Sponsored by Brooks Running

At Brooks we believe that running can – flat out – change a day, a moment, a life. We also believe that coaches are the torchbearers of our sport, the mentors and the true inspiration behind millions of runners. With the Brooks Inspiring Coaches Program we honor these coaches.

Anders Brooker

Hellgate HS, Missoula, MT

“If it’s just about pr’s, we’ve failed,” expressed Anders Brooker.

Anders, the coach at Hellgate high school in Missoula, MT, views running as a tool to build quality student athletes and human beings.

“We all know that running is simple sport, but it has to be more than that. What are the reasons these kids are coming out for our team? It’s not just to see who can be the fastest. Even the fast kids won’t be the fastest eventually. We think hard about why someone has come out for Hellgate XC and think of a way to make it a positive experience for them.”

For Anders, racing fast and winning are important, but they are only one element of creating valuable memories.

“We want to be great but I think if my kids’ best memories are when they won, we’ve failed. It’s about what he did with his teammates, the memories he made.”

He learned those lessons himself from his father, a high school coach who found innovative ways to create and self-fund a cross country team. 

“My dad wasn’t the in-your-face kind of Dad, but he did start a cross country program at my high school. We would cut firewood to raise money for everything. It was fun for me and it left an effect on me watching my Dad develop that program. I can’t tell you my high school PRs, but I can tell you what it was like cutting firewood with my teammates and jumping into the back of a pickup truck – those are the memories that stuck.”

Anders has succeeded in creating a community of runners and a legacy of running memories at Hellgate High. One athlete wrote of coach Brooker, “Anders has created a culture that at-once demands your absolute greatness in strength and endurance, is full of passion and empathy , is wholly inclusive - but has an instantly obvious layer of endearing sarcasm, humor and so much FUN.”

Alysun Deckert

Team Transplant, WA

“We had the liver group and the kidney group and the heart group. Now we’re all one group,” said Alysun Deckert of Team Transplant.

Alysun, a clinical nutrition manager at University of Washington Medical Center and competitive master’s runner, started Team Transplant as a way for transplant recipients to find community post-surgery.

“I went into this thinking that with my diet and exercise background, I’m going to show the power of diet and exercise. People will be thinner and have better cholesterol levels, they’ll be fast. But it’s not so much what they do to train and what they eat, it’s having a community that supports you in that effort that makes a difference. The community is what gets people back on Saturday mornings to exercise. They show up because they know they’ll have a group there and people will support them.”

Alysun has seen the miracles of running and community in her own life and found a logical transition into coaching and building community using her experience.

“I’ve gotten so much out of running, and it means a lot to share that with other people. People just need some support, some cheerleading, and some structure and suddenly it’s not that daunting. One of the things that’s really great about walking and running is that it really does lend itself to relationships. A 10 mile walk could take 2.5 hours, so you might spend 2.5 hours with somebody. We really try to build on that and make it fun for people.”

Currently with over 200 Members, Team Transplants’ moto is “Survive. Thrive. Together.” 

Ashley Wiles

Sole Girls, Vancouver, B.C.

“Running saved my life and it might save yours too”  is the title of Tedex talk Ashley Wiles gave in Vancouver, B.C. 

Having dealt with struggles such as self-doubt and a poor body image, Ashley felt a desire to create positive change in her community.

 “The person who influenced me was a girl who committed suicide. She posted a video before she killed herself. I know what that feels like and I don’t think anyone should have to deal with that. I’m a life coach, that’s my background – to get from point a to point b – and what I see over and over again is how physical activity can changes lives; seeing how people show up for you and you show up for them.”

Ashley used her passion for adolescent girls to create Sole Girls, which uses running as a tool to build self-confidence and a sense of empowerment in young women.

“Sole girls started in 2013. It’s an empowerment program for girls between ages 8 to 12. We started with 15 girls and now it’s over 600 girls. We run a nine-week program where girls train to run a 5k. We talk about values and we use running as a tool to facilitate conversations about body image and confidence. At Sole Girls by intermixing physical activity it enables a deeper learning and is less confrontational –it’s facilitates an open-minded conversation. We tell the girls to be that person that inspired you 5 or 10 years from now. Find your happy pace!”

Many runners have – indeed - found their happy pace and Ashley’s goal to “change the number of girls who are physically inactive” and in return build self-confidence is working.

Dan Dachelet

Southington HS, CT

“It’s called the good vicious cycle,” said Dan Dachelet, expressing how he tries to motivate his athletes and how they, in turn, inspire him.

Dan is a firefighter by trade but he heart is for coaching.

 “I wrote a letter to the team to thank them for nominating me. I wrote about that. I try to motivate them to become better athletes. In turn, they motivate me in terms of response or energy and drive. That’s the reward I look forward to… listening to them talk about how they want to be better. For the first time we went to the new England championships in the 4x800m; there was enthusiasm for doing well that keeps me going. I’m a full-time firefighter, but coaching is my full time job. I’m always on, I’m always thinking about it with the kids and thinking about ways to get the program better, the kids better, it drives me every day.” 

For Dan, coaching and running are more than a hobby. They are a driving force in his life.

“I like the word passion, and that’s the way I approach the sport. If you’re going to do this, be passionate about it. Don’t just go through the motions. Put your heart and soul into it and you’ll be better at it and you’ll succeed.”

Hopey Newkirk

Montgomery County HS, KY

“We’re half-crazy but we believe everyone else is crazy for not running,” said Hopey Newkirk about her cross country team.

Hopey views herself as a mentor and tries to foster family with her program.

“We teach family and we call ourselves a family. We celebrate graduations, we mourn loss, it’s not a seasonal activity – it’s year-round and all through their years. We encourage church activities, service activities, helping homeless families. It gives kids the big picture that we all need to help each other in this world and also helps them appreciate what humans sometimes take for granted.”

That sense of family and commitment to one universal goal, has brought a mediocre running team from obscurity to regional champions.

“We weren’t competitive (in the past). This past season we were moved into a much more difficult region. Our goal was State and we wanted a trophy – the top two teams in the region. We did a visualization and I said here (finish line) is where you’re gonna lay down and die. And well, they did. I remember as the last runner crossed that line I looked and they were all laying down – it was cold and muddy – and I layed down with them right there. And it hit me right there that these kids had grown in their belief in themselves and that was a defining moment. And we got that trophy!”

Family, community and commitment to team are the values that create community for the Montgomery County Indians and what makes Hopey Newkirk such an admired leader.

Jason Belinkie

Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, MD

“We are lucky to be able to do what we do and I work with people every day who don’t have the opportunity to run, so it’s a privilege,” said Jason Belinkie concerning his running team.

Jason views coaching as an opportunity to create lifelong runners and create lifelong passion for running.

 “I’ve had countless parents who say their children leave the team and running became a foundation for them to reinvent themselves and make them better people. I’m most proud of the kids who have continued to run after this program. It’s all about a mentoring relationship for lifelong running. I went away from the sport after college and I was burned out – the coaching opportunity brought me back. It introduced me to a new side of running; for the pleasure of it. It was a major shift. It’s about creating a community of runners. 

He uses running as a metaphor for life. Running on a team is a chance to learn and grow.

“We also teach that adversity leads to opportunity. Every one of the defeats is an opportunity to learn something that you wouldn’t have considered in the first place.”

Whether it’s working for non-profits such as Athletes for Hope as Chief Operating Officer, or coaching at the high school, Jason brings an enthusiasm and genuine respect for the human condition that help to inspire the community of runners around him.

John Peebles

John Burroughs HS, CA

“It’s all about doing the simple things right,” prosthletized John Peebles as he shared the John Burroughs team motto.

For Coach Peebles, his first responsibility is to mentor young adults into responsible human beings. And that means doing the simple thing…the things most people take for granted.

“Like knowing your teammates names. I hate it when I go to a meet and someone yells go “school name” but doesn’t know the name of the athlete they are cheering for.

Coach Peebles enjoys teaching and coaching because he enjoys mentoring young adults.

“The kids are the driving force in everything I do. Everything is for the kids. Regardless of what you’re doing, it’s who you get to work with that makes it special.”

His goal is for all his athletes to aspire to succeed. Their growth comes from the efforts made to attain those goals.

“The way I look at it, the kids have to see running as the opportunity to get something done. If you’re fast or you’re slow, you have to make a goal and go after it. The big thing is trying to achieve success…it’s not necessarily about attaining success, but going after it. If you work your butt off and fail, at least you can say that you tried your best. When you look at it, when you go into a race…we’ll there’s that saying that if you’re not first, you’re last. That’s garbage. You want to control what you can control. You want to be the best version of you.”

Coach John Peebles knows that if his student athletes “do the simple things right,” that they will ultimately become better people and responsible adults. Sometimes the simple things are inspiration enough.

Juan Castanon

Southside HS, TX

“People told me I was doing more harm than good, but I told the team - behind closed doors - that we were going to learn what it meant to be successful,” said Juan Castanon about overcoming an attitude of defeat at this school.

Juan knew it wouldn’t be easy but he knew it was right; he was determined to create a program the community could be proud of. 

“When I first took over the program it was way below a standard program…they went to small meets and there wasn’t much motivation to succeed. I started setting goals and the athletes responded. I exposed them to the highest level. This year we won district and qualified for State for the first time in school history. No sports at our school go to State, but now XC does.”

He was inspired to coach after a powerful life lesson imparted to him but none-other than his high school coach. 

“My girlfriend of five years passed away in college. I dropped out. My high school coach got me back to running and in school and really changed my life. I wanted to be able to have that positive impact on other peoples’ lives. I see the kids who really want to run and it hurts me to see them not able to afford good running shoes. So I give shoes away…they need it. For me it’s just another pair of shoes, for them it’s an opportunity to run.”

Coach Castanon’s generosity and determination have changed a mediocre, lackluster running program, into the best sports team in the high school and the admiration of an entire community.

Marisa Parks

Dripping Springs HS, TX

”I try to give them a lot of attention because they’re not under Friday night lights,” expressed Marisa Parks, speaking of her runners.

Marisa Parks loves what she gets to do for a living and she loves her sport. 

“I think what’s really cool about the type of kids you get is there’s no glory… at least not much in our sport. These kids are coming from all different backgrounds, and the run is the one thing that unites us all. It can define us; that one moment of being edged-out or finding passion that changes their lives. As a coach, you never know when that moment is going to impact them.”

Asked about the culture of her team and why running is so special to her, coach Parks had zero hesitation with her answer.

“I run with 90 kids, so you learn their names really quickly. I can’t fathom coaching a team and not knowing the kids names. If you want a kid to run through a brick wall you have to have their trust first. You don’t always realize the impact you have and I truly believe I get more from coaching than I give. I love coaching…I love my job. I feel like the kids can see the passion I have for running and for my job.”

Marisa Parks has created a unique and special culture in Dripping Springs that not only inspires her student athletes, but unites a community of runners.

Nat Carter

Union Pines HS, NC

“I though, gosh, I love track and field, so let’s get a club going here,” shared Nat Carter, about his track team in the 1970’s.

Nat Carter is a pioneer for women’s track and field in North Carolina.

”When I first started in the county the amount of sports were rather limited, especially with the girls, and there was nothing in the spring for the girls. So I would organize an all-girls field day and invite other schools. I saw a need and I started working with the high school coach and he would take some older kids to the junior Olympic program.”

Through the years, Coach Carter has seen the need to be more than a coach to thousands of youth in his community. He’s a mentor and father-figure to many of his student athletes.

“When you look at the diversity of different kids in the program, not everybody at home receives the same type of encouragement, affection or ability to challenge themselves. They learn devotion, commitment and they build friendships. It’s just a matter of, overall, making a kid more well-rounded. You learn to deal with people – wins and losses – you learn to appreciate performances. It’s just a matter of preparing these kids for life itself.”

Coach Carter has created a legacy of inspiring coaching tradition in his community, empowering youth and developing responsible adults.

Rick Patton

Wamego HS, KS

“Every kid on your team should be important…you should love every one of them,” said Wamego high school coach Rick Patton.

Rick Patton loves coaching and he loves his athletes. His passion for his adopted sport is contagious in his athletes. 

“I have a lot of kids who, well, started running and it changed their lives. I went to a wedding a few years ago and every groomsman in that wedding was a teammate from cross country. You develop friendships for a lifetime.”

Like many great coaches, Coach Patton uses running as a metaphor for life.

“Life’s a gift and, you know, you want to use every day you have. If you’re willing to really work at it…you can get better. You may have some potholes along the way, but you can get better. The choice is yours, and of course you have injuries, but every day is a gift. And the coach can be one of the most influential people in their lives – outside of their parents. The life skills they learn from running are invaluable – it translates to being good people: mothers, husbands, fathers and wives.”

One of the true testaments to Coach Patton’s impact on the Wamego running community is the volunteer response from hundreds of former athletes, parents and community members for the annual track invitational.

“I raised my family here for 40 years. Parents, former athletes, they all love to help at the invitationals. It’s a neat thing to keep people involved. I usually try to call them personally and they usually reply, “well, it must be track season” and I say “yep, it sure is.””

Rick Patton has not only created a positive impact on his community, but he’s galvanized the commitment and tradition of a small running community for something much larger than himself.

RJ Stiltenpole

SRC Barrier Breakers, PA

“You want to try to be a good runner, but I preach to be a good person,” said RJ Stiltenpole about his 300+ runner group in Scranton, PA.

RJ Stiltenpole never intended to become a coach. But a group of women saw his potential and he has since gone on to coach runners of all abilities through their first 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon.”

“What really started it was 11 breast cancer survivors wanted to train for Race for the Cure and they had no experience. I told them if they were willing to come and show up and put in the time, I’d do everything I could. What I swore I would do is keep it truly beginner and open to everybody. We have people between 8 and 14 minute miles. “

There’s no pretense with RJ. He’s real with his runners and they appreciate his honesty.

“You want to try to be a good runner, but I preach to be a good person. You see people from the 8 minute group go back and run with the 14 minute groups. For me, I wear my emotions on my sleeves, I’m a recovering alcoholic, I’ve battled depression my whole life, I use running as therapy, it’s not my only therapy, but I have challenges.. I back up what I say, I am who I am, good and bad. And people come here and they can be who they are, good and bad.”

RJ Stiltenpole has transformed an otherwise sedentary town into a pretense-free, joyful, life-affirming place to run.

Steve Barlow

Oliver Wendell Holmes HS, TX

“When you finish and come up to me all excited, that’s my reward,” acknowledged Steve Barlow.

After leaving his native Australia to run in the U.S., Coach Steve Barlow established roots in Texas and decided to invest back in his chosen sport. 

“I’m here to help the kids. The only thing I get out of it (coaching) is helping kids run well. Kids want to come back every day, that’s the payoff. If a kid doesn’t want to be there, that’s OK, it’s not for everybody. But we want to keep everyone around.”

Coach Barlow enjoys the shared experience of running; he likes how everyone suffers and experiences joy together.

“In cross country, you all have the same cause. You all go through the same pain. That means you have something in common. That means you don’t have to be the best, because you all experience the same thing.”

Several years ago, Steve began a fundraiser run where he ran around the high school campus during the entire school day – 8+ hours – to raise funds for local charities. 

“We started the Run-a-Thon as a fundraiser for our team, years ago. We had this program called Communities In Schools (CIS). For a week before the race, we collect change and pledges. Up until last year, I ran it all myself, but I want the kids to run it and have ownership. They serve 100 families, partly because of what we do. It’s more about just giving back. What do we live for, what do we do this for? We get pats on the back, but what about people who don’t get anything?”

Coach Steve Barlow understands the impact a good coach and mentor can have on a community of runners. He’s decided that modeling an example of self-sacrifice, hard work and teamwork is how he can inspire future generations of runners.