Waynesburg University to host virtual version of annual distance running forum

The Waynesburg University track and field and cross country programs again will host its distance running forum this summer.

However, because of social distance restrictions and regulations, the event will take place online as opposed to its traditional in-person format.

The series of video presentations from distance experts of different backgrounds and experiences from throughout the region will run for 13 weeks, Waynesburg cross country coach Chris Hardie said.

The forum, first presented in 2013, is designed to present information and training strategies to runners at all levels of competition.

The first presentation will be May 21 at 7 p.m., and they will continue each Thursday at 7 through Aug. 13. Register for any of the presentations here.

The forum is presented at no cost and is open to high school and college athletes, coaches, masters level runners and others with a passion for distance running.

Those scheduled to speak include:

Annette Aho — A former Yellow Jacket cross country runner and track and field athlete.

Jennifer McMichael — The boys and girls cross country coach and track and field coordinator at Ringgold High School.

Kirsten McMichael — The daughter of Jennifer McMichael who had highly decorated careers at both Ringgold and Division III Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va. She is pursuing a PhD at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.

Kristen Stone — A former runner and current assistant coach at Waynesburg University.

Luke Payson — An assistant track and field coach at Waynesburg University. He also has experience coaching at the high school level and has worked with professional and amateur mixed martial arts fighters.

Dr. Robert Bonser — An associate professor in the Allied Health Science Department at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.

Laurel Rush — A veteran assistant track and field and cross country coach at Waynesburg, the Latrobe native is an experienced runner with high school coaching experience. She also earned laurels as a collegiate rugby player at Penn State.

Michelle Cross — Waynesburg’s head track and field coach and assistant cross country coach. She will be joined by Julie Friend, an NCAA Division II national qualifier in both cross country and track and field at Cal (Pa.), as well as Julie Gerber, a former Waynesburg runner who qualified for the 2015 NCAA Division III National Cross Country Championships.

Chris Hardie — Waynesburg’s head cross country coach and a long-time competitive runner. He has earned multiple Presidents’ Athletic Conference Coach of the Year awards.

Bre (Paul) and Luke Feldner — A husband and wife duo who both ran at Waynesburg and currently are assistant coaches at Hempfield High School.

Dr. David Horton — A professor of exercise science at Liberty University who has completed numerous ultra-marathons and is known for his various feats of endurance.