Assistant Coach / Operations Coordinator
BEN’S STORY
Ben joined the team as an athlete in January of 2014, still in the middle of a career that had already seen him represent the United States on three World Championship teams (track, cross country, and the half marathon). As a member of HOKA NAZ Elite in 2014, Ben won five Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathons, a feat that garnered him attention throughout the running world, crossing over into the masses. He would go on to to represent the U.S. at another World Half Marathon Championship (2016) and qualified for, and competed in, an astounding 17 straight USATF Outdoor Track and Field Championships from 2003 through 2019.
AS A COACH
Ben added the role of part-time assistant coach to his duties at the beginning of 2018, though he continued to compete as an athlete as well. From 2021 through 2023 he focused less on competing and more on his role as the team’s official pacer. On January 1, 2024 he took on a full-time position as the team’s second assistant coach and its operations coordinator.
Since he began as an assistant coach, the team has produced many of its best performances of all time, including four top-20 finishes at the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials, led by the Women of NAZ who finished first, sixth and eighth.
Ben also works with runners of all ages and abilities, along with his wife, through their coaching service, Running with the Bruces.
NCAA STATS
Ben ran collegiately at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in his home state of California. There he was a two-time NCAA All American in the steeplechase with a personal best of 8:33.70. His 13:40.9 best at 5,000 meters remains a school record.