MEET OUR COACHES
Get to know what we are all about!
We feel like it is important for all potential athletes to know who we are and what we do before they sign on with us. We are a dynamo team of four fierce coaches that all bring unique strengths to the SRC team. All of us take a kinesthetic and intuitive approach to coaching by “tuning into” the needs of each of our athletes and making sure we are the right fit as a coach-athlete team is step one.
Coach bios are below!
We were given the unique opportunity to be interviewed on the Women Run Canada podcast with Kirsten Parker. If you want to take a deep dive into learning more about two of our coaches, Coach Leanne and Coach Lynsey, check us out here:
Coach Lynsey Romano
I began my running career in 2012, having never ran or raced before. The last eight years have taken me from 5 and 10km's to the Boston Marathon.
I am a NCCP Trained Club Coach, RRCA running coach, Training Peaks certified coach, National Academy of Sports Medicine - Performance Enhancement Specialist, and Canfit Pro personal trainer. More importantly, I am a life long learner when it comes to the art of coaching distance running.
My career highlights include winning the Calgary Half Marathon in 2019 and placing 3rd at the Edmonton Marathon in 2018.
2019 Personal Bests:
- 5km 18:18
- 10km: 36:57
- Half Marathon: 1:20:21
Coach Leanne Klassen
Leanne has not always been a runner but has always been a devoted athlete with a competitive spirit and love for team sports. She played college level basketball and in her third and final season she was an ACAC all-conference, a CCAA all-Canadian and was named SAIT’s female athlete of the year. Her coach that year was Donovan Martin who said of her “Leanne is an inspiration to the others. Totally unselfish, totally dedicated. A coach’s dream.”
After college Leanne started teaching spin classes at Goodlife fitness in Calgary, AB where she continues to teach. After having her second daughter in 2016 she turned to running to stay in shape and very quickly fell in love with the sport. Her passion for running and desire to push the limits has led her to race at an elite level in the marathon and half marathon distance. Team spirit and passion have now brought Leanne to coaching.
“Helping others set and achieve goals they never thought possible makes me so happy! I can promise you; I will be your biggest cheer leader!”
Some of Leanne’s biggest running achievement include winning the 2018 Edmonton Marathon as well as the 2019 Calgary Marathon.
Personal Bests:
Marathon 2:44:07
Half Marathon 1:15:32
10k 36:07
Coach Brenda Dryer
Brenda has been a runner for more time than she has not! She began as a track athlete in junior high and high school and then moved into cross-country in her college years. After spending a number of years running 5kms, 10kms, half-marathons, and marathons she has found a new passion in recent years in the ultrarunning world. In the last 3 years, Brenda has tackled five 100-milers which include a first place female finish at Lost Soul in 2019, four 100kms, three 50milers, three 50kms, and a 6-day race. These are in addition to the 40 half-marathons and 20 marathons she ran before moving into trail running.
Coach Brenda is really dialed into what it takes to train as an endurance athlete while balancing the other important parts of life such as family and career. As a Mom to three, she really understands the juggling act that often occurs to fit it all in. Brenda is excited to put her ultrarunning coach certification to good use and help other athletes achieve their running goals.
Coach Jill Galarneau
When it comes to coaching Jill has range - from running, to strength, to yoga and leading retreats, Jill has put down deep roots in the running community.
Jill’s running career truly started after she wrapped up her basketball career at the Medicine Hat College. Basketball and soccer were her main sports growing up, and after high school she pursued a basketball scholarship at the Medicine Hat College. In her final year she was named to the ACAC All Conference team and leading scorer. Jill continued her education at the University of Alberta, which is where she discovered her love for the sport of running. After recreationally participating in 5k and 10k races she realized she had the potential to run for the University Cross Country team and decided to head down to the park for a try out. Jill was a member of the University of Alberta Cross Country team for her final 2-years of post secondary school.
Following University Jill continued running recreationally, enjoying various distances from 1/2 marathons to 50km trail races in addition to teaching fitness and yoga classes in local studios in Calgary.
Coach Jill is a “mom on the run” and has 2 young children. After her second child she decided to hire a coach (our very own @leanneklassen7) to tackle some major running goals. Since working with Coach Leanne Jill has run personal bests in both the 10km (39:14) and half marathon (1:26:04) with big goals to crack a 3 hour marathon.
Alongside with running, Jill is an advocate for the importance of incorporating strength and yoga into her running practice which she views and crucial pieces of her training.
Personal Bests:
Half Marathon 1:26:06
10k 39:14
5km 18:35