Daniel D.

Steve (CoachUp client)

Dan has been working with our three daughters for the past year. They really enjoy the sessions and have seen major improvements in their form and mechanics. Small group size and programs tailored to their needs and ability. Highly recommend.

Jaydin (CoachUp client)

I’ve only just begun to run with Coach Dern and can clearly see that he is very knowledgeable and experienced in the world of running. Not only a great coach but also a great people person and easily approachable. I’m confident with his guidance and training I will reach my goals and beyond, I highly recommend him.

Oona (CoachUp client)

(no details provided)

Paul (CoachUp client)

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Leo (CoachUp client)

Knowledgeable coach . Great first session

Marcin (CoachUp client)

Great first session with coach Dan. Looking forward to working together.

Desiree Zorn ( Parent) (Testimonial)

Dan Dern has coached my son for the past two years. This started out as a two week camp and turned into training during the off season. He kept him running throughout COVID when schools were unable to participate in sports. The strategies and techniques that Coach Dan was able to teach him, I feel have given him the confidence and knowledge to compete at a higher level than expected for a high school freshman. Most coaches ride a bike or monitor them on the track. Dan is very hands on and will run with the kids or is always all over the track at different spots, true coaching. Even when its in season and my son is officially training with school coaches, Dan keeps track of how his athletes are doing. He goes above and beyond for his athletes from simple encouragement, tips throughout the session to helping with the correct equipment. After each race my son asks me to make sure Coach Dan is aware of his times. That alone speaks for itself!

Tony Monaco/Former High School Cross Country Runner (Testimonial)

I've been running with Dan since 2012. He has been a mentor and supporter of mine throughout the years. Coach Dan has made recommendations with my running that have helped me. I would recommend Dan's training to anyone striving to reach their running potential.

Michelle O'Brien (Testimonial)

My experience with Dan as a coach can be summed up in two words. Positive and effective. Dan is a very perceptive coach and truly understands the athlete he is training both as a runner and a person. My daughter had performance challenges in her early years and Dan not only showed impressive competence as a coach, but also incredible patience for a young girl who needed a very clear and well thought out coaching plan to succeed. He himself is an accomplished runner who still competes and remains very fit. This alone allows him to connect with the trainee on a deeper level. He is extremely communicative and is detail oriented with his training regiments. Dan has taken a high school runner with potential and allowed her to evolve to a collegiate competitor with an athletic scholarship on the Fairfield University Cross Country Team. He remains very committed to her performance and still goes beyond the call when it comes to his responsibility as a coach.

Mike Kiely/Former Teammate/SUNY Albany Alumni (Testimonial)

Dan Dern is one of the best running coaches I know. He has many years of experience as a runner. In that time Ive seen him compete as an athlete at the Collegiate National level in middle and long distances. In his time hes also qualified outside the collegiate level for the Boston Marathon numerous times. As a Coach Dan helped me qualify for the Boston Marathon when I was in my early forties. His Combination of technical skill,patience and positive motivation are what makes him great. I would highly recommend Dan as a running coach to anyone who is a first time runner and to someone who wants to get back into running. Im proud to count on him on my personal list of great coaches and mentors.

J. France/ Cross Country/ Track Athlete/ Senior in High School (Testimonial)

Coach Dern has been a big inspiration in my running career. Coach Dern has taught me that just when I think I should give up to pick myself up and strive to be the best. He has always seen the good in me and pushed me to success. I dont think I would have won half of my awards without his coaching support. Coach Dern strives to bring the best out of his athletes not only physically but mentally as well.

Liz Sandolo/ Co Coach Middle School Cross Country (Testimonial)

Watching kids achieve their goals due to hard work and wanting to make their coach proud is something to behold. Dan Derns Dedication to the sport and his runners goes well beyond normal coaching. The knowledge that he imparted on all of the kids through the years will stay with them forever.I will never forget those times and was proud to be part of them as Dans Assistant Coach. Dan is one of the best coach's around.Liz Sandolo

Bernita M/ Parent (Testimonial)

Dan Dern (Coach) worked with my daughter,grades 6 through 8 while she attended middle school. Dan not only instructed the kids how to be runners making and meeting goals within the team and their own personal growth,but motivated them beyond the track and field to make, pursue and meet personal life goals. He gave her confidence on making friends,in joining and being part of something bigger than herself. She is in college now doing well. I believe her exposure to Coach Derns coaching was part of why she is becoming so successful today as a student,a friend and eventually a professional.

Kaylah B./ Athlete/Runner/Triple Jumper (Testimonial)

Coach Dern was a great coach during my middle school track career. During practice he never pushed us to hard and would even do our workouts with us. He would always communicate with us and explain his reasoning behind our workouts which helped me and motivated me to do better. I was greatly prepared for high school because of him and my first year as a high school student I was one of the best on the team.

G. Manns / Parent (Testimonial)

Our Son Zach was very fortunate to have Dan as his cross country coach throughout 7th and 8th grade. Dan introduced Zach to running and more specifically,cross country as well as indoor track during the winter months. Dan also continued to work with Zach through his summer vacations throughout high school which we believe helped Zach become a better runner and person as well. Zach was the Co Captain of his cross country team in High School for his Junior and Senior Year as well as MVP for two years in a row. We dont believe this would of been possible without Coach Derns dedication toward working with him. As I said, Zach was very fortunate to have a person like Dan to coach and train with him.

C. Barry Parent (Testimonial)

For the past year, Coach Dern has dedicated a great deal of time and effort to helping our daughter Elena. Approximately one year ago, Dan began instructing our daughter in the fundamentals of cross country racing. He has dedicated countless hours to personal instruction,developing training schedules and mentoring our daughter in the sport. Dan has maintained constant communication with our family to offer guidance and encouragement during Elenas training efforts. He has evolved within our family from a coach to a dear friend. His efforts and dedication have certainly been a positive influence on our daughter and our family. We consider ourselves fortunate to have " Coach Dan" in our lives.

Sarah M. (Testimonial)

I have known Coach Dern for almost all of my life and there is no one else I would trust with my cross country/ track training. In fact, I can attest that many others can say the same. He started training me in middle school as my coach and ever since, my running has flourished. I remember when I started, I enjoyed running but the second he started training me, my times got faster and faster and I was winning races. He coached me through high school and was better then any coach my High School offered.I was in the top 5 of my cross country team all four years in High School and finished with an "All League" and "All division" title. He is continuing to train me throughout the summers for my college training and will one day train me for the Boston Marathon.