HELLO AND WELCOME TO MY CORNER OF THE RUNNING WORLD!

I’m Mitchell Thornton, a USATF Level 1 certified coach, and I’m excited to share my love for running and fitness with you. Whether you’re a marathon pro or just starting out, I hope my journey and experience inspire and help you achieve your running goals.

  • INDIVIDUALS COACHED

  • COACHING EXPERIENCE

  • NCAA D1 TRACK AND FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY COACH

  • NEW YORK ROAD RUNNERS COACH

MY RUNNING
HISTORY

My love affair with running began at the tender age of 12 in Northeast Ohio. Little did I know then, it was the start of an adventure that would take me around the world, both literally and figuratively. Over the past 21 years, running has been a constant in my life, evolving from a childhood hobby to a collegiate pursuit, and eventually into a lifelong endeavor.

ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS

From junior high through high school, I competed with a fierce dedication that propelled me to becoming the first person in my high school’s history to qualify for the state cross country meet all four years. From there, I entered the division one NCAA level. My college years were a period of intense growth and achievement; even though I accomplished a great deal, I knew my best running years were still ahead of me. Post collegiately, I continued to race, completing hundreds of races, including more than 30 half marathons and seven marathons, highlighted by some of my personal records: a 4:08 mile, a 14:18 5K, a 1:10 half marathon, and a 2:38 marathon. My marathon running has been particularly memorable, taking me to some of the world’s most iconic races: Chicago, Boston, New York City, Berlin, Tokyo, and London. (I am also one of the fewer than, as of this writing, 500 people to have completed all six Abbott World Marathon Majors in under three hours.)

Whether you’re aiming for a personal best, training for your first race, or seeking expert coaching to elevate your performance, I’m here to support you every step of the way.

COACHING EXPERIENCE

Fueled by a desire to help others achieve their own running and athletic dreams, I moved into coaching. With more than 12 years of professional coaching experience, I’ve had the privilege of guiding runners at various stages of their athletic careers. I began by coaching junior high for one season before taking over my high school alma mater’s cross country and track and field programs for three years. During that time, my teams saw remarkable success with six state champions—three team and three individual titles.

A NEW CHAPTER IN NYC

My coaching career then elevated to the division one NCAA level, where I spent four years shaping the futures of many incredibly talented student-athletes. Under my guidance, we celebrated significant milestones, including two sub-4:00 milers and 13 All-Americans. Each year, our men’s cross country team consistently finished in the top 12 at the NCAA Nationals, showcasing their dedication and hard work.

JOIN ME ON THE ADVENTURE

Running is more than merely a sport; it’s a lifestyle, a community, and a source of endless joy and challenge. Whether you’re aiming for a personal best, training for your first race, or seeking expert coaching to elevate your performance, I’m here to support you every step of the way. Let’s embark on this adventure and discover the incredible places running can take us.

Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to connecting with you!

— Coach Mitchell