About

Knighton Runs Marathon Coaching was founded in the Summer of 2019 by Coach Chris and Erica Knighton. Our mission is to help passionate athletes run faster marathons and develop their confidence to take on any life challenge. We named our athletes The Knighton Lions because of the bravery they demonstrate in pursuit of their goals.

Coach Chris Knighton is the head coach at Knighton Runs and the author of the book, Run Faster Marathons: The Proven Path to PR. He is a trusted running coach and passionate distance runner living in Providence, Rhode Island. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Chris did not start running until his late twenties but quickly grew into a consistent top-10 finisher in road and trail races throughout New England. He has been a vegan athlete for his entire adult life and credits much of his success in sports to making healthy diet and lifestyle choices.

In 2014, Chris left a soul-crushing job to pursue his dreams. He thru-hiked the 2180-mile Appalachian Trail that summer and realized if he had the courage and capacity to accomplish this journey, he should easily be able to take on any life challenge.

Chris brings this mentally to his own running and coaching. He believes that the skills and confidence we develop to run faster marathons directly correlate to what’s needed to overcome any personal or professional challenge. Chris empowers his athletes to do what is necessary to go confidently in the direction of their dreams.

Chris received his USATF Level 1 Coaching Certification in 2019 and also serves as Track & Field and Cross Country Coach at St. Mary Academy – Bay View in Riverside, Rhode Island.

Chris’s first book, Run Faster Marathons: The Proven Path to PR is available now on Amazon.

Personal Bests

• 1-Mile: 4:42 (2024)
• 5K: 16:40 (2024)
• 10K: 34:41 (2021)
• Half Marathon: 1:14 (2019)
• Marathon: 2:46 (2023)

Running Achievements

• 2:46 at 2023 Chicago Marathon
• 2:53 at 2022 Boston Marathon
• 1st at 2022 Super Sunday 5K
• 1st at 2021 Pomham Rocks 10K Road Race
• 2nd at 2021 MR8K Road Race
• 2nd at 2021 Jamestown Half Marathon
• 3rd at 2019 North Face Endurance Challenge New York Trail Half Marathon
• 10th at 2019 USA Track & Field New England 10-Mile Trail Championship
• 1:14 at 2019 Mohawk Hudson Hannaford Half Marathon
• 1st at 2018 TARC Spring Classic Trail Half Marathon
  

Coach Erica Knighton is the Assistant Coach at Knighton Runs. She has been running for as long as she can remember and ran her first 1-mile race at age seven. As a competitive runner in high school, she competed in both the State Championship and New England Championship for the Barrington High School team in Rhode Island. After attending Syracuse University, she took on the marathon, qualifying and competing in two Boston Marathons and one Chicago Marathon. Erica has over 15 years of experience training and racing at a high level.

Erica is committed to helping passionate high-school athletes reach their full potential. As the Head Cross Country and Track & Field coach at St. Mary Academy – Bay View in Riverside, Rhode Island, Erica led the Indoor Team to its first Division Championship in over 20 years in her first season coaching the team. 

Additionally, she helps high-school athletes train their best during the summer and winter off-seasons and supports athletes privately in track and cross country season with the permission of their school’s coach. 

She is a certified NFHS coach and CPR/AED certified.

Personal Bests

• 1-Mile: 5:31
• 5K: 18:57
• Half Marathon: 1:29
• Marathon: 3:26

Take your running to the next level and go confidently in the direction of your dreams.

Here are two ways to improve as a runner today:

1. Learn About Our High-Touch 1:1 Run Coaching

2. Check out The Complete Marathon Training Program by Knighton Runs

 
 
 
 EXCELLENT  
 
 56 reviews on
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Janica Lane 
 
May 6, 2024.
 
 
  
 
Ran my first 100K, plus a number of 50Ks, after stellar coaching from Chris. So grateful for his great attitude and encouragement and a personalized training program.
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Stephanie L. Judd Irwin 
 
May 5, 2024.
 
 
  
 
Coach Chris is absolutely the best coach I’ve worked with. He’s specific and thoughtful in his approach to tailoring workouts for you, and he adjusts pacing/workouts daily as needed to help you achieve your absolute best. I’ve PR’d in every distance I’ve raced thus far! He’s also supportive and extremely encouraging. I can’t think of better attributes I’d wish for in coach and am extremely pleased with his coaching skill and knowledge. I would highly recommend him!
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Sarah Johnson 
 
May 2, 2024.
 
 
  
 
I've worked with Chris for several races (half marathons and marathons) and have had great results! I have PR'ed in both distances since working with him. His training plans are easy to follow and balanced between workouts and easy miles. He provides great advice on strength training and nutrition as well.
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Chris Grimley 
 
May 1, 2024.
 
 
  
 
Chris is a great motivator, with the right blend of compassion and challenges. His customized workouts have helped me both in marathon training, and in approaching other distances with an aim to PRs. highly recommended.
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Jessica Bloom 
 
April 30, 2024.
 
 
  
 
I’ve been working remotely with Chris since the summer - currently training for Berlin Marathon. He has been very supportive in getting me back on track, he’s responsive and easy to talk to. I feel more confident in my training since I started working with him and was surprised by my progress in a 10 mile race a few weeks ago!
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Alexia Mattos 
 
April 25, 2024.
 
 
  
 
Working with Coach Erica was awesome!! During my marathon training I was able to increase not only the fitness, but the confidence in my running ability to have both a successful and a FUN race! Looking forward to working towards crushing more PRs.
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Michelle 
 
April 23, 2024.
 
 
  
 
Fantastic, in-depth training plans complete with YouTube videos to fully explain the methods. Loved the “fastest mile” plan and ran a 30 second PR! Can’t wait to do the marathon plan. Thanks, Chris!
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Stephanie Prinzing 
 
April 10, 2024.
 
 
  
 
Thank you to Chris for helping me find joy in running the marathon distance! With his advice and encouragement, I was able to PR by 16 minutes and finish with a smile on my face. I look forward to continuing working with Chris to keep discovering the potential I didn’t even know I had!
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Crystal 
 
April 8, 2024.
 
 
  
 
I have only been working with Chris for a few months now. He’s been coaching me towards my goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon and since working with him and following the plans he’s made for me, I’ve PR’d almost every run I’ve done and I am within reach of my goal. He’s truly is a great coach and is very encouraging and really dedicates himself to each athlete and what they’re looking for. I’m so glad my friend referred him to me.
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Katrina j 
 
April 4, 2024.
 
 
  
 
Training with Chris' programs has taught me what giving every run a purpose REALLY means. I have never felt more fit and confident in my running - and it's never been more fun! Highly recommend!
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
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Get My Free Marathon Training Guide!

Run Faster Marathons: The Proven Path to PR shares the essential concepts marathon runners need to incorporate into their training to achieve year-over-year progress, enjoyment, and success.

Go beyond just following a cookie-cutter plan and finally learn how to train like an athlete. 

Run Faster Marathons will teach you to run with confidence.

SEND ME THE MARATHON TRAINING GUIDE

For Media and Business Inquiries
Email Coach Chris

Our Mailing Address
Chris Knighton
PO Box 28731
Providence, RI 02908