University Coaches

8:30 – 9:30
Laurie Pluck

Laurie has been a part of Run Far since training for her first marathon in 2009.  She loves everything this program offers to runners!  She has a passion for helping new and experienced runners meet their goals, whether completing a full or a half marathon, or just improving their ‘personal best’.  Her favorite thing about running is the friendships made over the miles and celebrating the milestones of each runner as the miles increase over the training season.  She is a Carolina girl and has been in Charlotte since ‘97. Besides being an avid runner, she loves spending time with her husband and their three boys. She has the best daytime job in sports ministry with FCA and actively volunteers and participates at church. To her running is truly a gift to enjoy and share with others.

9:30 – 10:30
Garrison Libby

Garrison is a long time runner and a new coach. He started running at the encouragement of his sister in 2015, and found it to be a great way to stay active, find community, and burn away stress. He’s completed several marathons, some of which while wearing ridiculous costumes (also at the encouragement of his sister).  He started coaching for Run Far in 2025, working with the 9:30 to 10:30 pace group. In addition to running, he is also a big fan of sandwiches.

Pace Coach 10:30 – 11:30+
Paul Coutinho

Paul started running in 2019 after selling his party rental business of 13 years.  His wife Cathy (also a runner with several 5k’s, 10k’s, Halfs & Full Marathons) talked him into trying Run Far to see if he would like it.  It worked, he has been running ever since and has run several 5k’s, 10k’s, Halfs 1Full Marathon the MCM (virtual due to Covid) as well as several 24hr, 50k, 55K and 1-50 miler. He stepped in a hole on mile 4 and severely sprained his left ankle only to push through and finish the race.  He just finished his 4th Dam Yeti 55k this month and is looking forward to his upcoming 24hr ultra in September.  He is most looking forward to helping fellow runners reach their goals.  He helps coach both the 10:30-11:30 group as well as the 11:30+ aka PARTY IN THE BACK!

8:30 – 9:30
Glynnis Brown

Hello! Glynnis is very excited to be a coach for Run Far! She originally joined Run Far University in 2018 as a way to make friends as an adult and has been running with the group ever since. She started coaching for Run Far Midtown in 2023, and migrated back to University in 2024. She has run 5 full marathons and many half marathons, and is a lover of doing interval workouts on the track! One of her favorite things about coaching is watching everyone improve over the weeks and helping them reach their goals. She is currently in nursing school and loves to relate the things she’s learning about the human body to running, so anyone running with her can look forward to the occasional science lesson about why you really should hydrate more or the importance of easing your muscles into the run. You will also probably hear her talk about her dog, Gus, who frequents the running store with her quite often. Outside of running and studying, she loves to bake (she was previously a pastry chef), read, and just spend time outdoors.

10:30 – 11:30
Denis Coruzzi

Denis is originally from Venezuela but has been living in the US since 1992. She is married and has 17 years old twins. After being a couch potato for most of her adult life, she started running in March of 2007. She started with a walk/run training program and ran her first 5K in April 2007, that year she ran a few 5Ks, a 10K, and a 15K and her first half marathon (Thunder Road) on her birthday. As a challenge, in 2008 she decided to train and run a Full Marathon. She signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon and joined the Run Far (former USA Fit) Training group. The training was very challenging and demanding, the overall experience was excellent, she met many people, and made a ton of new friends. She has now completed 8 Full Marathons and 13 Half Marathons. This is her fourth year as part of the Run For Your Life University coaching group.  She is looking forward to helping other people reach their goal of running a marathon and help each one of you enjoy the emotional rewards that come from crossing the Finish Line.