Faculty & Staff Profile

Mark moved from his home state of Illinois to Salt Lake City in 1983 to see what it was like to live around mountains instead of corn and soybean fields. He’s been running as long as he can remember: racing alongside rocking boxcars on dusty gravel roads in elementary school; plodding the endless black-topped, humid, country miles that divide acres of green; pacing cinder, shale, and rubberized tracks through high school and college track programs; and now savoring many miles of Wasatch Mountain trails.

Bringing along coursework from various fields of interest from Eastern Illinois University and the University of Illinois, Mark received a BA from the University of Utah with studies in philosophy, English, anthropology, and dance. In 1994, he received a teaching certification through the master of education program at the University of Utah. Wishing to share his love for running, he began coaching in 1996. He now teaches and coaches girls and boys cross country and track and field teams. Mark is married to Sarah Wright, whom he first craned his neck over at a high school track meet but didn’t meet until coming to Utah. Together with their son, Eli, they enjoy making their home in Utah.

Read more about Mark Oftedal in Fine Print, the magazine of Rowland Hall