Meet the Coaches – Marathon Charity Cooperation

Nick (Nicholas Panebianco), RRCA Certified Running Coach since 2000

Nick is a certified Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Coach, Race Director and President of the Marathon Charity Cooperation.
He has been a children’s advocate and mentor since 1993 and has been training runners to run the Marine Corps Marathon since 1998.
Nick is a staunch supporter of children’s charities and marathon running.
Nick has completed 69 marathons and 32 ultra-marathons.
His marathon PR (3:16) allowed him to qualify and run the 2003 Boston Marathon.
He has run the JFK50 ten times, the Bull Run 50 twice, and several birthday ultras (running his age in miles).

Kirk (Kirk Campbell), MCC Member since 2004

Kirk has run with MCC since 2004 and founded Iqraa (Read, in Arabic) in 2008 to support education for Palestinian youth
Kirk has run a variety of marathons including: Richmond, where his Mom lives, Baltimore, Chicago, Philly, Minneapolis, and Athens, Greece, and the JFK50 with Coach Nick in 2006.
Due to an Achilles injury in 2021, Kirk turned to triathlons, going Olympic distance in 2021, in addition to a Half Ironman in 2009. The diversity enriches my training and competitions, and hopefully will extend my racing days.

“I love to run for the physical exercise and feeling of freedom. And I’m passionate about running for Iqraa because we and the MCC bring together individuals with the common aim of running for a good cause. That keeps me motivated.”

Vandana (Vandana Narang), RRCA Certified Running Coach

Vandana Narang is a certified Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Coach and has been coaching with MCC since 2012.
She has run the Marine Corp twice and many half marathons and 10 milers.
She now trains our runners for half marathons and 10Ks.
In addition Vandana gives a seminar on stretching for runners and interval training (a method that she uses in her walk/run training).
After the training runs she usually does stretches with the runners.
MCC is a huge part of her life and she is grateful for it!

Subhash (Subhash Goel), RRCA Certified Running Coach

Subhash is a certified Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) runner coach and Vice President of the Marathon Charity Cooperation.
He is a certified Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Race Director and has been directing Revenge of The Penguins Race since 2012.
He has been running with MCC since 2009 during which he has completed Marine Corps marathon and 12 Half Marathons.
He joined the coaching staff in 2011 and has assisted Summer Training Program.
He enjoys helping new runners in achieving their running goals and having fun in meeting wonderful group of people while enjoying outdoor activities.

Cathy (Cathy Baker), RRCA Certified Running Coach

Cathy is a certified Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) running coach who has been running with MCC since 2010.
She has completed 11 Marine Corps Marathons and the Boston Marathon (she set her PR in Boston).
She has also run numerous races at other distances from two-miler to half-marathon.
Cathy runs for Iqraa (Read, in Arabic) since 2008 to support education for Palestinian youth.
From running, Cathy has learned a great deal about preparation, perseverance, gratitude, and living in the present.

Kevin (Kevin Dopart), Veteran Running Coach

There once was a guy from DC
Who’s run plenty of races (plus three)*
And has coached many years
To acclaim and big cheers
(Although all of them shouted by me).
* [29 marathons and 3 ultras]

Ram (Ram Gnandesikan), RRCA Certified Running Coach

Ram Gnanadesikan is a certified Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Coach.
He founded MarrowMinded in 1998 and has been running marathons since 2002.
Ram has been running with MCC since 2013.
Ram is a staunch supporter of blood cancer research
Ram has completed 105 marathons and 72 half marathons.
Ram has run marathons in seven continents, the geographic North Pole and 50 US states.
He enjoys helping first time runners accomplish their running goals.

Sid (Sid Agarwal), RRCA Certified Running Coach

Sid is a certified Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) running coach and has been running with MCC since 2008. He joined the coaching staff in 2013.
He has completed 3 Marine Corps marathon and 5 Half Marathons.
Sid takes joy in helping MCC; the organization which helped him in completing his first marathon in 2008.