Philadelphia Running Coach
1-on-1 Coaching Since 2013
Founded in Philly. Responsive, individualized coaching that adapts to you in real time — custom weekly plans, real feedback, and a coach who's always paying attention.
No pressure. We’ll talk goals, schedule, and what coaching would look like for you.
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Our Coaches recognized by the running media.
SINCE 2013
Founded in Philadelphia.
Thousands of Miles on Kelly Drive.
A former nationally ranked Division I runner at Villanova, he served as head coach of cross country at Penn State Brandywine. Cory started Run Your Personal Best in 2013 as a local Philadelphia running coach working directly with runners across the city.
He’s raced the Philadelphia Distance Run, trained runners for the Philadelphia Marathon, the Broad Street Run, the Love Run Half Marathon, and dozens of other local races.
He’s been featured in PhillyMag as one of the city’s go-to running coaches and appeared on 6ABC. Writing articles such as the 10-week Broad Street Run plan, Philadelphia Marathon-specific workouts, and the best speed training trails around the city.
As demand grew, Cory transitioned RYPB to an online model — coaching runners nationwide without sacrificing the personal attention that made it work. But the roots are right here in Philly, and so are many of the runners he still coaches today.
Today, RYPB is a two-coach team — Cory and Coach Brandon Birdsong (2016 Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier). Both coaches limit their rosters so every athlete gets real, daily attention. That’s by design.
Coach Cory racing at Villanova.
Coaching across Philly’s most iconic races and beyond
SOUND FAMILIAR?
You’re doing the work
The results should match
You've done the long runs, followed the plans, maybe even hired a coach — but something still isn't clicking. You know there's more in the tank.
I’m putting in the miles, but my times have flatlined.
You’re not undertrained — you’re training without a plan that adapts to where you actually are.
My training feels random. I’m guessing at paces.
Free plans and apps don’t adjust when you’re tired, traveling, or coming back from a setback.
My schedule makes consistent training feel impossible.
A coach builds the plan around your life — your work, your family, your real available hours.
Race day feels like a coin flip.
Without race-specific pacing strategy and fueling guidance, your fitness doesn’t fully show up when it counts.
Coach Cory double-checking his Garmin. No way that split is right.
If any of these feel familiar, you’re not alone.
This is exactly where coaching makes the difference.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Training. Support. Coaching. All included.
All individualized to you.
Most coaches give you a plan. Some add guidance around it. We deliver all three — for $159/month with nothing held back.
The Plan
Your training is built from scratch and updated continuously.
The Support
Guidance and support that turns good training into great results.
The Coaching
A real person to message and talk with about your training.
Personalized pacing
Structured around you
Workout variety
Race-specific progression
Fueling guidance
Injury prevention
Strength and cross-training
Race-day strategy
Run review and feedback
Adjust based on progress
Supportive accountability
Responsive communication
HOW IT WORKS
From signup to training in 48 hours
Setup takes 5 minutes. Your coach handles the rest.
Tell us about you
Share your goals, schedule, & running history. Choose your coach or let us match you.
Get your custom plan
Your coach builds your first weeks within 48 hours. Workouts sync to your GPS.
Train with feedback
Your coach reviews every workout and adjusts your plan week by week.
Race with confidence
Before every goal race, your coach walks you through pacing, fueling, and strategy.
VERIFIED RESULTS
What Philly runners are saying
Here’s what runners who’ve trained for Philadelphia’s biggest races and beyond have to say. They're from public Google, Facebook and Trustpilot reviews that anyone can verify.
"I worked with Cory for 14 weeks leading up to the Philly Marathon. I ran a sub 3 hour marathon, beat my previous PR by 43+ minutes and went 10+ minutes under my BQ time. Was pumped!"
- Neil U.
Cory not only helped me overcome my injury, but also helped me achieve a BQ time of 3:28. Truly the best decision I made.
- Frida P.
After 6 months with Coach Cory, I ran a 12+ minute BQ at Philly — 19 minutes faster than my previous marathon.
- Gina R
"Cory went above and beyond helping me achieve a second marathon time of 3:22 — down from 4:18. Besides drastically improving my times, Cory believed in my goal and worked with me through my race nerves."
- Sarah B.
I met Brandon when I was in the dark hole of injury. He is THE reason I was able to come back as quickly as I did.
- Jaime M.
Brandon propelled me to huge PBs, but he’s done it in the context of time constraints with a full-time job and being a present parent.
- Samantha W.
We Coach Real People With Real Lives
Night shift worker · Busy dad · Almost 40 with zero miles logged · Competitive age group racer chasing PRs · Self-coached and stuck at the same PR for years · Working mom · Military pipeline candidate · Mid-50s and faster than ever · Postpartum · Former college athlete picking up a new sport · Busy professionals needing flexible plans · Stay-at-home mom of two · 42-year-old chasing Boston · Rotating schedules · Haven't run since the '80s
THE COACHES
Meet your coaches
Expertise that only comes from years of competitive running and hands-on coaching.
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Cory Smith
Founder & Head Coach
25+ years of competitive running and coaching
Nationally ranked runner at Villanova University
USA Track & Field Level 1 & 2 Endurance Certified
Founded Run Your Personal Best in Philadelphia in 2013
Featured in PhillyMag, 6ABC, Runner’s World, Outside
Brandon Birdsong
Coach & Ultra Specialist
20+ years of competitive running and coaching
2016 Olympic Marathon Trails Qualifier
Exercise Physiology degree
Coached multiple Olympic Marathon Trails
Coached British 24-hour champion
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SIMPLE PRICING
One plan.
One dedicated coach.
One step away from
your next PR.
A small team by design. We cap our roster so every athlete gets real attention — not a coach who's spread too thin.
"The monthly fee is well worth investing in myself. If you're on the fence, you should definitely consider Run Your Personal Best."
- Brian T.
"When I started my marathon journey, I was skeptical about working with a coach. It proved to be the best decision I could have made!"
- Amanda K.
1-on-1 Run Coaching
$159/month
Monthly recurring
One dedicated coach, start to finish
Fueling and nutrition guidance
Workouts sync to GPS watch
Direct message with your coach
Monthly one-on-one coaching calls
Coach feedback on key workouts
Pre-race strategy and pacing calls
Strength and cross-training
Ready to start? Sign up directly→
Cancel anytime • One-time payment options available — just ask.
VIDEO TESTIMONIALS
Hear it from
Philly runners just like you.
We’ve coached runners with a wide range of goals, paces, and schedules. Here’s what working directly with a coach is actually like, straight from the runners themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
TALK TO A PHILLY COACH
Let's see if we're a good fit.
Cory or Brandon, not a bot, not a salesperson, will talk through your goals, schedule, and the right coaching approach for you.