Coaches

Steve Carmichael

Coach Steve founded Run For Performance in 2011, and works with athletes of all levels and abilities. He has coached hundreds of athletes in person and hundreds more online. He primarily coaches Track and Cross Country with a focus on sprinting, speed development, form improvement, injury prevention, nutrition and return to running/injury remediation programs (working with physical therapists). He also leads our multi-sport SAQ (speed and agility training) during the Spring, Summer and Fall.

Steve Carmichael - Coach

Coaching Career & Credentials

  • Founder of Run For Performance – (2011 – present)
  • Club Director / Head Coach – Run Fit Running Club (2011-2017, 2019-2020)
  • NASM-CPT Certified Personal Trainer, USA Track and Field L1 certified coach, RRCA certified coach, Precision Nutrition certified nutrition coach (PN-1), USATF SafeSport certified, CPR/AED/First Aid certified and several others.

Career Highlights as a Coach

  • Coached dozens of district, regional, state and national qualifiers across Central Ohio and across the state in middle and high school indoor / outdoor Track and Cross Country.
  • Coached multi-sport state champions including youth, middle school boys and girls wrestlers and football (agility and speed)
  • Coached collegiate recruited athletes (University of Akron, Creighton, University of Cincinnati)
  • Coached 100’s of adult runners in distances up to 50k

Doug Herron

New to the Central Ohio area, but not new to coaching, Coach Doug recently joined Run For Performance and is helping us build out new group training programs. Doug is a resident of Delaware County and brings a vast wealth of experience to our athletes. He can coach any event, but specializes in mid and long-distance Track events and Cross Country.

Athletic Background

  • In 1985, as a Bartlett High School senior, ran the fastest U.S. high school 800m time (1:49.2) and later the #3 all-time mark (1:48.09).
  • Earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Arizona, graduating in 1990 with a BA.
  • Collegiate and elite achievements include: 1987 Pac-10 800m Champion, NCAA All-American, U.S. World Junior & Senior National Team member, 1988 Olympic Trials semifinalist, Nike-sponsored athlete, and part of the world’s #1 4x800m relay team (1988, 7:16.72).
  • Still holds Alaska state records (800m, 1600m, 5k cross country during various periods).

Coaching Career

  • Coaching since 1991 across high school and collegiate levels, including the University of Alaska Anchorage.
  • Founded Alaska Running Academy (2010–present).
  • Past roles include coaching at South Anchorage HS, West Valley HS, North Pole HS, East Anchorage HS, Bartlett HS, and Salpointe Catholic HS.
  • USA Track and Field certified, SafeSport certified, CPR/AED/First Aid certified

Career Highlights as a Coach

  • Produced multiple U.S. top-ranked athletes (e.g., Drew Regnier #3 U.S. 800m in 2023, Tristian Merchant U.S. #3 indoor 3k in 2020).
  • Guided numerous state champions, record holders, and All-Americans across Alaska.
  • Teams achieved national rankings, including West Valley girls (#1 in Northwest, #9 U.S. in 2006).
  • Coached athletes who signed with top collegiate programs (BYU, NAU, Penn State, University of Arizona).

Honors & Recognition

  • Inducted into the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame (2009).
  • University of Arizona school record holder in the 800m (1:47.00).
  • Distinguished long-term impact as both an elite athlete and nationally recognized coach.