Donnie O’Neal

Background: I started running when I was 9 years old on Club Teams, then Junior High, High School and College Teams. My main race in college was the 3,000m Steeplechase, but my favorite race has always been the Mile. In College, I studied Anthropology and Kinesiology, I have a passion for understanding human adaptation. I’ve worn many hats in the Austin running community, including running specialty retail manager, coach, race director and chip timer. I’m married with 4 kids, there’s a 22-year age difference between my first and forth kiddo.

Years Coaching & Philosophy: I started coaching in 1993. I believe that workouts should be specific, progressive and fun. Workouts should build you up mentally as well as physically in preparation for each peak performance.

Best advice for new Rogues: Stay firmly connected to why you are training, reaffirm it regularly. Have faith that the work and time you’re investing will produce results. Avoid the temptation of comparing your journey to others, everyone follows their own path. Have fun!

Most memorable run/race: Many memorable races, this one in particular was in Houston in the early 80s, it was a cross country race on a very rainy day. There were several races before mine and the rain was falling heavily. By the time my race started, no one realized that the back section of the course had flooded over, in some sections it was 4 to 6 feet deep. Several of my competitors and I decided that we would need to swim in order to finish the race, and we did. I had so much fun, with this unexpected obstacle.

Interesting fact: In 2004, I built the first RogueRunning.com website with designs from Anne Stevenson. I also coached Austin Marathon training groups for Rogue from 2004 to 2007.

Mitch Hayes

Joel Hagaman