It's in our blood.

We come from running families. Whether it was cheering for parents and siblings in local races, volunteering at aid stations, or taking part in a fun run, we developed a zeal for the sport both as spectators and participants. We're captivated by the spirit, science and challenges of running - a passion that makes up Runner's Edge of the Rockies.

Racing experience is an important part of coaching; but also having a professional backgrounds in the corporate and "real world", coupled with skill as accomplished endurance athletes, provides our coaches with a winning combination to successfully coach not just the seasoned Boston-bound marathoner, but also the novice first-time runner and walker.

We apply a unique philosophy to our training program by educating our members about what training smart means, focusing on the total health of the athlete as ultimately paramount to accomplishing any specific race goal. And we provide this individualized coaching in a social, group setting. What results when you train in a supportive environment is at the heart of our approach. This cannot be taught - it can only be experienced.

Director/Coach David Manthey

Take a strong sense of discipline, add an extensive business background, toss in a natural ability to motivate others, and you've got David Manthey. Melded together, these traits serve as an ideal combination in his role as head coach. His background includes:

• Over ten years of extensive business development experience
• University of Denver - Business Development, Career Coaching & Presentations
• MG Jordan - Executive Recruiting Firm
• Baker & Associates, Inc. - Merger and Acquisitions Intermediaries
• Co-Founder/Coach, Runner's Edge of the Rockies group marathon-training program, 2003-Present
• Accomplished Marathoner/Ultramarathoner, having successfully completed 11 road Marathons and 13 Ultras including the 2004 Pikes Peak Marathon in 5:49, the 2007 Sunmart 50-Mile in 9:38, the 2010 Phoenix Rock n' Roll 50km in 4:40, the 2012 Javelina Jundred 100 Mile in 25:24 and the 2011 Leadville Trail 100 Mile in 27:26.
• Road Runners Club of America, Certified Running Coach
• CPR/First-Aid Certified  
• Goalkeeper, Colorado Rocks Soccer Club, State Cup Champions, 2001
• Blue Valley North H.S. Assistant Soccer Coach, Overland Park, KS, 1997
• Colorado State University Men's Varsity Golf Team, 1992-1994
• Ft. Collins Country Club, Jr. Golf Coach, 1994

Ultramarathon Coach David Longcope, M.D.

Who better to advise and guide the ultramathoner members of Runner's Edge than a doctor with a history of sucess in endurance sports.  Prior to enrolling in medical school, Dr. Dave was a competitive cyclist and even spent a summer racing with the US Cycling team.  His knowledge, attiutude and experience are just what beginning and experienced ultra runners alike need to achieve their goals.

• 18 marathons, (2:58 PR)
• 3 Boston Marathons
• Goofy Challenge
• 10 50-Mile Ultras
• 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 Leadville Trail 100 Mile finishes, (24:46 PR)

Triathlon Coaches

It's not just the multiple Ironmans and dozens of marathons completed that qualify our team of tri coaches to prep you for multi sport racing. It really comes down to their posture toward fitness and how they blend it with everyday life, work, and family.

Tri Coach Matt Smith



Matt Smith has been actively involved in competitive endurance and multisport racing and training for over 10 years. His multisport career really started after a sedentary college experience. Upon graduating at 235lbs and deciding that he needed something to motivate him to get in better shape and live a healthier lifestyle, Matt signed up for his first triathlon. Since winning his first X-Terra sprint race, he went on to qualify for X-Terra National Championships, then went after a lifelong dream of competing and Ironman and switched to the road.

Matt has competed in the Ironman World Championships, placing 13th in his age group, is a 3 time winner of the Steamboat Springs triathlon holding the course record and consistently places on the podium in his age group. Matt and his wife, Molly, both are officers in the Rocky Mountain Triathlon Club and race for the Runner's Roost triathlon team.



Tri Coach Vince DiCroce

Who registers for an Ironman without knowing how to swim? Meet Vince.  Four years ago that's just what this seasoned marathon runner did. Amped about this new fitness goal, his first Ironman was the springboard to the multiple triathlons that have followed - including 7 Ironmans. As a father, husband, and lawyer, training has helped him to attain better balance in life, preserve his health, and overcome adversity.  Vince has run over 30 marathons, a dozen of which with finish times fast enough to qualify him for Boston.

Tri Coach Chris DiCroce

An ITCA-Tri Certified Coach, Chris's first love was cycling, with a passion for charity century rides. Now he's a full-fledged triathlete, qualifying for All-American status in 2008. But incorporating training into life is about more than managing a to-do list for Chris - it's an art form. How else could a fulltime manager and owner of a business complete over 20 marathons, the Leadville Trail 100 Mile, and 70 triathlons/duathlons, including 8 Ironmans?

Tri Coach Sarah DiCroce

Sarah is the quintessential coach. As a PE teacher to 500 students she's even implemented a running program for kids funded by the New York Road Runners Association. Fueled by physical challenge, it's no surprise that she registered for her first tri with little experience. Her drive has propelled her to compete in 6 Ironmans and 15 marathons, running Boston twice.

Speed Coach Keith Solverson

Keith is a USATF Level 1 certified coach and brings his 5-10K expertise to the Runner's Edge family!  Keith was an assistant coach for men's and women's cross country and track and field programs at DePauw University from 2006-2008, and then moved into a head coaching role for the men's and women's cross country programs at Coker College from 2008-2010.  Keith's personal running accolades include NCAA Division III Cross Country All-American honors for Wartburg College (school record holder in three events), and in 2011 finished 2nd in the Running of the Green Lucky 7K, and 1st at the Cherry Creek Sneak 5-Mile.

Walking Coach Jill Roberts

Walking is great cross-training and something we all do, but when it comes to training for endurance events, guidance helps.  Body posture, foot strike, turnover, fuel and a host of other things are a bit different from running, and having a seasoned veteran for guidance is key.  Jill started her marathon career as a runner but embraced walking to save some wear and tear on her body.   A seasoned mentor from Train-to-End Stroke and Team-in-Training, Jill has worked with hundreds of participants and completed dozens of events - 19 marathons, 21 halves, and 3 Goofy Challenges.   She has participated in race walking clinics provided by Dave McGovern of the US National Race walking Team to build her own skills and to learn how to help others.  Her experience and knowledge are a valuable asset to to provide the extra EDGE for the walking program.

Mascots Champ & Apollo Manthey

If you need unconditional love at the end of a tough workout then enter Champ & Apollo Manthey, the always-friendly Golden Retrievers to offer themselves for free head scratches and belly rubs. (And if your run was particularly sweaty, a bunch of kisses & licks!) As runners themselves, they understand the anguish of a challenging run, particularly when they aren't allowed off-leash to chase teasing rabbits and squirrels. Their pedigree includes:

• Born & bred in Wellington, CO - Autumnsun Goldens
• Champ - Born on 12/19/06, parents Sweet Jimmy & Lilly, named after Sweet Jimmy (Champion Golden) and Bronco's pro-bowl defensive back Champ Bailey
• Apollo - Born on 7/21/07, parents Sweet Jimmy & Lilly, named after the Greek Sun God and Apolo Anton Ohno (yeah, the Olympic Gold Medal speed skater turned "Dancing with the Stars" extraordinaire!)
• Completed races: 2007, 2008 & 2009 Turkey Trot, 2007 Jingle Bell 5km, 2008 Furry Scurry
• Successfully dug-up, devoured, and/or destroyed over a dozen backyard perennials
• Avid swimmers, fetchers, nappers, and poopers
• Love to carry things in their mouths and play keep-a-way, primarily running socks and gloves
• Tricks include: shaking paws (right & left), dancing, rolling over, puppy push-ups, and balancing biscuits on their noses