Dean Roehrborn – Richmond, IL Running Coach
From: $30.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
Helping runners of all levels train for any road, trail, or track race with personalized plans to reach their goals. Let’s Go!!!!
Description
Richmond/McHenry, IL running coach Dean Roehrborn specializes in helping beginner to advanced athletes prepare for 5k races, as well as distances of 800m, 1600m, and 3200m on various terrains including grass, trails, tracks, or roads. Dean also offers in-person sessions within 20 miles of McHenry, IL. Reach out below to get started!
*** Limited roster space – 5 spots available ***
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road, Track, Trail
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon
TRAINING PLATFORM: Final Surge
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited phone, unlimited text
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Richmond, IL (McHenry)
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Yes, within 20 miles of McHenry, IL. Each workout is tailored to the runner’s skill level, experience, and specific goals. See the link to the in-person session below or reach out to Dean for more info.
SPECIALTIES
I coach runners of all ages and experience levels, from first-time racers to seasoned competitors. My specialties include preparing athletes for road and trail races such as the 3K, 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. I tailor training to a variety of surfaces—including grass, trails, tracks, and roads—to match the demands of your race environment. I also have a strong background in speed development and enjoy working with athletes focused on shorter, faster events commonly found on the track. These include the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m, but I also work with athletes training for sprints and distances shorter than 800m. Whether you’re chasing a PR or building from the ground up, I create training plans that meet you where you are and guide you where you want to go.
PHILOSOPHY
For the past eight years, I’ve been deeply immersed in coaching cross country and track at various high schools in the Chicago suburbs. During this time, I’ve had the privilege of guiding athletes to remarkable achievements, including multiple All-State honors in both sports. Many of these athletes have continued their running careers at Division I universities across the country.
In addition to coaching elite athletes, I have worked extensively with new, beginner, and intermediate runners. I specialize in helping these athletes build confidence, set personalized goals, and develop training plans tailored to their individual needs. My approach focuses on gradual progress, injury prevention, and fostering a love for the sport, enabling runners to achieve new personal bests.
Whether working with competitive high school athletes or adults pursuing their first 5K or marathon, my coaching philosophy remains the same: provide individualized attention, consistent support, and a positive environment that helps every athlete unlock their full potential. My diverse experience equips me to guide runners of all ages and abilities on their journey toward success.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
I’ve been coaching for the past eight years, beginning as a volunteer during my student teaching and continuing as a cross country and track coach at several high schools in the Chicago suburbs. In that time, I’ve helped athletes achieve significant personal growth and competitive success—including multiple All-State honors in both sports and opportunities to compete at the collegiate level across the country.
Over the past year, I’ve also been coaching through Team RunRun, working extensively with beginner and intermediate runners. I’ve helped adults train for marathons, prepare for police and military fitness tests, and rediscover their love of running after extended breaks. No matter the goal, I focus on meeting each athlete where they are, building confidence, and providing the structure and support needed to keep moving forward. While much of my background is in youth coaching, I’ve found that the same individualized, encouraging approach translates powerfully to runners of all ages and abilities.
ABOUT ME
Hello! I’m Dean, a dedicated teacher and coach from the Chicago suburbs, a place whose unique charm I’ve embraced throughout my life. Despite the weather’s challenges, I often remind my athletes, “We’re building character!”
I thrive on pushing my own boundaries—physically, mentally, and creatively. Lately, I’ve been enjoying frisbee golf, which has been a fun way to challenge myself and spend time outdoors.
Outside of teaching and coaching, I enjoy kayaking, making music, and spending time with loved ones. But running holds a special place in my heart. It’s been a cornerstone of my life since I was 10, shaping who I am and fostering lifelong relationships. As a high school cross country and track coach, I’m privileged to guide student-athletes toward their running goals while supporting their personal growth every step of the way. I’m also passionate about giving back to the broader running community by helping runners of all ages and abilities reach their potential.
BIG INFLUENCES
One of the most profound influences on my coaching style was my high school cross country and track coach. His unwavering belief in every athlete’s potential deeply resonated with me. He showed genuine care for each team member’s success by understanding their individual training challenges and personal struggles.
Every practice was infused with his contagious passion and positivity, setting the tone for our collective drive and leading to many remarkable performances. He built a close-knit team community marked by enduring friendships—proof of his supportive approach combined with exceptionally high standards.
I strive to embody these qualities in my own coaching, fostering both excellence and camaraderie among my athletes. By maintaining high expectations alongside unwavering support, I aim to empower them to reach their fullest potential—both on the track and in life.
RACING HISTORY
One of the most significant races in my running career occurred during high school when I aimed to qualify for the Illinois Cross Country State Finals with my team. Throughout my senior year cross country season, this goal served as my driving force. At the Sectional Meet, where qualification was on the line, I summoned my utmost effort despite facing adverse conditions of rain and cold on a challenging course, almost running a personal best. But even though my teammates and I gave our best effort, we fell short of qualifying and I never achieved my goal. This experience taught me invaluable lessons.
While the outcome was disappointing at the time, I now recognize its impact on my coaching philosophy. Approaching that race with fearlessness and pushing beyond my perceived limits has shaped how I guide athletes. I strive to instill the same determination and resilience in every athlete I coach, encouraging them to exceed their expectations when they step up to the starting line.
PRs
- 800m: 2:10 (2015)
- 1600m: 4:45 (2015)
- 3200m: 10:07 (2015)
- 3 Miles: 16:11 (9/20/14)
- 5K: 17:03 (11/16/14)
- Marathon: 3:24:31 (6/6/15)
CONTACT DEAN
Finding a coach who is a great fit for you is really important. We encourage you to email your coach prior to signing up so you can connect, communicate, and ensure a good athlete/coach fit.
SOCIAL
CG –
Coach Dean is fantastic! He has been a tremendous help in guiding my daughter to achieve all her running goals. He is in constant communication and always comes up with great workouts and great feedback. He listens to her inputs and works along with her to form workouts and routines that are best for her. In summation, his emotional support and guidance is second to none. He is absolutely fantastic!.
Richa Surbhi –
I have been working with Dean for almost 3 months now and am training for my upcoming half marathon and 50k in July. Dean has helped me build a custom plan that works with my schedule and comfort level. He has helped me push out of comfort level and in the month of January, I finally have hit 100k for one month EVER in my life. He checks in at least once a week and makes the adjustments based on my schedule and how I am feeling. I would 1000x recommend Dean as your coach.
Gregory Papenhausen –
Coach Dean has been a wonderful coach. We began with a friendly chat about my running history, injuries, goals and expectations. He really was interested n understanding what I was looking to get out of our partnership and, once he had a clear picture, he thoughtfully devised a weekly training plan for me to follow. He even filmed and provided me with a video of prehab exercises to do for my Achilles tendinitis, which was awesome. He has been totally flexible and understanding with this runner’s inconsistency, shifting the weekly schedule as needed and regularly checking in to see how I’m feeling. He has been nothing but encouraging and positive even when I’ve missed scheduled workouts. No questions asked, he continues to touch base and make sure all is well. Coach Dean is everything you would want in a coach whether you’re just starting and looking to become a consistent runner or you’re more seasoned and after a race PR.
Liam Kilcoyne –
I have been working with Dean for almost 3 months now, training for the Chicago Marathon in October. Dean has built a very dynamic plan that has helped me increase my base capacity and threshold. He checks in at least once a week to ensure adjustments that need to be made are based on how I’m feeling. His workouts have helped get me into great shape to run through this training cycle