Our Story

Created in 2017, Dakota Distance Project started as a running club when an elite athlete from Minneapolis, Kelly Brinkman, inquired Coach about his coaching services. In the infancy years, the roster grew into a few semi and elite runners who were chasing their goals, running many local Midwest races as well as many large marathons. Success would soon follow in the first couple of years when three athletes qualified for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. Through this time, the club remained small due to Coach Pooley's full time teaching and coaching schedule.

In 2020, Coach Pooley stepped away from teaching and coaching at the high school level to stay home and raise his two young kids. For the next few years, utilizing the kid's nap time to the fullest, the club slowly expanded to assist all levels of competitive athletes looking for guidance and support to reach their goals. With runners now located across the United States, Dakota Distance has grown into a club accommodating every level of runner. From youth state track and cross champions, to adult athletes hoping to run a 5k, to semi-elites pushing for Olympic Marathon standards, and to Masters runners trying to bring back youthful times, Dakota Distance is a supportive club for any runner wanting something a little bit more.

New to 2026, a refreshed logo with deeper significance to Coach was created with many layered roots to both his kids, his love for the outdoors, and the Great Plains states. Each piece in the new design carries a significant meaning.

Northern Lights - As a Dakotan, the gripping display of nature's beauty is always mesmerizing

Teal Green - Coach's son's, favorite color

Pink - Coach's daughter's, favorite color

Bison - Coach's favorite animal and American icon

Stars - The bedtime song Coach sings to his kids

Coaches Approach

Sustainability: findng a balance between life, careers, running and reaching for goals
Small Gains, Big results: run by run or brick by brick, establishing good habits and building towards something great
Competitiveness: embrace, then fuel, that inner drive to achieve something great

Coach Eric Pooley

I have been an avid runner for over 20+ years and I have 15+ years of coaching experience. I love any run, but there is something extra special about running through the Ozark Trails located in my current hometown of Bella Vista, AR. I train for the occasional race, but many of my runs are designed around finding the right ones for my athletes. When I am not running or coaching, I am chasing my kids to and from school and trying to win our uphill driveway races when we are home.

Dakota Distance Project (2017+)

3 x 2020 USTAF Marathon Olympic Trials Qualifiers
Guided 5 different marathoners to 2:45 or under
Guided 10 different marathoners to break 3 hours
Guided 18 different runners to Boston qualifying times
USATF Coaches Registry Certification

Sioux Falls Lincoln XC/T&F

(2009 - 2019, 11 years)

10 Boys and Girls South Dakota Team State XC Championships from 2012 - 2019
- Boys state record low total, 22 points - 2018
8 SD Individual Cross Country Champions
15 SD Individual Track & Field Champions
3 Gatorade SD XC Runners of the Year
2014 Nike XC Nationals
2019 New Balance Outdoor Track Nationals

Awards at SFL

5 X SD CC/TF Coach Association Circle of Champions COY
3 X United States TF/CC Coaches Association Boys SD XC COY
National High School Athletic Coaches Association Boys XC COY Finalist - 2018