Let’s improve ourselves and the community around us thru movement

About the Coach

I’m Joe “Hey Jude” Stanek, Director of Coaching Operations at THRU!

I’ve grown as an individual by means of success and failure through athletic endeavors. My range for competition will never box me into one specific category of athletics.

From a young age I’ve participated in baseball, basketball, soccer, cross-country, track & field, road running, road cycling, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, and ultra running. Since 2004, I have participated in over 350 races/events ranging from the 400m dash to 200 miles. Since 2019, I have completed over 150 activities distancing farther than a marathon.

I’ve coached and mentored athletes in distances from 5k road racing to 100-mile ultramarathons. During my 2024 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike, I realized that moments I spend helping others achieve their own goals are what keeps my own heart beating for success in athletics. Let’s improve ourselves and the community around us through athletics!

Credentials

United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy: Certified Running Coach

United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy: Certified Ultrarunning Coach

National Outdoors Leadership School Certified Wilderness First Responder

University of Pittsburgh: MS Coordinated Master of Dietetics

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania: BS Sports Nutrition

Races/Events Participated in or Coached

  • SOBO Appalachian Trail Thru Hike (81 Days, 27 Miles per Day)

  • Self-Supported Frozen Head State Park 200 Miler

  • Barkley Challenge Loop Fastest Known Time

    (Only person to complete all 4 directions of the DBCL)

  • Cloudsplitter 100 (Course Record Holder)

  • Cedar Crest Trail Run (Course Record Holder)

  • Wicked Root 50 Miler (Course Record Holder)

  • Taconic Crest Trail Fastest Known Time

  • Jacobs Ladder Everest

    4:46:20 (3/20/2021) – Yet to find a faster documented time in the world.

  • 4x4x48 Challenge (2 Completions)

  • Running with the Bulls, Pamplona Spain

  • Georgia Jewel 100

  • Cruel Jewel 100

  • No Business 100

  • Avalon 50k

  • Mountain Mist 50k

  • Mount Marathon, Alaska

  • Manitous Revenge

  • Catstail Marathon

  • Escapement Trail Run

  • NYC Marathon

  • Philadelphia Marathon

  • Steamtown Marathon

  • Wineglass Marathon

  • Disney Marathon

  • BURCS Treadmill Marathon

  • Mount Whitney Summit

  • Black Toe Ultra Marathon

  • Grayson Highland 50 Mile

- 400m: 49.8

- 800m: 2:00:09

- 1600m: 4:24:05, 4:01 (Downhill)

- 3000m: 8:49:02

- 5k: 15:05:11

- 10K: 32:25

Personal Bests

- Half Marathon: 1:18:30

- Marathon: 2:50:50

- 50k: 4:03:20

- 50 Miles: 7:48:00

- 100 Miles: 20:35:06