Our Program

Kids Run the Nation- (KRTN), is a customized  running program for young athletes ages 4-14 (we are happy to accept 3 & 4 year olds who are eager to run too!), infused with a healthy dose of FUN!
Each session includes specific goals to help our young athletes run with better form; run more comfortably and gain confidence in themselves and their athletic ability. 

  • We LOVE running--We encourage, motivate and challenge your young athlete. 
  • We teach "Running 101". Emphasizing the fundamentals of running: Correct form and pacing.
  • We compete. Within our groups and in our own KRTN meet--and against other running clubs locally & regionally.
  • Our athletes learn that running as a sport is a blast! And that it forms the foundation for all other sports--and a healthy life.
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Andrew Wilson
​Coach (and Ultra/Trail specialist)

Our Coaches

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Billy Block
(Coach Billy)
KRTN Program Director & Head Coach
Head Coach:
Cape Fear Academy Cross Country/
Track & Field 
​Life long runner and running/sport enthusiast!
40+ years (really??!) of running and competing in races from 400m to 26.2 miles--along with many sprint & Olympic distance triathlons--and it's still a thrill every time I line up to race!
I am fortunate to have competed in some the biggest and best races in the country including the NYC Marathon, Boston Marathon, Marine Corps. Marathon, Country Music Half, Chicago Half literally hundreds of 5k & 10k race--and this area's own Wrightsville Beach Marathon--numerous times. I am extremely grateful for the fantastic coaching along the way that helped me  achieve so many dreams & goals. 
I am even more grateful for the opportunity to coach young athletes in the sport I love. 

Coach Summer

Hi, I'm Summer! I have been working with kids run the nation for 2 years now and I absolutely love being able to spread my passion for running with the community! I firmly believe in making running as fun as possible for the kids- and I love getting to know them in the process and watch them fall in love with the sport themselves!

I have been running for as long as I can remember, completing my first 5k as just a 5 year old in kindergarten. However, I didn’t start taking running seriously until my freshman year of high school once I joined the cross country and track team. Throughout my high school career I put out times on the track that were fast enough to get recruited to run Division 1 cross Country and Track at UNC Wilmington. While competing for UNCW I ran personal bests in all distances, qualified and ran at the NCAA XC Regional level, secured 2 freshman records, and have put my name on the “Top Ten List” in multiple distances in program history. I am currently in my final semester of college and will be graduating in May 2025 with a bachelors degree in exercise science! I aspire to become a Physical Therapist one day, but until then I look forward to continue pursuing my passion for coaching! 
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Rob Ward
​Coach (Racer Extraordinaire/2017 Boston Marathon Time 2:54:56) 
I’m a runner and triathlete born and raised in England. I moved to Wilmington with my wife Clair in August 2015. We are both teachers; I currently work at The Friends School of Wilmington serving as the middle school Science teacher. Prior to that I was at Alderman Elementary.  My wife Clair is the 3rd grade teacher at New Horizons. We have two children Ruby (4) and Margot (2).

I came quite late to running, and ran my first 10k in 2010 whilst living in South Korea with Clair. We were teaching English as a second language and embraced the running scene in South Korea: they are obsessive runners!

I have also competed in triathlon for 10 years. Highlights were racing in London at The ITU age group World Championship  Sprints , completing  Ironman 70.3 UK, Ironman 70.3 NC and the big one, Ironman Texas in 2019!

My career running highlight has been completing the Boston Marathon in both 2017 and 2018.  with the latter leading to a PR  2'54'56 in the howling wind and freezing rain ..what an amazing race experience that was!

I enjoy combining my teaching experience with my passion for running and look forward to helping inspiring the next generation of runners.
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