Friday, September 20, 2013

Terrence Mahon to Leave UK Distance Post
Will Return to the USA with wife Jen Rhines



Terrence Mahon was an 8x All-American at Villanova and is married to all-time Villanova great Jen Rhines

Terrence Mahon to leave UKA

Lead endurance coach to return to the USA as he announces departure from UKA less than a year after taking up the role
September 20, 2013 by

Terrence Mahon has announced he is to leave his lead endurance coach role at UK Athletics less than a year after taking up the post and will return to the USA.

The news follows an announcement earlier this month in which it was confirmed endurance coach John Nuttall is also leaving UK AThletics for a new role in Qatar.

His departure raises questions as to whether Lynsey Sharp will be forced to switch coach with less than a year to go until the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with the European 800m champion currently under Mahon’s guidance in Loughborough. One of Scotland’s big track hopes for the home Games, Sharp is said to be exploring the options available to her, with UKA advising AW that Mahon has not ruled out continuing to advise the 23-year-old from afar.

Mahon was a 2:13 marathoner and USA 20K Champion
“I am pleased to have worked closely with some very talented British coaches and support staff during this period in implementing a multifaceted approach to training – including all aspects of the sports science and medical team in place at the national performance Institute,” commented Mahon.

“There is a talented body of endurance coaches in the UK not to mention world class individuals such as Barry Fudge who plays such a crucial part in Mo Farah’s success, and there is no reason why that success cannot grow.

“I wish everyone at British Athletics the best in the run up to 2016, and will follow GB athletes’ progress in future.”

Mahon arrived in Loughborough in the autumn of 2012 with a great reputation having coached Ryan Hall, Josh Cox, Deena Kastor, Jenn Rhines and Anna Pierce.

Speaking of Mahon’s departure, UKA performance director Neil Black commented: “Terrence has worked hard in what has been a challenging post 2012 year to align our endurance programmes going forward towards 2016 and 2017, and I thank him for his contribution to British Athletics this year.
“We have some exciting plans for our endurance programme including some key opportunities for our home grown coaches going forwards, and I look forward to outlining these plans very soon.”

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Terrence Mahon was an 8-time All American at Villanova, where he won Big East and IC4A individual titles. After graduating in 1993, Mahon was a national class competitor who won the 1998 USATF national title at 20 kilometers (1:00:58) and qualified for the US Olympic trials five times combined on the track and at the marathon distance. He owns PRs of 4:05.9 (mile), 8:05.9 (3000 meters), 13:33.2 (5000 meters), 28:31.1 (10,000 meters), 1:03:37 (half marathon) and 2:13:02 (marathon). 

 Despite such an illustrious running resume, he is best known these days as one of the top professional coaches in the business. While in the US, his stable of runners included his wife Jen Rhines (winner of multiple national championships while at Villanova and a three-time Olympian, at 5000, 10,000 and marathon), the American record holder for the marathon and olympic bronze medalist Deena Kastor (nee Drossin), New York marathon winner and olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi, and the American record holder for the half marathon (59:43) and 20 kilometers Ryan Hall. His younger charges include Sara Hall, Ian Dobson, Ann Willard, and Scott Bauhs.  Prior to departing for the position of national distance coach for UK Athletics eleven months ago, Mahon was head coach at Mammoth Track Club in California, which developed into a mecca of elite distance training.
-- Villanova Running

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