Toby Tanser

About the Author

After floating over five countries on three continents, surviving two brain surgeries on the left and right side of the skull, Toby intends on settling down—soon. He is a philanthropist, coach, author/writer, former professional athlete, and founder of Shoe4Africa. Profiled twice on CNN, featured as the humanitarian of the year for Runner’s World, with commendations by the Presidents of the USA and Kenya, he worked—unpaid—for two decades on a charity project. Most memorably on a mission to build East & Central Africa’s 1st public children’s hospital—mirroring Nelson Mandela’s South African dream. During this time, he constructed schools, hosted AIDS awareness & peace events, and re-gifted thousands of running shoes.

Toby has authored the books Train Hard, Win Easy. The Kenyan Way, Tafnews Press, first and second editions, The Essential Guide to Running the New York City Marathon, Perigee Penguin, More Fire, How to Run the Kenyan Way, Westholme Publishing, and now Running with Destiny, KDP. He was a columnist and wrote for numerous magazines/journals.

Toby sat on the NYC Marathon’s Board of Directors for 15-years (named a lifetime honorary NYRR member in 2000) and acted as a Board Director, then Vice President of a disability charity—Achilles—totaling 16-years. He served on several other boards and served as a member of the Runner’s World Coaches Advisory Board and a Commit to Fit ambassador for the global franchise Subway.

Toby became the inaugural and head coach of the NYC Nike Running Club, three additional city teams, and several charity organizations. He coached at the iconic Fashion Institute of Technology, also for paroled prisoners and police cadets. He continues coaching for Team Lifeline. For a lengthier bio; www.linkedin.com/in/toby-tanser/