Steve Mura is the Manager of Runner Training and Education at New York Road Runners. He is an RRCA and VDot02 certified coach and has coached hundreds of runners in person and online each year. In person, Steve has lead Group Training programs in Prospect Park and Central Park, coaching runners from beginners to advanced into better, more confident athletes. Virtually, Steve was the lead coach for NYRR Virtual Trainer from 2015 to 2020, coaching runners all around the world for their half and full marathons. As the coordinator of the NYRR Pace Team, he has paced dozens of races himself, with his favorite being the United Airlines NYC Half.

Steve has competed in many race distances, but he loves the half-marathon distance the best. His PR is 1:24, which took place at the NYRR Brooklyn Half Marathon. His full marathon PR is 3:03, which took place at the Wineglass Marathon.

Q&A with Steve

What languages do you speak?
English

How would you describe your coaching style?
My coaching style is individualized for each runner. I have learned that no one training plan or workout works for all athletes. Learning what motivates, or when to pull back an athlete’s mileage is important for a coach to learn.

What is your proudest coaching moment?
Every year I get the honor of waiting for runners at the finish line of the TCS New York City Marathon. I get to high five athletes that no more than five months ago could not run a mile and I get to hug those who completed the race at their personal best. I look forward to those moments every year.

What is your favorite workout to coach and why?
I love coaching runners through the tempo run. Many runners, especially new athletes, feel they have two speeds: normal and sprinting. I enjoy finding that middle ground with them and sustaining a challenging pace with them for 30 minutes.

How many years have you been coaching?
More than 6 years

Please list any awards, achievements, or certifications below.
RRCA Certification Level 1, VDot02 Certification, 2014 3rd place AG at 2016 NYRR Staten Island 5K

What is your favorite place to run in New York City?
Central Park is my favorite place to run, specifically the day before the TCS New York City Marathon.

What is your favorite NYRR race?
The TCS New York City Marathon is a day I look forward to every year.

What is your personal running motto?
If you want to run fast, run alone. If you want to run far, run together.