Not many people can say they’re juggling raising two young kids, working full-time in healthcare, and training for a world championship — but Long Island’s own Maria Michta-Coffey makes it look effortless. The 39-year-old physician assistant and two-time Olympian is now setting her sights on the World Athletics racewalking championships in Tokyo, chasing more glory in a sport she’s dominated for nearly two decades.

Maria Michta-Coffey: Olympic Overview

Detail	Information
Athlete	Maria Michta-Coffey
Age	39
Hometown	Lake Grove, Long Island
Day Job	Physician Assistant, Northwell South Shore University Hospital
National Titles	Nearly 50
Olympic Appearances	London 2012, Rio 2016
Upcoming Event	World Championships, Tokyo (35K)

Balancing Two Full-Time Passions

Michta-Coffey has spent close to four years working at Northwell’s South Shore University Hospital while continuing to compete at an elite level — proof, she says, that athletes shouldn’t have to choose between a career and their sport. Married to a teacher at Sachem East High School and raising a six-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son, she’s candid about the unpredictability of parenting alongside training, admitting that life with kids rarely goes as planned but somehow “comes out okay” when you push through.

From Team USA to Mentor

Beyond her own competitive career, Michta-Coffey has become a mentor figure for the next wave of Long Island racewalkers. She’s currently guiding fellow Long Islander and 2028 Olympic hopeful Lauren Harris, who also came up through Sachem East before racing collegiately at Marist. The two have supported each other through major life transitions — Harris stepping away and returning to the sport around the same time Michta-Coffey was adjusting to life postpartum — turning their shared passion into a mutual support system.

Why Tokyo Matters

As she approaches 40, Michta-Coffey has acknowledged this stage of her career feels different from her earlier Olympic runs, shifting some of her focus toward developing younger talent while still competing at the highest level herself. Her colleagues at Northwell are reportedly planning to watch her compete in the 35K event, turning her hospital workplace into an impromptu cheering section from across the world.

A Growing Long Island Racewalking Legacy

Michta-Coffey’s story reflects a broader trend of Long Island producing standout racewalking talent, from high schoolers breaking national records to post-collegiate athletes eyeing the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Her journey — from a ninth grader discovering the sport at Sachem to a two-time Olympian mentoring the next generation — has made her one of the region’s most recognizable endurance athletes.

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