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K-Stars Track Workouts



Update: Track workouts and group runs suspended

In light of the continuing spread of the COVID-19 virus, K-Stars track workous and group runs have been suspended. Learn more



Next workout: No workouts scheduled

The K-Stars hold weekly track workouts on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., rain or shine. The workouts are coached by Andy Chan. The cost is $5 per workout. Runners of all abilities are welcome.

If you've never done speedwork before but have always wanted to try it, this is a great way to find out what it's like in a low-key, non-competitive atmosphere. Likewise, if you're an experienced runner looking for a solid mid-week speed session, these workouts will be perfect for you.

Workout Results

About the Coach

Andy Chan's passion for the sport of running began while at Lowell High School. He was a 4-year team member of both the cross country and track teams and had a best finish of 2nd place All-City Cross Country and ran a mile PR of 4:43. He was a 3-year team captain and led his cross country team to the State Meet two times. While an undergrad at UCLA he began his coaching career by volunteering as the team manager for the UCLA women's cross country and track teams. The experience at UCLA included working with many national class athletes and coaches, and attending big meets like the Pac-10 and NCAA Championships (where Andy could always be found clipboard in hand taking splits and keeping score of the meet).

After graduating from college, Andy returned to San Francisco and coached at his alma mater, Lowell, as an assistant coach from 1993-97. Highlights during the Lowell coaching days include growing the team in size, starting traditions like summer running camps and team dinners and helping coach the team to a sweep of all 4 titles at the All-City cross country finals in 1995. Twice during the mid-90s Andy organized and coached women's 100x1 mile relay teams that set world records. In 1995, the DSE Running Club re-claimed the record in this event. Then in 1997, coaching AC's Athletics Club, a team of 100 women, each one running one mile, averaged 5:47 per mile to establish what was then a world record of 9:38:39.

In 1998, Andy took his first head coaching job when he accepted the position at Sacred Heart Cathedral. He has been the head coach for both cross country and track for 6 years. During that time, the girls cross country team has captured 2 sections titles and 1 league title with a best State Meet finish of 4th. SHC athlete Shannon Rowbury was a 2-time State Champion (2001-800 meters, 2002-1600 meters). Rowbury was nationally ranked at a variety of distances throughout her high school career. Andy is also very proud that 6 of his former high school athletes have at one time or another joined him on the coaching staff at SHC. His first high school coach, Lloyd Wilson, has been an assistant coach at SHC since day one.

Andy's own running includes competing for K-Stars Running Club and Pamakid Running Club. An avid cherry-picker, he refuses to list the races he has won medals at out of fear more runners may show up at those races and steal his glory. Andy's PR's are:

  • 5K - 16:35, Champions Run, 2000
  • 10K - 34:10, Perry's to Perry's, 1996
  • Half Marathon - 1:16:50, Humboldt Half Marathon, 1997
  • Marathon - 3:08:19, California International Marathon, 1997
  • Lake Merced (4.464 miles) - 24:52, DSE/Peak Busters Race, 1995

Since 1994 he has been coaching track interval workouts on Thursday evenings. The workouts first began at the request of DSE'ers Ken Reed and Sandra Seiki. He estimates 300-400 different people have attended the workouts through the years. People like Patrick Lee, Keith Johnson and John Spriggs have been attending since the very first year. The current Thursday night group boasts 6 recent Boston Marathon qualifiers (John Spriggs, Paul Zager, David O'Connor, Dave Parrish, Christine Jegan and Whitney Stephenson), numerous members of the Hoy's Excelsior women's team, as well as beginning runners looking to run PRs.

Other

  • Camp Counselor and Coach, Runners Workshop Running Camps
  • Attendee at the USA Track & Field Junior Development Camps as a coach
  • Guest speaker at the James Logan Olympic Development Clinic
  • DSE Track Coach, 1994-2004
  • Pamakids Track Coach, 2001-present
  • Boston Marathon, 1998
  • Cross Country Co-Chair for the Pacific Association Grand Prix Series, 1998
  • Co-Race Director, Zippy 5K, 2000-2002
  • BS in Physiological Science, UCLA, 1993
  • Masters in Sports and Fitness Management, USF, 1999

Coach's Blog

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