As part of Arkansas Outside’s ongoing Women’s History Month celebration, we’re excited to share the second installment in our series. We’ll take a deep dive into the remarkable journey of Noelle Coughlan, owner of Fleet Feet Little Rock. In an insightful conversation, Noelle recounted her lifelong passion for running, revealing how early experiences and diverse adventures have culminated in a career dedicated to personal growth and building a vibrant running community in Central Arkansas.
Early Beginnings and Unlikely Beginnings
Noelle’s love for running sparked during her elementary school years in the 1970s. “My elementary school had a jogging club back in the ’70s. It was on Tuesday and Thursday mornings before school, and we probably ran in jeans,” she recalls. Running around the perimeter of her school in Annapolis, MD, wasn’t just exercise, it was her first taste of independence and joy. With a hint of humor, Noelle fondly remembers, “I had the nickname ‘Tomato Face’ because my face was always red. We even tried relay races—once, I fumbled the baton and missed. It was terrible!”
Despite these early athletic adventures, Noelle admits she never fully embraced the traditional school track scene. “I didn’t even know what cross country was,” she says, highlighting a playful detachment from the more competitive aspects of running.
Adventures Abroad and Outdoors
Not long after her early days in Maryland, Noelle’s family moved to the Philippines—a transition that marked another exciting chapter in her running journey. “I have a picture of my first 3K race in the Philippines,” she recalls. In eighth grade, she came in second in that race, a memory that remains amusing and formative. Reflecting on that moment, Noelle adds, “It was my first race ever. I don’t even know why I did it—I remember passing an older lady struggling in our neighborhood race. I think that was just my way of exploring the running world.”
Beyond running, Noelle’s youth was a mosaic of diverse activities. She fondly remembers biking to a local store—an early lesson in independence—and even dabbled in theater and water polo. “The eggbeater kick in water polo makes you strong. I loved it,” she notes, though she naturally gravitated back to running when water polo wasn’t an option.
Her passion for the outdoors was also nurtured during summers spent camping in the Adirondacks of upstate New York. “Every summer for ten days, we’d camp in the Adirondacks and hike the trails—I loved it,” Noelle reminisces. This deep-seated appreciation for nature and physical challenges would later inform her approach to organizing trail runs and outdoor events.
Finding Her Rhythm: From LA to Longer Distances
High school introduced Noelle to new cultural landscapes as her family moved—first to Japan, where she experienced the serene magic of early morning runs near the Budokan concert hall. “I remember running in the mornings in Japan,” she says. “There was something special about running before everything wakes up—the sound of a Japanese flute, the shakuhachi, and the cherry blossoms in bloom. It was peaceful. I can’t believe I did it—I don’t know what motivated me, but I enjoyed it.
Even her choice of running shoes tells a story of adventure and family support. “My parents would go to Korea on business trips, trace my foot, and bring back New Balance shoes. I don’t know if they were fake, but that’s what I wore,” she laughs.
In college at Syracuse, Noelle’s running took on a more personal, introspective quality. “I remember running to Manley Field House and back—it felt like jogging,” she explains. Competition wasn’t her goal; running was a way to explore and express herself.
It wasn’t until she moved to Los Angeles, living first in West Hollywood and then Culver City, that Noelle began exploring longer distances. “I turned 29 and thought, ‘I need to do something with my life.’ That’s when I got into longer distances,” she recalls.
Her first marathon, a quirky dance marathon during her college years—where she even earned the nickname “Buzzkill” as a referee with a whistle—was a turning point. “That dance marathon lasted over four hours. It was basically 100 miles if you think about it!” Noelle exclaims with a mix of humor and pride.
Embracing Community and Organizing Races
Noelle’s journey eventually led her to Florida, where a personal challenge opened the door to a transformative experience with Fleet Feet. Pregnant and experiencing leg cramps, she discovered the benefits of a ProStretch recommended by someone at the pool. “I bought one at Fleet Feet in Stuart—that was my first Fleet Feet purchase,” she recalls. Soon, she became a regular in their running groups, even managing the challenge of “pushing my daughter in a stroller while running—once, for 20 miles!”
Her involvement with Fleet Feet evolved from customer to community leader. Noelle began working at the store and eventually found her calling in race organizing. Today, she is the driving force behind events like the Firecracker Fast 5K and the Scorching Squirrel Trail Run, as well as fun runs like the Cookie Run and The Big Run for Global Running Day. “I’m most proud of the Scorching Squirrel Trail Run,” she says. “We’ve raised over $7,000 for Ferncliff. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact on our community.”
For Noelle, organizing races isn’t about making money; it’s about nurturing a community and supporting the parks and natural spaces she loves. “People think race directors make a lot of money, but most of us just want to keep events going and help the parks we love,” she emphasizes. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
A Lasting Legacy
Noelle Coughlan’s story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. From her early days as a red-faced elementary school jogger in Annapolis to her current role as a race organizer and community champion in Little Rock, her journey inspires women everywhere. Her life—and her work with Fleet Feet Little Rock—embodies the spirit of determination, community, and a lifelong love of the outdoors.
As we continue celebrating Women’s History Month, Noelle’s story reminds us that every step, every race, and every challenge is part of a much larger journey. Her legacy is not just in the races she organizes but also in the vibrant community she helps to build—one run at a time.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
