NYRR Women Coaches Talk About Running and Role Models

To celebrate Women’s History Month, we asked five of our NYRR Group Training women coaches a few questions about what it’s like being a coach and a runner, who has inspired them to be the athletes they are today, and what they’d say to other women thinking about going into coaching. Check out their answers below. Interviews edited for length and clarity.

Jacq Gregg

“As a woman, more importantly as a woman of color, I strongly believe that representation matters.”

Who are some women athletes who inspired you to become an athlete yourself or who inspire you today?

When I was younger, I loved watching track and field. I so admired Florence Griffith Joyner. She was beautiful, graceful, and fast. I am not fast, and on most days, I am not graceful. But I bring with me a joy and passion for running that was so evident every time Flo Jo stepped onto the track. These days, I am in awe of marathoners like Tigst Assefa and Sifan Hassan who continue to shatter records!

What are some of your most memorable moments as a coach?

One event that stands out was when I was leading a group of runners on the last 10 miles of the TCS New York City Marathon. They were all first timers and being that I had run the marathon four times before, I was able to share some tips and tricks to help get them to the finish line. I also get a kick out of hearing runners tell me that they heard my voice in their heads telling them to "quicken your steps and use your arms" in order to get up and over a hill.

[Also], encouraged by my mentor coach, Gisela Perez (another NYRR coach), I became a run coordinator with Black Girls Run. Through my involvement with BGR, I fell head over running sneakers in love with running.

What would you say to other women who are thinking of becoming coaches?

Just do it! As a woman, more importantly as a woman of color, I strongly believe that representation matters. It's important to me to be one of the faces and one of the voices in the room when we talk to and about leaders and experts in the industry.

Inequality still exists for women in sports. Have you experienced or observed any inequity yourself?

In most fields, sports and otherwise, women are constantly being challenged to prove ourselves and our worth. We still have a long way to go when it comes to equality and the finish line keeps getting moved further and further away.

Anything else you’d like to add?

My road to becoming a run coach was paved by some awesome mentors and other [women] run coaches that I met through the Game Changers program, which aims to bring in more women of color as certified run coaches. I hope to continue to show up, lace up and share my joy of running with people who want to take their health and fitness seriously.

There's a great quote by Marian Wright Edelman: "You can't be what you can't see." When I logged onto my first Game Changers Zoom meeting, I saw so many beautiful representations of the BIPOC running community, women seeking a seat at the run coach table.

Farah Visslailli

“I think just to exist as a woman in sports is to experience some form of inequity, even if not in overt ways.”

Who are some women athletes who inspired you to become an athlete yourself or who inspire you today?

The first sport I became serious about as a kid was skiing. The first woman athlete I distinctly remember being inspired by was Picabo Street. After she won a silver medal in the Downhill event in the 1994 Olympics, I drew a picture of myself skiing to victory in the Olympics for my art class. I am grateful to have had someone like Picabo Street who I could see myself in, which I think is so important for young girls.

Today, I am inspired by Deena Kastor – I am obsessed with her book Let Your Mind Run. I’m inspired by Alexi Pappas and Molly Seidel for speaking out about mental health. Shalane Flanagan for baring her emotions and using the F word for all to see (also, love her cookbooks!). Camille Heron, Des Linden, and Sara Hall for showing the world what competing at an elite level and winning after 40 looks like. Allyson Felix and Kara Goucher for speaking out against the injustices and absurdities that women athletes and mothers face. And our sport’s founding foremothers, Kathr ine Switzer and Joan Benoit Samuelson.

What are some of your most memorable moments as a coach?

The 2022 New York City Marathon comes to mind. The unseasonably warm and humid day provided tough conditions. I spent the afternoon into the evening running up and down 5th Ave, just trying to help people get out of dark headspaces, put one foot in front of the other and get closer to the finish line.

What would you say to other women who are thinking of becoming coaches?

If you are thinking of becoming a coach, go for it! If you’re feeling any bit of imposter syndrome, don’t worry, so are the rest of us – as far as I’m concerned, this is just the nature of being a woman. With coaching, there are so many different avenues you can explore so hopefully you can eventually [find] the right fit.

Inequality still exists for women in sports. Have you experienced or observed any inequity yourself?

I think just to exist as a woman in sports is to experience some form of inequity, even if not in overt ways. Of course, the overt ways are there – equal pay being a big one. For me personally though, I think the inequity happens in subtle ways that are difficult to quantify. For instance, if my advice or knowledge is being questioned, is that because I’m a woman or for another reason? I wouldn’t trade [the experience of being a woman runner], but there are some real frustrations – like the lack of ease and comfort with just going out for a run wherever and whenever I want to.

Gemma Ward

“The world of running for women has changed so much in the last 50 years but there is still room for change.”

Who are some women athletes who inspired you to become an athlete yourself or who inspire you today?

Katherine Switzer! She is such a pioneer and has truly revolutionized the sport for future [women] athletes. Her attitude and how she faced and confronted challenge and inequality has helped open the sport up for so many young girls and women.

What are some of your most memorable moments as a coach?

As a coach, watching one of my [women] athletes complete her first marathon. She had never run before and watching her work hard for months on end to complete such an insane distance was so inspiring. [Also], being at the finish line of any race. I love watching the look on athletes’ faces as they cross that finishing mat. At the end of the TCS New York City Marathon in 2023, I was able to hand one of my athletes her medal - just seeing her smile and raise her hands out of pure excitement as she crossed that finishing line knowing she did it was so emotional and inspiring.

What would you say to other women who are thinking of becoming coaches?

Do it. Don’t hesitate.

Inequality still exists for women in sports. Have you experienced or observed any inequity yourself?

The world of running for women has changed so much in the last 50 years but there is still room for change. Some of the positive changes recently have been seeing pregnancy deferral options for races, this has been a great step for women runners.

Going forward, I would love to see more women coaches. We need to continue to encourage our young women and girls in the sport and help to elevate our pre-existing women coaches.

Tanya Graham

&l