Gordon Bakoulis is an RRCA-certified running coach and has coached runners at all levels since 1985, working with NYRR, Athena New York, Craftsbury Running Camp, Maine Running Camp, and others. Gordon qualified for the U.S. Olympic marathon trials in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 and was a finalist in the 1992 U.S. Olympic 10,000m trials. She has represented the U.S. internationally at the 10K, half-marathon, and marathon distances, and has run a 1:11 half-marathon and a 2:33 marathon.

Gordon has run more than 35 marathons (including eight New York City Marathons) and countless races at other distances and has become a passionate virtual racer during the pandemic. She is the editorial director of NYRR and lives on Manhattan’s Upper West Side with her family.

Q&A with Gordon

What program do you coach?
Group Training

What languages do you speak?
English

How would you describe your coaching style?
My coaching style is inclusive (all ages, backgrounds, and abilities), inquisitive (I want to learn everything I can about the runners I coach), collaborative (I love working with other coaches), and fun-forward (I want runners to keep coming back!). I strive to support runners' efforts to run consistently and stay healthy, within the parameters of their busy lives.

What is your proudest coaching moment?
I feel happy and proud anytime a runner achieves a goal. That goal could be finishing a marathon or it could be showing up for a workout as part of a busy day of work, school, or other responsibilities. I'm honored when a runner chooses to partner with me.

What is your favorite workout to coach and why?
What is your favorite workout to coach and why? I don't have a favorite; every workout has a purpose. It's fun to see adults running hard/fast efforts (like repeat 200s) if they've trained well and can complete such workouts without undue risk of injury—they often find joy in running fast that they haven't experienced since childhood. It's fun to see young/inexperienced runners build their endurance through tempo workouts that condition them to run farther and harder than they may have thought possible.

How many years have you been coaching?
Since 1985

Please list any awards, achievements, or certifications below.
• RRCA certification
• 8-time NYRR Fred Lebow Runner of the Year
• 2000-2009 NYRR Runner of the Decade
• USA national teams as noted above.

What is your favorite place to run in New York City?
Washington Heights/Inwood, or any place I haven't yet explored/

What is your favorite NYRR race?
NYRR New York Mini 10K

What is your personal running motto?
Always happy, never satisfied.