About Sean C. Fortune

Sean has been a fixture in the New York City running community since 1998. Over the years he’s taken on many different roles: competitive athlete, coach, run choreographer, USATF-NY & Ocean Breeze Alliance board member, club team founder, event organizer & officiant, writer, model, volunteer, fundraiser, and sport ambassador.

Central Park Coaching was founded in 2008 to provide best in class one-on-one running coaching services. Central Park Coaching's mission is to help runners fulfill their potential and build a life-long love of the sport. Our mission's foundation is based on the core values that lead to success in all aspects in life: passion, hard work, commitment, education. Sean believes running and exercise have the power to transform an individual, and by extension, change the world. With that in mind, he’s coached every level of runner: youth, novice, high, school collegians, post-collegiate elites, and adults of all levels. In 2019, he expanded his service to seasonal coaching in the Hamptons, NY, and in 2024, Miami Beach.

In addition to impacting thousands of runners in his various coaching roles, Sean works as a run choreographer on commercial productions for brands like New Balance and HOKA| He’s been a featured guest on Sirius XM's Doctor Radio discussing youth running | Profiled in the New York Road Runners' Fall 2013 magazine & Bella magazine June 2017 | Featured in Poland Spring's 2011 NYC marathon print ad campaign | Served on the USATF-NY Executive Board as V.P. Member Services and Manhattan Borough Representative & the Ocean Breeze Alliance | Frequent contributor to running / fitness / health articles including: GQ, NYMAG, ReFinery29, WomensHealth, Greatist.com, SHAPE magazine, The Joyful Approach, Tough Mudder, Aaptiv.com, BellaNYC, WebMD, and many more.

Reach out to sean@centalparkcoaching for more information.

Sean’s coaching credentials

  • USA Track and Field Level I & II - Endurance certified coach

  • Head Coach Cross Country & Track and Field - The Hewitt School

  • Run Choreographer - Brands like New Balance & HOKA rely on Sean’s experienced eye and collaborative spirit - working hands-on with creatives & talent getting just the right '“authentic look” for their running projects

  • Expert Contributor - mainstream media articles providing running-related insight & advice from GQ, NYMAG, SELF, TODAY SHOW, SOUTHFORKER, LIVESTRONG.COM, REFINERY29, HEALTH DIGEST, WOMENS HEALTH, TOUGH MUDDER, GREATIST, BUSINESS INSIDER, and many more

  • Member Board of Trustees - Ocean Breeze Alliance Indoor Track & Athletic Complex

  • Former NCAA Division III Distance Coach - CUNY Hunter College

  • Former New York Road Runners' Coaching Specialist - Youth Track and Field Program

  • Former Founder & Head Coach USATF & NYRR Club Team - Manhattan Athletic Club & Manhattan Athletic Club Elite

  • Former USATF-NY Executive Board Member - V.P. Member Services and Manhattan Borough Representative

  • Former Equinox Tier II Personal Trainer - EFTI graduate with specialization in endurance, strength, and mobility

  • Former NSCA Certified Personal Trainer - CPR & AED certified

Sean’s running accomplishments

  • Winner of the NYRR Norway Run - Oct. 2011

  • Winner of the NYRR Henry Isola XC 4 miler - Sept. 2008

  • Winner of the NYRR 5th Ave. Mile 30-34AG - Sept. 2007

  • Winner of the USATF Northeast Region Track 5K - Jun. 2006

  • 227th overall 2:45:15 NYC Marathon - Nov. 2006

  • Multiple Top-10 placings at NYRR events

  • Multiple team scorer in the the 3000 meter steeplechase at USATF Nationals Track Club Championships

  • Team Displacer at 2008 USATF Nationals XC Club Championships, Spokane, WA

  • Personal Bests: 800m - 2:03 | Mile - 4:31 | 3K - 8:57 | Steeple - 10:21 | 5K - 15:47 | 10K - 33:08 | Half Marathon - 1:15 | Full - 2:45

“

My daughter's been coached by Sean for six years. His technical knowledge is excellent, but more importantly, Sean is just a really good person, building kids' confidence and love of the sport while pushing them to see what they're capable of achieving.”

— Jackie, mother of Ali age 16

“

Sean is an awesome coach and guy! I highly recommend anyone looking for inspiration to improve your running to work with him! We started working together in March 2019 to train for the NYC Marathon in November 2019.

I entered the marathon through a charity as a long-held lifetime goal and have long considered myself "not a runner." My goal was to (1) not get hurt and (2) break 4 hours. I ran with Sean 1-2 times per week in beautiful Central Park, the most incredible setting to workout. Sean took full advantage of all the terrain available including the bridal trail, reservoir loop, and many segments of road for speed, hills, etc. In addition to our weekly runs together Sean gave me a program to follow for every week, which he constantly adapted based how I was doing, feeling, and to accommodate my very busy work and personal life. He was always available for questions via text and to re-work scheduling when needed.

The results were awesome. From working together my 10K time came down by 10 minutes (from 55 minutes in January to 45 minutes in October), I never got hurt, and I smashed my goal for the marathon, running 3:36! Sean gave me outstanding advice for pacing and managing myself up to and after the marathon. It was one of the most exhilarating days of my life! Sean is a great guy, a pleasure to work with and be around, and incredibly encouraging whatever your running goals may be. Thanks Sean!!!”

— Jonathan, Quogue & NYC age 37