TNT is proud to have a stellar line-up of experienced, world-class coaches that offer participants the best training available. Read about our head coaches for marathons, triathlons, and cycle events.

---

Marathon Coaches

Michael Conlon - Head Marathon Coach, Manhattan

Michael has been certified TNT Marathon Coach since 2002. He has completed 22 marathons, 3 Ironman Triathlons, and countless other road races. Michael is also a physical therapist and owner of Finish Line Physical Therapy.  When Michael is not competing in endurance sports or coaching athletes, he can be found fixing them.

 

 

Christine Luff - Head Marathon Coach, Manhattan

Christine Luff has been a coach with Team In Training since 2003. She's been running competitively since seventh grade, back when she thought one mile was a really long race. Since then, she's run countless races and nine marathons, including two Boston marathons.  Without a doubt, TNT has been the most rewarding and fun experience in her running career. Christine is also a certified personal trainer, a RRCA-certified coach, and a health writer and editor, specializing in the areas of diet and fitness. She is the running expert for About.com's Running and Jogging site.

 

Barb Shimasaki - Head Walk & Run/Walk Coach, Manhattan

Barb came to TNT as a competitive masters race walker in 2005, and loves sharing her knowledge of race walking and walk/running with TNT "back of the packers." In her career, Barb has completed 6 marathons, 2 half ironman triathlons, and over 25 half marathons. A true believer in cross-training, Barb trains for half marathons, triathlons, and open water swims throughout the year, and her race day mantra is "steady and strong."

 

 

 

 

Dari Passarello - Head Manhattan Walk & Run/Walk Coach, Manhattan

Dari has been a TNT coach for six seasons, and has a special passion for TNT's Walk and Walk/Run participants. Personally, she has completed 13 marathons, 75 half marathons, and 3 Olympic triathlons. 

 

 

 

 

Jim Purvis - Head Marathon Coach, Brooklyn

Jim has coached TNT runners since 2007. He is a USA Track & Field certified coach and a Level Two Certified Team In Training coach. In his personal running career, Jim has completed 16 half marathons and 10 marathons around the country.

 

 

 

Lisa Whitler - Head Marathon Coach, Brooklyn

Lisa has run countless races from the 5K to the marathon, and began participating in triathlons in 2006. In 2008, Lisa completed her first Half Ironman in honor of her father, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2007, and is now in remission! Lisa has been coaching the Brooklyn team since 2006, and considers it a privilege to witness her participants' journey to - and across - the finish line! 

 

 

 

Steve Harrison - Head Marathon Coach, Queens

Steve has been coaching all levels of running from 5K through marathon for over 5 years. He has also coached for Runner's World and Footlocker. Steve has completed 9 marathons and 2 Half Ironman Triathlons. His greatest happiness in running comes from watching first-time runners and walkers successfully cross their finish lines as they achieve unique lifetime goals while raising money for a great cause.

 

 

Patti Jezycki - Head Marathon Coach, Staten Island

Patti joined TNT in 2008 after her husband's diagnosis of CLL. She has since completed 5 events with TNT. Fall season is her third as Marathon Coach for Staten Island. Patti is looking forward to guiding participants to the finish line of their events!

 

 

 

 

Tom Joyce - Head Marathon Coach, Staten Island

Tom has been working with TNT since 2008, and in that time has coached runners and walkers through 12 different seasons. As a runner, Tom has completed over 14 marathons and countless other road races. Tom has been active in the Staten Island running community for over 30 years, and enjoys working with runners and walkers of all levels!

 

 

---

Triathlon Coaches

Scott Willett - Head Triathlon Coach, Manhattan

Scott has been living and dreaming about triathlons for over twenty-four years and giving life to others' triathlon dreams since 1985. He has participated in events of all lengths from sprint to ultras (don't ask!). While he still competes, his greatest passions are his direct family (wife Julie, son Wells, and daughter Lake) and his extended triathlon family (you!). His coaching philosophy is simple: If you are not learning and having a good time, you're wasting your time.

 

 

Jay Borok - Head Triathlon Coach, Manhattan

Jay has been hooked on triathlons since the first time he toed the line in 1999. He has since participated in many races from Sprint to Ironman distance. His passion for a healthy lifestyle, and desire to help others cross the finish line, led him to obtain USA Triathlon Coaching Certification in 2003. He can be found eating at the hot dog stand outside his office. 

 

Peter Helling - Head Triathlon Coach, Brooklyn

Inspired by his sister-in-law (a TNT alum), Peter completed his first TNT triathlon in 2003, and has been competing ever since in distances from Sprint to Ironman. The Clydesdale of he coaching crew, Peter can always be identified on the biggest bike with the biggest grin. A USAT certified coach since 2008, Peter loves to open the door for others to succeed.

 

 

 

John Stewart - Head Triathlon Coach, Brooklyn

John is a USA Triathlon Certified Coach and has coached Team In Training since 2004. He's been racing triathlons since 1993, competing in Sprint to Ironman distance events. As a TNT alum, he is excited to give back by helping future participants achieve their goals, whatever they may be. In addition, you'll find him coaching JackRabbit Sports, the Brooklyn Tri Club, and the Berkeley Carroll varsity swim team.

 

---

Cycle Coaches

Harlan Matusow - Head Cycling Coach, Manhattan

Harlan completed his first TNT event - El Tour de Tucson - in 1999. A veteran racer, tourist, and coach, Harlan's guiding philosophy is to ensure that each rider sets and achieves personal training goals, from finishing the event, to achieving a personal best, to securing a spot on the podium. Having trained close to 1,000 TNT athletes, Harlan has the experience and knowledge to help participants reach their training milestones and to assist in their search for ever-greater cycling achievements. When he's not out cycling with the team, Harlan is a psychoanalytic candidate in the addiction research field.