Nike Smoky Mountain Running Camp Asheville, North Carolina
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Unmatched summer training and top quality coaching define the Smoky Mountain Running Camp. Immerse yourself in running, new friends and fun evening activities for a week or two!
Constantly seeking 'artistic perfection,' Coach Benson is dedicated to annually refining the camp activity schedule and curriculum.
Camper improvement- by teaching, instructing and coaching is our primary emphasis.
International campers may combine individual sessions together for a three week camp experience. Weekend stay overs inbetween sessions are available.
Highlights Include
- Celebrating our 40th year!
- Top notch high school and college coaching.
- Comprehensive running camp experience: featuring daily runs in the National Forest, informative breakout sessions and talks given by nationally recognized guest speakers.
- Video taping with personal form analysis.
- Advanced Placement (AP) Cross Country Class is offered during all camp sessions for those elite runners who desire college level instruction about the Art & Science of Running.
- Superior facilities: beautiful campus surroundings, state-of-the-art track facility and new Wellness Center.
- Coaches are encouraged to accompany their cross country teams and attend the Coaches Workshop covering the latest in training and racing techniques. The workshop runs concurrently with the youth camp session.
- Fun evening recreational activities planned.
- Middle school running program with specific youth curriculum is offered July 15-20.
Located at the University of North Carolina- Asheville, in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, the camp is one of the oldest in the country. Campers stay in air conditioned dorms, in suite style living accommodations- two bedrooms/one bath with living room. Four runners per suite.
The Smoky Mountain Running Camp operates on National Forest System Lands and are authorized under Special Use Permit by the Pisgah Natinal Forest.
Meet your coaching staff
Camp Director
Roy Benson, Founder
Roy T. Benson, MPE, C.F.I., is an exercise scientist and distance running coach.
He earned a Master's Degree in PE with an emphasis in exercise physiology from the University of Florida.
Since 1976, he has held a national certification as a Fitness Instructor from the American College of Sports Medicine. He has presented several hundred professional papers and lectures for academic and popular audiences.
He currently serves as a Special Contributor for Running Times magazine with a monthly readership of over 250,000 serious runners. His newest book "Heart Rate Training" will be published by Human Kinetics in the Spring of 2011.
Coach Benson ran competitively for over 45 years with personal bests of 1:52.7
for 800 meters and 4:19.8 for the mile. As a master's runner, he ran 36:06 for 10k, 17:22 for 5k, 4:52 for the mile and qualified for the Boston marathon with a 3:09:05 PR at age 40.
He coached at the U of Florida from 1969 to 1979 as head X-C coach for seven years and head T & F coach for three years. For 16 years, 1993 to 2008, he served as Community Coach at Marist School (a 2A size private school) in Atlanta where his girls and boys teams won 16 state class 4A X-C championships and individual runners won a total of 20 state titles in x-c and track.
He founded and has directed the Smoky Mountain Running Camp for 40 years.
Co-Director
Alan Drosky
Alan Drosky continues his long association with SMRC as co-director. In 1982, he attended as a camper. In subsequent years has served in a variety of roles at camp, from junior counselor to staff coach and guest speaker, to camp administrator.
Drosky also enters his 21st year as the head coach of the men's and women's cross country teams at Georgia Tech.
In addition, he will be in his 16th year as the head coach of the Georgia Tech women's track and field team, which captured its first-ever Atlantic Coast Conference indoor title in 2002. He also oversees the distance runners for the men's track team.
Drosky was inducted into the Georgia Tech Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996 after a distinguished career as a Yellow Jacket cross country and track and field standout from 1985-87.
During his cross country tenure, Drosky has coached three NCAA All-Americans and eight NCAA qualifiers, which represented the first in each category for the Tech program. In addition, he has had 36 All-South Region selections and 11 All-ACC performers.
In 2001, Drosky was named South Region Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track Coaches Association. He also earned ACC Coach of the Year honors for indoor track in 2002.
Drosky is recognized as one of the most outstanding distance performers in Tech history. He competed on the Yellow Jackets' cross country and track and field teams from 1985-87, serving as captain three times. In addition, Drosky earned All-America honors twice at the NCAA Championships, finishing sixth in the indoor mile in 1986 and 12th in the outdoor 1500 meters in `87. He was also crowned 1987 Atlantic Coast Conference champion in the indoor mile.
Noel Breger
Coached at Archmere Academy 1991 - 2007 (8 state titles), Coach for Delaware Military Academy 2007 - present (3 top 5 finishes). Coach of the Year 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2010. Ran cross country in high school and at Washington College where he was team captain. Coach Breger has been a Staff Coach at SMRC for 5 years.
Andy Carr
Coached at Salem High School, Salem, VA, where the girls finished 7th in VA 1985 State Meet, Milton High School, Milton, GA. 2004-Present-. Milton has won multiple county titles and had top-10 finishes at GA State meet while under Coach Carr’s tutelage. . 2008-Fulton County Boy's Coach of the Year.
Coach Carr has been a competitive runner since 1976 running for elementary, middle and high school Track & XC teams. Ran collegiately for Roanoke College where he ran in 2 National Championship meets in XC. Veteran road racer and marathoner having run 15 marathons and 3 ultra-marathons. Ran Boston Marathon in 1996. Outstanding performances include: 6th in HS state meet, 4x800 relay, School record-holder in the 3000m Steeplechase. Runner of the Year, Montgomery County Road Runners Club (MD)-1986. Coach Carr has been a Staff Coach at SMRC for 6years.
Jerry Crockett
Dr. Jerry Crockett, a retired professor from Oklahoma State University in the area of physiological ecology, is in his fifth season as a volunteer assistant coach. He has served as Director of Extension for the College of Arts and Sciences for 10 years and was a Dean at the University of Idaho from 1967-68. Crockett attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University on a basketball scholarship and played AAU basketball for several years. His interest in track started as a coach at Higgins High School in Higgins, Texas in 1951. While playing AAU basketball for the Conoco Oilers, he directed the state AAU junior track meet. During his tenure at OSU, he became a master’s distance runner, setting many state records and winning several national championships. He was elected to the Oklahoma Distance Running Hall of Fame. In 1976, he became an aide to Coach Ralph Tate in the OSU track and field and cross country program until his retirement.
He served in various state and national positions with the USA Track and Field governing body and retired in 2005 as the chair of the Long Distance Running Division which oversees all distance running (track, road running, cross country, mountain, ultra and trail running) in the U.S. and coordinates the selection of all national teams.
Crockett currently serves as director of the coaching clinics for Roy Benson’s Nike Running Camps and with Benson created the syllabus for RRCA coaching Certifications.
Christine Dahlhauser
Coached at Pope High School since 2007 as Head XC/Assistant Track Coach. She was a member of Missouri High School State Championship Cross Country Team. Missouri State High School 3200m State Champion, Missouri State High School Cross Country Championships Runner-up, 4yr letterman XC and Track at Warrensburg High School in Missouri. Ran XC and Track at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO. Indoor NAIA National Qualifier 4 x 800m relay. Transferred to Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS. NJCAA National Cross Country Championships Qualifier, NJCAA National Indoor Track and Field Championships Qualifier 4 x 800m relay.
Coach Dahlhauser has been a Staff Coach at for 3 years.
Eric Daughtery
Coached at Union Grove as the Head Boys/Girls XC/TF 2003-Present , Asst. Boys/Girls XC/TF 2001-2002, Powell Valley High School XC/TF (Virginia) 92-95, Maryville College (Tennessee) XC (1996-1999). Recognized as Henry County Track and Field Coach of the Year 2009, Union Grove High School Coach of the Year 2008,2009, All-State T&F (Virginia) 800m 1995. Coach Daughtery has been a Staff Coach for 4 years
Kellie Eyre
Coached XC/Track at Marist High School for 123 years. During that time Coach Eyre has been honored by ATC for XC Coach 10 times for State Championship teams/athletes. The 2010 XC season concluded with both the Marist boys and girls team winning the AAAA State Championship. While at Marist, Coach Eyre has seen 17 XC State Championships and numerous individuals State Championships in Track & Field. High School (Bishop Kenny, Jacksonville, FL) (440, 880), College (Berry College) (400m Hurdles, 800), Post-Collegiate, Masters (1500m). NAIA All-American 4x800 (Berry College); World Masters - 6th Place (1500m 40-44 Age Group), USATF Masters Outdoor National 1500m Champion (40-44 Age Group); Runner up @ Masters Outdoor and Indoor 410 years. Coach Eyre has been a Staff Coach and has been one of the Associate Directors for the past 10 years
Frank Faykes
Retired Air Force Major General, having served 31 years in various positions at Air Force bases and the Pentagon. 31 years as an accomplished distance runner. Completed 20 marathons (PR 2:38), several Ultra-Marathons and numerous road races. (5K PR 15:39). Featured in Runner's World magazine, Click HERE. Coach Faykes was involved in adult camp for the past 5 years as an adult camp coach and is currently a staff coach at SMRC youth camp.
Travis Gower
Coached from 2002 to 2008 at McEachern High School (Powder Springs, GA); 2008 to the present at Walton High School (Marietta, GA) where he is the Head Cross Country and Head Track & Field Coach.
Accomplishments include 2007 & 2008 Georgia State Track and Field Team Champions at McEachern, 2010 Girls State Champions in XC (Walton), 3 Boys Cross Country Region Titles @ McEachern 1 Boys Cross Country & 1 Girls Cross Country Region Titles @ Walton 4 Boys Track & Field & 4 Girls Track & Field Region Titles @ McEachern Numerous All-County, All-Metro, and All-State athletes at both McEachern and Walton 2 All-Americans (Ben Hubers and William Wynne)
Competed at McEachern High School Cross Country and Track & Field, University of Georgia Cross Country and Track & Field.
Coach Gower came to camp for 5 years as a Camper ,3 years as a JCIT/JC and 8 years as a Staff Coach He currently serves as one of the Associate Directors of SMRC.
Bill Hackney
Kell High School and Walton Youth Track
Coach Hackney has coached for 8 Years as a youth coach, 6 years as a high school coach. While at Kell be Coached the distance runners on the 2008 Region Champion team, He also coached JP Hackney to 2007 State Runner in AAAAA XC and was selected Cobb Co-Coach of the Year 2009. Ran XC and track in high school, triathlete, 22 marathons, numerous road races and triathlons. Coach Hackney coached 2 years at Brevard and has been a Staff Coach at SMRC for the past 8 years .
Brad Hendrickson
Coached for 4 years at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, 1 year Holy Innocents' Episcopal School and 4 years Dunwoody. Accomplishments include coaching 3 Team State Cross Country Championships, 4 Region Track and Field Championships and 4 Region Cross Country Championships. Competed at Dunwoody High School where he was a 4 year letterman and placed 5th place at the State meet, UNC Club Cross Country and Track and Field, 13 Marathons and 6 Half Ironman Triathlons. Coach Hendrickson has been a Staff Coach for 11 years and attended 2 years as a camper.
Becky Megasi
Georgia Tech
One of the top middle distance runners in Tech history, Becky Megesi enters her eighth year as an assistant for the Jackets cross country and track teams. She primarily works with the distance runners as well as the cross country teams for both men and women. Additionally, she handles many administrative functions as well as being in charge of recruiting the women's distance events. As an athlete, Megesi garnered All-America honors in the 1500 meters, finishing eighth at the 1999 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Boise, Idaho. She again earned All-America honors in 2000, anchoring Tech's distance medley relay to a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. Megesi also qualified for the outdoor NCAA meets in 1999 and 2000 in the 800. In 1998, she became the third Tech individual qualifier for the NCAA Cross Country Championships in Lawrence, Kan. In 2000, Megesi was a qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 800 meters.
Megesi won ACC Championships in the 1500 in 1998 and 1999, earning All-ACC honors six times during her career. She currently holds school records in the outdoor 800 (2:04.63), the indoor DMR (11:21.48), and the outdoor 4x800m relay (8:56.94).
Coach Megasi has been an Administrative Assistant at SMRC for the past 7 years.
Eric Nelson
Pensacola Catholic HS
Coaching since 1993 at Pensacola Catholic HS, became Head Coach in 1998. Coaches both boys and girls XC and Track and Field. Accolades include Pensacola News Journal XC Coach of the Year Four Times as well as any District and Regional Team Titles.
Individual accomplishments include –running in HS in North Easton, Mass. - PR of 13:08 (2.7 course) Ran four years on scholarship at the University of West Florida - qualified for two NAIA national XC meets and three NAIA National Marathons,- 25th in Collegiate National Marathon (NAIA) Abbotsford, BC 1991 and being 44th in the USATF Men's 15k Championships 1992. Coach Nelson has been a Staff Coach for 3 years at SMRC.
Dunn Neugebauer
Holy Innocents’ High School
Five years head coaching experience at Holy Innocents'. Coach Neugebauer has coached numerous Region Championship teams and athletes however he considers his biggest "awards" in coaching have been and will continue to be my bond with the kids.
As a High School athlete Coach Nuegbauer was a two sport state champion in tennis and track (2 - mile) . Played collegiate tennis at Berry College (#1 singles for four years) where he was selected as the team MVP. Coach Nuegebauer has been a Staff Coach since 2004.
Jess Norman
UNC Asheville
Coach Norman has been coaching cross country at the collegiate level for six years (2 years at Western Carolina University & 4 years at UNC Asheville). Previously he coached high school athletes for two years before joining the collegiate ranks. During that time he developed the first state qualifier in school history (Robbinsville High School), a three time All State Performer, and All Conference Performers at Western Carolina University and UNC Asheville, along with improving the men's distance program at UNC Asheville from last place in the Big South Conference to a top 5 program. One of his female athletes at UNC Asheville has also set the school record for freshman at the 6k distance. 2011 Big South Conference Women's Coach of the Year.
As an athlete he was a five time 3A state champion in high school (2 x cross country, 2 x 3200m and 1 x 1600m) and was an all state performer eleven times during his high school career. Fuquay-Varina High School record holder (cross country, 1600m, 3200m, 4 x 800m). He went on to Western Carolina University where he set the freshman record during cross country (25:33 - 8k) and went on to be an All-Conference performer during outdoor track in the 10k (3rd place finish). His junior year he won the Southern Conference cross country championships with a time of 24:48 and was the first, and so far only, cross country individual champion in school history.
This will be Coach Norman’s first year as a Staff Coach at SMRC.
Tom Orehowsky
Manatee High School
Coached at Manatee High Cross Country since 1976, Manatee/Sarasota Co. Coach Orehowsky was Coach of the Year - 5xBoys, 4xGirls 4 SMRC campers who were Florida State 1600 Champions, 2 were XC Runner-ups FHSAA Track & Field Official RRCA Southeast Region Volunteer of Year 2004 RRCA National Volunteer of the Year 2008 - Rod Steele Award Winner. Coach Orehowsky has been working with the Coach's Clinic (1994-present) Staff while also serving as a Staff Coach.
Tara Peterson
University of New England
Peterson has been serving as Assistant Athletic Trainer for two years at the University of New England. . She returned to Biddeford after having served as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Barton College, an NCAA Division II institution in North Carolina. Additionally, Peterson was an Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA (2007) and a Certified Athletic Trainer at Alachua County Schools in Florida (2005-07). She also served as Assistant Athletic Trainer and Equipment Manager for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA for the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
A native of Bristol, Conn., Peterson graduated summa cum laude from UNE in 2005. She was a four-year member of the Nor'easters' basketball team and served as team captain her senior season. She was a three-time academic all-conference selection. From UNE, Peterson went on to attain her master's degree in applied physiology and kinesiology from the University of Florida in 2007.
Tara has served as the camp Athletic Trainer for the past 4 summers.
Jessica Raby
Coached Head XC for 14 years at Georgia State University and is currently an Assistant Coach at Georgia Tech. Atlantic Sun Women's XC Coach of the Year 1998, 2000 & CAA Women's XC Coach of the Year 2006, 2007. As an Athlete she started running Track her senior year in high school and ran XC at Georgia State University. While at Georgia State she was selected as All-conference athlete for 3 seasons. Coach Raby was a camper at Coach Benson's Running Camp and this will be her 4th year as a Staff Coach.
Joe Robinson
Etowah High School
Coach Robison has over 20 years experience coaching distance runners; individuals, youth and high school where he continuous to be successful at t he County, Region and State level. Personally he has over 40 years of running experience where he competed in distances of 800M and up. Coach Robinson has run 26 marathons and 3 ultra-marathon. This will be Coach Robinson’s 3rd year as a Staff Coach at SMRC.
Jason Scott
Harrison High School
Coached for XC and Track at Harrison HS for 14 years. During his tenure at Harrison he has coached numerous Region team and individual Region Champions and led the Hoyas to the 2000 & 2001 AAAAA Girls State XC Championships.As an athlete Coach Scott competed for 4 years in XC and Wrestling and 2 years Track at Douglas County High School. He competed in XC for 3 Years and 2 Years College Indoor/Outdoor Track at UGA. While at UGA he was a 2 time SEC Academic Honor Role. This will be Coach Scott’s 12th year at camp at a Staff Coach.
Ike Seals
Coached as the Head Girls Cross Country Coach (1997 – Present) and Head Boys and Girls Cross Country Coach 1998 – 1999 at Riverwood High School, He was recognized 4X Girls Region 5AAA Track Coach of the Year, 4X Boys Region 5AAA Track Coach of the Year, 2X Fulton County Cross Country Coach of the Year, Girls Cross Country Team Qualified for State Meet Championship 10 out of 11 years and his team has placed 6 times. 2007 Atlanta Track Club Paul Koshewa Award for Outstanding Dedication Women’s Coach. As an athlete Coach Seals competed at East High School, Cleveland, Ohio where he was a 3 sport letterman. Coach Seals played football at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio and has been a competitive track athlete for a number of years. Coach Seals has been a Staff Coach at SMRC for 6 years.
Kent Simmons
Coached XC for the past 16 years at Harrison High School. He served as Assistant Coach for 8 years and is now in his 8th year as co-Head Coach. Cobb County Coach of the Year for Girls XC in 2003 and 2005. He ran track in high school and was a 2X State qualifier in the 300 hurdles . He has been running for 17 years and has completed 2 marathons as well as numerous other races at various distances.
Coach Simmons has been a Staff coach at SMRC for 6 years.
Art Sciuba
Coached at Greenwood High School for the last 37 years. During his time at Greenwood he accrued 7080 overall team wins(5253 in XC and 1827 in Track and Field, coached 118 All-State athletes, 102 individual XC meet champions, had 95 recognized as Academic All-State, 29 athletes have received athletic college scholarship,. He has coached 29 Region Champions, 12 individual State Champions, , 7 State Runner-up athletes, 10 Regional Runner-up teams, 7 Regional Champion teams, 4 individual Mr. Kentucky XC State Champions, 2 USA All American athletes and 1 State Championship team. Coach Sciuba has been a Staff Coach at SMRC for the past 8 years.
Katie Smallwood
Began her XC coaching career in 1993 at Harlem High school in the Augusta, she then transferred to Lakeside (Evans) in 1994. In fall of 1996 Greenbrier HS opened and she has been the Track and Cross Country coach there ever since. Some of Coach Smallwood’s accomplishments include: Coached Region Champion team 1993, At Lakeside she won the Region Championships in XC for both boys and girls, at GHS the XC boys team has won Region from 1996-2000, 2002-2009, and in 2004 they were runner up at State while also having the individual state champion, Girls Region Champions 1996-2007. Bridget Lyons on her team in 2004-2005 and she has gone on to win the SEC 10,000m while at the University of Georgia. As a High School athlete Coach Smallwood began running in 9th grade at Ridgeview HS in 1979 where her team won state 3 years. Her PR at the State meet at Waterworks was 11:44 and holds the sophomore XC record. She ran 2 years of Track High School and ran summer track for the Red Runners under the highly respected Coach Red Smith. After college she began running again recreationally and has enjoyed competing in 5K, 10K and Half marathons. Coach Smallwood started coming to SMRC in 2005 and served as a staff coach until 2008 when she was promoted to one of the Associate Directors.
Claud Spinks
Eagles Landing High School - Coached for 5 years at Eagle's Landing High School as Head Cross Country Coach and Head Track Coach at Eagle's Landing where he also serves as the Athletic Director. He has been the Region Coach of the year 3 times, 2009 Region Athletic Director of the year and his teams have finished in the top 10 at the state meets 9 times and top 5 five times. He has coached 2 All-State XC runners and one state champion and 27 of his athletes have signed college cross country or track scholarships. Coach Spinks has been a Staff Coach at SMRC for 5 years.
Al Stasko
Coached for 7 years at Blessed Trinity High School. While at Blessed Trinity he has been affiliated with 3 State AA Championships. Coach Stasko was selected as Region and State Coach of the year 2003 and State Coach of the year 2005-2006. He ran Track, XC and played basketball in high school for 4 years. He continues to be an accomplished runner and has run 25 marathons. Coach Stasko has been a Staff coach for the past 7 years.
Clayton Tillery
Coached 1997-2001 at Escambia HS, Pensacola Florida, 2001-2006 South Forsyth HS, Cumming GA. and 2006-present at West Forsyth HS Cumming GA Coach Tillery has coached two 800m State Champions and 1 HS All American athlete. Coach Tillery competed at University of West Florida and currently competes for PT Solutions Endurance Team out of Atlanta GA He was a two time USAT triathlon All American. Four time honorable mention, six time national qualifier. 2010 Ironman Louisville finisher and most recently 2011 Gulf Coast Triathlon Half Ironman Champion. Coach Tillery has been at SMRC for nine years as a Staff coach. In addition to is staff duties he also coordinates the Video Analysis portion of SMRC.
Jeff Townsend
West Forsyth High School Coached as an Assistant Coach for 2 years at Wheeler for both track and Cross and has been Head Coach for the last 6 of the Cross team and was Head Coach of Track for 4 years. As an athlete Coach Townsend ran 4 years of XC in high school, 3 years of indoor and 4 years of outdoor track. Indoor and outdoor, he ran the 4X800, mile, and 2 mile while in High School and was selected as Runner of the Year and MVP his Senior season. He ran 2 years at a junior college in Maryland and 2 at Mars Hill College in NC. Coach Townsend has been a Staff Coach for 7 years.
Everett Whiteside
Coached as the Head XC/Track Coach at Booker T. Washington High School since 1994. Coached 19 athletes to collegiate scholarship signings, Pensacola News Journal Cross-Country Coach of the Year 5 time winner , Regional Cross-Country Team Champion 2 times .District Cross-Country Team Champion 6 times , Escambia-Santa Rosa County Team Champion 9 ,Coached 13 All-State performers in Cross-Country , Coached 5 State Champions in Cross-Country and Track and Field, Coached 21 All-State performers in Track and Field, Regional Track Team Champion.
District Track Team Champion 6 times , 2004 State Cross-Country Team Champion, 2004 FHSAA Class 3A State Cross-Country Coach of the Year. As an athlete Coach Whiteside has numerous accolades including : USATF National Masters Track and Field Champion 10,000 meters 33:05.33 and USATF National Masters Track and Field All-American 5,000 meters 15:47.63, Mt. Vernon Township High School Athletic Hall of Fame,Running Journal Grand Prix Champion, Ranked 8th in US for 15k (45:12), Ranked 23rd final US list for ½ marathon (1:05:16). Elite finish at Peachtree Road Race (largest road race in US) - 21st (30:50 2nd American) , Elite finisher (top 50) at Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, GA: 1993, 1997, 1998, and 1999, University of Alabama Track and Cross-Country four year letterman . Illinois IHSA Top Ten All-Time Major Meet Wins Cross-Country (16). Illinois IHSA All-State performer in Cross-Country (15th and 3rd) Coach Whiteside has been a Staff Coach for 9 years.
Tom Williams
Retired, Walton High School
Coached Track and Cross Country for 25 Years, 24 years high school and 1 year at North Georgia College. While at Lassiter HS and Walton High School Coach William has been a Region Coach of the year 35X and has been the State Coach of the year 2x. Coach Williams was recently inducted into the Georgia Track/ XC Hall of Fame. Coach Williams has been a Staff Coach for the past 25 years.
Celebrating our 40th year!
The Smoky Mountain Running Camp puts great emphasis on teaching runners the wisdom of the hard/easy training philosophy developed by the late, great U of Oregon coach and Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman. To implement the Bowerman philosophy, we use Coach Benson's Effort Based Training Program to allow the whole camp to run the same appropriate effort while allowing each group to train at their individualized paces based on their current fitness, over-all ability and general goals. The instruction is serious, the training is right for this time of the summer and there will be opportunities to make new friends from all over the Southeast, the USA and maybe even with someone from Europe, South American or Asia. We welcome your presence.
2011 OUTSTANDING SPEAKERS AT CAMP..... 2012 Speakers TBA.
Oklahoma State Coach Dave Smith: Coach Smith coached German Fernandez who won the 2009 NCAA title in the 1,500 meters and was the Big 12 individual cross country champion.
Coaching Timeline
- 1997-98: Washington cross country and track and field volunteer assistant coach
- 1998-2002: Texas Tech head men’s and women’s cross country coach and assistant track and field coach
- 2002-05: Oklahoma State men’s assistant coach
- 2006-present: Oklahoma State men’s cross country head coach
- Dec 2008-present: Oklahoma state men’s track and field headcoach
- 2009-present: Oklahoma State director of both men’s and women’s cross country and track and field
Matt McCue: Author of An Honorable Run, McCue, an un-recruited University of Colorado runner, was a walk-on athlete who willed himself to become part of a championship team led by the legendary Coach Mark Wetmore from 2001-2005.
McCue ran in the middle of a herd that was led by future Olympians and American Record holders, Jorge Torres and Dathan Ritzenhein. Only one person believed he’d succeed, the underdog himself.
His story takes a lonely trail and makes it full with insight and humility. McCue speaks for boys and girls chasing their dreams on the prairies, in small towns and on our forgotten urban streets. He gives voice to the contender who wakes at 5 a.m. when the wind is knocking on a sub-freezing door.
Above all, McCue reminds us that we can’t achieve our dreams alone. His high school coach, Iowa City Regina’s Bob Brown, had a collection of motivational sayings that could fill more than a few T-shirts. Brown nurtured an entire town because his lessons about sports were really lessons about life. Yet McCue never listened. Only by leaving his mentor for college was McCue truly able to come of age and fully understand his coach’s wisdom: Success is not defined by a gold medal around your neck, but by giving “Nothing but your best”.
Born in Iowa City, Iowa, Matt McCue lives in New York city where contributes to ESPN The Magazine, ESPN RISE Dye Stat, Running Times, and New York Magazine. Learn more at www.anhonorablerun.com.
Our Advanced Placement (AP) Cross Country Class:
The AP Class is offered during all camp sessions for those elite runners who desire college level instruction about the Art & Science of Running. Sign-up details will be available at registration. No advanced sign-up is required.
Middle School Program: (July 15-20 only)
We have modified our high school program and created a separate curriculum and activity schedule that will be offered concurrently with the high school schedule. We feel extremely confident that this will provide a satisfying experience for these younger runners.
This is an instructional camp and not a week of "normal" training. The middle school runners will be running twice a day, but it will be instructional based running. Think of a playing lesson with a golf pro. The intent is not necessarily to shoot your best round but to gain insight and knowledge on how to be your best over time.
Pre-Existing Conditions:
The Smoky Mountain Running Camp offers an extremely challenging athletic training program. Running on wild forest trails offers pitfalls, challenges and wild life. Please DO NOT come to camp if you have any pre-existing injuries, are not completely healthy and ready to run a minimum of 20-25 miles during camp.
We discourage campers with bee sting allergies from attending our program. If you choose to attend, you must carry an epinephrine pen at all times and understand that on some of our trails, if anything goes wrong, we cannot get you to medical help within the half hour. Please study the waiver carefully.
Coaches Workshops:
Coaches are encouraged to accompany their cross country teams and attend the Coaches Workshop covering the latest in training and racing techniques. The workshop runs concurrently with the youth camp session. (July 15-20 only)
**Our operations on National Forest System Lands are authorized under Special Use Permit by the Pisgah National Forest
Sample Daily Schedule
- 7:00am Breakfast
- 8:30am Guest speaker in auditorium
- 9:45am Group Run in National Forest
- 11:30am Lunch in campus cafeteria
- 12:30pm Free time
- 1:00pm Trainer available
- 1:30pm Video analysis by groups
- 2:45pm Breakout sessions of varying topics
- 4:00pm Learn-by-Doing at campus track in groups
- 5:00pm Dinner in campus cafeteria
- 6:00pm Free time
- 6:15pm Trainer available
- 7:00pm Recreation Activities directed by Rec Staff
- 10:00pm Curfew
- 10:30pm Lights out!
Camp Check-in & Check-out Details:
- Check-in: TBA
- Check-out: TBA
Ages:
- Sessions 1 & 3: 14 and up, coed, all skills levels.
- Session 2: Entering 7th grade and up, coed, all skill levels.
Dorms:
TBA
Stay-Over Session Option:
Campers have the opportunity to double or triple their training with Coach Benson by attending more than one session with a weekend stay in between. There is a $140 fee to cover the two-night stay. Meals are included except for dinner on Saturday, spending money of $30 is suggested.
Extra Activities:
There is a camp dance each week, plus nightly skits, games, scavenger hunt and sand volleyball.
Travel:
Airport:
Asheville North Carolina Airport (20 mins from campus). Airport pick-ups will be available for $25 each way.
- Preferred Flight Arrival: 10:00 – 11:00 am Sunday
- Preferred Flight Departure: 2:00 – 3:00 pm Friday
Buses:
Atlanta Bus: Bus transportation is available to and from the Atlanta area each week. Seats are limited, sign up early! Round trip price $95 (price subject to change). Campers wishing to travel one way will be placed on a "wait list." Priority is given to round trip riders. For more details and to make reservations please call US Sports (800-645-3226). A fuel surcharge may be added, based on fuel costs at the time of camp.
Bus leaves Atlanta on Sunday at 10am. You must be checked in for the bus by 9:30am. Return trip: Bus will arrive back in Atlanta at 4pm.
Pensacola, FL Bus:
Round trip bus service will be available to those travelling from the Florida, Alabama or Mississippi area from Pensacola, FL for Week 2 ONLY- July 15-20.
Campers are welcome to contact Coach Everett Whiteside: ewhiteside@escambia.k12.fl.us or soul88@cox.net or 850-366-2608
Delaware/ Baltimore/ D.C./Richmod
Traveling from the Baltimore, DC or Richmond area? We have round trip bus service running July 8-13 session. Please contact Coach Noel Breger at nbreger@archmereacademy.com for details and to sign up.
Sample SMRC Daily Presentations and Recreation
Sample Monday
Morning Speaker
How is your form?
Smoky Mountain Running Camp Directors, Alan Drosky and Roy Benson, describe how core strength and flexibility will improve your biomechanics. Georgia Tech Coach Becky Megesi showed varying exercises for hip flexor, psoas, gluts, adductors and overall core stability.
Today campers have the opportunity to attend the following afternoon breakout sessions:
1. Recovery for Exercise Coach Mike Caldwell
2. Stretching for Success Joe Robinson
3. The Little Things in Running Tom Williams
4. Speed: True Speed Development for Distance Athletes Jesse Norman
5. The Psychological side of Running” Eric Nelson
Evening Recreation activities
Campers had the opportunity to visit the Just Running store in Asheville for nice deals on NIKE apparel.
As always the scavenger hunt was a BIG success with a few guest appearances by a lost raccoon. Pictures are posted on the SMRC Facebook page and team results will be announced at the awards presentation on Thursday evening with the winners receiving great NIKE gear.
Tuesday 2011
Morning Guest Speaker
After a great introduction, SMRC was treated to a question and answer session presented by NIKE with Lisa Koll. Koll is a 4 time Big 12, 10,000 outdoor Champion. As a senior at Iowa State, Koll was the first athlete since 1996 to win both the 5000 and 10,000 in the NCAA championships. Koll is the American collegiate record holder in the 10,000 in 31:18. After graduation from college, Koll continues to run professionally under Coach Jerry Schmacher of the Oregon Track Club Elite/Portland where she currently has Pr’s of 14:55 in the 5000 and 31:18 for the 10,000. Check out a recent article about her in running times.
http://runningtimes.com/Print.aspx?articleID=21554
Afternoon Breakout sessions:
1. Core Training Joe Robinson
2. 10 Commandments for a Successful Season Art Scuibba
3. Peaking and Tapering Tom Williams
4. Sports Nutrition Emma Bussard
5. Recruitment and Transitioning to college running Junior Counselors
Evening Activities
Tuesday evening campers had numerous opportunities for FUN!!! The Recreation Directors had signs, played card games in the Lobby and had a trivia at the auditorium. The winners of the trivia night will receive cool NIKE products on Thursday night at the awards night.
Great pre-season prep!
This camp was a great way to end the summer and start my cross country season. I learned how to get to be the runner that I want to, stay that way through the season, and stay healthy. It's a fun and inspiring way to get out, run, and get in some good mileage. I would definitely recommend going, no matter what level runner you are, and bring your team with you if you want! It's a great bonding experience, but you'll also meet a lot of other great people!
Best two weeks of my life!
I have attended Coach Benson's Nike Running Camp for the past two years and can honestly say that they have been the best two weeks of my life. The running instruction and training that I recieved at the camp was great and it was a big factor in my ability to drop my 5k times. The non- running parts of camp are also great. The staff is awesome and since some are college runners, they know how to make the camp fun. I have been to a lot of camps, both running camps and traditional camps and this Nike Running camp is by far the most best and the one I look forward to the most. I can't say enough about the great program that the camp has established.
Great time
The overall time spent at SMRC is great. The events at night are fun and exciting with both active and passive participation. The running venues are a good change from the running I do when I'm with my team. Truely one of the best experience of my summer.
Top XC camp out there!
What I like most about Nike compared to other running camps is that you have the chance to run at various venues and are put in a group that isn't too slow or too fast for your current running ability. You also get to have a video analysis of your running form and get too practice different speeds, which you normally don't do at other camps! You also get to hang out with other runners and have counselors that understand you and are just as crazy about running as you are! They answer your questions and are always willing to help you out! You also get the chance to meet college coaches and get to know them! This camp is definitely one of the top xc camps out there, and I would highly recommend it to other runners and will definitely be returning next year!
Great Experience!
"The camping experience was wonderful for my daughter. Since returning from camp, she is much more committed to her XC team and to herself as an athlete. She has taken on a whole new approach to preparing for a run especially regarding healthy snacks and plenty of water. She was able to bond with fellow team members as well as meet other runners who she is looking forward to seeing again at the meets."
Got me Pumped!
"This camp was awesome. It got me pumped about running to hear all the college kids and hearing how good they are. It makes those impossible times seem so much easier to achieve. Its a great environment and its really cool to meet kids from all over that you can stay in touch with as you further your running career."
Fun and Inspiring
"Nike Running Camp was a fun and inspiring experience. I learned a lot, challenged myself, but most importantly it reminded me of why I love running."
Camp is a Must
"Nike running camp provides a full range of activities to every camper. It offers classes that will increase your knowledge of running, training with experienced runners, and expert advice from coaching. If you are serious about the activity of running, than this camp is a must."
Great Time!
"We were unsure of how our son would do for one week. What was wrong with us! He had a great time, a great roommate and coaches. He wants his cross country team to go together next year. He has even instructed us in a couple of things for us to do differently. When asked if he wanted to go back next year he said he wanted to go for two weeks next year!"
Camper
Best training, new friends, lots of fun!
Nike Camp is the best camp for any runner! You will have tons of fun, make new friends AND receive the best running training with individual training for improving your specific running style. I liked the way we were grouped according to ability and the workshops on running and nutrition. I will definitely come back next year!