Coaches
Our amazing coaches in Kona, HI 2009
National Walk Coach
David McGovern
Coach Dave is 22-year veteran of the US National Racewalk Team and a globe-trotting racewalking and running coach with a master's degree in sport science from the United States Sports Academy.
During his competitive career Dave represented the United States on nearly 20 international teams, won 13 U.S. National Championships and competed in 6 Olympic trials.
As a private coach, Dave has had seven athletes qualify for the United States Olympic Track & Field Trials. Dave has also coached the national team of Ghana, West Africa, and was one of the two coaches for the U.S. team at the 2008 World Cup of Racewalking in Cheboksary, Russia.
Although highly known as a top marathon walking athlete and coach, Dave has also coached walkers in Team Challenge since the programs inception! His interest in Team Challenge was sparked by his personal connection to CCFA’s mission - his wife, Loretta, has colitis.
Dave is the author of The Complete Guide to Racewalking and The Complete Guide to Marathon Walking. Visit his website at www.racewalking.org.
National Run Coach
Melissa Spooner, B.Sc Nutritionist
Melissa has an amazing background in competitive endurance training and coaching. Melissa started out as an age-group Ironman athlete and worked up the ranks to become one of the best in the world. She has raced worldwide in over 20 Ironman events, has claimed three Ironman Championships (IM Lanzarote 1998, IM New Zealand 1999, IM USA 2000), and finished a personal best 4th at the World Championships in Hawaii in 1998.
Melissa graduated from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
After retiring from professional racing in 2004 she developed a Nutrition program at Endurance Rehabilitation in Scottsdale, AZ. Melissa created Endurance Health and Fitness in 2006. She prides herself on sharing with athletes her passion for sport and how to balance that passion with other aspects of your life such as work and family.
Melissa has coached athletes of all ages and abilities including first time Ironman finishers and Kona age-group winners and finishers. She is active in her own community as a swim coach and run coach for her local triathlon club.
In addition to coaching and working with athletes Melissa consults with several Fire Departments across America. She helps them with disease prevention programs that teach them how to incorporate healthy eating into a hectic schedule.
Melissa's philosophy is simple: your training needs to fit into your life; with a clear goal and plan you can enjoy the journey.