will have. 

Professionalism

In coaching, it can be easy to blur the line between a professional relationship with a client and a friendship. The ability to maintain professionalism in a career that requires you to get close and personal with clients is essential. 

Other important aspects of professionalism for a good coach include being punctual, practicing what you preach, and giving clients your best every time. Professional running coaches are also ethical. This means never tolerating performance-enhancing drugs or other rule violations and ensuring your client is training safely. You can’t allow them to take shortcuts that will get running results but put their health in jeopardy. 

How to Select the Best Certified Running Coach Program

Choosing the right running coach certification is an important step in becoming a qualified and knowledgeable running coach. The certification you select should be reputable and provide comprehensive training that aligns with your coaching goals. Here are some steps to help you pick the right running coach certification:

1. Research Organizations: Start by researching organizations that offer running coach certifications. Look for well-established and respected organizations that are recognized within the fitness and coaching community. 

2. Check Curriculum and Course Content: Once you have a list of potential organizations, review the curriculum and course content of their running coach certification programs. Ensure that the program covers key topics such as physiology, biomechanics, training principles, injury prevention, nutrition, and coaching techniques. Fitness Drum provides a detailed review of the ISSA Running Coach Certification.

3. Reviews and Testimonials: Look for reviews and testimonials from individuals who have completed the certification. Their experiences can provide valuable insights into the quality and effectiveness of the program.

4. Cost and Flexibility: Consider the cost of the certification program and whether it fits within your budget. Additionally, evaluate the program's flexibility in terms of study options and completion time, especially if you have other commitments like a job or studies.

5. Continuing Education: Check if the certifying organization offers opportunities for continuing education and professional development. Running and coaching knowledge evolve over time, so it's essential to stay updated with the latest research and trends.

6. Support and Resources: Assess the level of ongoing support and resources provided by the certifying organization. This may include access to a community of coaches and trainers, educational materials, and networking opportunities.

Become a Certified Running Coach

Working as any kind of coach can be rewarding. If you are already passionate about running, consider helping others excel in the sport. A convenient, affordable coaching certification program can set you on the path to an exciting new career. 

ISSA’s Certified Personal Trainer – Self-Guided Study Program is a great first step to specialize in coaching. A foundation in fitness and personal training is essential to any specialization. The program is online, self-guided, and affordable. 

If you’re ready to become a Certified Running Coach, ISSA is the perfect place to advance your coaching education. With ISSA’s Running Coach Certification Program, you'll learn how to build result-driven training programs by evaluating each of your client's body structure, nutrition, and movement and learn to program the right workout plan for accurate training. You’ll be the expert on how to assess every body at any stage in their fitness journey and build custom training programs to help each runner get stronger without pain or injury.