Gemma Ward is an RRCA-certified coach who has had a lifelong passion for running. She loves coaching and has coached runners of all ages with varying levels of experience. She is a dedicated coach who loves seeing athletes achieve their goals. She loves sharing her passion for the sport!

Gemma loves running anything from short distances on the track to the quieter trails and cross-country events to loud road races. Running has been a way to see the world; she has completed races and events across the globe. She is an experienced marathoner whose list of races and goals grows exponentially every year!

Q&A with Gemma

What program do you coach?
Group Training

What languages do you speak?
English

How would you describe your coaching style?
I believe that running should be fun but also rewarding. Running should help improve your life! Training and running is not a “one size fits all” but should be tailored to fit each individual runner. I believe in the force of the running community in order to nurture strong runners.

What is your proudest coaching moment?
My proudest coaching moment was watching one of my newest runners run their first marathon. They had never run more than 5 miles prior to training, so watching them work tenaciously for months, constantly breaking barriers, and then seeing them complete the TCS New York City Marathon was really inspiring to witness.

Please list any awards, achievements, or certifications below.
• Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Level 1 coaching certification

What is your favorite place to run in New York City?
The Bridle Path in Central Park

What is your favorite NYRR race?
Easy: The TCS New York City Marathon! There really is nothing else like it! From listening to Frank Sinatra’s "New York, New York" at the start, to hitting the wall of sound as you come off the Queensboro Bridge onto 1st Avenue, to finishing in Central Park—the sounds and the atmosphere create an extremely elating and humbling experience!

What is your personal running motto?
Races end; running doesn’t.