Our Coaches
Stuart Calderwood
founder and head Coach
Stuart has been coaching runners since he was in high school, when he got to prepare a bunch of little kids for a county track meet. It was so fun and rewarding that he’s never been able to stop. He coached the Orange Coast College (CA) men’s cross country team to the 1987 Empire Conference Championship and the Laguna Beach High School boys’ cross country team to the 1989 California State Championship, interrupting the dynasty of a team that Kevin Costner coached in a movie. He’s also coached a few Olympic Trials and World Championships marathoners and a whole lot of age-group award-winners. As a competitor, he won the 2013 London Marathon’s 55+ division, medaled at the 2003 World Masters Games marathon and the 2008 National Masters Championships 3000 meters, and set the current 50–54 American track record for 30,000 meters, largely because so few people want to run 75 laps on a track. His proudest achievement is being the head coach of the Great Hill Track Club.
DAVID ATKINSON
Astoria Park, Queens
Dave started competitive running back in his middle school days in the Midwest. After moving to NYC as an adult, he rediscovered his passion for the sport, learned the benefits of structured training programs, and now, as a masters athlete, has surpassed all his PRs from his youth. In recent years he's taken on longer distances: 20 half-marathons (PR of 1:24:53), 10 marathons (PR of 3:17:12), and even an ultramarathon! He has competed in several triathlons and a few obstacle races just for fun. Dave is dedicated to helping his fellow runners reach their goals; he even paced his sister, who qualified for the Boston Marathon. As an RRCA-certified coach, he hopes to spread the joy of exploring this great city on foot, the satisfaction from working hard and getting stronger, and the exhilaration of racing.
CRAIG ASTREICHER
Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Craig started running over 20 years ago to lose weight and develop a healthy lifestyle. He quickly found enjoyment in competition and discovering his untapped potential. He saw significant improvement after a year with a coached running group, and in 2018 he became an RRCA-certified coach so he could help others. Craig uses a holistic approach, including advice on non-running activities, to assess runners’ needs and help them set goals. Craig has completed dozens of races, from one mile to a 60K with 6,500 feet of elevation gain.
Nick Wical
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Nick has been in the running world for ten years, during which he’s finished 27 half-marathons, 16 marathons, and five ultramarathons, with PRs of 1:29:30, 3:09:41, and 5:22:40 (60K). Though known for racing in costume at times, he does in fact love to race hard. Nick’s passion for the sport led him to become a certified coach in 2015. He leads See You Next Tuesday, a Brooklyn speedwork group, and has coached with NYRR in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens for five years. Seeing athletes challenge themselves and grow has been a source of great joy for Nick, and he’s excited to lead our Brooklyn group in beautiful Prospect Park, the site of many of his favorite routes and achievements, and to share his knowledge of the park’s hidden gems.
ann restak
Founding lead and private coach, New York
Ann is an RRCA-certified running coach and a certified Shape Up New York City fitness instructor who has been coaching runners since 2018. She is also a historian of 17th century Dutch art, and a co-founder of the popular running podcast Chill Track Friday. Ann started running in 2011 and was instantly drawn to the self-directed nature of running and the personal growth that results from the required discipline. Her greatest joy is in helping runners set and achieve their goals. As a masters runner, Ann is attuned to the importance of recovery, strength training, and nutrition in achieving peak performance and career longevity. Ann is most proud of running a five-minute PR of 3:09:39 at the 2018 Boston Marathon, in the worst weather in the race's 122-year history, and medaling in the 2019 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix Women's Masters Mile.
Bobby Asher
Founding lead coach
For 10 years, Bobby has taken pride in working with runners of all levels, from novices to podium finishers. In fact, he once ran two half-marathons a week apart in 3:15 and 1:14 for different goals and purposes. Bobby has run two ultramarathons, 26 marathons (2:38:35 PR), and too many half-marathons (1:09:49 PR). Back in the day (a day in 2006, to be precise), he was the SUNYAC 10,000-meter champion (30:54). His favorite runs are shared with his “Co-Coach for Life” Cassie.
Cassie Wangsness
Founding lead coach
Cassie is an RRCA-certified distance coach who has been working with runners of all experience levels since 2004. A lifelong educator, she discovered her love of coaching while teaching at a Kenyan school for visually impaired children. The experience inspired her to become a dedicated distance runner and coach, and she has since guided hundreds of runners as they've trained for events from the mile to the marathon. A highlight of her own running career was the 2018 Berlin Marathon, in which she ran a PR of 3:32:32, with a half-marathon PR by :01 in the second half!
Running has had a profound impact on Cassie's life, and it is her privilege and passion to share the joy and strength that it has given her.
“Simply an amazing and fun group with the best coaches you can run with. GHTC is by far the best running experience I've had, and it's helped me tremendously to improve on many levels.”
— Ghassan A.