Houston Group
Running & Coaching
Serving Houston runners since 2004
All paces welcome | 30-day guarantee
🔥 Our 2026 Team Roster Is Forming Now!🔥
Register Today & Become an IFR Member - Let's Get Running & Race Ready!
Registration is open for our upcoming 2026–27 group Prime season membership. Training starts June 13th, but registration will remain open through July 31st. We understand that during early summer, many are vacationing, so there's no rush to jump on board right away. But the sooner you sign up, the sooner we can get you training and running with the team!
Prime season is our primary group run coaching program that runs for 34 weeks from June 13, 2026, to February 6, 2027. Train with expert coaching, structured plans, group support, long runs, interval training (track & hills), race prep, and Houston's most welcoming running community!
Membership includes:
- Access to a running coach and fitness trainer with 29 years of experience helping runners excel, reduce injury risk, and improve race times
- Founded in 2004, you can put your trust in our proven track record of coaching Houston area runners
- Training schedules to get you race-ready for the Houston Marathon & Half or any race on Planet Earth
- Saturday fluid-supported long runs
- Tuesday morning & evening coached interval training workouts (track and hills)
- Sunday morning, once a month, trail runs at nearby local and state parks
- For more details on what's included in our Prime season membership or to register now, click here
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ In Flight Running Google Reviews
Check out our Google business reviews and see why Houston runners love training, racing, and logging the miles with us!
💯 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee! You Have NOTHING to lose yet everything to gain!
Join and train with us risk-free. If you’re not thrilled with your experience within the first 30 days of our season, we’ll refund your membership in full. We're that convinced you'll love training with Team In Flight!
🤔 Got Questions?
Chat with Coach Merlino in the chat window to the right →, email him at [email protected] or call/text him at 832-619.9280. He'd be glad to chat about your current running state and how In Flight can help you be the best runner you can be!
If you miss Coach Merlino on chat, make sure you enter your phone number and email address in your chat post so he can follow up with you asap!
Run With Houston's Most Welcoming Running Team
We have fun on the run and get the work done — from Houston’s bayou trails to scenic Southwest Texas road trips.
Houston Group Membership Options
Check out our year round training programs - Registration is now open for our 34-week Prime membership.
Year Pass
Membership
Feb - February - 48 weeks
Registration is CLOSED!
2027 Sign Up Opens in Nov
Year Pass bundles our Spring and Prime seasons for an entire year of In Flight training and coaching. This program is for runners of all skill levels who are actively running and have both short and longer term race goals for the entire year. 48 weeks, 45 Sat long runs, 40 Tue AM interval workouts, 40 Tue PM group runs.
Prime Season
Membership
June - February - 34 weeks
2026 Registration is OPEN!
Sign Up Before July 31st!
Prime is our Primary training season to help runners get race-ready for fall and winter races. This longer season coincides with most of the United States' long-distance running season, so more focus is put on those training for the marathon & half-marathon. 34 weeks, 33 Sat long runs, 28 Tue AM interval workouts, 28 Tue PM group runs.
Spring Season
Membership
February - May - 13 weeks
Registration is CLOSED!
2027 Sign Up Opens in Nov
Designed for runners who are actively running or just getting started. Focus is put on improving pace & times for shorter distance races. 13 weeks, 12 Sat long runs, 12 Tue AM interval workouts, 12 Tue PM group runs. We take one Saturday off in late March to road trip to Brenham to run the Bluebell Ice Cream Half, 10K, and 5K.
Spring Beginner
Membership
January - May - 18 Weeks
Registration is CLOSED!
2027 Sign Up Opens in Nov
Our Spring Launch program is custom-designed for newbie runners just getting started or those returning to the sport after a short or long hiatus. 18 weeks, 15 Sat long runs, 12 Tue AM interval workouts, 12 Tue PM group runs. We take one Saturday long run off in late March to take a road trip to Brenham to run the Bluebell Ice Cream Half, 10K, and 5K.
Houston Run Coaching for Your Next Goal or Race
Hello! I'm Coach Michael Merlino, Founder of In Flight Running.
For more than two decades, we’ve helped Houston runners train smarter, build fitness, reduce injury risk, and get ready for race day. Whether your next goal is a 5K, half marathon, marathon, or simply running stronger with a team, we’d love to help.
Have questions? Email [email protected], call/text 832-619-9280 ,or us the chat window to the right to connect.
Make the Miles Count!
No matter your running pace, skill level or racing experience, In Flight Running can help you take your running to new heights! Our training programs are based on four main pillars to help you take your running to the next level. Run happy, race well, meet new friends, and minimize your risk of those frustrating injuries that put you on the bench! Become a member of Houston's most welcoming running team and train with Houstonians who love to run as much as you do. Don't train alone! Train with In Flight! Let's get you started, trained up, running strong, and going the distance!
Coaching
Get full access to In Flight Running Founder and Head Coach Michael Merlino. Put his 28 years of fitness training and run coaching experience to work for you!
Training
Weekly group interval and endurance workouts to help you get faster and go the distance with training schedules you can access from a smartphone app.
Community
Run and train with Houston's
most welcoming pack of runners! All paces and experience levels
are welcome. See my Houstonians love running with us!
Racing
If you have race goals in mind, our programs are designed to get you race-ready! Pick your race anywhere on planet Earth & we'll get you trained & ready!
In Flight Running welcomes houston
runners of every pace & skill level!
We meet you where you are with your running journey and build from there. Just getting involved with the sport? We'll get you going farther, faster with safe, progressive training! Already an experienced runner? Then let's help you earn that next personal best at any distance! Life is too short to be playing around with your running! Let us help you become the best runner you can be now!
Register Today!Subscribe for free
run coaching & news
Subscribe and get free run coaching tips, invites to webinars, running motivation and the latest Houston and national race news delivered to your inbox.