Tom Nobbs – Ottawa Running Coach
$100.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
Coaching beginner to advanced runners to PRs by building stronger, injury proof runners over Long term growth. 2nd place at Project 13.1 Half Marathon in 63:06, 5th place at the 2024 Canadian National Marathon Championships in 2:15:22, earning the 2023 and 2024 TC10K men’s champion with a 10k PB of 28:58.
Description
Ottawa running coach Tom Nobbs specializes in either helping beginners make that first steps towards a 5k or in helping intermediate to advanced runners make a breakthrough performance with a focus on strength, nutrition and injury prevention. Tom can also write out all weight training and core work by request, and is happy to work out pricing that is customized to each athlete and their needs. Reach out to Tom below to get started!
*** Roster is Full – Reach out to Tom below to get started ***
*** Special Pricing available for Students and Canadians ***
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road, Trail, Track
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: Ottawa, Ontario
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: No, online coaching only.
SPECIALTIES
Running is my lifelong passion, and I’m dedicated to helping runners of all levels achieve their goals by systematically mapping out a tailored path to success. My approach is designed to understand every athlete’s unique strengths, routines, and challenges, ensuring we create the most effective strategy for building a durable, “bulletproof” runner.
- Personalized training plans tailored to specific goals, from first 5Ks to competitive marathons.
- Strength and injury prevention strategies to support resilience and avoid setbacks.
- Nutritional guidance grounded in experience, for sustainable energy and recovery
- Comprehensive mental and skill-based conditioning that goes beyond speed, creating a stronger, more focused individual.
Whether your focus is trails or the road, I craft training programs that balance performance and well-being. I’ve coached a wide range of athletes, from elite runners hitting 1:04 in the half marathon to those taking on their first 5K. By evaluating each athlete holistically, I help you unlock potential beyond what you thought possible—on the track and beyond.
PHILOSOPHY
I believe in the power of consistent, intentional progress, integrating both physical and mental conditioning to help athletes thrive. My coaching philosophy centers on:
- Injury and overtraining prevention: Recognizing early signs of REDs and fueling challenges to keep athletes progressing safely and sustainably.
- Strategic goal setting: Understanding each runner’s lifestyle, routines, and growth areas to build a personalized, science-backed path to improvement.
- Holistic fueling: Supporting a balanced, healthy relationship with nutrition and recovery, building the foundation for long-term performance.
- Mental resilience and habit formation: Developing the focus and habits that drive not only running success but personal growth as well.
With a personalized approach to training, I focus on helping athletes exceed their goals while fostering joy and longevity in the sport. My goal is for every athlete to leave each training cycle stronger, more confident, and equipped for sustainable success.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Throughout my career, I have been committed to building community and empowering runners of all ages and abilities. From youth programs to adult training, I bring diverse experience to the coaching process:
- Head Coach at Vancouver Thunderbirds Track & Field Club, overseeing a team of 40+ athletes and organizing events.
- Leading outreach programs in schools to introduce young athletes to the joys of running.
- High school varsity coach at Vancouver Olympic Club (2016-2020), guiding youth to competitive success.
- Currently coaching collegiate and adult runners with individualized training plans from 5K to marathon distances (95% of all athletes coached have stayed healthy and PR’d in their first targeted event).
My approach is both personal and evidence-based, ensuring each athlete has the guidance they need to reach their goals.
ABOUT ME
Ottawa running coach Tom Nobbs specializes in either helping beginners make that first steps towards a 5k or in helping intermediate to advanced runners make a breakthrough performance with a focus on strength, nutrition and injury prevention. Tom can also write out all weight training and core work by request, and is happy to work out pricing that is customized to each athlete and their needs. Reach out to Tom below to get started!
BIG INFLUENCES
My coaching style draws from a range of respected figures in the running world, each bringing unique insights into training and athlete development. Influences include:
- Nic Bideau, Jack Daniels, and Arthur Lydiard: Advocates for structured, data-driven training to drive consistent, measurable improvement.
- Greg Metcalf, Mike Smith, and Renato Canova: Champions of innovative training cycles, integrating endurance and speed work with individualized attention to athlete needs.
- Brant Stachel, Andy and Maurica Powell: Experts in blending mental resilience with progressive training strategies to enhance athlete adaptability and focus.
These mentors have shaped my adaptable, athlete-centered approach, ensuring that success and well-being are balanced in every plan.
RACING HISTORY
I am honored to have represented Canada in various national and international events, including:
- 5th place at the 2024 Canadian National Marathon Championships with a personal best of 2:15:22.
- 6th place at the 2022 Pan-American XC Championships (10km).
- 2024 TC10K men’s champion with a time of 29:16.
- Top 5 finish at the 2023 Canadian 10K Road Nationals in 29:36.
- Vancouver Half Marathon winner in 2023, finishing in 1:05:16.
- 4th place at the 2018 Pan-American Cross Country Junior Championships.
Competing at these events has deepened my commitment to running and coaching, highlighting the importance of dedication and resilience.
CERTIFICATIONS
- NCCP Coaching Level 2 Track and Field Certificate (Athletics Canada)
- Certified Level 1 Track and Field Official
- Certified Dawg in road races
PRs
- Marathon: 2:15:22
- ½ marathon: 1:03:06
- 10km road: 29:16
- 10,000m: 28:58
- 5000m: 14:12
- 3000m: 8:15
- 2000m Steeplechase: 5:54
- 8km XC: 23:37
CONTACT TOM
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
Rikki Phillips –
I’m just starting my 4th month training with Tom and I couldn’t be more happy with his guidance and skill level. Tom has been working with me to build a program that works with my lifestyle. I have learned that with consistency and commitment, progress can happen very quickly. Tom is both supportive and encouraging helping me go from 40+mins on my 5k’s to sub 30! I am excited to keep working with Tom and see what else I am capable of. Fantastic coach!
Marie Nadeau –
The best gift I gave myself this year was hiring a running coach. I came across Tom’s profile and liked his style and performance, so I decided to go with him. I’ve been working with Tom for eight months, and my VO2 max has already gone from 48 to 52. He really knows the science behind running, and I think anyone can benefit from that. He guides me through running and cycling. He’s always available and efficient when it comes to making any changes to the initial plan. I already feel like Tom is my friend. Good stuff! It makes our communication easy and accessible! He follows up well and is always attentive to my needs. I feel like my engine is so much stronger and more enduring, love it! Tom is a really good coach, I recommend him to anyone who is already an athlete or a beginner!
Sydney –
I have been working with Tom since January 2025 – about 6 months now. The difference between his training and training on my own is night and day. I really value the structure his plan offers – he makes it easy to stay consistent and the results have shown very quickly. He is also very responsive when needed and understanding – he is able to make changes that will help me stay accountable and successful.
Nico Pedersen –
Absolute gem of a person and coach. 2 months ago I started working with Thomas as it was a no-brainer and I immediately felt confident in his philosophies. Thomas does a great job of explaining the “why” behind what we do and always has the program loaded and ready to go when needed so there is no wondering of what is ahead. I have already seen noticeable shifts in fitness and I am excited for what the future hold in us working together!
colinloyet –
I have been working with Tom since January 2025, and even before Tom officially became my coach, he was kind enough to build a strength and diet plan for me as I recovered from a previous injury. I believe this action shows Tom’s true character, as he has goes above and beyond to make sure I understand each workout, how the workouts fit into the goal I’m trying to achieve, all while having fun with it. He is very responsive and uses his vast experience to curate plans for my goals, and fit it around a very busy corporate schedule. Coming from a non-running background, Tom has helped me gain knowledge quickly about the sport, and increased my confidence in my own ability. I don’t have enough great things to say about Tom as a coach and person, and would recommend him to anyone!
Ryan O –
If you are looking for a coach, Tom is the man! Many months ago I randomly stumbled upon his page and well lets just say the rest is history so I reached out. He built me a solid plan that worked with my schedule and included certain
keys,workouts and knowledge that only the ones that are experienced could offer. I look up to his capabilities and am insipired by what he does! So grateful to have a coach/mentor to guide me through the process because there are alot of intricacies that can often be overlooked. Already Tom has started my next plan and goes above and beyond providing extra info that will guide me to the finish line without a doubt helping me crush my goals! Look forward to this plan and many more to come. Delivers everything you would need and much more with a smile on his face! Thanks coach:)
Halen Kovacs –
I have had the pleasure of working with Coach Thomas for the last several months and I have been incredibly impressed with his coaching style thus far. I can’t recommend Tom highly enough! His approach to coaching is a perfect blend of modern science, personalized guidance, and genuine care for his athletes. He stays up-to-date with the latest research in exercise science, which means every aspect of his training plans is grounded in proven methods, from injury prevention to performance optimization. He takes a unique approach to suit each individual runners needs/goals.
One of the standout aspects of working with Tom is how approachable and communicative he is. Whether I had questions about my workouts, concerns about a potential tweak, or needed adjustments to fit my schedule, he was always quick to respond and incredibly supportive. It’s clear that he genuinely cares about his athletes and is invested in their success. He is always accessible via text/Final Surge.
If you’re looking for a coach who combines scientific expertise with a personalized and supportive approach, Tom is the one for you. My running has improved more than I would have expected over a short period of time. Coach Tom has definitely made me stronger and more motivated than ever!
Teatime –
This review is a long time coming and quite late. But I couldn’t not review. Tom was a wonderful coach, helping me slowly ramp up in my running journey. As a beginner who was struggling to make strides, Tom broke things down and kept it simple. If you want an understanding and responsive coach that makes things feel possible, I can’t recommend Tom enough.
Kaleb Dodd –
I’ve had Tom as my coach for the last 6 months, and he’s been an excellent coach! With Tom’s experience and knowledge in the sport, he’s helped me structure my running to be more effective and get to race day injury free. Tom is always available for any questions I have about the training plan. Whether it’s a question about a scheduled workout, or just a general question about training he is always happy to talk through things and gives detailed explanations and advice.
Alongside the running, he has programed in strength training that targets running related mechanics and muscles to help stay strong and injury free. When I did have a minor injury during my HM block, he provided me with tips/advice about recovering from it and modified the training plan to accommodate the injury.
With Tom’s coaching, I’ve recently completed my goal HM race with a new PR and a much faster time than I was anticipating. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Tom and working toward my next running goals! With Tom as my coach I am much more confident in my future running goals and more optimistic about what I can achieve. I would recommend him to anyone looking to take their training to the next level!
Liam –
Been working with Tom for a couple of months now and couldn’t be happier! He’s the first running coach I’ve had but it’s been absolutely fantastic experience working with him. Tom is very thoughtful and thorough and is always available if I have questions or want to go over anything. I’d highly recommend Tom to anybody and am looking forward to continue building and smashing PRs together!
Nikolas Lazarou –
I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge Coach Tom for being an incredible running coach! His programs have truly helped me improve my running abilities here in Cyprus. I can confidently say he’s a 5-star trainer! Whenever I have a busy day and can’t stick to the plan, he’s always quick to provide an alternative that keeps me on track. His guidance and support mean so much to me, and I’m grateful for all that he does. Thank you, Coach Tom!
Alexander –
Tom is by far one of the greatest coaches I have ever had. The amount of times I would call him and he would sit there and explain the process or why this exercise would improve my running helped me grow as an runner so much. He taught me so much and I am sad our time has come to an end. I look forward to our next training block in a few months and look forward to crushing more goals and learning even more! If you are looking for a coach who really cares, do not hesitate to use Tom!
Luca Jumabhoy –
This is a delayed review, but I must say something about Mr Thomas Nobbs. My friend and I wanted to train for an ultra-marathon challenge we created. Tommy Nobbs, as we referred to our coach, gave us a very detailed plan for achieving this in a short timeline; he also called us countless times to discuss our questions and the process. He would constantly explain why the workouts were structured a certain way and check in that we had completed them. I Unfortunately got injured, so I could not complete my challenge, but throughout the training, I got into fantastic fitness and was in the best running shape ever in my life. If you want a coach who can back up his workouts, who is faster than all the other coaches on this platform, and who can make you reach your goals, Tommy Nobbs is for you; I had a great two months of training under his guidance and can’t wait to get healthy and try it again.
Katie Willmot –
I have been working with Tom for the last couple of months and have been really happy with the results so far. Tom quickly replies to any questions I have and is great at tailoring the plan to fit my needs. It was amazing to see that after only a month of a structured running plan with Tom, I am already seeing huge improvements on my speed and how I feel running!