John Babington

John Babington is in his 25th-year as head coach of the Wellesley College cross country team. He also leads Wellesley’s track & field program, which was elevated to varsity status for the 2010-2011 academic year. During his tenure, Wellesley has captured five New England Women’s and Men’s Conference (NEWMAC) Championships, most recently in 2005. Prior to the inception of the NEWMAC, Babington guided Wellesley to four straight New England Women’s 8 (NEW 8) Championships from 1993-96.

In the 2010-2011 seasons Babington had a record-breaking year in both cross country and track. He coached Randelle Boots '13 to a 25th place finish and All-America honors at the 2010 NCAA Cross Country Championships, along with her title of NEWMAC Runner of the Year. In the varsity track team's first season, Babington coached Boots to the national title at the 2011 NCAA Indoor Track Championship in the mile and Leah Clement '12 to All-American honors in the 800-meter race. Also in the indoor track season, he coached Clement to the ECAC 1,000-meter championship in meet record time. Then in the 2011 outdoor track season, Babington led Boots to another All-America title with a third place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships in the 1,500 meter run. 

Babington has been voted Coach of the Year by his peers seven times. He was named NEW 8 Coach of the Year three times, in 1993, 1994 and 1996. Since the inception of NEWMAC, he has been voted Coach of the Year in 1999, 2000, 2005 and 2009.  

Babington’s passion for teaching the art of running is not limited to his career at Wellesley. He served as head coach of the United States National Team at the 1990 World Cross Country Championships, and was an assistant coach on the U.S. Track & Field Team at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Additionally, Babington was named U.S. Senior Women’s Leader for the 2001 World Cross Country Championships in Belgium and was a member of the U.S. coaching staff at the 2003 World Indoor Track & Field Championships in Birmingham, England.

Prior to Wellesley, Babington was an assistant coach at Harvard and head coach of the Liberty Athletic Club, a nationally prominent women’s running club.

Babington, a graduate of Williams College and Harvard Law School, is an active runner, competing in road races, cross country and track & field. He completed the Boston Marathon 13 consecutive times through 1980, and continues to race in masters competition at distances up to 10K.