McMillan Coaching Certification
Online Course

McMillan Coach Education Course

Learn the proven McMillan coaching system and confidently coach athletes at every level.

$349.99

McMillan Run Coach Education

Learn directly from Coach Greg McMillan, one of the most respected coaches in the world. This proven coaching system has been used with beginners through Olympians and gives you a step-by-step framework you can immediately apply with your athletes.

  • 100% online — train on your schedule
  • Complete in 4-8 weeks
  • Earn McMillan Certified Coach designation
  • Lifetime access to course materials

Who This Course Is For

This program is designed for new, developing, and experienced coaches, as well as serious runners who want a deeper understanding of training and performance. No prior certification or coaching background is required — the course starts with fundamentals and builds progressively while offering depth for experienced coaches.

New Coaches

Start with fundamentals and build a complete coaching foundation from the ground up.

Developing Coaches

Refine your approach with proven methods used by elite coaches worldwide.

Experienced Coaches

Deepen your expertise and earn a respected certification in the running community.

Serious Runners

Gain a deeper understanding of training principles and performance optimization.

$349.99

Course Curriculum

This isn’t just a list of topics — it’s a complete coaching system built from decades of real-world success. Every module is designed to help you coach smarter, adapt faster, and deliver better results for every athlete you work with.

How to make the most out of the course and introduction to Greg McMillan.

What does it mean to be a coach? What are the many hats a coach must wear in order to cultivate a culture of success. We cover these topics in depth and provide best practices from our very own coaches.

Running is simple right? The science behind it can sometimes confuse even the most experienced of us, but in this module, Greg breaks it down into easy-to-understand sections in order to give you the information to explain it to your athletes.

In order to move forward we must know how the sport evolved. Greg will walk us though a timeline of run training theories and how it has impacted modern day techniques and methods.

In this module Greg discusses what he considers the most critical components to running performance. These are the levers that a coach will likely use to create the perfect mix of activities for an athlete.

What gets measured gets improved! What types of measurements are out there and how can you use them to help your athletes.

How much effort should your athletes be expending during workouts? The answer varies depending on your workout goals. Greg will explain the different zones and how each one should be utilized when training.

What are the common race distances and terrains? Simple question but with an evolving market we discuss some key points that you should be aware of to kick off conversations with your athletes.

When creating a custom plan for your athletes you need to make sure that you are gathering the right data points. Without a true understanding on where they are and where they want to go you could be designing a plan that they won’t follow or need. Greg shares his method and intake form to better capture this critical information.

One of the most discussed topics in any running forum. Greg hits on the topic from a running perspective, understanding that each athlete is different.

Runners come in all shapes and sizes and as a result form can be quite varied. In this module Greg talks about the key points that coaches need to be aware of that can make a huge difference in a runner’s efficiency.

We talk a lot about the body, but the mind is just as, if not more important to a runner’s overall well-being and success. In this module, we dive into how to train your mind to remove mental barriers and create a positive attitude.

There are many opinions, methods, and perspectives on training, in this module Greg discussed the key differences and teaches you how to perform a comparative analysis, so that you can piece together the best path forward for your athletes.

In this module Greg walks you step-by-step through the training plan creation process.

Race performance is a critical component to the overall satisfaction of your athletes. A coach should be able to adequately prepare a runner for an upcoming race. Greg will talk through the process of creating a race plan.

As a coach, your number 1 priority should be keeping your runner safe. In this module we cover the rules of the road and other important information that all runners and coaches should know.

Being a run coach is a labor of passion, but it still must be treated as a business for you to continue to help others. In this module we talk about the top factors that challenge coaches and provide best practices.

With all the information we have included in the course the next step is to get started. We end the course with some action items that will help you get the ball rolling!

What Coaches Are Saying

“Clear, practical, and immediately useful — I started coaching better the same week I began the course.”

“The McMillan framework finally helped me understand the ‘why’ behind every workout and progression.”

“Perfect mix of simple and deep — I gained real confidence as a coach in just a few weeks.”

Benefits of the Course

Coach With Confidence & Clarity

Learn the true role of a coach, how to communicate effectively, and how to build trust with athletes from day one.

Master the Science That Drives Performance

Understand the physiology, biomechanics, and training principles that actually move the needle — without getting lost in academic noise.

Build Training That Works in the Real World

Learn how to use training zones, performance metrics, and distance-specific demands to design plans that are both effective and sustainable.

Coach the Whole Athlete

Go beyond workouts with practical guidance on nutrition, mindset, mental training, and running form.

Individualize Every Plan

Learn how to assess your athletes, understand their background, goals, and limitations, and tailor training accordingly.

Create Complete, Proven Training Plans

From long-term development to race-specific builds, you’ll learn how to structure training with purpose and progression.

Prepare Athletes for Race Day Success

Master race planning, execution strategies, safety considerations, and decision-making so athletes show up ready.

Develop Your Coaching Philosophy

Explore proven training philosophies and learn how to shape your own identity as a coach.

Turn Coaching Into a Sustainable Practice

Learn the business side of coaching, athlete management, and how to launch or grow your coaching journey the right way.

Graduate as a McMillan Certified Coach

Finish the course with a respected certification and ongoing access to the McMillan coaching community.

A complete coaching system used with beginners through Olympians.

$349.99 • Lifetime Access

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The course starts with fundamentals and builds progressively, making it accessible for beginners while still offering depth for experienced coaches.

Yes. The certification is fully online and available 24/7/365, allowing you to complete it on your own schedule.

Most coaches complete the course in 8-10 hours, but there is no deadline. You can move faster or slower based on your availability.

Upon completion, you’ll earn the McMillan Certified Coach designation and gain access to the ongoing McMillan coaching community.

Yes. A major focus of the course is learning how to build effective, individualized training plans using proven McMillan principles.

Yes. The certification covers coaching across a wide range of distances, from short-distance racing through the marathon and beyond.

Absolutely. The course blends exercise science, physiology, and biomechanics with practical, real-world coaching application.

Yes. Certified coaches gain access to the McMillan coaching community for continued learning and connection.

No. Once enrolled, you have lifetime access to the course materials.

Become a McMillan Certified Coach

Join the ranks of coaches worldwide who use the proven McMillan system to deliver results for athletes of all levels — from beginners to Olympians.

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