The Story That Proves It Doesn’t Happen Overnight
Sam Breiter’s Running Story
1996–2000 | Cards He was Dealt
Sam was born and raised in Long Island, New York, with two supportive parents and an older sister. As a child, he was diagnosed with asthma and severe allergies, often requiring a nebulizer to stabilize his breathing — early challenges that taught him resilience from a young age.
2001–2008 | Early Struggles
Through elementary and middle school, Sam continued to battle allergies and sports-induced asthma. Academically, he faced challenges with focus and test-taking and was later diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder and ADD. These obstacles often affected his confidence and self-esteem, as he struggled to meet his athletic and academic goals and felt embarrassed by needing additional support. During this period, Sam also began to gain weight, as an imbalance in nutrition and a gradual decline in activity took a toll on his health and energy.
2009 | Trying Something New
In middle school, Sam signed up for track and field. He was one of the slowest runners on the team and had little direction, but this decision marked the first step toward what would become a lifelong passion.
2010 | The Start of the Journey
Entering high school, Sam joined the cross country team. He was initially the slowest runner, often jokingly known as the kid who’d sneak off to Taco Bell or Burger King during practice. His first race ended in a DNF, and his first completed 5K took 32 minutes. Still, by season’s end, he improved to a 29-minute personal best — and learned the value of showing up and finishing.
2011 | Results of Trusting the Process
Sam stuck with running through winter and spring track, and that summer, he trained with newfound dedication. His hard work paid off: during his sophomore cross country season, he broke 22 minutes for the 5K. He also began improving academically, eventually no longer needing classroom accommodations like extra time on exams.
2012 | The Start of Leadership
During his junior year, Sam broke a 6-minute mile and ended the year with a 5:26 personal best. After another summer of training, he returned for cross country in the best shape of his life — no longer the joke of the team. He broke 20 minutes in the 5K and earned a role as team captain by being a great example to his teammates.
2013-2014 | Final Lap in High School
As a senior, Sam continued to improve his times in the mile, 2-mile, and 800m events, even while battling asthma that sometimes turned his arms blue after races. He ended his high school career with an 18:40 5K, served as a six-season captain, and became a 12-season varsity athlete. He earned multiple MVP awards, competed in championship meets, broke a 5-minute mile, and set school records. Despite opportunities to run in college, Sam decided to attend Ohio University for a full college experience and to enjoy running on his own terms.
2015–2018 | The Coach Emerges
While at Ohio University, Sam began coaching track and field for local middle and high school teams, leading the distance runners. This experience sparked a passion for mentorship and community. Under his guidance, several athletes qualified for the state meet, and Sam discovered the fulfillment that comes from helping others grow.
2018–2020 | Losing Control
After graduating, Sam moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the full-time workforce. Long hours, unhealthy eating, and weekend partying led to burnout and poor health. He drifted away from running and fitness, falling into the worst shape of his life.
Late 2020 | The Reset
At the end of 2020, Sam made a pivotal decision: he signed up for a half marathon. Training for that race reignited his love for running, marking the beginning of a personal and physical transformation.
2021 | Run Breiter is Born
In 2021, Sam moved to New York City and began working in tech, finding a much better work-life balance. He started racing regularly, achieving a massive PR in the half marathon and completing his first marathon — the Philadelphia Marathon. That same year, he launched Run Breiter, a brand and platform built to hold himself accountable while helping others improve their running and fitness.
2022 | Leveling Up
Sam’s growth continued as he broke 1:30 in the half marathon, started The Run Breiter Podcast, and began coaching over 25 runners online, many of them for free. He became deeply involved in the NYC running community, earned a 6-minute marathon PR, and achieved his first World Major Marathon star at the NYC Marathon.
2023 | New Heights
In early 2023, Sam ran marathons in Miami and Austin with friends. Later that year, he moved to Denver, Colorado, in pursuit of new adventures and exploring the mountains. While pacing a stranger for 16 miles at the Leadville 100, he met his now-girlfriend, Colleen. That fall, he ran a 3:02 marathon in St.George, Utah, his fastest yet, and completed his first ultramarathon — the Austin Rattler 50K. He ended the year pacing his mom in her first half marathon.
2024 | The Coach Evolves
Sam joined Revolution Running as a coach, and for online clients began integrating data and personalized plans to help athletes reach their goals. He set a personal record in the half marathon (1:26), ran the Denver and Chicago Marathons, and continued exploring the mountains. He also had the honor of pacing Colleen for the last 16 miles of her 100K.
2025–Present | Old Home, New Lifestyle
In 2025, Sam moved back to Cleveland to support Colleen as she pursues her PhD in Psychology. He continues to train for marathons, coach runners, and grow the Run Breiter community — all while striving to help others write their own running stories. He also added a new family member, in there dog Nani. This story is still being written as with any moves comes new opportunity and time to adjust.