Evan Covell – Santa Barbara Running Coach
From: $135.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
50% off your 1st month! Evan will help you set and achieve your running and fitness goals through personalized, science-based training and injury prevention.
Description
Santa Barbara running coach Evan Covell focuses on consistency, patience and kindness as he helps athletes achieve their goals while building strength, mobility and injury prevention on both the roads and the track. Evan also offers in-person sessions, see below for more details or reach out to Evan to get started!
*** 50% off First Month for month-to-month Coaching – Coupon Code: 50%covell ***
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road, Track
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon
TRAINING PLATFORM: Final Surge
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited phone, unlimited text
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Santa Barbara, CA
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Yes, within 10 miles of zip code 93110. Options can include a workout session, strength and mobility training, race strategy planning, and/or a guided goal-setting session. Reach out to Evan for more info.
SPECIALTIES
While the majority of my coaching experience comes at the high school level, training athletes in events from the 800m to 5k cross country, I am equally as passionate about coaching adults in all distances up to the marathon. Coaching beginners who are eager to learn and fall in love with a new sport is a blast for me. At the same time, helping more experienced runners break through a plateau and set PRs well beyond their original goals is very fulfilling.
My specialties include:
- Helping athletes improve their speed through: strength and mobility training, form drills, and high-quality track training sessions
- Coaching those chasing a BQ (Boston Marathon qualifying time)
- Injury prevention strategies
- Mental coaching paired with science-based training to help athletes break through a plateau
- Off-season training for high school cross country and track athletes
- Goal setting – best practices
PHILOSOPHY
Three phrases my athletes always hear me say are:
- “consistency is key”
- “running is a patient person’s sport”
- “be kind to yourself”
The way to get better at running is to consistently run, therefore keeping my athletes injury-free is my top priority. Together we will achieve consistency through a focus on quality running with proper form that works for you, an emphasis on recovery (easy running, cross training, rest days, mobility routines, strength training), mental strategies to approach the hard workout days with confidence, and setting both outcome and process goals to create routines and good habits in your training. Because remember, “consistency is key.”
Patience, patience, patience. A common mistake new runners make is trying to rush the process. I will be reminding you that “running is a patient person’s sport,” All. The. Time. When athletes attempt to rush things, injury occurs. And you can’t remain consistent if you’re injured. As a coach, I focus on quality over quantity in training. More isn’t always better.
“Be kind to yourself.” I use this phrase a lot as I find most runners are naturally pretty hard on themselves. I encourage taking a posture of curiosity when things don’t go as planned. Saying “hmmm, I wonder why this run feels harder than I thought it should,” is a great way to approach a potential concern. In general, staying relaxed, calm, and happy makes for a positive training experience. When you find yourself getting frustrated, remember to be kind to yourself.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
I have coached high school cross country and track since 2018, and I’ve been coaching myself and other adults in the 5k, 10k, half marathon, and marathon since 2021.
Each off-season, I coach high school athletes looking to improve their speed and return to their sport stronger and injury-free. Those in-person training sessions prepared these individuals for their seasons in cross country, track, football, baseball, and basketball.
In 2025, I helped start a youth track club in Santa Barbara, serving kids from 7 through 15 years old.
ABOUT ME
When I’m not running or coaching, I’m either binge-watching a TV show with my wife, catching up on running shoe reviews on YouTube, or playing GeoGuessr (the most cost-effective way to “travel” the world). As much as I love being active, hiking, swimming, climbing, etc., when we go on vacation it is time to relax by the pool with a cold drink in hand. I believe a healthy work/life balance is crucial to longevity and avoiding burnout.
BIG INFLUENCES
Coaches and Systems: Jack Daniels, Steve Magness, Ryan Hall, my college coach Russell Smelley
Podcasts: “Magness and Marcus On Coaching”, “FareWell: The Growth Equation”, and “Run Free”.
Books: Running to the Edge by Matthew Futterman, Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, Running with the Buffaloes by Chris Lear, The Science of Running by Steve Magness.
RACING HISTORY
I grew up playing every team sport that was offered. By my middle school years, I realized I wasn’t very good at the hand-eye coordination part of sports, but I could always run fast! So in 6th grade, I joined my school’s cross country team and I never looked back. I’ve been running and racing competitively for 17 years now. I started my running career in Massachusetts racing middle school and high school XC and track. Then I moved out to the west coast to run for Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA where I raced 8k cross country and the 5,000m and 10,000m on the track.
I currently live in Santa Barbara, CA, and compete in many local 5k and 10k road races, an all-comers heptathlon once a year, the “coaches mile” at my high school track meets, and I typically race 1 or 2 marathons a year with a half marathon race here and there as well.
PRs
- 5,000m: 16:44.22 (3/11/16) Occidental Distance Carnival, collegiate track meet
- 10,000m: 36:16.88 (4/2/17) Westmont College vs Concordia University, collegiate track meet
- 8K Cross Country: 27:52.2 (10/21/17) Warrior Invitational, collegiate cross country meet
- Half Marathon: 1:24:30 (11/3/24) Santa Barbara Half Marathon
- Marathon: 2:49:59 (4/13/25) Mountains 2 Beach Marathon
CERTIFICATIONS
- USTFCCCA Endurance Specialist (received July 2021)
- M.A. in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
- 2019 Boys Cross Country California State Academic Champions
- Providence High School record holders in the 800m, 1600m, 3200m, and 3-mile cross country
- 2023 Girls Santa Barbara County Champion in cross country
- Countless athletes’ personal records (this is why I love the sport of running, achieving your personal best)
CONTACT EVAN
Finding a coach who is a great fit for you is really important. We encourage you to email your coach prior to signing up so you can connect, communicate, and ensure a good athlete/coach fit.
PUBLICATIONS
- A Parent’s Guide to Cross Country Running: Understanding cross country, and how to best support a young runner
- Race Week Survival Guide
- Mastering the Marathon Taper
- Glute Activation for Runners
- Marathon Training: Four Principles for Success at 26.2 Miles
- Consistency is Key: Consistency in Running and Resting
SOCIAL
Boris Grodzovsky –
If you’re looking for a running coach, look no further. This is truly it.
Coach Evan Covell is exactly what I needed to reach my goals.
I used to hate running, and chose to put a stop to that hate by learning how to do it properly.
Evan showed me proper running form, created a proper running plan, changed and adjusted the plans to my needs, he was there to celebrate success and he was there to support on the lows.
I am so grateful to have Evan by my side. I improved my running to a comfortable place where I get to run along with seasoned runners while using proper form, preventing injuries.
Besides running, Evan supports and coaches through strength training that is so important for injury prevention and a strong body, while also providing coaching for mobility to keep an agile running shape.
I’d recommend Evan to anyone that’s new to running to those planning crushing their race goals at any distance, any speed. Evan is a goldmine of resources and creativity.
Lindsey –
Working with Evan has been a nice change up from my usual self-guided half marathon training. It’s my first time using a running coach, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Evan has been absolutely fantastic.
Our first call covered everything: past races, any lingering injuries, and my goals for the upcoming race. From there, he built a personalized plan that’s been spot-on. He’s extremely communicative, checks in often, and keeps me accountable and motivated, exactly the push I didn’t realize I needed. I’m also using the FinalSurge app for the first time, which syncs with my watch and lays out every workout in detail. After each session, we review in the comments what went well, what didn’t, and how to adjust for next time.
I’m genuinely excited to see all this training come together on race day. Looking ahead, I know I’ll be turning to Evan again for future marathons (knock on wood!). For anyone on the fence about getting a coach, do it. 10/10 recommend Evan for helping you stay on track work towards your goals.
Peter Speier –
Being coached by Evan has been the exact change I needed in my training. I was training for a marathon, but did not really know what I was doing and based all my training off of previous high school and college running experience. Evan knew exactly what to do to get me back on track with my training, and reinvigorated my entire fitness plan. He not only provides fun and productive workouts, he also listens to feedback and helps get you on the right track if a workout is too much or too easy. His flexibility and availability sets him apart from other coaches.
Another huge plus with Evan is that he works around busy schedules. I am an active duty military member, so there are several days or even weeks where I cannot train that pop up out of nowhere. Evan is always able to pivot the training plan and keep me on track to stay in shape. I used to get discouraged by these forced breaks from running, thinking they would totally throw my training off track. Evan’s flexibility and encouragement have shown me that these schedule changes can easily be worked around. Now when I get a busy schedule change, I trust Evan to help me work around it and even use it in ways to recover or improve.
Since he became my coach, Evan has truly changed my whole outlook on running and given me the confidence to try to qualify for Boston. He coached me to a 3:00:18 first marathon. I fully trust that he will get me to Boston within a year.
Sean Taylor –
A top-tier runner and coach. Coach Evan is someone you want in your corner to help bring out the best of you as a runner, and more importantly as a person. He does a fantastic job of knowing what you are capable and building a plan that suits you best, regardless of your ability or experience. The workouts are diverse and vary in intensity to help ensure you stay consistently good. Highly recommend for any age-level or any upcoming event that includes putting you one foot in front of the other. One of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time is working with Coach Covell.
Kyle Lucovsky –
For the past couple years I’ve been wanting to get back into running. I’d been struggling to get past 1-2 miles no matter what programming I’d try.
Evan’s coaching has had such a huge impact on me. I can comfortably run 6+ miles now and am actually enjoying running again. His programming has been flexible to enable me to do the other activities I enjoy while still building back enough endurance to run a half marathon again.
Couldn’t recommend him enough!
AS –
a proactive and thoughtful coach, who is intellectually engaged with what he prescribes to the athlete. Absolutely recommend.
Yulia Zwie –
Working with Coach Evan has been an outstanding experience for our son. Evan is not only attentive and consistently available, but also remarkably thoughtful in how he approaches each training session. His workouts are purposeful and well-designed, with a strong focus on developing proper technique and long-term athletic growth.
What truly distinguishes Evan, however, is the way he invests in the whole person. He takes the time to understand the athlete’s personality, motivations, and goals, which creates a supportive and encouraging environment. Under his guidance, our son has made significant technical strides, but just as importantly, he has grown in self-confidence and resilience.
Evan embodies what it means to be a true coach—one who sees beyond the stopwatch and stats to nurture both the athlete and the individual. His combination of expertise, patience, and genuine care makes him the kind of coach every family hopes to find. We feel incredibly fortunate to have had Evan in our son’s corner.
Rick Robles –
Evan is an amazing coach, and really cares about his clients health and performance. He answered every question I had thoughtful answers based on his knowledge and experience. He’s professional and a great guy. I would recommend his coaching to anyone preparing for any sort of race or just wanting to consistently improve at any aspect of running!
Sveinn Thorarinsson –
I feel extremely fortunate that Evan is my coach. He embodies all the characteristics of a great coach. Working with him has upgraded my mindset on how I approach running which has both increased my rate of improvement but also enjoyment. It’s just so awesome to be able to put the crafting of the training program into the hands of an expert. That creates all the more space to focus my mental energy on performing well and enjoying the work. He has a great ability to fine-tune workouts and plans according to how my body is responding to training, and I especially appreciate his kind and caring attitude. He is awesome and I would encourage everyone to work with him if you get the chance.
Kurt Lucovsky –
Evan is an incredible running coach. I started working with him in the Spring of 2025 with the goal of getting support to run the Wine Country Half, but our work together has evolved into something more than just one race! At first, I was nervous that I wasn’t a serious enough runner to warrant a coach, but Evan made me feel heard and seen and he didn’t bat an eye about my pace and goals. With Evan, I now want to make running a lifestyle and think of it as an ever-evolving commitment to my health. I’ve never felt more excited or confident with my running. Evan inspires me to try my best and keep at it with his flexible, kind, and thoughtful approach to coaching. I cant’t recommend him enough if you’re looking for someone who can make running fun and challenging at the same time.
Ana Maria Rudnicki –
Evan has been training our teenage daughter since last fall, and she has improved significantly in that time. He is kind but effective, and has helped her understand what she needs to improve upon and developed a personalized plan for her that adjusts as she hits her benchmarks. Overall really grateful that we found Evan to help her during the off season. We can definitely see the results, and our daughter is more confident in her ability to run well and safely. Thank you Evan!
Rachel Williams –
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Evan has been an incredible coach for my son! In just 2.5 months, he has made significant improvements in his running performance and technique, but what stands out the most is the impact on his mental approach to the sport. Evan not only focuses on the physical aspects of training but also builds confidence, resilience, and a positive mindset. His coaching style is supportive, knowledgeable, and motivating. We are so grateful for his dedication and highly recommend him to any athlete looking to grow both on and off the track!
Wade Varesio –
I have been training with Evan for just over two months as I prepare for my first marathon, and I can confidently say that his coaching has been a game-changer for me. From the very beginning, Evan’s expertise and tailored training plans have not only improved my running skills but also boosted my confidence as an athlete.
One of the standout qualities of Evan’s coaching is his exceptional communication. He consistently checks in with me, especially after challenging workouts, to see how I’m feeling and to provide encouragement. This level of support makes a significant difference in my training experience.
Evan’s ability to adapt training plans to fit my life is another invaluable aspect of his coaching. Whether I have travel commitments, work stress, or personal events, he seamlessly adjusts my schedule, allowing me to focus on my runs without the added cognitive load. This flexibility has been crucial in helping me maintain a balanced approach to training.
The workouts Evan creates are not only challenging but also incredibly engaging. He has a knack for designing sessions that keep training fun and exciting. This variety in workouts has made each training session something I look forward to, rather than a chore.
Moreover, Evan places a strong emphasis on mental health, which is often overlooked in the running community. He fosters a culture that values rest and relaxation, reminding us that recovery is just as important as the workouts themselves. This holistic approach has made my training not only more effective but also more enjoyable.
Evan is deeply embedded in the running community, and his passion is infectious. I often run into him around town on my runs, and our spontaneous runs together have been a highlight of my training. He also actively encourages his athletes to participate in group events, creating opportunities for us to connect with fellow runners who share similar goals.
Overall, my experience with Evan has been nothing short of fantastic. He genuinely cares about each of his athletes, taking the time to understand our individual needs and pushing us to reach our full potential. Without his guidance, I would likely be struggling with injuries or feeling lost in my marathon training journey. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Evan and am excited to continue this journey with him by my side!
If you’re looking for a coach who is knowledgeable, supportive, and truly invested in your success, I highly recommend Evan. He has the skills and dedication to help you become the best version of yourself as a runner while making the journey enjoyable and fulfilling.
Michael Nechemia –
Working with Evan since June 2024 has been a game-changer for my running journey. He’s incredibly supportive and motivating, always making sure each workout has a clear purpose. One thing I really appreciate is his willingness to entertain my many training questions, and deep dive into the science behind the training. He is constantly checking in on how things are going and is great at making adjustments to the plan as things come up in life. Thanks to his guidance, I recently completed a half marathon feeling strong and prepared. I highly recommend Coach Covell if you’re looking for a coach who genuinely cares about your progress and knows his stuff!
Patrick Malberg –
In April of this year I set out to run my first ever marathon, but I didn’t know where to start so I reached out to Evan for help. He gave me a really awesome training plan for 4 months leading up to the race. He pushed me in ways that I would not have pushed myself. He also made adjustments to my plan whenever life stuff got in the way of my training (travel, illness, injury).
Evan planned each week out for me mixing in long runs, easy runs, workouts, rest days, and resistance training. All of the workouts were easy to follow and he input them on an app for me that would sync directly to my watch so I wouldn’t have to memorize the whole workout. Evan made it so I didn’t really have to think about my training I just had to go out and do it. The workouts he gave me made me a much better runner and gave me the confidence to go out and compete in my first marathon. I ended up running a 2:46 marathon thanks to Evan’s training. The night before the race I looked over all the workouts I did just to remind myself that I had put in the work and I was ready. When the race got hard I thought back to some of the long runs I did and that gave me the confidence to keep pushing.
I highly recommend being coached by Evan. He was always available to chat whenever I had and questions about the training. He is a great friend and he knows his stuff. Most importantly he loves what he does and you can tell he puts a lot of thought and care into his training plans.
Cindy Villa –
A seasoned runner with years of wisdom and experience, Coach Evan Covell planned and adjusted a ten week program of long runs, workouts, cross-training and and more to shepherd a friend and I to our first ever marathon. Coach Covell employed more than just his extensive knowledge as an accomplished high school coach throughout this process, though that’s not to say he didn’t demonstrate his incredible understanding of the human body and its potential during our entire preparation before the big day. I would have never imagined myself possible of the athletic achievements I was able to complete with Coach Covell’s guidance, and the hundreds of strong miles I accomplished supported by his expertise is a testament to his outstanding proficiency as a mentor. To ensure this prosperity, he checked in with us regularly regarding how we were responding to the mileage, the implementation of varying types of workouts to maintain engagement and promote progress, and how we felt mentally as athletes enduring a level of challenge and toll we had never faced prior. Coach Covell prioritized our overall wellbeing, minding both the physical and psychological impacts of such an intensive undertaking, and his care and thoughtfulness did not go unappreciated. The time, energy, and concern Coach Covell puts into his athletes is unparalleled, and he skillfully adapted our program according to conflicts such as work, vacation, and fatigue without hiccup. His timely feedback and compassionate responses made us feel welcome to relay our questions and thoughts, and he went above and beyond in his dedication to our success by doing extra research and creating personalized recovery procedures to aid our journey to the big race. Coach Covell’s love for running and coaching could not be more apparent, and I cannot possibly eulogize his excellence as a coach enough to accurately portray just how much he strengthened and nurtured my own relationship with running as well. For any future race, whether it be as short as a 5k or another 26.2, I will absolutely be looking to train with Coach Covell again and enthusiastically encourage all other runners looking for a positive experience in reaching their goals to do the same.
Ellie Monson –
In the spring, a running teammate and I decided to tackle our first marathon but didn’t know where to start. We were looking for a training plan that would both challenge us and hold us accountable to reach our goals. A friend recommended Evan Covell’s coaching services and we decided to give it a try! We committed to a 10-week training plan to prepare us for the race, and it turned out to be an incredible experience.
Coach Covell’s organization and style made the process seamless. We always looked forward to the next week of training. He checked in on us weekly so that he could assess how we were feeling from longer runs, which helped fuel the following week’s workout. His vast knowledge about running, combined with his own experience, made him credible and trustworthy. He understands the ups and downs that come with high-mileage training.
Additionally, Coach Covell provided high-quality workouts that varied, keeping us engaged with different stimuli throughout the 10 weeks. Our personalized training plan made it easy to implement into our busy schedules, taking into account work, travel, and soreness. Since the workouts varied from week to week, it helped to challenge us both mentally and physically. His communication was excellent and he was always responsive, which made him feel approachable with any questions.
Coach Covell also emphasized recovery, helping our muscles stay healthy with tips on warm-ups, cool-downs, stretching, nutrition, sleep, and cross-training. He even sent us articles to deepen our understanding. Throughout the training, he provided feedback on our progress to ensure we were on track.
Ultimately, Coach Covell’s commitment and dedication to our success made the marathon go smoothly, and helped me hit my exact goal pace. This positive experience motivates me to further my relationship with running. I look forward to continuing training with him, whether it’s a new PR in a 5k, half marathon, or another marathon!
I highly recommend Coach Covell’s coaching to anyone looking to reach their goals at all levels, whether you’re an experienced runner or just getting started. His love and passion for running is contagious, and will surely excite you to continue your running journey.
Jackson Bright –
I have been being coached by Evan for 3 months so far and have been loving it! He helped me plan and run my first marathon and currently has me on track to set new PRs in my 5k, 10k, and half marathon in the next few months. Evan’s training plans are incredibly personalized, dynamic, diverse, and fun, while also providing a good challenge, which helps me to grow as a runner. Evan’s training plans are really exciting with lots of different kinds of workouts and runs, which keeps my motivation to run very high and has me always looking forward to each workout. He has helped me focus on proper warmup routines, stretching, and running technique which has helped me to run injury free and continually improve.
One thing that is really great about Evan’s coaching is he really makes running fun! He emphasizes the importance of mental health, and listens to his athletes. He’s always available if I have a question, will check in frequently, and will adapt my training plan as necessary. Evan really cares about his athletes, and he’s always one of the first people to give me ‘kudos’ on my run on Strava! I personally really enjoy cross training and lifting and Evan has seamlessly incorporated those things into my training plan, which is a way he has really worked with me to make my training plan personal to me and exciting for me.
I’m very happy being coached by Evan and recommend you become one of his athletes too! Regardless if you’re an elite runner or just getting started on your running journey, or anywhere in between, Evan is a terrific coach that will help you reach your goals and foster your love to run.