Coach Ben Dicke’s primary passion as a runner and a coach are ultra marathons, especially the 100 mile distance. He believes that if an athlete has the will and drive to tackle ultra distances, we can find a way to make it happen. Ben relishes opportunities in helping athletes pursue audacious goals.

Coach Ben has helped athletes prepare for and cross finish lines at ultras around the globe including the Western States 100, Leadville Trail 100, Bighorn 100, Vermont 100, Old Dominion 100, Wasatch 100, Javelina 100, and others, alongside a host of races at 50k, 50 mile, and 100k distances. Ben has also coached athletes to PRs at some of the world's most prestigious marathons including New York City, Chicago, and Boston.

Ben believes that every athlete is a unique individual. And every athlete will benefit from an individualized training plan. That uniqueness begins with both their genetic composition as well as the factors that have brought them to this moment. Those factors will include the more obvious: current physical build, years of athletic training and competition, past injuries, diet, etc. Factors may also include data that is more covert such as: locations where the individual has lived, life stressors, personal drive, and numerous others.

Ben’s training plans are designed to give athletes the tools to achieve audacious goals and milestones within a proven system that accounts for an individual’s work/life/family obligations.

Specialties:

• Ultra Running
• Trail Running
• Marathons

Education/Certifications:

• Jack Daniels’ VDOT2 Run Coaching Certification
• UESCA Ultrarunning Coach Certification
• Training Peaks Level 1 Coach Accreditation

Race Accomplishments:

• 18x One Hundred Mile Finisher

• Badwater 135 Finisher

• 5x Leadville 100 Finisher

• 20x Marathon Finisher

Additional Information:

• 10 Year Coach and Volunteer - Back on My Feet
• Active Member - Chicago Area Runner’s Assocation