T E S T I M O N I A L S
HAILU EBBA, M.D.
2X ETHIOPIAN OLYMPIC ATHLETE
“I am writing a strong letter of support for my friend and colleague, Iyob Tessema who is currently involved in athletics and sports advisory role as one of the highest role of expertise. As almost everyone in Los Angeles and the running community knows, Iyob has been not only training and running multiple marathons in the past fifteen to twenty years, he has also been functioning as a coach, motivator and speaker in addressing issues relating to physical & mental well being in sports.
Iyob is an exceptional human being who has run and completed in all the marathons and road races he has entered. I myself as two times Olympian and physician who understands the dedication and tenacity of training I can be of 100% certain that Iyob is the best person I can recommend as a trainer, coach or motivator who will replicate characters in others that of his own standard. Finally, it gives me a great pride and honor to recommend this exceptional human who has achieved goals beyond expectations, and who will help others to reach levels, beyond their own. I therefore attest and recommend Iyob without any reservations.
GARY KUTSCHER
RACE DIRECTOR
SDCCU ORANGE COUNTY MARATHON
“It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Iyob Tessema. As the race director of the OC Marathon for more than a decade, I have come to know Iyob as a dedicated and passionate advocate for our industry and an accomplished athlete. In fact, as a Founding Legacy runner with the OC Marathon, Iyob has completed every event since our inaugural year in 2004. As a running coach, I know that Iyob brings his love of running and his own personal way of coaching, motivation and inspiration to get more from his athletes than they even knew they had in them, whether they are new to the sport or an accomplished elite athlete. Iyob cares deeply about his runners and it shows in their performances!”
KEN LUBIN
Managing Director, ZRGPARTNER
New York, New York
“I heard about Iyob through his well-established reputation in the Southern California running community; and on August 10, 2018, felt it was only appropriate to introduce him to my wider audience at “The Executive Athletes” podium. I was immediately struck by his inspiring story as an accomplished marathoner, coach, sports consultant & Olympic historian. He impressed me with his communication skills & his lifelong Knowledge as I interviewed him at length “de-mystifying the unique legacy of Ethiopian Distance Running.” It is my pleasure to once again re-introduce him through this testimonial, to runners who want to be ably coached or be managed by him, as well as any/all businesses who would like to immensely benefit by engaging his services!”
T E S T I M O N I A L S (CONTINUED)
Leslie Cohen
Seasoned Marathoner
Santa Monica, California
“Iyob Tessema is a legend in our running community. He’s a seasoned marathoner and completed 50 marathons by age 50. I met Iyob on a group run and quickly recognized his strength as a runner and running mentor. He showed me how to use energy efficiently when running uphill and took me through the finish on several races. I’ve seen clients gain huge improvements in their running while working with Iyob! One runner under his coaching went from a 4++ hour marathoner to a sub-3:40 marathoner, a huge achievement that can only come with expert training. Iyob also has a great personality and is fun to work with. Highly recommended!”
RAYNA DRAGO
Race Director
LARR & SANTA-TO-THE-SEA 5K/HALF
“I have known Iyob for over 10 years and he is an exceptional runner, coach and mentor. For as long as I have known him, he has always been a wonderfully motivating coach to all runners. We first met when we were both Pace Leaders for the LA Roadrunners, the official marathon training group for the LA Marathon. He was so nice and personable and I loved becoming his friend and working with him. In 2011, I was the Head Coach for the Westlake Roadrunners, a sister location to the Venice LA Roadrunners, and Iyob came out to be a Pace Leader for me. He was the best leader…motivating, fun and I always could count on him to do his job. He LOVES to run and it shows. Whether he is racing for himself or leading others to their goals, he will be there for you and help you on your running journey. He is excellent at what he does and is a huge asset to the sport of running.”
SOFIE WIEDER
International Marathoner
Copenhagen, Denmark
“Iyob helped me train and prepare for my first Marathon and still, to this day, I use his coaching advise and tips when training for a marathon. Since moving back to Denmark, we have kept in touch and Iyob joined SPARTA RUNNING CLUB, my current running club & one of Europe’s oldest & biggest running organization, on our annual trip to the Berlin Marathon. Whether you train for your first marathon or you’re hunting for a new PR, Iyob is your all time, go-to coach!!!”
T E S T I M O N I A L S (CONTINUED)
KRISTIAN JOKINEN
International Marathoner
Helsinki, Finland
“While an avid runner my entire life, I had never thought about completing a full marathon until I met Iyob, who inspired me to train for the full marathon distance. Iyob not only pushed me forward with his consistency and dedication for running, but he also shared historic highlights about long-distance running, legends before us such as Abebe Bikila, and other running heroes to help make the miles fly by. Iyob, himself a local running legend of LA, is someone you always can turn to for advice and inspiration to set and meet that next long-distance running goal."
JOSIE LANG
Full & Half Marathoner
Anaheim, California
“Iyob, without question, knows how to motivate his clients, but is also genuine and honest with his runners. He’s worked with elites as well as runners like me, that want to get in better shape, and also want to keep competitive. He is always so real in describing his own race report experiences (good and bad) which are enjoyable to read because he never tries to inflate himself, because he is humble. He’s a great runner himself but you will never hear him being boastful. I’ve worked with another coach before, but he only boasted on his race reports trying to inflate himself how he dug deep and sprinted the last 1/2 mile of the marathon as if he was more than human. So, I truly appreciate the honesty and bravery behind this man. Therefore, I have given him the name “Brave Lion” and in my heart I know he deserves this title along with “exceptional caring coach”! His expertise will give you all that you need for your own goals.”
PETER BURNETT
Full & Half Marathoner
Compton, California
“If you want to reach your goal in any area, then IYOB is your Right choice. He is a testimony of a goal accomplished. His 50 by 50 goal speaks for itself. How many people have achieved the monumental task of running 50 marathons before the age of 50? That feat alone shows that he truly knows what commitment, perseverance and follow through is. As your Coach, he’ll get you from “You Can” to “You Will” get across any finish line you plan to cross!!!
T E S T I M O N I A L S (CONTINUED)
NANCY ZWEBEN
Full & Half Marathoner
Canoga Park, California
“I had the privilege of training for a marathon with Iyob as my pace leader. Besides being an outstanding marathon runner, he is incredibly knowledgeable in so many aspects of the sport of running including proper nutrition, injury management, how often to run for maximum results, and more. I consider him to be an expert in this field. Iyob is the kind of coach that truly wants to help fellow runners succeed. Once you meet Iyob, you will immediately see and feel his love and passion. I unequivocally recommend Iyob to be your running coach.”
MARK & SHANNON BOOKER
Sub-Elite Marathoners
Venice, California
“We met Iyob several years ago while running with a local run club and can honestly say he is one of the most passionate and dedicated runners we have ever met. We have clicked off miles and miles with him and have been able to absorb so much wisdom from his years of experience as a runner. He has not only coached but also encouraged and inspired countless runners to tackle distances of all kinds and is a true staple in the LA running scene. We have also had the pleasure of turning the tables on Iyob on occasion to escort him through several miles in a few of his own races, particularly at mile 20 of the LA Marathon with a Fierce Melon Gatorade in hand (frozen from the night before) to aid him through some of his own competitive endeavors. As an athlete himself, he has overcome plenty of the trials and tribulations of endurance running and is an excellent representation of how passion, dedication, and being smart can make you unbreakable, even if you will have to bend sometimes - a reflection of which he mirrors to all those around him, us included. In addition to the running wisdom, he is also personally responsible for our introduction: as he recruited Mark into the same run club and the rest, as they say, is history! Iyob truly is one of a kind, as a running coach, friend and occasional match maker.”
ALBERTO PERUSSET
"Bare Foot" Marathoner & Race Director
Malibu, California
“Hello runners family!.
This is Alberto Perusset, also known as “Barefoot Alberto” or “Alberto Bikila.”
As of today I have run 250 overall full marathons, of which 211, I run it barefoot (WR).
In 2009 with a group of friends, I founded the Malibu Half Marathon and 5K.
I’m a Marathon Coach from RRCA.
I’m also a professional Scuba Diver, lifeguard, pilot and skydiver with 233 jumps, and a vegan for 32 years.
I know my good friend Iyob for many years!!!
Sharing marathons all over the places.
My brother from Ethiopia is a great coach and an outstanding athlete.
He has the legacy status, not only in my event, but in many others.
Iyob has changed the lives of many, many people, and continues to do it through his coaching, and his amazing performance at the races.
Keep inspiring people, my dear friend!!!.”