COACHES

Gilbert Tuhabonye

Founder and Downtown Group Coach

When he started the Gazelles training group in 2002, Gilbert wanted to make a difference. He wanted to help change and enrich the lives of other runners, just as running had changed his own. For more than 15 years, he has helped hundreds of runners reach their goals—from completing a neighborhood 5K to qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

Gilbert is a natural leader and motivator. Growing up in Burundi, he instinctively took on a coaching role on his high school track team when his coaches were busy with other sports. His genuine enthusiasm for helping others is expressed in every workout as he generously shares his time and talent with each Gazelle. Gilbert and the rest of his coaching staff pledge to create a fun, supportive and healthy environment for runners of all abilities.

Gilbert’s amazing life story is well known across Austin and beyond. To learn more about how his life as a student and top athlete in Burundi turned into a horrifying fight for survival in a national genocide, click here.

Personal Bests:

• 5K - 14:32

• 10K - 31:33 Overall Champion 2002 (Austin, TX)

• 10 miles - 50:50

• 20K - 1:03:15

• Half Marathon - 1:07:00

• 30K - 1:39:00

• Marathon - 2:22:07

Jay Clement

Far West Group Coach

Jay Clement started running with the Gazelles in 2004. He started with the program to try out a fuller training program and never left. He happily hangs out with the “regular Gazelles,” leaving Boston (marathon) for the really speedy members of the herd. Nevertheless, he has run 19 marathons and scores of other races. He still has his eye on the Vancouver and Grandma’s marathons for future goals.

Jay covers many bases for the Gazelles as a utility player. He draws the course maps and creates the posts for the Saturday long runs. He and fellow coach, Kenny Hill, do most of the hydration detail duties for Saturday as well. He became our Far West coach in 2018, and is having fun with that group of runners.

In his other life, Jay teaches guitar and ukulele. He loves music, and usually goes through his days being reminded of song lyrics. His 'once-a-year band' has played for the Austin Marathon for the last 11 years, helping runners through their 26.2 mile journey.

Helen Murphy

Youth Gazelles Assistant Coach

Helen is a former student and school athlete coached by Gilbert at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. She joined the cross country team her sophomore year of high school, and enjoyed it so much she decided to continue running year round.

Her introduction to Gilbert’s Gazelles Youth program came in 2016 from volunteering for the Youth summer camps. In 2020, she returned to Austin and began as the Youth Gazelles assistant coach. 

Helen is a college student working towards a degree in chemistry. She also coaches for the St. Andrew’s Middle School XC/track teams.

Anne Hughes

Club Manager

Anne started running with the Gazelles in 2004. She came to her first workout thinking it was a six week, one-time class on strength and speed work. Under Gilbert’s coaching and lots of support from the Gazelle community her marathon times improved significantly. Along the way, Anne discovered that the Gazelles are a family that have kept her coming back and running with the joy that Gilbert inspires!

Anne’s career background is in electrical engineering and engineering management. After retiring in 2022, she stepped into the role of club manager in 2023. As a long-time Gazelle, she hopes to continue providing welcoming environment for new members and maintaining excellent customer service for this great community of runners.

Core/Strength coach

Richard Mendez - FRI  5:30am