Coach Leo Pershall

Howdy! I'm Leo, a competitive trail runner,  founder of Pacific Endurance and UESCA Certified Ultra-running Coach.

My background and journey to ultra-running are a bit atypical.  I wasn't an athlete until I was thirty and I've had many hurdles to overcome. I believe that this gives me a unique perspective on humans, training and competition.

I started out as a road cyclist and found myself most drawn to long distance events. This and the trails of Marin County, led me to ultra-endurance mountain biking. In 2018, while on a sailing voyage across the Pacific, I took up trail running and fell in love with the sport and community. I particularly enjoy technical running and mentoring those newer to the sport. 

My proudest accomplishments in endurance sports to date have been: an 18-day finish in the 2013 Tour Divide mountain bike race, 4th place in the 2014 24-Hour Mountain Bike National Championships, a DNF in the inaugural Revenant Ultra Adventure Run in New Zealand, and first in the 40-49 age group at the 2023 Lake Sonoma 50. 

I have learned a lot over the years as an athlete working with my own cycling and running coaches. While the physiologic fundamentals of training are key, I believe that the relationship between athlete and coach can be integral to an athlete's success.  I recognize that every athlete has unique challenges. Therefore, my coaching philosophy focuses on consistency and balance, as well as setting goals that are based on the variables we can control, no matter what life throws our way.