Combining the common sense of backwoods Kentucky, the sophisticated teachings of success and achievement, and his own compelling generosity of spirit, Stan Cottrell's words make us want to be better and more productive than we are. There is a man running your way. He carries a compelling message that's entertaining to your group. 

The son of a rural Kentucky farmer, Stan started his climb from the bottom. Cottrell, now 63, began his extraordinary running career at the age of 12, where he won his first race at a county fair in his home state of Kentucky. Stan's "Friendship Runs" - ultra-distance treks across entire countries have brought nations together in friendship, and his words have inspired millions. In China, for example, he covered 2,125 miles in 53 days, averaging 40 miles a day. That's like running nearly two marathons every single day for two months.

Stan's extensive background as an entrepreneur and in all phases of corporate life has uniquely prepared him to translate the message of success and inner strength from his life to his listeners. Audiences have been astonished at his unique ability to help us find ways of turning our dreams into reality.

Stan graduated from Western Kentucky University with a B.S. degree in Health, Biology, Psychology, and Sociology and a Master of Science in Community Health Administration.

Since 1955  he has logged more than 185,000 miles. This is more than 7.5 times around the earth. He has completed more than 38 productions promoting friendship, including twice across the USA, 12 country run across Europe, Korea (twice), Dominican Republic (twice), Jamaica (twice), Bulgaria (3 times), Crimea, Cambodia, Vietnam (twice), Berlin to Warsaw, and The Peoples Republic of China.

During the late 70’s and early 80’s, he set records for completing the most miles in a 24 - hour period and setting a Guinness record for running across the United States in 48 days.

Stan thinks living a successful life means to discover what you do well and do more of it. He runs and people come out and run with him. They laugh, play, and for a moment in time, they are as school children playing together. Somehow, they are all changed positively. In those moments they see each other as people…and the world is a better place. They are all messengers of trust, friendship and understanding. Running together is a wonderful way to promote these values.