Zach Springer – St. Petersburg, FL Running Coach
Ultrarunner & UESCA coach for busy professionals. First ultras, mountain races, marathons. Iron Will 100 winner. 5.0★ every athlete.
From: $109.00 / month
Running Coach Description
I coach runners who balance demanding careers, families, or heavy travel with the goal of doing something hard — from a first half marathon to a first 100-miler. My athletes have hit PRs they didn’t believe were possible, trained through erratic schedules, and crossed distances they once thought were out of reach.
I’ve raced what I coach: 1st overall at Iron Will 100 (23:07), 2nd overall at a 24-hour (108.5 miles), plus Tarawera, Javelina, Leadville, and Keys 100. UESCA-certified, based in St. Petersburg, FL, coaching athletes across the U.S. and internationally.
If you want a coach who will build a plan around your real life — not a cookie-cutter template — and who actually replies when you text at 9 p.m. the night before a long run, email me before signing up. I respond to every inquiry within 24 hours, and I only take on athletes I genuinely believe I can help.
Specialties
I coach runners with demanding careers who want to do something hard:
- First ultramarathons: 50K, 50 miles, 100K and 100 miles
- Mountain and trail races, even if you train somewhere flat (I live in Florida and just ran 9,432 ft of climbing at Kaçkar by UTMB)
- First half and full marathons
- Busy professionals who travel or work unpredictable hours
- Road runners moving to trail
- 24-hour and timed events (2nd overall, 108.5 miles)
Philosophy
Great running comes from four things working together:
A goal big enough to pull you through hard mornings. If the “why” isn’t strong enough, no plan will save you. My first job is helping you pick a target that actually matters to you.
Honest two-way communication. I don’t run templates. Your plan adapts every week based on what your body, schedule, and life are actually doing. That requires you to tell me the truth, and me to listen.
Community and accountability. Running is easier when you’re not doing it alone. I help my athletes plug into the right local groups, training partners, and online communities.
Enjoying the work. If you’re miserable doing it, we’re doing it wrong. The goal isn’t just to make you faster — it’s to make the process something you’d choose even if there was no race at the end.
Coaching Experience
UESCA-certified running coach with a current roster of athletes ranging from first-time half-marathoners to experienced ultrarunners, ages 30–60. Every athlete I’ve coached through Team RunRun has left a 5-star review. My athletes have logged PRs across the half, full marathon, and ultra distances, and have trained successfully through demanding work schedules, travel, and life transitions.
About Me
Based in St. Petersburg, Florida. I work in technology sales, which keeps me sharp on how to coach other professionals with limited time and unpredictable calendars. I speak Italian and Russian, I’ve lived and raced on three continents, and I share my home with a four-year-old rescue Belgian Malinois named Cleo. Outside of coaching and running, I’m into travel, faith, and building an intentional life that makes hard training possible rather than optional.
Big Influences
- Running: Ryan Hall
- Health and longevity: Andrew Huberman
- Life design and decision-making: Tim Ferriss, Robert Greene, Nassim Taleb
- The throughline: running performance is downstream of how you structure the rest of your life. My coaching reflects that.
Race History
- Kaçkar by UTMB 50K (Ayder, Türkiye), 2026, 11:50, 27.66 mi / 9,432 ft gain
- Iron Will 100 — 23:07 — 1st Place Overall
- Jackpot Ultra 24-Hour — 108.54 Miles — 2nd Place Overall
- Brazos Bend 100 Miler — 25:55
- Keys 100 (Florida Keys, FL) — 2023 — 28:28
- Tarawera Ultramarathon 100 Miles (New Zealand) — 2020 — 30:37
- Javelina Jundred 100 Miles (Phoenix, AZ) — 2019 — 28:25
- Leadville Trail Marathon (Leadville, CO) — 2019 — 5:26
- Cheyenne Mountain Trail Race 25K (Colorado Springs, CO) — 2019 — 3:08
- Moscow Marathon — 3:30
- Twin Cities Marathon — 2x finisher
Certifications
- UESCA (United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy) Certified Running Coach
Awards & Accolades
- 1st Place Overall, Iron Will 100
- 2nd Place Overall, Jackpot Ultra 24-Hour (108.5 miles)
- 5.0★ coach rating on Team RunRun across all reviews
Personal Records
- 100 Miles: 23:07 (Iron Will 100, 1st Place Overall)
- 24 Hours: 108.5 Miles (Jackpot Ultra, 2nd Place Overall)
- Marathon: 3:30 (Moscow Marathon, 2013 — first marathon; focus has been ultra distances since)
Publications
Contact Zach
6 reviews for Zach Springer – St. Petersburg, FL Running Coach
Bryan Johnson –
It took me a while to finally pull the trigger on getting a running coach and I couldn’t have been happier with my experience. Zach has pushed me to become a better runner for over a year now, doing things I never thought I could do a couple of years ago. The excellent communication and words of encouragement have allowed me to progress a lot in my journey. I highly recommend!
aliu725 –
I have been working with Zach for over 6 months now and I can say that it has been one of my best decisions in regards to my running. Not only has he helped me achieve several PBs, he tailors my training plan to my erratic work schedule, has experience in both road and trail running, and is very responsive and helpful when I have a question or concern. His plans push you without causing you burnout, and I appreciate his focus on enjoying running above all else. Zach is always encouraging and positive with his coaching, motivating you to keep running and getting better. I highly recommend Zach if you are looking for a coach who will get you confident and prepared for your upcoming race in a healthy and positive way.
Claire Ruehle –
Zach’s coaching has been such a blessing. In the short amount of time I’ve been working with him I have achieved multiple PR’s, one of which I never thought would be possible. My work schedule is all over the place, but he is able to accommodate this. He is always extremely positive and motivational. I’ll forever be thankful for him holding me accountable. Looking forward to continuing to work with him to achieve even more goals.
Mary Lanzel –
Zach is hands down the best running coach I’ve had the privilege of working with. From day one, his passion for running and commitment to his athletes is evident. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned ultrarunner, Zach tailors his training plans to fit your goals perfectly. His deep knowledge of the sport, combined with his ability to push you just the right amount, has made a huge difference in my performance.
What sets Zach apart is his attention to detail—he not only focuses on your physical fitness but also emphasizes nutrition, mindset, and injury prevention. He’s quick to adapt plans based on feedback and life’s unexpected curveballs, which has kept me progressing without burning out. I also appreciate how accessible he is for questions and guidance between workouts.
Thanks to Zach, I’ve hit milestones I never thought possible, and I’m more confident in tackling upcoming races. If you’re serious about reaching your running potential and want a coach who genuinely cares about your success, I highly recommend Zach!
Maricel Vicente –
Zach has been an incredible support throughout my running journey! From the very beginning, he has been not only a skilled coach but also a source of constant encouragement and motivation. Whether it was through thoughtful advice, pep talks, or simply checking in to see how I was feeling, Zach made a significant impact on my confidence and readiness. He is an exceptional coach who goes above and beyond to ensure that I not only reach my goals but also enjoy the journey along the way. I’m incredibly grateful for his support and would highly recommend Zach to anyone looking for a dedicated and inspiring running coach!
Ann Poplick –
Zach has been an awesome coach! He goes above and beyond in helping me. He is so, so supportive and encouraging, and he deserves so much credit for giving me the instruction, guidance, and motivation I needed to grow in my running journey! Thanks to him I have full confidence in myself as I work towards my goals. I am beyond grateful, and really excited to keep going (: 10/10