Dorota Gruca

Dorota Gruca, a 2008 Olympian and USATF Certified Level 1 Coach, has over 25 years of experience as a professional long-distance runner. Since 2016, she has been coaching runners in the USA with Bolton Endurance Sports Training (BEST). One of her notable athletes, Kristin Johansen, qualified for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta.

Originally from Poland, Dorota has trained in NM since 1998 and lived in New Mexico/ Albuquerque since 2009, hosting professional athletes from around the world for high-altitude training. She graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2020 with a degree in Physical Education.

Past Achievements:

  • 2008 Beijing Olympics: 30th place in the marathon with a time of 2:33:32
  • 2005 World Championships in Helsinki: 13th place in the marathon, setting a personal record of 2:27:46
  • 2004 Gran Marathon Pacifico in Mazatlán, Mexico: 1st place with a time of 2:28:49, the fastest recorded women’s marathon time in Mexico.
  • To date, she has completed 25 marathons
  • Polish National Records: Former record holder in the 5000m and 10,000m events.
  • Polish National Championships: 15-time champion ( 1-cross country, 4-5000m, 4-10000m, 5-half-marathon-1-marathon)
  • Masters career in the U.S.: 3 consecutive wins at both the Carlsbad 5000 and Bloomsday 12K from 2012 to 2014. In 2015, she placed 3rd in the Boston Marathon Masters division.

Beyond her athletic pursuits, she co-founded the Las Cruces Running Club in 2011 with her late husband and has volunteered as a coach for various running groups, sport camps and high school cross-country teams including Las Cruces (Centennial) and Albuquerque (Sandia).

In addition to her coaching career, Dorota joined the real estate field in 2024, bringing the same dedication and passion to helping clients find their dream homes. She is currently a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Legacy in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

If you would like more information about working with Dorota, please contact her at [email protected].