Online Running Coach and Personalized Marathon Coaching

Online running coach Chris Knighton at the Boston Marathon

Meet Coach Chris Knighton

Hi, I’m Chris Knighton, a USATF-certified online running coach and founder of Knighton Runs Marathon Coaching. I help marathon and half marathon runners train with confidence, make smart decisions, and pursue ambitious goals with a personalized plan built around their lives.

I coach full time and personally manage every athlete’s training. When you join Knighton Runs, you work directly with me—not with a rotating staff, an assistant coach, or a prewritten plan. I learn your history, follow how you respond to training, and make the decisions that guide your development.

I intentionally keep my coaching roster small. That gives me the time to review your training closely, provide thoughtful feedback, and adjust your plan when fitness, recovery, work, family, or life requires a different approach.

Knighton Runs is based in Providence, Rhode Island, and I provide premium 1:1 online running coaching to committed runners across the United States and beyond.

Since 2019, I’ve coached more than 100 athletes pursuing goals that range from stronger, more consistent training to personal bests and Boston Marathon qualifying times. My approach combines the structure of a carefully designed plan with the judgment, communication, and accountability of an ongoing coaching relationship.

If you want an experienced coach who knows your training and is personally invested in your progress, I’d love to learn more about your goals.

Watch My Introduction Video

100+ Athletes Coached • USATF-Certified • Featured in Runner’s World

Private, individualized coaching for committed runners who want more than a generic training plan.

APPLY FOR PRIVATE 1:1 COACHING

The application takes about three minutes. I’ll personally review your goals and respond within two business days.

Proven Results: 80+ Five-Star Google Reviews

Read what Knighton Runs athletes say about their coaching experience:

    EXCELLENT  
  83 reviews
 
 
        Posted on Google  
   
   Jared W 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  I was fortunate enough to connect with Erica over the last several months which led to her inviting me to help out at her High School running camp as sports medicine physical therapist. This allowed me to see first hand how skilled of a running coach she is. I was thoroughly impressed with the level of thought and detail she put into developing the camp for her athletes. Not only that, you could tell how strong of a connection she had with each athlete. Anyone looking for expert coaching along with great personality, please reach out to Erica!
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Katherine D 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Chris is a very responsive coach and able to work with athletes across a spectrum of events and skill levels. I have PR’d in all of my events so far working with Chris!
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Cheryl m 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  My daughter Jackie has been training with Knighton Runs since her freshman year and I can’t say enough good things about them. Erica and Chris have provided amazing mentorship, showing immense patience with her while still knowing exactly how to push her to reach her full potential. They balance encouragement with excellent training and we couldn’t be happier with her progress and growth as both an athlete and person. Highly recommend them to any parent! Thank you both for everything!
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Damian M 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  I’ve been working with Chris and Erica for the past 3 years. As a strength and conditioning coach to young athletes, I’ve been impressed with the attention to detail they bring to their coaching plans and communication. I can confidently say that the athletes who work with the Knighton’s not only improve as runners but also build confidence.

I would recommend Knighton Runs to any athlete looking for a running coach.
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Frank M 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  We have been working with Chris and Erica for over 5 years, she been coaching our daughter Jackie  as a distance runner in indoor and outdoor track as well as Cross Country. They are both very attentive to the individual skills that our daughter possessed and have worked with her to achieve many Personal Records over the years. My greatest compliment in their coaching performance was getting our daughter to get a scholarship to run D1 at a great college.
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Robert C 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Coach Chris is awesome and would highly recommend him to anyone! He is very friendly, knowledgable, helpful, responsive.
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   S C 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Chris is phenomenal. In the short time we’ve been working together he’s already coached me to two PRs. He tells me exactly what to do, which takes all the guesswork out of training. I’m no longer second-guessing whether I’m doing what I should be doing.  I can now just focus on running the miles and executing the plan.

Chris also does an excellent job tailoring my running plan to fit my life. It’s obvious he’s thinking about my schedule, responsibilities, and constraints when he's building my schedule.

If you’re looking for a coach who delivers results, removes the mental clutter, and actually understands how to fit training into a real life, Chris is it.
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Amanda L 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Chris is very knowledgeable and gives quality planning and guidance through all the training phases including mental and physical readiness. He is responsive to questions and can quickly adapt plans when life happens while keeping you on track with your goals. This is not something you could replace with any AI algorithm or app. Whether you’re training for your first 5k or ultramarathon, Chris is a highly recommended resource!
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Mariana A 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  I love working with coach Chris. He is super competent, nice and efficient. After I started being coached by him I PRed 16 minutes on my marathon. His training plan pushes me exactly the amount I need. It's been a pleasure and I saw clear results improvements on my running
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jordan A 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  I had a great experience with the Knighton Runs team, I appreciated the personalized runs which were developed on a weekly basis and adjusted as needed depending on how I did, and also the education, motivation, and accountability along the way. It is great knowing that there is a coach that will be reviewing each run, commenting and supporting and providing strategy for race day. Highly recommend!
  
 
 
  
 
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Premium 1:1 Online Running Coaching

Your coaching is built around your current fitness, training history, goals, schedule, and response to training. Your plan evolves throughout the training cycle rather than forcing you to follow a generic schedule when your body or life says otherwise.

The value is not simply having workouts appear on a calendar. It is having an experienced online running coach personally review the work, interpret what it means, and decide what should come next.

Private Coaching with Coach Chris

$300 / month

Fully personalized training

Every week is designed around your goals, current fitness, training history, race schedule, and real-life commitments.

Ongoing review and adjustments

I monitor your training and update the plan as your fitness, recovery, schedule, or health changes.

Direct access to Coach Chris

Communicate with me throughout the week for workout feedback, questions, guidance, and timely training decisions.

Race preparation and strategy

Receive guidance on pacing, fueling, race execution, tune-up races, and the decisions that shape a successful training cycle.

Strength and mobility training

Supplemental work supports durable, well-rounded development alongside your running.

A connected team experience

Join the Knighton Lions athlete community and receive a team racing singlet.

I intentionally coach a small roster and personally oversee every athlete.

More Than a Training Plan: A Long-Term Coaching Partnership

A good training plan is only the starting point. The real work of coaching is understanding how you respond, recognizing when to progress or pull back, and helping you stay confident when training becomes difficult or unpredictable.

I want you to understand the purpose behind your training, not just complete workouts. Through regular feedback and honest communication, we make informed decisions together and build a process you can trust on race day.

My coaching balances ambition with consistency, recovery, and long-term development. The goal is not one impressive week. It is to string together months of purposeful work that move you toward your best running.

Who Is Knighton Runs Coaching For?

Knighton Runs is best suited for committed runners who have some training or racing experience and are ready to take their development more seriously. Most of my athletes are preparing for a marathon or half marathon, although I also coach runners racing shorter distances and ultramarathons.

Some athletes come to me chasing a personal best or Boston Marathon qualifier. Others want to become more consistent, stop second-guessing their training, or prepare for an important race with expert support. You do not need to meet a particular pace standard. You do need to value communication, consistency, and doing the small things well.

How Your Online Training Plan Will Look

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Running Coaching

What makes Knighton Runs a premium coaching service?

I personally coach every athlete and intentionally maintain a small roster. You receive individualized training, close review, direct communication, and thoughtful adjustments from the same experienced coach throughout your training—not a handoff to an assistant or a lightly customized template.

Is there a minimum commitment?

No. Coaching works best as a long-term relationship, but it is billed monthly and there is no long-term contract.

How often will we communicate?

I work full time as a running coach and pride myself on being professional and responsive. I review your training and communicate with you multiple times throughout the week, and I generally respond to comments and questions within one business day.

Can my plan change if I get sick, injured, or busy?

Yes. I’ll review and adjust your training plan as needed—week to week or even day to day. One of the greatest benefits of working with an online running coach is receiving personalized support when life or training doesn’t go according to plan.

Do you specialize in online marathon coaching?

Yes. Most of the athletes I work with are training for the marathon or half marathon. My online marathon coaching combines a personalized training plan with ongoing feedback, accountability, and adjustments throughout the training cycle. I also coach runners competing at shorter distances and ultramarathons and encourage athletes to race across a variety of distances.

What experience levels do you coach?

My coaching is best suited for runners who have some experience with training or racing and are ready to take their development more seriously. My athletes want to do the little things well, improve their performance, and stay healthy while pursuing long-term progress, regardless of how fast they are.

Do you work with runners in Rhode Island and outside New England?

Yes. Knighton Runs is based in Providence, Rhode Island, and I coach runners locally, throughout the United States, and internationally. Because your training, feedback, and communication are managed online, you receive consistent personal coaching wherever you live or travel.

30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee

I want you to be completely satisfied with your run coaching experience.

If you don’t feel that coaching is the right fit, email me within 30 days of joining for a full refund.

— Coach Chris

APPLY FOR PRIVATE 1:1 COACHING

The application takes about three minutes. I’ll personally review your goals and respond within two business days.