Accepting athletes for fall marathon season

Train with a coach who's run the race you're chasing.

1:1 online run coaching from Atlanta-based 2:40 marathoner Parker DeFreese. Custom training built around your life — your data reviewed by a human every week, not an algorithm.

2:40
Marathon PR · Boston
57 min
Dropped since 2019
36:23
10K PR · Peachtree
ATL
Based · Coaching US-Wide
Parker DeFreese racing the Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon
Boston 2:40Berlin Sept 2026NYC Nov 2026Peachtree 10K 36:23Custom PlansUnlimited Coach AccessATL Based · US-Wide Boston 2:40Berlin Sept 2026NYC Nov 2026Peachtree 10K 36:23Custom PlansUnlimited Coach AccessATL Based · US-Wide
The Story

From 3:37 to 2:40. Some of it was talent — all of it was learnable.

In 2019, Parker ran his first marathon in 3:37 — in a soccer jersey. In 2024 he ran Boston in 2:47:29. In 2026 he came back and ran the 130th Boston Marathon in 2:40.

That 57-minute drop didn't come from genetics. It came from figuring out — sometimes the hard way — how training volume, fueling, recovery, shoes and racing strategy actually fit together. That playbook is what you're hiring.

Parker coaches a small roster of athletes across the US from his base in Atlanta: first-timers, PR chasers, and runners hunting a Boston qualifier. Every plan is written from scratch. Every week, a human looks at your data.

Parker's first marathon in 2019 — 3:37, in a soccer jersey Parker racing the 2026 Boston Marathon — 2:40
Same runner. 57 minutes apart. 2019 → 2026
How It Works

Three steps to your next PR

No contracts, no coach roster, no algorithm. You work directly with Parker from day one.

01

Book a free intro call

15 minutes to talk goals, race calendar, training history and life schedule. If it's not a fit, you'll leave with free advice anyway.

02

Get your custom plan

A training plan written from scratch for your goal race, your paces and your week — never a template. Delivered in your training app of choice.

03

Train with real feedback

Weekly plan adjustments based on your actual data, unlimited text access to Parker, and a race-day strategy built together.

Coaching

Simple, transparent pricing

Most coaches with these credentials charge $200–300/month. Parker keeps his roster small and his pricing honest. Cancel anytime.

Race Plan

A custom plan for one goal race — you execute it on your own.
$99
One-time · 12–18 weeks
  • Custom plan built for your race & paces
  • Fueling & taper guide
  • Race-day pacing strategy
  • One mid-block check-in
  • Weekly adjustments
  • Unlimited coach access
Get Your Plan

Premium 1:1

Everything in 1:1, plus more touchpoints for big goals like a BQ.
$179/mo
Month-to-month
  • Everything in 1:1 Coaching
  • Daily workout feedback
  • Two video calls per month
  • Strength & injury-prevention add-ons
  • Priority scheduling around your races
  • Post-race breakdown & next-block plan
Apply for Premium

Not sure which fits? Book the free call — Parker will tell you honestly, even if the answer is the cheaper option.

Why a Human Coach

Your watch has an algorithm. You need a coach.

Training apps are great at generating workouts. They're terrible at knowing you slept four hours, your calf is barking, and your race is on a hilly course.

Parker's Run Coaching
Training apps
Plan built for your exact race & life
✓ From scratch
Template + tweaks
Who reviews your data each week
✓ A 2:40 marathoner
An algorithm
Text your coach when life happens
✓ Unlimited, 24hr reply
FAQ page
Race-day strategy & fueling plan
✓ Built together
Generic tips
Knows when to pull you back from injury
✓ Yes — it's the job
Keeps assigning workouts
Athlete Results

Built for runners at every speed

Parker after the 2024 Boston Marathon — 2:47:29
Boston '24 · 2:47:29

"I came to Parker with clear goals, and he took the time to really understand where I was starting from as a runner. He built a plan that actually worked for me and communicated exceptionally well throughout. He has a great read on when to push me harder and when to pull back. The result: we shaved close to 50 minutes off my marathon time in less than a year. Parker is an exceptional coach and I promise you will see results."

Josiah · Atlanta, GA
3:11 · 2025 Houston Marathon

"Parker took me to another level. It only took a few weeks to realize how much of a difference a customized program would make, and his personalized approach kept me accountable and motivated. My 10k PR improved by 4 minutes, and my half marathon PR improved by 10 minutes. My favorite part was the pre-race chats — he was always there to instill confidence right before go-time."

Joey · Atlanta, GA
1:28 · 2025 Atlanta Half Marathon

"I signed up for my first marathon having never run more than four miles, with the simple goal of finishing and enjoying race day. Parker helped me do that and so much more. His knowledge of running goes far beyond the training plan, and he made an unfamiliar sport feel approachable by answering every question I had, from fueling and carb loading to shoes and race-day expectations. I'm now in my third year of marathon training with Parker, and his personalized and intentional approach has helped me feel supported while getting stronger and faster each year. I thought my first marathon would be one and done, but Parker has made training fun, challenging, and motivating enough that running has become a hobby I genuinely love."

Maddie · New York, NY
3:58 · 2025 NYC Marathon

"Coach Parker was the motivating force behind my decision to run a marathon and the sole reason I felt prepared to complete it. I tell people now that the training and preparation taught me more about myself than the actual race ever did."

"The structure, schedule, and routine Coach Parker had in place had me dialed in from week one and completely invested in the progress throughout the entire process. Seeing the improvements week over week, along with the feedback and adjustments that came from a custom-built plan based on my results, gave me confidence and a sense of accomplishment long before I ever eclipsed 26.2 miles."

"Not to mention, a coach who jumps the ropes and runs the last few miles with you, keeping you motivated every step of the way, is a guy I'd go to battle with any day. I'd do it all over again with Coach Parker 👊🐐"

Patrick · Atlanta, GA
4:02 · 2024 Atlanta Marathon — his first

"Working with Parker as a coach has been a great way to take my running to the next level! His training plan helped me beat my half-marathon goal by several minutes and gave me a level of running confidence that will benefit me for my many races to come. Besides his running expertise, the communication and care Parker demonstrates for his athletes is one of a kind. He was always quick to answer any questions I had, and was a huge encouragement as I prepared for my race. I'm pumped to work with Parker again for my next training block!"

Cort · New York, NY
1:32 · 2026 Brooklyn Half Marathon
FAQ

Questions runners actually ask

Am I fast enough (or too slow) for coaching?

No such thing. Parker went from 3:37 to 2:40 — he's been at both ends of the results page. Whether you're finishing your first 5K or hunting a Boston qualifier, the process is the same: smart, consistent training built around your life.

How do we communicate?

However you like — text, email, or voice notes, with a 24-hour response guarantee (usually much faster). 1:1 athletes get unlimited access; there's no per-message limit or "office hours."

Do I need a GPS watch?

It helps but isn't required. If you run with Garmin, Apple Watch, Coros or Strava, Parker reviews your actual data weekly. If not, simple logging works fine to start.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. Coaching is month-to-month with no contracts. If it's not working, you can walk away — though most athletes stay through at least a full race build, because that's where the magic compounds.

I'm not in Atlanta — does that matter?

Not at all. Coaching is fully remote and Parker works with runners across the US. Atlanta athletes get a bonus: first-hand knowledge of local courses like Peachtree and the Publix Marathon, and occasional in-person meetups.

What's the difference between a Race Plan and 1:1 Coaching?

A Race Plan is a one-time custom plan you execute yourself. 1:1 Coaching is a relationship: your plan evolves every week based on how training is actually going, and Parker is in your corner the whole way. If you've never worked with a coach, the free intro call will help you pick.

Get Started

Book your free intro call

Tell Parker about your goal race and where you're at. He'll reply within 24 hours to set up a free, no-pressure 15-minute call. Worst case, you leave with free training advice.

Parker DeFreese with his Boston Marathon medal

Prefer DMs? Reach out on Instagram — that's where the weekly training logs live too.

@pdcarunning
Replies within 24 hours. No spam, no pressure — just running.