Palm Coast, Fla. resident Peter Hopfe came to the Embry-Riddle athletic program in January 2005 from Flagler-Palm Coast High School where he worked with both the cross country and track programs as either the head or assistant coach for 10 years. In 2001 and 2002, he led the FPC boys’ cross country teams to state titles. He led both the boys’ track and girls cross country teams to runner-up finishes at the Florida State meets in the 2001 and 2003, respectively, and also guided the FPC girls to numerous top ten finishes.
A two-time Florida State Coach of the Year, Hopfe has coached individual track and cross country state champions, including Sam Vazquez who holds the state of Florida high school record at 1600 m and was selected as Track and Field magazine’s 1600-meter Runner of the Year in 2003. Other notable runners include Justin Harbor who was a state champion in cross country and the two-mile, and Matt Ciancilli a multi-event state champion.
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Hopfe graduated from Bentley College in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in Management. While at Bentley, he earned four letters as a cross country and track runner for the Falcons.
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Although he competed at the collegiate level, Hopfe’s career as a runner blossomed after college as he focused on 5K road races and marathons at the elite level. Hopfe’s best time at 5K was 14:54. In 1987, he ran a personal best 2:28 at the Boston Peace Marathon, which earned him the opportunity to compete for the United States at the 1988 Moscow Marathon.
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Hopfe is also active in the local running community as a member of the Daytona Beach Track Club and the Ancient City Road Runners in St. Augustine. In addition to his coaching resume, Hopfe owned and operated a restaurant and multiple real estate companies. Hopfe and his wife Cynthia have two children: David and Peter.
