Our Coaches

Craftsbury Running Camp - Coaching Staff
Craftsbury running camps have been a sought after running destination for more than 30 years. One crucial reason is our coaching. Every session, our expert coaches share their knowledge of speed, strength and endurance training. Whether you are a long-time runner working on your tenth marathon, a fitness runner hoping to train more progressively or a new runner who wants to advance their fitness and knowledge, our time-tested mix of structured runs, videotape analysis, lectures, drills and circuit training will help you to achieve your goals.

Lynn Jennings, Running Program Director and Coach

Three-time Olympian, Olympic bronze medalist and three-time world cross country champion Lynn Jennings will be back at Craftsbury for the fifth time in 2011. As Director of Running, Lynn enjoys sharing her running history and knowledge with Craftsbury runners. Her love of running includes teaching runners how to train progressively and intelligently to maximize their potential. Lynn willingly shares her motivating and inspiring insights into the world of professional middle distance running.

Lynn lives in Portland, OR where she runs the trails in Forest Park with her dog Towhee. Though retired from competitive racing, Lynn still cranks out 60 miles a week on the trails. When not running Lynn is an avid road cyclist, back country hiker and sculler. She coaches a small group of distance runners online and enjoys the process of assisting runners to their racing goals.

Lynn can be reached at running@craftsbury.com.

"Craftsbury running camps are a perfect place for a runner to train and play. The gorgeous hilly roads and trails are a runner's dream. Runners come to Craftsbury to improve their skills and gain insight into creating productive training programs. A week at Craftsbury gives runners of all abilities a chance to learn more about their craft in a beautiful and serene location. Add in the amazing meals and the camaraderie of the runners and it's no wonder so many runners return year after year." -Lynn

Bobby Asher, Coach

Bobby Asher from Scarsdale, NY will be coaching at Craftsbury for the first time this summer. Bobby started running in the 8th grade in Scarsdale (when he ran an 8:00 mile) and has put together a running resume that includes a 1:09:50 half marathon (2010 NYC Half) as well as a 2:38:35 marathon finish in New York. With his three years of experience coaching high school cross country and track at Edgemont Junior/Senior High School combined with his USA Track and Field coaching certification, Bobby feels he has a strong understanding of runners of all capabilities. He has worked with runners in groups ranging from the New York Road Runners' classes as well as beginning runners clinics in Westchester, NY. Bobby is a graduate of SUNY/Plattsburgh and he is also a certified Wilderness First Responder. A member of the Van Cortlandt Track Club, Bobby can often be found running the scenic trails of Rockefeller Preserve along the Hudson River and on the streets of his native Scarsdale.

"Whether you are a beginning runner or an experienced marathoner, we all go through the same ups and downs in training and racing. I'm looking forward to working with all the runners at Craftsbury and helping them achieve their goals." -Bobby

Eric Blake, Coach

A coach with a diverse competitive background, Eric joined us in 2006. A native New Englander, Eric's primary interest lies with the marathon and uphill mountain races. He qualified for the 2004 Olympic trials by virtue of a win in the '03 Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, PA. His mountain running has qualified him for five USATF Mountain Running teams (2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2010). Eric has also won the '06 and '08 USATF Mountain Running Championships.

Eric got into running via high school cross-country. After degrees from Central Connecticut State and Adams State, Eric began his coaching career at Plattsburgh State in New York. Eric has now returned to Central Connecticut State University where he is the Head Men's and Women's Cross-Country and Track and Field Coach.

"Craftsbury offers so much for runners of all calibers: the setting is the best because the dirt roads and scenery are unbelievable. The whole environment rejuvenates you and sets runners up for a great fall of racing." -Eric

Jess Cover, Coach

Returning to Craftsbury for her third summer, Jess has been running competitively for over 14 years. Though she races all distances, Jess has a special relationship with the marathon. Her personal best in the marathon is 3:05.05 at Vermont's own Key Bank Vermont City Marathon. Her half marathon PR of 1:27.52 was set on the challenging New Bedford Half Marathon course. She competes as a masters athlete for and is the President of The Green Mountain Athletic Association, Vermont's premier running club. Jess also teaches a Marathon 101 course for first time marathoners as well as coaches at the Lake Champlain Women's Running Camp. And last but not least, she is the Head Girls Cross Country Coach at South Burlington High School. Jess lives in Richmond, VT.

"Running allows me to challenge myself and coaching allows me to challenge and support others in ways they never thought possible. I have a BA in Psychology from Johnson State College and I believe the psychological aspects of running and the mental training involved are just as important as the physical training. If you're ready to take your running to the next level, joining us in Craftsbury, Vermont is the place to do it!" -Jess

Mike Davi, Coach

Mike Davi of Richmond, VA will be returning to Craftsbury this summer for the first time as a coach. After immediately seeing results in his running performance after his first visit to Craftsbury in 2008, Mike has been a perennial camper. He has lowered his marathon PR by over 10 minutes with the guidance received at camp. Starting to run as an adult after college, Mike has about 40 marathons to his credit. His passion lies in helping others discover what they are capable of achieving. Mike has led teams for local running organizations in Richmond and he coaches runners who are focused on improving their race performance. He believes that what makes a good runner a great racer is patience, discipline and control.

This November, Mike will look to dip even lower as he competes in the ING New York City Marathon. Mike receives strong support from his wife Julie, who is a competitive figure skater and from his two daughters Ainslie, also a competitive skater, and Lauren, a team gymnast.

"I believe in the Craftsbury program and what it has to offer to runners. Individuals have the unique opportunity to gain valuable insight from knowledgeable, well-traveled coaches. It's a very safe environment for runners of every level because the coaches are extremely approachable and listen to their needs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to helping runners set and achieve their goals. The bonus is they get to do it in such beautiful surroundings and build lasting friendships throughout the process." -Mike

Brett Ely, Coach

Brett first came to Craftsbury as a coach in 2007, with extensive credentials in nutrition and running mechanics. She earned her bachelors degree in dietetics and her masters in nutrition & exercise physiology at James Madison University while competing in track and cross-country. During graduate school, Brett ran and won her first marathon and continued to compete post-collegiately at a variety of distances. She runs for the Boston Athletic Association and has qualified for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials three times (2004, 2008, 2012) with a personal best in the marathon of 2:41:54. She currently works in thermal physiology research at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine and has authored or co-authored more than 15 papers in scientific journals. Brett and her husband, Matt, live in Natick MA where she enjoys vegan cooking & baking, gardening, and tackling home improvement projects far beyond her skill level.

"Craftsbury reminds you, each time you visit, why you fell in love with the sport of running. The experiences of learning from coaches and fellow athletes, exploring the scenic dirt roads and trails, and connecting with members of the inclusive running community invigorate new and seasoned runners alike." -Brett

Bill Fitzgerald, Coach

Bill has been coming to Craftsbury for over 18 years, first as a camper and now as a coach. Over the past 23 years, he has worked in many capacities for the Chicago Area Runners Association where he helped develop and co-direct their very popular Bank of America Chicago Marathon Training Program, preparing tens of thousands of runners to cover the 42K distance.

Bill is currently focusing on running the Sydney Australia Marathon in September of 2011 where he will complete his quest of running a marathon on all seven continents. To-date, Bill will tell you that running the uphill year of the 54 mile Comrades Marathon in South Africa ranks at the top of his long list of wonderful running and racing memories.

Recognizing some of his accomplishments, Runner's World Magazine presented Bill with the Golden Shoe Award in 2001.

"Craftsbury is a very special piece of real estate. Its pristine environment provides the perfect setting for exercising, relaxing and for reconnecting with that voice inside that can motivate us to achieving our best." -Bill

Melissa Rittenhouse, Coach

An experienced marathoner and three-time U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier (2004, 2008, 2012), Melissa will be returning for her second year at Craftsbury in 2011. With her masters in nutrition and her PhD in exercise physiology, Melissa enjoys sharing her knowledge and expertise. A cross-country and track racer all four years in college at the University of Dayton, Melissa transitioned to the marathon and now her personal best stands at 2:43:46, run at the 2010 Houston marathon. She qualified for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with that time and is training with the goal of running 2:39.

Melissa is an Assistant Professor in Dietetics at James Madison University where she also counsels student athletes on nutrition. She lives in Harrisonburg, VA.

"I love the environment at Craftsbury. You can get a good quality run on the hilly dirt roads, then take a dip or canoe ride in beautiful Big Hosmer Pond. It is the best place to enjoy the simple life and live completely stress-free. The best part about camp itself is the balance. Everyone loves the running but there is also time to bike, swim, hike or just relax and take a nap or read a book. I enjoy getting to know everyone. It's a cozy family atmosphere that yields lifetime friendships." -Melissa

Greg Wenneborg, Coach

A former national class runner who competed in the three U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, Greg has 5 career marathon victories, including Vermont City Marathon and the Maui Marathon with Personal records of 2:18:47 for the marathon and 29:57 for the 10k. He holds a Masters degree in Education and teaches at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, Arizona. In addition, Greg is the head cross country and track and field coach at Pima Community College in Tucson where his teams have garnered conference and regional championships as well as individual national championship titles and top 10 team finishes. Greg is a board member of the Southern Arizona Roadrunners, for whom he coaches novice to advanced runners and is co-author with Randy Accetta of two books on how to coach, Marathon Training and Training to Run. He and his wife Stephanie have a daughter Audrey and son named Grant.

"Craftsbury is an excellent place to come together with healthy minded people to learn about the sport of distance running. Whether you're taking up running for recreation or health or are trying to improve your performance, we'll give you tools and motivation to meet your goals." -Greg