Danny Dreyer, Founder & President
Click here for Danny's upcoming workshops.
Danny Dreyer is the co-founder of ChiRunning and ChiWalking, revolutionary forms of moving that blend the subtle inner focuses of T'ai Chi with running and walking. His work is based on his study of T'ai Chi with Master Zhu Xilin and internationally renowned Master George Xu, and his 35 years of experience, running, racing ultra marathons and coaching people in “intelligent movement." He has taught thousands of people the ChiRunning and ChiWalking techniques with profound results.
Danny's first book, ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-free Running was released April 2004 by Simon & Schuster. ChiWalking: Five Mindful Steps to Lifelong Health and Energy was released in March 2006. ChiMarathon: The Breakthrough Natural Running Program for a Pain-Free Half Marathon and Marathon was released March 2012 by Simon & Schuster.
Danny has been a featured speaker at the prestigious Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego Marathons, as well as at hundreds of other health and wellness events across the country. He has taught the ChiRunning and ChiWalking techniques to training groups such as the San Francisco Marathon, the AIDS Marathon, Team in Training, USA/FIT, AARP and many others. He has been on CNN, NPR and other news programs. He publishes a monthly newsletter and has been published in Running Times, Body & Soul Magazine, and others. He has received press in Time Warner's Health Magazine, AOL, Shape Magazine, Fitness Magazine, Elle, Washington Post, New York Times, Web MD and hundreds of newspapers, journals and web sites across the country and abroad. For a list of some current media attention, see our In the News page.
Dreyer is an accomplished Ultra Marathon runner (races longer than a marathon) and has raced every distance from a 10K to 100 miles. He has successfully completed 40 ultra-marathons since 1995, finishing in the top 3 in his age group in all but one. In August 2005 he placed second in his age group in the USATF National 50k Championships.
Danny has lived a lifestyle steeped in holistic living, meditation, and personal wellness for over 30 years. Healthy eating, physical exercise and rejuvenating activities are mainstays in his life and the foundation of what he teaches.
He empowers his students to live pro-active lives. Whether coaching a runner or a corporate executive, he teaches techniques that tap into one's inner strength and power.
Danny resides in Asheville, NC, with his wife, Katherine and their daughter, Journey.
Click here for Danny's upcoming workshops.
Recent Blogs:
- Run a Faster 5K or 10K with ChiRunning - March 25, 2013
- A Half Marathon Never Felt So Good - March 12, 2013
- Runner's World article - "Finding My Chi" , Feb. 28, 2013
| Distance | Time | Place | Race Name & Location | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10K | 38:50 | Bolder Boulder, Boulder, CO | 1998 | |
| 1/2 Marathon | 1:36:42 | 3rd Place 45-49 | Lake Chabot Trail Challenge, San Leandro, CA | 1999 |
| Marathon | 3:04:18 | 1st Place 50-55, 40th overall | Big Sur Marathon, Camel Valley, CA | 2002 |
| 50K | 3:41:27 | 1st Place 45-49, 1st overall | Helen Klein 50K, Sacramento, CA | 1998 |
| 50 Miles (road) | 6:26:49 | 3rd Place 45-49 (USATF), 7th overall | Helen Klein 50 mile Ultra Classic, Sacramento, CA | 1997 |
| 50 Miles (trail) | 6:32:43 | 2nd Place 45-49 (USATF), 10th overall | Sunmart Texax Trail Endurance Run, Huntsville, TX | 1997 |
| 100 Miles | 22:23:44 | 3rd Place 40-49, 8th overall | Leadville Trail 100, Leadville, CO | 1996 |
| Race | Location | Time & Place | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Marathon | Boston, MA | 3:36 | April 18, 2011 |
| Dupont Forest Half Marathon | Dupont Forest, NC | April 9, 2011 | |
| Shut-in Trail Race 18 mi. climb 3000' | Asheville, NC | 3:34 - 1st Place 60-65 | Nov. 17, 2009 |
| Asheville Citizen-Times Half Marathon | Asheville, NC | 1:37:38 - 1st Place 55-59 | Sept. 12, 2009 |
| USATF National 10K Trial Championships | Laurel Springs, NC | 1:02:46 - 1st Place 55-59 | Aug. 29, 2009 |
| Disney World Half Marathon | Orlando, FL | 1:39:28 - 10th Place 55-59 | Jan. 10, 2009 |
| Disney World Marathon | Orlando, FL | 3:36:15 - 11th Place 55-59 | Jan. 11, 2009 |
| Goofy Challenge | Orlando, FL | 5:15:43 - 3rd Place 55-59 | Jan. 11-12, 2009 |
| Disneyland Half Marathon | Anaheim, CA | 1:39:06 - 4th Place 55-59 | Sept. 30, 2008 |
| Asheville Citizen-Times Half Marathon | Asheville, NC | 1:40:10 - 1st Place 55-59 | Sept. 13, 2008 |
| Marine Corps Marathon | Washington, DC | 3:35:14 | Oct. 28, 2007 |
| Sunset Stampede 10-Miler | Asheville, NC | 1:12:51 - 1st Place 55-59 | May 5, 2007 |
| Disney World Marathon | Orlando, FL | 1:36:14 - 4th Place 55-59 | Jan. 6, 2007 |
| Disneyland Half Marathon | Anaheim, CA | 1:32:48 - 3rd Place 55-59 | Jan. 7, 2006 |
| Headlands 50K: National Masters 50K Trail Championship | Mill Valley, CA | 5:41:05 - 2nd Place 55-59 | Aug. 7, 2005 |
| Big Sur International Marathon | Carmel, CA | 3:19:12 - 5th place 55-59 | April 24, 2005 |
| Headlands 50K: National Masters 50K Trail Championship | Mill Valley, CA | 5:20:22 - 1st place 50-54 | Aug. 21, 2004 |
| Golden Gate Headlands 50K | Mill Valley, CA | 5:20:22 - 1st place 50-54, 28th overall | April 25, 2004 |
| Big Sur International Marathon | Carmel, CA | 3:18:46 - 6th place 50-59, 83rd overall | April 19, 2004 |
| Boston Marathon | Boston, MA | 3:18:47 - 49th place 50-59, 1331 overall | March 13, 2004 |
| Way Too Cool 50K | Auburn, CA | 4:41:20 - 3rd place 50-54, 57th overall | Dec. 12, 2003 |
| California International Marathon | Sacramento, CA | 3:14:56 - 6th place 50-59, 265th overall | Aug. 23, 2003 |
| Golden Gate Headlands 50K: USATF National 50K Trail Championships | Mill Valley, CA | 4:55:50 - 1st place 50-54, 33rd overall | March 8, 2003 |
| Way Too Cool 50K | Auburn, CA | 4:29:45 - 1st place 50-54, 51st overall | Nov. 30, 2002 |
| Quadruple Dipsea (28.4 miles) | Mill Valley, CA | 4:59:17 – 1st place 50-59, 20th overall | Aug. 24, 2002 |
| Golden Gate Headlands 50K: USATF National Trail Championships | Marin County, CA | 4:46:46 – 2nd place 50-55, 32nd overall | April 28, 2002 |
| Big Sur International Marathon | Carmel, CA | 3:04:18 – 1st place 50-54, 40th overall | Nov. 24, 2001 |
| Quadruple Dipsea (28.4 miles) | Mill Valley, CA | 5:22:20 – 1st place 50-59, 5th overall | Nov. 10, 2001 |
| Helen Klein 50 Mile Endurance Run | Sacramento, CA | 7:10:49 – 2nd place 50-59, 5th overall | Oct. 13, 2001 |
| Dick Collins' Firetrails 50 Mile Endurance Run | Lake Chabot Regional Park, San Leandro, CA | 8:3959 - 2nd place 50-59, 14th overall | Aug. 25, 2001 |
| Golden Gate Headlands 50K | Mill Valley, CA | 4:46:33 - 1st place 50-59, 13th overal | June 23, 2001 |
| Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run | Squaw Valley, CA | 23:52:51 - 7th place 50-59, 86th overall | May 5, 2001 |
| Miwok 100k | Marin Headlands, CA | 11:03:50 - 1st place 50-59, 19th Overall | April 7, 2001 |
| American River 50 Mile Endurance Race | Sacramento, CA | 7:15:17 - 1st place 50-59, 14th overall | March 10, 2001 |
| Way Too Cool 50K | Cool, CA | 4:19:18 - 2nd place 50-59, 27th overall | Feb. 10, 2001 |
| Jed Smith 50K | Sacramento, CA | 3:52:58 - 3rd place 50-59, 11th overall | Nov. 24, 2000 |
| Quadruple Dipsea (28.4 miles) | Marin County, CA | 4:59:26 - 1st place 50-59, 20th overall | Aug. 26, 2000 |
| Golden Gate Headlands 50K | Marin County, CA | 4:45:02 - 1st place 50-59, 6th overall | Aug. 6, 2000 |
| Skyline 50K Endurance Run | Castro Valley, CA | 4:25:43 - 1st place 50-59, 12th overall | May 13, 2000 |
| Quicksilver 50K | San Jose, CA | 4:30:31 - 3rd place 50-59, 10th overall | April 1, 2000 |
| American River 50 Mile | Sacramento, CA | 7:22:05 - 1st place 50-59, 15th overall | March 1, 2000 |
| Way too cool 50K | Cool, CA | 4:28:10 - 2nd place 50-59, 29th overall | Feb. 12, 2000 |
| Jed Smith 50K | Sacramento, CA | 3:50:10 - 2nd place 50-59, 11th overall | Nov. 27, 1999 |
| Quadruple Dipsea (28.4 miles) | Mill Valley, CA | 4:57:54 - 1st place 50-59, 20th overall | Sept. 6, 1999 |
| Pacific Sun 10K | Greenbrae, CA | 39:52 - 18th place 40-49 (631 entrants), 155th overall | Aug. 1, 1999 |
| Skyline 50K | San Leandro, CA | 4:24:15 - 1st place 45-49, 3rd place 40-49, 9th overall | May 23, 1999 |
| Lake Chabot Trail Challenge Half Marathon | San Leandro, CA | 1:36:58 - 7th place 45-49, 27th overall | April 10, 1999 |
| American River 50 Mile | Sacramento, CA | 7:09:51 3rd place 45-49, 24th overall | March 13, 1999 |
| Way Too Cool 50K | Auburn, CA | 4:09:27 - 3rd place 45-49, 18th overall | Feb. 13, 1999 |
| Jed Smith 50K | Sacramento, CA | 3:41:37 - 3rd place 45-49, 11th overall | Jan. 1, 1999 |
| DSE Hangover Run - 3.7 miles | San Francisco, CA | 24:00 - 1st place 40-49, 10th overall | Dec. 12, 1998 |
| Sunmart Texas Trail Endurance Run 50 Mile | Huntsville, TX | ||
| USATF National Masters Trail Championships | 7:09:31 - 4th place 45-49 (2nd place USATF 45-49), 15th overall | Nov. 14, 1998 | |
| Helen Klein 50K | Sacramento, CA | 3:45:31 - 1st overall, 1st place 40-49 | May 25, 1998 |
| Bolder Boulder 10K | Boulder, CO | 38:50 - 2nd in 48 yr. old age grp., 512th overall (37,554 entrants) | April 25, 1998 |
| Collegiate Peaks 25 mile Endurance Run | Buena Vista, CO | 3:29:59 - 1st place 45-49, 8th overall | Dec. 20, 1997 |
| Sunmart Texas Trail Endurance Run 50 mile | Huntsville, TX | ||
| 1997 USATF National Masters Trail Championships | 6:32:43 - 2nd place 45-49 (USATF), 10th overal | Nov. 15, 1997 | |
| Helen Klein 50 mile Ultra Classic | Sacramento, CA | ||
| 1997 USATF National Championships (road) | 6:26:49 - 3rd place 45-49, 7th overall | April 26, 1997 | |
| Collegiate Peaks 50 mile Endurance Run | Buena Vista, CO (low point on the course is 9,800') | 8:03:30 - 1st place 40-49, 4th overall | Dec. 14, 1996 |
| Sunmart Texas Trail Endurance Run 50 mile Trail | Huntsville, TX | 6:33:14 - 1st place 45-49, 11th overall | Aug. 23, 1996 |
| Leadville Trail 100 | Leadville, CO (low point on the course is 9,600') | 22:23:44 - 3rd place 40-49, 8th overal | April 6, 1996 |
| American River 50 mile | Sacramento, CA | 6:49:20 - 2nd place 40-49, 11th overall | Dec. 20, 1995 |
| Sunmart Texas Trail Endurance Run 50 mile | Huntsville, TX | 6:52:21 - 1st place 45-49, 8th overall | Nov. 16, 1995 |
| JFK 50 mile Endurance Run | Williamsport, MD | 7:17:24 - 1st place 45-49, 10th overal | Sept. 24, 1995 |
| 50 Mile Front Range Ultra Extravaganza | Boulder, CO | 6:29:53 - 1st place 40-49, 2nd place overall |
