Best Running Coach Certifications Ranked

Before I got certified as a running coach, I assumed most of what I needed to know could only be learned through experience. But after diving into certification, I realized just how much practical knowledge I was missing: the science behind performance adaptations, how to properly structure training cycles, injury prevention strategies, and even how to communicate more effectively with different kinds of runners. The right certification doesn’t just pad your resume, it gives you tools you didn’t even know you needed.

So, I did a lot of research into the best running coach certifications, and I’ve ranked them based on your goals with continuing education:

At a Glance:

• USA Track and Field (USATF): Best for people who want to coach competitively
• ISSA Running Coach: Best all-in-one certification, especially if you want to branch out into fitness or nutrition
• United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA): Best for trail, ultra, or endurance-focused coaches
• McMillan Running Coach Certification: Best for business-minded coaches or side-hustlers

The Best Running Coach Certifications

1. USA Track and Field (USATF)

The USA Track and Field (USATF) certification is ideal for those who want to become track coaches, and in particular, coaches for a career path, full-time. The reason for this is they have three levels so you can start with the first level which gives you fundamentals for coaching as well as safety and risk management techniques and after 2 years of full-time coaching experience you can move up to the second level. 

The second level focuses on building more comprehensive skills, particularly training programs for athletes at different levels. The third and final level is only available once you’ve had five years of coaching experience, and it’s designed more for sports scientists or coaches who want to focus on specific events like jumps, hurdles, or sprints.

Best for: 

Those who want to coach track and field or cross country/anyone who wants more progression within the field. 

Cost:

This depends on the course; level 1 averages $250, but each level after that will cost more.

Length:

This also depends on the course; the first course has the self-paced design or the in-person design, totalling 22 hours, but by level three, it’s a year-long course, totalling over 30 hours. 

2. International Sports Science Association (ISSA): Running Coach Certification

The ISSA Running Coach Certification is a great option to have if you are looking to build your coaching skills, but being exclusively a running coach is not necessarily your dream career. Why? Because the ISSA has a ton of other certifications that can compliment being a certified running coach, like being a certified glute specialist or certified nutritionist.

So, with these other certs, you typically need a CPR/AED certification, but if you start with the run coach, it’s included in the course, so that can help you meet the qualifications for any additional certifications.

They offer an entirely online program that covers topics like:

• Human anatomy
• Programming run training
• Training adaptations
• Injury prevention

I really like that their curriculum seems to be a bit more robust compared to things like McMillan, with more programming and training content as compared to UESCA, but not as exclusive as USATF.

Best for: 

Those who want a general overview of coaching, with a self-paced option. 

Cost:

The cost varies between $600 and $800. 

Length:

The course itself is a self-paced design, so the length of time it takes is based on you; however long it takes you to go through the study materials, pass all the quizzes, and take the final exam.

3. United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA)

The UESCA Running Coach Certification has 22 modules that cover a wide range of topics, including:

• Strength training 
• Injury prevention
• Nutrition 
• Biomechanics
• Coaching

One of the things I really like about this particular certification is that it has a wider range of topics it covers relating to running, but you also have lifetime access to those modules and access to private groups for coaches. 

Unlike some other options, it doesn’t have certs for progression in the field. 

Best for: 

Those who want to coach trail runners or ultramarathon runners.

Cost:

The full course is approximately $600.

Length:

The course has a self-paced design, but on average, it takes around 25 hours.

4. McMillan Coaching Certification

I like this one because it doesn’t come with any prerequisites. The course is self-paced, but they recommend not taking more than 3 months to get through it all. Once you pass, you have lifetime access to a support group for coaches, but it’s not quite the same as lifetime access to all of the study material.

That study material covers things like:

• Training philosophies
• The role of a coach
• Safety
• The business aspect of coaching 

One of the things I noticed is that none of the other running certs include a lot of information on being a successful coach from a business perspective, but this is the only one that does. So if you not only want to understand the role of a coach and learn how to support runners in a safe fashion but you want help building your business and being financially successful, this might be your ticket. 

Best for: 

Those who don’t want to deal with any prerequisites like the other certs, and want something with a focus more on the business side of being a coach, not the training side. 

Cost:

The cost is around $400 and that includes the lifetime access to online support communities.

Length:

The course doesn’t have a set number of hours to it, rather a set of curriculum and the freedom for you to complete it at your leisure, although most people say it takes less than 2 months to complete.

Which One is Best?

Choosing the right running coach certification really comes down to your goals, your background, and how you plan to use the knowledge. Want to coach high schoolers or collegiate athletes? USATF might be your best bet. Interested in building a broader fitness coaching business? ISSA’s flexibility and additional certifications can help you scale. And if you’re just dipping your toe into coaching, UESCA or McMillan offer a great place to start, without requiring years of experience or breaking the bank.

• UESCA: If you don’t have a background in coaching or running and want to start from the ground up.
• ISSA: If you have some background, like high school experience in track and field, and want an at-home study option. 
• RRCA: If you want to specialize in adult distance running and coaching. 
• USATF: If you plan to build your certs over time, and want more certs to earn in future. 

McMillan: If your budget is extremely tight and you want something, you can do online.