Coaches

Coach Zach

With a passion for helping people improve their lives and a dedication to running, Coach Zachary R. Sykes has spent the last 7 years honing his skills as a coach through experience, education, and association.  A nationally certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor, Zach is a USATF Coach with 5+ years of experience working with runners age 7-82 with everything from collegiate experience to none at all.  Running under the tutelage of 10 time All American Daniel Caulfield at California University of Pennsylvania, Zach was schooled in the Joe Vigil training system, used by Olympians Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor, while pursuing a Masters in Exercise Science with a focus in Injury Prevention and Performance Enhancement.  More recently, Zach has spent many hours perfecting a workable system to promote efficient mechanics and all but eliminate many of the most common overuse injuries related to running.  He continues to focus on his own education and sees his purpose as a “translator from the greatest fitness minds to the masses, to help them create healthier lifestyles”.  Currently Zach owns and operates a local Track Team that competes in the area and is studying with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

Zach is excited about working with Team Challenge and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America to enhance awareness of these life altering diseases.  Through your commitment to your short term goals, the long term goals and dreams of thousands may be affected.  Together Everyone Achieves More!

Coach Audrey

Audrey Hyland recently relocated to Washington DC from San Francisco where she was a coach for the Bay Area’s Team Challenge half marathon team. Audrey has a passion for running and wellness and has been playing sports since she was three. She has run multiple marathons including the New York Marathon, numerous half marathons and dozens of road races. She ran Cross Country in high school and played Division I soccer in college. Audrey is a Road Runners Club of America Certified Running Coach and an AAAI / ISMA Certified Sports Nutrition Consultant. Audrey thrives on helping others achieve their personal and athletic goals and is most proud when she’s watching her Team Challenge participates cross the finish line after 13.1 miles!

Coach Oliver

Oliver, a true Washingtonian, found his running passion somewhere between the water logged English countryside and the beautiful trails here in our nation's capital.  Oliver has always had running close to his heart.  In addition to running, Oliver has participated in triathlons and spent the 2008 season sponsored by Zico coconut water.  Oliver believes running and other forms of exercise play an important role in healthy lifestyle, along with good nutrition and rest.  Oliver thrives on helping people set and reach their athletic and health related goals!  Oliver is full time accounting analyst and real estate professional.  He holds both CPA and LEED AP certifications.

Coach Ian

A Team Challenge DC Alumnus, Ian is joining us again this spring as a Coach. Ian has been an avid runner for the past five years. He has run every distance from 5k to 50k and owns a Half-Ironman finisher's medal. He is a Boston Qualifier for 2013 and dreams of completing the Western States 100 Miler. A colitis patient since he was 11, Ian came to Team Challenge so that Crohn's and Colitis doesn't hold anyone back from their goals--athletic or otherwise.

His other athletic endeavors include being a coxswain for rowing teams for 9 years and coached high school rowers several summers. He competed at every level of the sport which culminated in a 3rd place finish in the Men's Heavyweight Eight at the IRA Collegiate National Championships. He also spent 4 years as a Sea Kayaking guide and instructor. He also dabbles in rock climbing and occasionally skis.