Ehab El-Sandali – Toronto Running Coach
50% off your first month! 2025 Canadian 10,000m champion and team Canada member with a 28:50 10k PR. Elite runner with experience coaching runners of all abilities and ages! Excited to help you reach your goals no matter how big or small, with individualized training and open communication!
From: $120.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
Running Coach Description
Toronto running coach Ehab El-Sandali is an elite runner who loves working with runners of all levels, from the mile to the marathon. With 10+ years of elite running, Ehab has depth in both experience and knowledge to help beginners to advanced runners reach their goals.
*** 50% off First Month for month-to-month Coaching – Coupon Code: 50%ehab ***
Specialties
My coaching specialties include:
- Distance ranging from 5k to marathon
- Road races, Track Races, and Cross Country
- Beginner, Intermediate, and advanced level athletes
Philosophy
I believe great distance running is built on consistency, patience, and purpose. My coaching approach blends proven training with an understanding of each athlete’s unique journey. I believe in gradual, sustainable progress—balancing hard work with recovery, and discipline with joy.
Every plan is tailored, every workout has intent, and every athlete is supported with clear communication and genuine care. Success isn’t measured only by race results, but by the confidence, resilience, and love for running that grow along the way.
Coaching Experience
As a college athlete, I’ve helped coach a kids program ranging from ages 5-16 years old. Since then, I’ve helped guide friends and family members. Although my formal coaching experience might be limited, my journey as a professional athlete and at the NCAA Division 1 level has given me a great source of knowledge and insight. From my experience, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the complexities of training/racing, and the importance of personalized approaches to running.
My coaching style is to make sure the athlete I’m coaching is having fun with their journey, while maximizing the athlete’s potential without the risk of injury. With my experience as an elite athlete and part-time coaching, I feel incredibly prepared to coach athletes of all abilities and experience levels.
About Me
I played basketball growing up and when I got to high school, I was introduced to distance running when my basketball coach made us run 10 laps around the track during tryouts. I was able to lap everyone twice and that’s when I was encouraged to also join the cross country/track team.
Drawn by the feeling of winning a race and team camaraderie, I started to develop a passion for the sport. This passion led me to a full scholarship at Iona University, where I was able to achieve multiple NCAA Division 1 All-American honors and school record.
After college, I was fortunate enough to earn a professional contract with Puma for 2 years. During my career as an elite runner, I was able to win a few national titles, and represent Canada at multiple international events including the world cross country championships, and world indoor track & field championships.
While I have a deep passion for competing in the sport, I also have a deep passion for helping athletes of all levels achieve their goals.
Big Influences
I would say Joe Pienta, Ricardo Santos, Gary Westgate, and Bob Mandl were not only key influences in developing me as an athlete, but also shaped my coaching philosophy. These individuals have all been really instrumental in mentoring and providing me with guidance during my running and coaching journey.
Race History
- 2025 Canadian 10,000m champion
- 3X NCAA D1 All-American
- 2021 NCAA D1 Northeast Region Cross Country Champion (Individual)
- 8x MAAC Conference Individual Titles
- 6x MAAC Conference Team Titles
- MAAC Conference Most Outstanding Athlete of the year
- MAAC Conference Rookie of the Year (Cross Country, Indoor Track & Field, and
Outdoor Track & Field) - 2021 Joseph E. O’Connell Award Winner
- Competed at the 2022 (IAAF) World Indoor Championships for team Canada (Senior
team) - Competed at the 2019 (IAAF) World Cross Country Championships for team Canada
(Senior team)
Personal Records
- 1500m: 3:42
- Mile: 4:04
- 3k: 7:48
- 5k: 13:25
- 10k: 28:50
Navelan Muthusamy –
I’ve been coached by Ehab for about 2–3 months now, and I can confidently say he has made a massive impact on me, not just as a runner, but as a person. I am a high school cross-country and track athlete, and although Ehab is an online coach, it has never once felt that way. He is the most responsive and flexible coach I’ve ever seen. He’s available pretty much every day, and he adjusts my training based on how I’m feeling, what’s happening in my life, and what I need to perform at my best.
What makes his coaching stand out is a blend of science-based training, motivation, and genuine support. He pushes me to my limits when I need it, but he’s also the person who gets me through my bad days and races. He makes training enjoyable by giving me freedom with routes and helping adapt sessions when needed, while still keeping me challenged and growing.
Beyond running, Ehab cares about me as a person. I’ve always had a very competitive mentality and used to compare myself to others people that were much better than me constantly. He helped me develop resilience, confidence, and the ability to focus on myself rather than what other runners are doing. That shift alone has changed the way I approach training, racing, and the overall sport.
From a performance standpoint, the improvement has been huge. He built a personalized training plan, race strategies based on courses and weather, and core + strength routines tailored to my weaknesses. He helped me manage minor hamstring and groin tightness early in the season and taught me how to prevent injuries going forward, all while keeping my training progressing.
The biggest result I’ve seen isn’t just in times, but in how I feel during races. After training with him, my 3-mile race XC literally felt more like a workout, something I never thought was possible. My placement improved significantly, my mental toughness is on another level because of my long tempos, and I now step onto the starting line believing in my potential.
The one area we’re still improving together is learning not to treat tempos like races. I pushed too hard on those, but seeing how strong I already got from them makes me excited for what’s next once we refine that part.
What I appreciate most about Ehab is the time, effort, and thought he puts into my development. He communicates with me every day, checks in, adjusts my training when needed, and genuinely cares about my long-term success. He guides me not just through workouts, but through my growth as a high school athlete with big goals.
I would recommend Ehab to any runner, especially someone who is competitive, driven, and locked in, whether in high school or college. If you’re someone who genuinely loves the sport and wants to go from average or good to great, Ehab is the coach who can get you there. He has done it himself, and he knows how to take athletes to the next level.
Ehab isn’t just a coach he’s someone who believes in you, challenges you, and helps you believe in yourself.