Twin Cities Running Club

It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of David Coyne, our friend, coach, leader, community builder, and mentor to many. Dave unexpectedly passed away on January 7, 2024 after a short illness. His father, age 100, passed away January 24 in Rochester, NY. See Dave's obituary and his father's obituary.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave's family at this incredibly difficult time.

Dave was a pillar in the local and national running community. He also lived a life of leadership in the realms of law, education, and civic participation. He was a champion for the success of the people he encountered. He will be greatly missed.

The StarTribune has published two articles about Dave highlighting his contributions to the running community:

David Coyne, Twin Cities running community fixture, dies unexpectedly

Like races, a Minnesota running ally, coach and advocate went to great lengths

A letter to the editor in the StarTribune of January 14:

A tribute to our running pal

Dave Coyne was a fixture in our running group, too (“David Coyne, running ally, coach and advocate,” Jan. 12). We ran at noon on weekdays from the Downtown YMCA, and we welcomed the new (fast) runner into our group when Dave joined up with us in 1985. On Saturdays we all met for a run at Lake Harriet, and then on to chat more at breakfast. Now 40 years into this, our Saturday Morning Running Group is multigenerational, with our kids and grandkids joining in. As our group has aged, run-loving Dave adjusted even to enjoying a walk at Lake Harriet.

Over the years, we ran as teams at Edmund Fitzgerald Relays, we hiked together on Superior Hiking Trails, we traveled to Iowa for Drake Relays, and we volunteered together for the Twin Cities Marathon. Dave was always there. Just two weeks ago, Dave was compiling a list of birthdays for our SMRG to help us remember. To our good friend, Dave: Godspeed.

FAYE BERGER, Golden Valley

The Twin Cities Running Club is strong and will continue Dave’s legacy. Group runs will continue each Tuesday night and on weekends. 

Sincerely,

TCRC Board of Directors

Dave with Don't Forget to Breathe RC at JS Bean Factory, December 24, 2023