Piper Glen Coaches

RUN FAR COACHES

Many years ago, a good friend gave Joe a running shirt with the saying on the front: “Joe lives for running”. While that may be stretching it a bit, there is no question Joe loves running! He loves running itself, talking about running, and most of all helping others catch the passion for running – that passion that provided him with so many benefits over the past 40 years.

His adult running career started innocently enough with a United Way Corporate Cup 5K here in Charlotte in 1982. Like many beginner runners, that first 5K was hard and was not the best of runs. Yet, the spirit, camaraderie, and competition of that race triggered a passion that would drive Joe to cover over 244,000 logged miles of training and racing since that first 5K. He has raced just about every distance from 1 mile to 5Ks to marathons to ultramarathons (50Ks, 50 miles, 100 miles, 24 hour, and multiday races). The longer the distance, the better! Yes, Joe loves running.

To date, Joe has completed 259 marathons (PR of 2:40:15) and 180 ultramarathons (distances over the marathon). His running of the 2013 Umstead 100 mile race was his 46th 100 mile finish. Joe really enjoys running on both the road and the trails. His favorite trail race is the Western States 100 which he finished 12 times, 6 of which were top 10 finishes. His favorite road race is the Boston Marathon and 2022 was his 22nd Boston Marathon. Joe is one of the few runners who have survived Badwater, a 146 mile race from Badwater in Death Valley, CA (lowest point in the continental US) to the top of Mt. Whitney, CA (the highest point in the continental US). But his passion for running doesn’t end with his personal running. Joe has run a marathon on all 7 continents and has completed 49 Abbott World Major Marathons. He has completed over 800 total organized races in his running career.

Over the years, Joe has informally coached many runners. Fifteen years ago, Joe was asked to coach distance running at Piper Glen, an opportunity that was just what he was looking for. Joe is an RRCA (Road Runners Club of America) Certified Distance Running Coach. The joy of seeing runners achieve their running dreams is what now keeps Joe’s passion for running alive and burning.

10:16 – 11:00
Tara Daley
dcorekid@yahoo.com

My family and I moved to Charlotte from Syracuse, NY in July of 2010. Although I was not a “runner” then, I was enticed by the “Real Life Forrest Gump” aka Joe Schlereth to join the best running group in the south – Run For You, Piper Glen. My goal was to be able to run through the Disney parks, “just once” (I normally skip through.) I signed up for my goal race – the Disney Half Marathon to be run in January, 2011. Somehow, I ended up running a full marathon prior to that signature race. It may have something to do with the power of the group, the magic of the speed demons of Piper Glen, or the family of cheerleaders I have for support. That was over six years ago. Since that time, I have run 12 full marathons and 24 half marathons. I am so excited to coach again this year and share my passion with others. I am hoping you will find “Run for You” to be not only the best way to train for a marathon, but the only way!!!

Under 8:30
Mike Burgan
burganmj@yahoo.com

A life-long runner managing the familiar dilemma to balance life and a passion to run. There were seasons of opportunity to set a goal, train, and to enjoy an occasional race with family in tow. Children grown, a new season started, and Mike started running regularly with the Piper Glen “Run For You” group in 2016. There have been many highlights over more than 30 years of running and racing around the world. The first Boston qualification stands out as the most memorable. Since joining the Piper Glen running family, highlights occur weekly. The privilege of supporting runners in setting and achieving goals is as big a highlight for Mike as is reaching his own. Since joining the Piper Glen Speed Demon Team, Mike has set his own marathon PR, 22 years after completing his first marathon (never too late to learn and improve). RRCA (Road Runners Club of America) Level 1 coaching certified

9:31 – 10:16
Sara Korinek
sekorinek@yahoo.com

The year after I graduated from college, and with only a couple of 5K races under my belt, I received a postcard in the mail promoting a fundraiser for the Leukemia Society and a chance to run the Disney Marathon in Orlando. Feeling a bit lost without my college friends and working full time, I decided to attend an informational meeting. I ended up raising over $5,000 for leukemia research and completed my first marathon in 2000.

Throughout this journey, I made new best friends and shared countless heartfelt stories, life challenges, and victories. I truly experienced the sense of community that distance running offers. Since then, I’ve never looked back, and even while raising my children, I continued my running journey.

Over the years, my goals have evolved, but they’ve always included fostering healthy friendships, maintaining mental health stability, achieving personal records (PRs), tackling ultra marathon distances, accumulating total annual mileage, building strength, and being part of an amazing community. When I meet new runners, one of the first questions they usually ask is, “What are you training for?” My answer is always, “I’m training for life.” I run to stay healthy in both mind and body.

Since moving to Charlotte in 2013, I have been part of the Speed Demons running group, which has meant so much to me. It is an honor to return to coaching the Battle Buddies. My goal is not only to help you train to become a stronger runner but also to guide and cheer you on through this incredible journey.

11:01 – 12:00
Tracey Anglin
tanglin654@yahoo.com

My running journey started in 2012 when I started to do 5ks and 10ks to get in shape and enjoy the outdoors. In 2017 I progressed to running half marathons and joined the Run Far program in 2018 to improve my pace. Not only did the program help shave off 30 minutes from my half marathon time but I became immersed in a community that motivates, supports and uplifts each other. The amazing coaches helped me train and complete my first marathon in 2019. In addition, the training and new friendships was an outlet and got me through the 2020 pandemic cabin fever and I was able to complete my second marathon on Daufuskie island with my Piper Glen Titans in January 2021. Now in 2025 after coaching for several years and going on my 9th marathon I am still in love with running! When I am not running you can find me cross-training on my Peloton, and spending time with my husband and two young adult sons. I am excited about continuing to coach and hope I can inspire others to achieve their running goals, while having fun and building lasting friendships.

8:30 – 8:45
Justin Keziah
justinkeziah@gmail.com

8:30 – 9:00
Tom Finke
twfinke@aol.com

I’ve been part of the Speed Demon group since 2013, the year my wife and I ran our first marathon in Chicago. Over the next nine years, I’ve completed 11 more marathons, a 50K ultra marathon, and a whole bunch of shorter races. The races are fun, but what I really enjoy is the training in and of itself, and conquering all the various workouts. Meeting with other Speed Demons several times a week who are in the same boat, doing the same workouts, makes it that much more enjoyable. As a coach for the past two seasons, I’ve really found it rewarding to see other runners improve their conditioning, achieve their goals, while having a lot of fun along the way. I’m looking forward to more of the same in 2022.

10:16 – 11:00
Nicole Ritter
nicoleritter@hotmail.com

My friend, Tara Daley told me about RFYL training programs in 2013 and I thought anyone that ran 18 miles at one time was crazy. Not much has changed about that opinion since 2013, but now I run those long miles with her.

I moved to Pineville in 2014 and since RFYL was right down the road and we start in the early morning I could get my workouts in before work. I haven’t always been a runner. Running is something I’ve had to work at. The best thing about RFYL training program is that I get to do the hard work with others. If my buddies can get through it, I know I can too.

11:01 – 12:00
Nikki Cureton
n_cureton@yahoo.com

My path to running has not been a straight line, rather it’s been full of detours and side quests including years of boot camp fitness, Spartan obstacle courses, and quite a few 5k & 10k races. I was in the “lift heavy, age gracefully, avoid cardio” mindset for years, but running has won me over.

After years of inconsistent training, I signed up for the 2023 Charlotte Half Marathon. Knowing that I needed consistency in my training, I joined the PGSDs. Since joining the group, I’ve completed distances I didn’t think were possible a year ago, including my first full marathon, Chicago, this year!

I’ve gained the confidence to set and reach aspirational running goals, but more importantly I’ve found a supportive and encouraging community! I’m excited to contribute to this amazing team as an assistant coach!

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