Allison Had, a former standout runner at Arizona State University and a native of northeast Ohio, is in her first year as head women's cross country coach at Cleveland State University.

Had has been active in the running circles for 16 years, participating in five marathons around the world. She finished seventh at the marathon in Dublin, Ireland in 2000 while also running in races held in Honolulu, Charlotte, Kiawah Island, S.C. and Cleveland. She twice earned a spot on Team USA for the Duathlon World Championships, an event which has its participants run 10,000 meters followed by a 40,000 meter bicycle ride and an additional 5,000 meter run. She was on the 1996 squad that competed in Ferrara, Italy and the 1999 team for the event held in Charlotte, N.C.

The founding member of the Cleveland Triathlon Club, she started the organization with just six members in 2000 and helped it to grow to its current size of over 250 members.

A native of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Had graduated from Kenston High School in 1994, lettering on the track and cross country teams three times. She was a two-time all-league selection in cross country, qualifying for the state championship as both a freshman and sophomore.

Had attended Flagler College for two years, earning Florida Southeast Conference Runner of the Year honors as both a freshman and sophomore. She guided her squad to district titles in each of her seasons, qualifying for the NCAA championships both seasons. She set a school record with a 17:08 time in a 5,000 meter race.

Had transferred to Arizona State in 1996, lettering on both the women's track and cross country teams during each of her two seasons. She earned Academic All-Pac 10 honors in 1997 after finishing among the top two runners on the team in each of the six races during the year. Her track time of 10:17.30 in the 3,000 meters was the fastest effort on the squad in 1997.

After graduating in 1998, Had worked for one year as assistant cross country coach and women's athletic recruiter at Scottsdale Community College. In 1999, she moved to Charlotte, N.C. to take over as aquatics director for the central branch of the YMCA, a position she held for two years.

Had returned to Northeast Ohio in June of 2000 to become marketing director for the Wild Oats Community Market in Woodmere, Ohio. She began teaching in the fall of 2001 at St. Gregory the Great School in South Euclid, a position she held for two years before moving to S.S. Peter and Paul in 2003.

Had, who graduated with honors from Arizona State in 1998 with a degree in recreation management, is currently working towards earning a master's degree in early childhood education from CSU.