Kathy Butler competing in the Tokyo Marathon

2X Olympian · USATF Level 3 · IAAF Certified

Train with a 2x Olympian.
Run the Race of Your Life.

Kathy Butler is a Boulder, Colorado-based running coach with 20+ years of professional athletics and the highest coaching certifications in the sport — offering personalized training plans for runners worldwide, from track athletes to ultra marathon runners.

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Run Foundations · 25+ drills by Kathy Butler

20+

Years as a Pro Athlete

2×

Olympic Competitor

21

World Championships

800m–100mi

All Distances Coached

Why Is Kathy Butler the Right Running Coach for You?

You're already doing the work. But something isn't clicking — you're stuck at the same pace, a recurring injury keeps derailing your training, or you're following a generic plan that doesn't fit your actual schedule.

Whether you're chasing a Boston qualifier, targeting a marathon PR, building toward your first ultra, or simply trying to stay healthy and improve consistently — I build a program around your goals and your life, not the other way around.

I'm based in Boulder, Colorado — but many of my athletes train with me entirely online, wherever they live or travel. Location has never been a barrier to personalized coaching.

Elite Credentials

USATF Level 3 and IAAF Level 5 certified — the highest international coaching qualifications. Formerly chair of USATF Coaching Education and a USATF Coaching Education Instructor.

Personalised Plans

No cookie-cutter programs. Every plan is built around your goals, schedule, and life — with structured recovery built in so you stay healthy and on the road, not sidelined. Powered by Final Surge with smartwatch sync, training logs, and flexible adjustments.

Proven Results

4× Olympic Trials qualifiers, 2× Team USA road selections, 12 high school state champions, World Series Final berths in trail and triathlon, and marathon PRs slashed by 20+ minutes. From first-timers to elites.

Not sure which plan is right for you? Book a free 15-minute call → No commitment.

The Coaching Record

Results That Speak for Themselves

26+

Years of
Coaching

12

High School Colorado
State Champions

4×

Olympic Marathon
Trials Qualifiers

50

States — One Athlete,
Every Marathon

Online coaching since 2012 — athletes on national teams worldwide

Run Boulder athletes have earned 2× Team USA road selections, 4× Olympic Trials qualifications, and World Series Finals berths in trail & triathlon

Coaching experience spans high school, collegiate, post-collegiate, and online — at every level of the sport

From first-time marathoners to national team athletes — every athlete gets the same personally written plan and the same attention to detail.

Global Coaching Reach

Athletes Coached Online, Around the World

Explore the Map

26

Cities

7

Countries

3

Continents

Kathy Butler, 2x Olympic athlete and professional distance runner

Photo courtesy of Mark Shearman

My Background

Let My Experience Help You

I was a professional athlete for 20 years before becoming a coach. I competed in 2 Olympics (Atlanta 1996 and Athens 2004), 21 World Championships in track, cross country and road, including 5 top-20 finishes at the World Cross Country and a team bronze medal.

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Exercise Physiology and Biology. That scientific foundation shapes every training plan I write.

Read My Full Story

Real Athletes, Real Results

Athletes All Over the World

”After qualifying for Team USA 50k Road, I discovered Kathy in July ’23 and after 1 phone call immediately got onboard. The last 12 months have been exciting — running a 2:52 50k, racing internationally for Team USA, and taking 6.5 minutes off my marathon PR (2:17:56).”

— Adam Vadeboncoeur, Team USA · 2:17:56 Marathon PR

”Kathy has been with me every step of the way along my triathlon career — from amateur to pro. Her experience as a distance runner with a long career gives me a lot of confidence in her training.”

— Sam Teller, Amateur to Pro Triathlete

Read All Testimonials
Athletes coached by Kathy Butler celebrating race results worldwide

Simple Process

How Do You Get Started with Kathy's Coaching?

1

Free 15-Min Call

We talk through your goals, race schedule, and current training. No commitment, no sales pitch — just a conversation about whether we're a good fit.

2

Your Plan is Built

Within a few days you receive a fully personalized training plan on Final Surge, synced to your watch and written specifically for you — not a template.

3

You Start Running

Kathy reviews and adjusts your plan every week — personally, not a junior coach or algorithm — plus direct email access whenever you have questions. Your coach is with you every step of the way.

Book Your Free Call
Kathy Butler coaching athletes at a track training session in Boulder Colorado

Credentials

What Coaching Credentials Does Kathy Butler Hold?

  • USATF Level 3 Certification — highest level of the USATF Coaching Education Program
  • IAAF Level 5 Certification
  • National Team Coach — 2024 World XC (Belgrade), 2023 Pan Am Games (Santiago), 2023 World XC (Bathurst)
  • Former Assistant Coach — University of Wisconsin, Madison & Stanford University
  • Current Head Coach — Run Boulder Athletic Club, Colorado
  • Creator of Run Foundations — an iPhone app with 25+ running drills, video, and coaching cues
Full Bio & Awards

Ready to Run Faster — and Stay Injury-Free?

Join athletes from 7 countries who've qualified for the Olympic Trials, run Boston, finished Leadville, and set PRs they didn't think were possible. The first step is a free 15-minute call.

Book a Free 15-Min Call View Plans & Pricing