HOW TO HIRE · HEALTH & WELLBEING · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a running coach in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A running coach in Ireland costs €30–€120 per session, typically around €60. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a running coach in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers running coach work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — nutrition and Recovery Advice — A running coach often provides guidance on nutrition strategies to fuel your runs and recovery tips to prevent injuries.
- How does coach's experience change the price?Skill shows in the parts of the job you never see. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does level of service provided change the price?The cheapest option is cheapest for a reason. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does complexity of your training plan change the price?It is the reason two providers can quote very differently. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Goal Setting and Motivation — coaches help runners set realistic and achievable goals, whether it's completing a 5K or training for a marathon — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a running coach job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
No licence or register applies to personal trainers, fitness, yoga or Pilates instructors in Ireland. The titles are not protected and there is no statutory register to be struck off, so a qualification is a claim to check rather than a licence — the checks that matter are the qualification and who awarded it, insurance, first-aid cover and what is written down.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
The qualification and the body that awarded it, by name — then look the body up yourself; Public liability insurance, and who the insurer is; Professional indemnity insurance where they write you a programme; A current first-aid certificate, and where the defibrillator is; What a session includes, how long it is and what a cancellation costs, in writing before the first one; Garda vetting where the sessions are with under-18s, which is a legal requirement for work with children.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect public liability, and professional indemnity where they write a programme. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
No VAT: this service is exempt, so there is none to add and none to reclaim. A quote that adds it is wrong. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers running coach work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — nutrition and Recovery Advice — A running coach often provides guidance on nutrition strategies to fuel your runs and recovery tips to prevent injuries.
A good answer: Skill shows in the parts of the job you never see. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The cheapest option is cheapest for a reason. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: It is the reason two providers can quote very differently. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Goal Setting and Motivation — coaches help runners set realistic and achievable goals, whether it's completing a 5K or training for a marathon — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a running coach job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability, and professional indemnity where they write a programme — technique Analysis — many coaches offer video analysis of your running form to identify areas for improvement.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the running coach starts, and an itemised invoice after — youth Running Coach — specialises in training young athletes, focusing on skill development and enjoyment of the sport.
Getting the quote right
- Coach's experience — skill shows in the parts of the job you never see.
- Level of service provided — the cheapest option is cheapest for a reason.
- Complexity of your training plan — it is the reason two providers can quote very differently.
- Location of your sessions — the clock starts when the provider arrives, not when the work does.
- In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
- What is NOT included, named
- Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
- The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: coach's experience — skill shows in the parts of the job you never see
- They will not talk about it: level of service provided — the cheapest option is cheapest for a reason
- They will not talk about it: complexity of your training plan — it is the reason two providers can quote very differently
- A price for the running coach before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the running coach has begun
What a running coach costs: €30–€120 per session
The figures are for the job, per session, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Race preparation coach and Technique specialist each carry their own band. Running Coach price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Running coachs near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- Look firstCoach's experience — skill shows in the parts of the job you never see — that is what the running coach is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneLevel of service provided — the cheapest option is cheapest for a reason — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfComplexity of your training plan — it is the reason two providers can quote very differently — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherLocation of your sessions — the clock starts when the provider arrives, not when the work does — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the running coach is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, duration of coaching — the hours quoted are the hours worked, not an estimate of the job.
- Technique Analysis
- Many coaches offer video analysis of your running form to identify areas for improvement.
- Goal Setting and Motivation
- Coaches help runners set realistic and achievable goals, whether it's completing a 5K or training for a marathon.
- Nutrition and Recovery Advice
- A running coach often provides guidance on nutrition strategies to fuel your runs and recovery tips to prevent injuries.
- Technique Specialist
- Works on refining running form and efficiency to prevent injuries and enhance speed.
- Injury Recovery Coach
- Provides guidance and training modifications for runners recovering from injuries.
- Group Running Coach
- Leads group sessions to promote camaraderie while improving collective running skills.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a running coach: questions people ask
The cost can vary based on the coach's experience, location, and the level of service provided. Coaches with specialised qualifications or extensive experience may charge higher rates.
Most running coaching sessions last between 60 to 90 minutes. However, this can vary depending on the specific needs of the client and the type of session being conducted.
While a general running coach can provide valuable support, a qualified specialist may be beneficial for advanced techniques or injury prevention. Look for certifications that indicate expertise in running coaching.
Same-day availability largely depends on the coach's schedule. Many coaches require advance booking, but some may offer last-minute slots if they have openings.
Yes, many running coaches offer packages that include multiple sessions or additional services, such as nutritional advice or group training. This can often result in cost savings.
A running coach generally does not provide medical advice or physical therapy. They focus on training and performance enhancement, so if you have an injury, it's best to consult a healthcare professional.
MORE GUIDES