Meet Three Inspiring Women Coaches of Local Run Clubs
Not long ago, women running coaches were few and far between. Today, though more women are joining the coaching ranks,
the data suggests that women still hold less than 20% of NCAA head track & field and cross country coaching positions.
With the 53rd
Mastercard New York Mini 10K—the world’s original women-only road race—and the anniversary of the
passage of Title IX happening this month, we interviewed three women coaches of NYC–based running clubs. They talked about their journeys, shared inspiration, and offered advice to other aspiring women coaches.
Devon Martin – Central Park Track Club Tracksmith and Atalanta NYC
Devon has been coaching
Central Park Track Club - Tracksmith for over two decades and was previously a standout middle-distance runner at Columbia University. She served as the Men's Mid-Distance and Distance Coach for Team USA at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships.
Tell us about your coaching journey.
When I was coming out of college, I thought it was all done. I mean, Title IX had been around for 20 years and women athletes had made great strides. I had an amazing early coaching experience under Tony Sandoval at [University of California] Berkeley in the 1990s. Tony always had men and women coaches. He thought women brought so much to the table.
Later I learned how male-dominated coaching was overall. So many women’s teams were coached by men and virtually all men’s teams were coached by men.
What challenges have you faced as a woman coach and how have you overcome them?
I think it all depends on what comes from the top. I thought it was normal for women to coach women and men, and only later learned that it was the exception. I’m grateful I had that experience. Because of it I’ve always supported and promoted other women coaches.
USA Track & Field is now doing an amazing job of supporting women coaches. I was so proud to coach Team USA at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships. This should be normal for women coaches.
What qualities do you think women coaches bring to the table?
Women coaches are comfortable addressing certain issues that are important to women athletes but that they might not be comfortable bringing up with male coaches—eating disorders, menstrual cramps, etc.
Also, as female athletes’ careers extend longer and longer, a female coach is key to helping navigate pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the return to running post-pregnancy. Female coaches can really empathize with the juggling of motherhood, working, and racing. I remember holding my athlete's 6-month-old baby in one arm and a stopwatch in the other as she pursued her running dreams. Six months later, she qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon.
Women coaches just need to get their foot in the door, then they will prove themselves. At
Atalanta we’re creating a women’s coaching program to prepare young women for leadership positions and to be role models. If they don’t have role models, how are they going to lead?
Women coaches also understand running attire in a way that men coaches may not. Some women love briefs, others want more coverage. Some want a singlet, others want a crop. Women coaches understand that if you feel good in what you’re wearing, you’ll train and compete with confidence.
What would you say to a woman who is thinking of becoming a running coach?
First, go for it! Just jump in.
If at all possible, intern or be mentored by another woman coach. Learn as much as you can, from the best in the sport. Get educated—do the USATF Level 1 certification. Realize that you never stop learning. Keep up with the research, the science, the technology.
Don’t hesitate to overcommunicate with your athlete. Sometimes right before a race, I’ll think of one final thing to say to an athlete and wonder if I should say it. My advice is to say the thing—if you’re thinking it, then it’s important.
As you grow, mentor other women coaches, bring them along. I’m so glad
CPTC hired
Roberta Groner—she’s blossomed as a coach and it’s been the best thing for her and for us. As women, we have to practice what we preach; we can’t just complain.
Marjorie (Ma) Louis – Harlem Run
Ma Louis has been a member of
Harlem Run for a decade and one of Harlem Run's coaches since 2023. She's been a runner for nearly 15 years and is a
certified Road Runners Club of America coach.
Tell us about your running and coaching journey.
I started my running career with NYRR's beginner running classes back in 2011, but I didn't take the plunge into distance running until the 2013 Brooklyn Half. My first marathon was NYC in 2014.
I was fortunate enough to work with a coach to train for NYC, and the experience was amazing! I found myself immersed in the theory and science behind it all. I needed the pieces to fit together in my mind. I added more half and full marathons and my interest in pursuing my coaching certification grew.
During COVID, Road Runners Club of America offered virtual certification courses and in May 2020, I took the plunge and earned my coaching certification. As soon as the founder of Harlem Run,
Alison Mariella Désir, found out I was a certified coach, she threw her full weight behind me to elevate me and my skills.
I love coaching, guiding, and supporting the running community, especially beginner runners wanting to tackle distances from 5K and beyond for the first time. It's a full-circle moment and way to pay it forward the way my first coach helped me.
What challenges have you faced as a woman coach and how have you overcome them?
One of the challenges I've had to overcome as a woman coach is whether I am being taken seriously. Part of that struggle has been linked to my own imposter syndrome, but having athletes who trust in my abilities, seek me out for guidance, and me getting out to support the running community every chance I get is a great reminder of my abilities.
What qualities do you think women bring to coaching?
The special qualities I bring to coaching are being keenly aware of the lifecycle of running and being able to coach through it. I've been the beginner runner who didn't know where to start, I've been the runner who trained to race, and trained HARD when I learned more about my abilities. I've run 9-minute miles, I've run 15-minute miles. I've experienced the highs of PRs and the lows of injury and what it takes to build back from it.
Running begins where you are and it's important to have a coach that will meet you there and guide you to do the same.
What would you say to a woman who is thinking of becoming a running coach?
I'd say DO IT! Being a woman coach brings a unique perspective to the sport. I think there is a community of women runners dealing with perimenopause and menopause that can benefit from working with women coaches. These life changes play a role in training approaches, and I think women coaches could benefit from educating ourselves on this to better serve our athletes.
Tammy Salazar-Andurand – Women Make Moves
The lead coach of
Women Make Moves, Tammy has been coaching since 2016.
Tell us about your coaching journey.
I began coaching with NYRR’s Group Training program. I had the pleasure of working with so many runners from Central Park to Prospect Park as one of the first few women coaches.
I started private coaching in 2019 with my first client being a woman—who I still work with today. Over the years I’ve gained more female clients who have trained for either their first half marathon or full marathon.
Today, I am the lead coach for my team, Women Make Moves. I still work with some outside athletes that are both returning and new to the sport.
It's been such an honor to be in the passenger seat of so many people's training journeys and help them get to the finish line of various races. For me, being a coach is not only about guiding your runners but uncovering the potential they had in them all along. I truly have loved witnessing my athletes' growth and the point of them looking back at the whole process and being proud of what they accomplished.
What challenges have you faced as a woman coach and how have you overcome them?
I think as a woman in this sport, we still face so many inequities from pay to microaggressions. There's still limited recognition for women coaches and consistent challenges to prove our worth. For me personally, it's been dealing with male egos and the glamorization of men in the community. I know my worth and what I bring to the table, so I strive to remain authentic throughout that noise.
Creating my group, Women Make Moves, has also been another way of uplifting women and amplifying fellow women coaches and trainers.
What would you say to a woman who is thinking of becoming a running coach?
Focus on learning, studying, and getting the necessary certification. Connect with other coaches. Continue to learn and remember your experiences and voice are important.
We tend to question ourselves a lot, but if you're passionate about it, do it! Find your lane, purpose, and go from there. We need more women coaches out there, especially women of color. Representation matters.
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