Running News Daily

America’s most prominent marathoner weighs up career in coaching after recent struggles

US marathon great Galen Rupp has not ruled out a career in coaching after experiencing it first-hand as a volunteer as he continues his recovery from surgery.

US marathoner Galen Rupp is not ruling out a career in coaching once he finally hangs his spikes as he comes to the end of his storied journey in track and road races.

America’s most prominent marathoner in the last decade has been struggling to produce his form of old with injuries also making his life difficult.

Rupp had surgery in April which has kept him out of action since them but as he continues his recovery, he seems to have found a love for coaching after joining his coach Mike Smith at the University of Arizona to work as a coach on volunteer basis.

“That’s TBD [to be decided], but definitely during cross country,” Rupp, who has been coaching men’s and women’s team at UNA told Flagstaff Running News.

“I was down here training and this just seemed like a good opportunity. It’s been really fun. The kids are amazing to work with,” he added, while revealing that he plans to continue coaching throughout the cross-country season.

Asked if the experience has got him thinking of a career in coaching when he finally retires, the 2017 Chicago Marathon winner said: “Yes, absolutely. I’m having a lot of fun doing it now.”

Rupp is coming off a difficult season when he missed out on the Paris Olympics after finishing 16th at the US Olympics trials in February in what would have been his fourth appearance at the Games.

His previous Olympics appearances yielded a silver medal in 10,000m at the 2012 London Games before clinching marathon bronze in Rio 2016.

The 38-year-old has, however, been waning in his powers and there are still doubts whether he can regain his form of old and win major marathons again.