To build on our initial research into the needs of running coaches, we conducted a second nationwide survey to gain deeper insights into coaching challenges, tools, and team management strategies. With over 100 responses, this survey provides a more detailed look at the day-to-day realities of coaching.

Our first survey mapped the broader landscape—shedding light on the scale of the sport, funding disparities, and communication challenges teams face. This second survey builds on those findings by diving into how coaches operate, what’s working well, and where they still need better support.

📖 Read our first survey: Moving Running Forward

What’s Changed Since Our First Survey?

🔹 More clarity on coaching pain points – We’ve uncovered a deeper understanding of daily frustrations and what truly limits team success.

🔹 New insights on athlete engagement – Many coaches reported ongoing struggles with buy-in, accountability, and motivation.

🔹 Refinement of ideal solutions – Coaches want a unified, athlete-friendly platform that simplifies training, communication, and performance tracking.

Key Takeaways from Both Surveys

1️⃣ Running Coaches Do A Lot More Than Coach

The overwhelming feedback from both surveys is that coaching is more than just training. Coaches are:

• Juggling multiple roles—from recruiters to administrators to mentors.
• Struggling to find time to focus on coaching amid logistical, communication, and organizational demands.
• Wishing for more tools that actually reduce workload, rather than add to it.

2️⃣ Communication Remains One of the Biggest Challenges

From the first survey, we knew that coaches rely on 3-5+ different tools for communication, yet athletes still miss key information. This second survey revealed:

• Most-used platforms: Google Sheets, Strava, GroupMe, email, and training journals.
• Biggest frustration: Messages get lost or ignored, and no single platform truly integrates everything a coach needs.