Private Running Lessons for Youth in Rhode Island
Year-round support for young runners beyond the daily team workout.
Coach Erica Knighton offers youth running coaching, in-person private running lessons, and athlete development for kids, middle school runners, and high school cross country and track athletes in Providence, Rhode Island and nearby Southern Massachusetts. Whether your runner wants steady support throughout the school year or hands-on help with a specific skill, there is a way to get started.
Coach Erica offers the following programs:
Youth Athlete Development Membership
$99/month
Running is about more than completing the workout. This membership gives middle and high school runners consistent, individualized support to become stronger, more confident, and more complete athletes. It complements your school’s cross country and track programs. Your school coach remains responsible for workouts, mileage, and the team training plan. Coach Erica helps your athlete develop the skills and habits around that training.
What your athlete gets
- Monthly 1:1 athlete development session: A dedicated check-in with Coach Erica to review training, answer questions, work on a specific development area, and set goals for the weeks ahead.
- Final Surge training support: Continued access to a training log to record training, follow progress over time, and receive ongoing guidance and feedback from Coach Erica.
- Seasonally progressive strength and mobility: Exercises that evolve with the athlete’s training and racing schedule.
- Race strategy and championship preparation: Learn how to make a race plan, manage effort, and prepare for important competitions.
- Goal setting and mental performance: Build confidence and develop practical ways to handle pressure, setbacks, and challenging moments in races.
- Recovery, sleep, and nutrition education: Build habits that support consistent training and long-term development.
- Injury prevention education: Learn to recognize warning signs of excessive training and support a more resilient athlete.
- Direct access to Coach Erica: Athletes and parents can reach out with questions about training, racing, recovery, strength, and development.
- Resources, guides, and videos: Educational materials for young runners and their families.
Built to work alongside your school team
Your school coach knows your team’s training plan. Coach Erica’s role is to support that relationship and help your athlete get more out of the work they are already doing. The focus is on what happens around the daily team workout: strength, mobility, recovery, race strategy, confidence, nutrition, goal setting, and long-term development.
Comprehensive Running Consultation
$150 | 75–90 minutes
A running assessment, video form analysis, and individualized recommendations in one session. Coach Erica will take a close look at how your athlete runs, teach relevant drills, and identify useful next steps. This is a good starting point for families who want a deeper assessment before deciding on ongoing coaching.
What the consultation includes
- Video running form analysis: Footage from multiple angles to review posture, arm carriage, cadence, foot strike, ground contact, and overall movement.
- Individualized assessment: A conversation about your athlete’s running background, current training, goals, and questions.
- Running drills and technique work: Drills selected for your athlete, with instruction on how to use them in future training.
- Strength and mobility recommendations: Exercises to address areas that would benefit from more attention.
- Individualized next steps: Specific recommendations based on the assessment, plus video and/or resources to help your athlete continue independently.
The consultation can help runners new to the sport, cross country and track athletes, multi-sport athletes, runners moving into more training, and families seeking professional feedback on running mechanics. It is a one-time assessment and coaching session. Athletes who want continued support can move into the Youth Athlete Development Membership.
Private Running Lessons for Youth in Rhode Island
$85 per 60-minute lesson | $100 per 75-minute lesson
In-person private running lessons give kids and teens hands-on, one-on-one instruction with Coach Erica. Lessons are available for young runners of all levels, generally ages 8–18, including beginners, middle school runners, and high school cross country and track athletes. Each session is tailored to your athlete’s age, experience, goals, and current needs.
What can a private lesson cover?
- Running form, mechanics, drills, and coordination
- Speed and endurance development
- Pacing, mental skills, and race strategy
- Strength, mobility, plyometrics, and agility
- Cross country or track preparation and training questions
A typical lesson includes a dynamic warm-up and running form drills, a fun workout guided by Coach Erica, a cooldown with appropriate strength or mobility work, and time for questions. Private lessons are available year-round and can be especially useful during summer before cross country, winter before track, and school vacation weeks. Spring sessions may take place on the track, while summer and fall lessons can help athletes prepare for cross country.
About Coach Erica Knighton
I am a lifelong runner and co-owner of Knighton Runs Coaching, based in Providence, Rhode Island. I help young runners build the skills, strength, confidence, and habits that allow them to enjoy running and keep developing over the long term.
I’ve coached at the high school, adult, and youth levels since 2019. From 2021 to 2025, I served as Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach at St. Mary Academy–Bay View in Riverside, Rhode Island. I led the indoor team to its first Division Championship in over 20 years in my first season and helped athletes reach the Rhode Island State Championship, New England Championship, New Balance, Nike, and Adidas Youth Nationals. I now coach year-round at Moses Brown School in Providence.
I grew up in Providence and ran cross country and track at Barrington High School before attending Syracuse University. After college, I qualified for and ran two Boston Marathons, as well as the Chicago and Philadelphia Marathons. I have more than 20 years of experience training and racing. My approach is to help young athletes learn how to train smarter and build a healthy, lasting relationship with running.
Ready to Help Your Runner Take the Next Step?
Choose the support that fits your athlete: The membership offers ongoing development alongside the school team; the consultation provides an in-depth assessment and video analysis; and private lessons offer hands-on instruction. If you are unsure where to begin, Coach Erica can help you decide.
Email Coach Erica with your athlete’s age, running background, goals, and the option you are interested in. She will help you find the right next step.