Jerry Francois, known as Coach J, is known in the New York running scene for creating diverse, empowering spaces for communities of color and runners of all abilities as the founder of Gold Finger Track Club.

• Started running in high school at age 17 after his mother passed away, finding it provided mental clarity and an emotional outlet
• Created Goldfinger Track Club from a clothing brand, establishing a team where everyone belongs regardless of pace
• Embraced the team's mottos "Gold Vibes" and "Diverse but not divided" to foster inclusion and community
• Founded Black Miles Matter after Ahmaud Arbery's murder, organizing solidarity runs including the Juneteenth 5K
• Transitioned from being a 400-800 meter runner to achieving a 2:42 marathon at Boston 2023 despite injury
• Worked with PYNRS, the only Black-owned running apparel company in the US, as creative director
• Credits his son Jaxx for inspiring his running success and giving him "superpowers" to chase his dreams
• Focuses on building family and expanding his brand while planning to complete his sixth marathon major in Tokyo
• Plans to run New York City Marathon aiming for a comfortable 2:50 finish while enjoying the experience
• Emphasizes faith as the foundation of his journey: "Faith makes things possible, not easy"

Follow Jerry on social media @kingparkergold2001 or @hirecoachj, and follow the team @gftc_brooklyn.

David Alm shares his journey of becoming an award-winning journalist and running as a form of meditation, revealing how his punk rock roots and rebellious spirit shaped both his writing and running.

• Starting with a one-way ticket to NYC and a few thousand dollars at age 24
• Living in the Lower East Side, NYC in the late 90s/eary 00s
• Beginning running on his 23rd birthday after smoking cigarettes for a decade
• Running a 2:49 marathon in only his second race (without even knowing what Boston qualifying meant)
• Writing award-winning features on subjects like Sha'Carri Richardson and Rachael Rapinoe
• Creating the East River 5000 race series as an alternative to commercialized running events
• Developing deep connections with subjects through extended conversations that reveal intimate details
• Finding stories in unexpected places, often dark
• Covering stories of marginalized communities
• Starting banjo playing in his late 40s and building instruments with his father

Fresh off completing The Speed Project solo—a grueling journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas—Yvonne Zapata (aka Miss Outside) takes us deep into the physical and mental challenges of ultrarunning.

From battling an infected toe that doctors warned could end her race to navigating pitch-black mountain paths with no cell service, Yvonne's determination shines through every obstacle. Her five-person crew became her lifeline, managing everything from bandage changes to midnight trail navigation and all the snacks.

The journey becomes even more remarkable knowing that just months earlier, Yvonne was hit by a car outside her home, tearing ligaments and tendons that sidelined her for weeks. This forced break prompted soul-searching about her identity beyond running: "Who am I if I'm not Miss Outside?"

As a special education teacher who was once non-verbal as a child, Yvonne brings unique perspective to her running journey. She's conquered five of six World Marathon Majors, appeared on billboards in Times Square, and found joy in everything from Disney-themed races to pacing fellow runners through New York streets.

Throughout our conversation, Yvonne reveals the deeper purpose behind her running: representing her Puerto Rican heritage, creating space for women and non-binary athletes in ultra-running, and reminding us of the privilege of movement itself. "I'm running for people that cannot run," she shares, highlighting how easily we forget why we started running in the first place.

Follow Yvonne @missoutsideeeee on Instagram and join her as she takes on Chicago and New York marathons this fall, with many more ultra adventures surely on the horizon.