Imagine the electric track and field moment: a local kid from Philadelphia pounding the track with heart, grit, and something close to defiance—crossing the finish line under the sacred 4-minute mile barrier. The first Philly native to ever do it. Not just fast—history-making. But that was only the opening chapter!

This wasn’t a one-hit wonder. No, Mark Coogan made it his ritual—running at least one sub-5:00 mile every single year. Not for a few years. Not for a decade. For twenty-nine straight calendar years. Rain, shine, injury, life—it didn’t matter. That mile? It always got done. Then came the early 2010s, and with them, a twist no runner wants. A popped Achilles tendon—snapping like a gunshot through his dreams. The track grew quiet under his feet. No more spikes. No more chasing PRs. The curtain came down on an extraordinary running career. But here’s the thing: once an athlete, always an athlete!

Mark Coogan didn’t walk away from the sport—he dug deeper into it. Trading his racing singlet for a stopwatch, he became a coach, guiding the next generation with the fire of someone who’s been there. His passion didn’t fade; it simply changed lanes. And though his own legs might not eat up the track anymore, his heart still runs every day—with every athlete he trains, every mile split he calls out, every finish line crossed under his watchful eye. And hold on. The track and field coach is all set to reverse his role for one day. 

April 19 isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a comeback, a clash of titans, and the debut of something big, all rolled into one. Mark Coogan—yes, that Mark Coogan, former Olympian, revered coach, and mastermind behind Parker Valby’s ascent—is stepping out of retirement for one more go. But this isn’t just a nostalgic jog down memory lane. This is the inaugural New Balance Marathon Relay, hosted right in the heart of New Balance’s HQ, and it’s serious business. But why now? Why this? 

Because this race is special. It’s the first of its kind, drawing in elite names and fierce competition. And Coogan’s not lacing up just for fun—he’s suiting up for Team Citius Mag, squaring off against heavy hitters like The Morning Shakeout and BELIEVE in the Run. That’s not a race—that’s a showdown. And Coogan won’t be carrying the baton alone. Joining him are two powerhouses from the world stage:
Heather MacLean – U.S. Olympian, middle-distance star, and Coogan’s own protégé.
Aisha Praught-Leer – Jamaican record-holder, 2-time Olympian, and a force of nature in any relay.

That trio? They’re not just running. They’re representing. Experience, fire, and tactical brilliance all in one lineup. But here’s what makes this extra electric: Coogan’s not just bringing legs—he’s bringing the mind of a coach. The kind that sees not just the next step but the whole chessboard. To a coach, every lap is a puzzle, every handoff a chance, and every moment an opportunity to out-think, out-run, and out-heart the competition.

For Coogan, the track isn’t just about speed—it’s about strategy. And on April 19, we’ll see that sharp-eyed coach’s perspective collide with the roar of a crowd and the rush of adrenaline. It’s a rare moment when wisdom and willpower lace up together. Talking about Coogan’s wisdom, let’s have a trip in that lane. 

The track and field coach has special ways to handle the nerve 

When it comes to the marathon—and really, any race that tests your soul as much as your stride—Mark Coogan isn’t just coaching splits and VO₂ max. He’s coaching human experience. And in 2023, during a sit-down, Coogan cracked open that very philosophy in a way only he can.

You see, Coogan has never been just a stopwatch guy. He’s a storyteller, a student of the sport, and a mentor who’s seen it all—from Olympic lineups to everyday long runs that hurt more than they should. What sets him apart? He doesn’t just build runners. He builds resilience. And in that interview, he dropped a gem that every athlete—pro or recreational—should tattoo on their mindset: “When we race, the other thing we talk about is: Let’s be in the race. Let’s try to be there with a lap to go. There are no guarantees. If you’re there with a lap to go, you probably had a pretty good run. You can be upset a little bit after the race but not for that long because you gave it a go.” Let that sink in.

It’s not about winning every time. It’s about showing up when it counts. Being present when your legs are screaming and your mind wants to back off. If you’re in the race with a lap to go, you’ve done something right. You’ve honored the training, the early mornings, the self-doubt, and the sacrifices. Because the track and field coach knows—what lives in that final lap isn’t just speed. It’s spirit.

Coogan’s coaching goes beyond drills and mileage charts. He brings in stories from his own racing days, those moments when the crowd fades and it’s just you, your breath, and the burning question: Do you believe in yourself enough to hang on? And the cool part? His athletes don’t just listen. They feel it. They live it. And they perform because of it.

So when Coogan hits the track on April 19 for the New Balance Marathon Relay, know this—it’s not just a coach making a cameo. It’s a living, breathing embodiment of what it means to “be in the race.” And when that baton hits his hand, trust that it carries more than momentum—it carries years of belief.