Kurt Benninger - Men's Cross Country Coach - Brown University Athletics

Kurt Benninger

Title:
Volunteer Assistant Coach
Email:
kurt_benninger1@brown.edu
Joined Brown:
September 2021
Alma Mater:
Notre Dame '08

A familiar face to many and a respected name in the cross country and track communities, Kurt Benninger serves the Head Men's Cross Counry Coach / Assistant Track & Field Coach at Brown. Benninger's first stint on the Bears' coaching staff spanned from 2014-2020, before he returned for a second stint starting in September 2021. During his time at Brown, he has coached 13 NCAA regional qualifiers, one cross country all-American, and Ivy League champions in four different track events.

Benninger also previously served as the head coach of New England Distance from 2013-2020, where he coached four USA National Team qualifiers, three USA Olympic Marathon trial qualifiers and one athlete who qualified for USA Olympic Trials on the track. He also serves as a head coach for multiple RITC and Saucony sponsored professional runners, with one of his athletes currently ranked No. 11 in the world in the 1500m.

A highly decorated student-athlete at the University of Notre Dame, Benninger finished his career in South Bend as a six-time NCAA All-American between cross country and track and field. He was a four-time Big East Conference champion, and currently holds the Big East indoor meet record in the mile. He still holds ND’s school records in both the indoor 3,000m and outdoor 5,000m. While serving as team captain, his eighth place performance helped lead the 2005 Fighting Irish squad to a third place team finish at the 2005 NCAA XC Championships.

Benninger also enjoyed success as a professional runner for five years from 2008-13 and placed fourth in the 1500m at the 2008 Canadian Olympic Trials.

Benninger graduated from Notre Dame in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in History, Middle Eastern Specialty. He also holds certifications in National Strength and Conditioning, Track and Field Technical Certification and a Speed Specialist Certification from the USTFCCCA.

Benninger’s Personal Records
800m - 1:48.80
1500m - 3:38.03
Mile - 3:56.99

TEAM COACHING TIMELINE

Season	School/Team	Title
2013-2020	New England Distance	Head Coach
2014-2020	Brown	Assistant Coach - Distance
September 2021-February 2023	Brown	Assistant Coach - Distance
February 2023-present	Brown	Head Men's Cross Country Coach / Assistant Track & Field Coach