Coach John Ferguson has been coaching long distance runners since 1989, and has run hundreds of marathons and half marathons himself.  His personal best time was 2:36:28 in Boston. He has trained runners whose only goal was to finish a marathon one time, to people who are looking for qualifying times for Boston, London, Tokyo, New York, Berlin, Chicago and other major marathons.

I joined John’s group hoping to be able to run my first marathon. I ran a half marathon training by myself the year before and suffered debilitating running injury after injury from training the wrong way. Coach John not only motivated me to get up and run every Sunday morning, but taught me how to effectively pace myself, run more efficiently, fuel my body and recover. I was able to run my first marathon and hit my sub 4 hour goal and stay injury free through the entire program and after my race. John knows everything there is to know about running and has fostered a group atmosphere that is inclusive, inspiring, and an integral part of the London running community.

ANA STOICA

Joined group in 2019

When I joined the group in 2002 I never thought that 18 years later I would still be part of the group. I didn’t know then how much the group would mean to me and how much it would be part of my life. The encouragement and support of my running friends and the fun times we have keep me coming back. Over the years I’ve set challenging goals and met them. It wouldn’t have been possible on my own. I look forward to new goals and new challenges. At the heart of the group is the ever-supportive, ever-encouraging Coach John Ferguson. Whether it’s a long Sunday run, tempo run, mile repeats, track, races or road trips – whatever the weather – Coach is there.

CHRISTINE DIRKS

Group member since 2002

The group has allowed us to share our passion with our children! Running is a huge part of our lives, and has become something that we are able to do together. 
Coach John has worked hard to accommodate running families with young children within his clinics. Routinely, our team workouts are kid friendly. While we are cranking out intervals, our kids get to play with other children, who are being supervised by a group of babysitters. We hope our children will continue to love the sport as much as we do!

JEN AND SHAWN VORDING AND KIDS

Running family

I have been experiencing a wonderful training opportunity, as well as the encouragement, friendship and support from Coach John’s clinic groups for the past 5 years.

I initially joined when my goal was to complete a marathon by the time I was 60 years old. With the expert training program, I ran my first marathon in Corning, New York, 2010, along with a bus load of great running buddies from London. Since then, I have completed 12 marathons with the coaching guidance of John Ferguson, and the friendly encouragement of his special running community. My goal now is to complete a marathon in every province of Canada. So far, I have 4 provinces under my belt, and with the group’s encouragement, I will l attain my goal.

An added benefit of my running program has been an initial weight loss of 25 pounds, which I have maintained through running and a healthy lifestyle. I would highly recommend any of Coach John’s clinics for runners old and young. I have not met a more encouraging, motivating and positive group anywhere else.

HELEN RIORDON