Lynch, in blue, at the 2011 NYC half marathon

James “Jimmy” Lynch, a well-known New York City running coach who worked with elite and professional runners, was arrested Tuesday, November 26, according to the New York City Police Department.

Lynch, owner of Threshold Performance LLC, was charged with two counts of sexual abuse, two counts of forcible touching, and four counts each of unauthorized use of a professional title and unauthorized practice of a profession, a felony.

A 29-year-old woman alleges that Lynch, 53, had assaulted her during two massages in his office during February 2019. According to the District Attorney’s office, the woman reported that the “defendant insert[ed] his fingers into her vagina without permission or authority while acting in the capacity of a ‘massage therapist’ during massage sessions.”



Runner’s World is aware of another compliant filed with the NYPD that details a similar pattern and states that Lynch reportedly told the victim, “this is supposed to feel good,” during the assault.

A third woman says she received massage therapy and physical therapy from Lynch to twice a week for about three months between January and April 2019. After each session, she alleges Lynch kissed her on the neck and hugged her without her permission.

Lynch has never had a license to practice physical therapy or massage therapy from the New York State Education Department, according to The State Education Department Office of the Professions Division of Professional Licensing Services Public Information Unit. By billing himself as a certified PT and massage therapist, Lynch faces a felony charge.

Lynch is a longtime fixture in the New York City running scene. In 2011, he earned an honorable mention as Men’s Masters 2010 Road Runner of the Year. From the late 1990s until 2014 or 2015, he worked as a run coach at Wharton Performance (now Wharton Health). Lynch has been a familiar face at USA Track and Field events like the New York City Marathon and Millrose Games. In his capacity at the events, Lynch worked with several professional runners, including four-time Olympian Meb Keflezghi.

Lynch was arrested while at the NYPD’s fifth precinct. Lynch’s attorney John Buza said in a statement that “[Lynch] denies the charges. They’re completely bogus and we look forward to fighting them in court.”

Until his court date on December 19, Lynch is on court-ordered supervised release. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 1 and 1/3 to four years in prison.

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