About William Ritter

From his early days running track and cross country in Carthage, East Texas, William Ritter discovered his calling in endurance sports at age 12. His passion carried him through high school and into college, where he competed for East Texas Baptist University and the University of Texas at Tyler. During this time, he took on leadership roles as VP and President of the Longview Running Club, showing early signs of his future coaching career.

In 2007, William found his passion in triathlons after his collegiate career at the University of Texas at Tyler.. He quickly established himself as an elite amateur competitor, consistently performing at the top level across various distances. His love for coaching emerged in 2010 when he began training a small group of athletes near Cedar Creek Lake. By 2015, this evolved into Fly Tri Racing (FTR), which became his full-time coaching venture in 2022.

Our Story

The name “Fly Tri Racing” reflects William’s love for speed – whether it’s flying through curvy roads in aero position or hitting full stride on the run. The wings in our logo draw inspiration from Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

Today, William leads FTR alongside his wife Calley in Tyler, Texas, where they live with their two sons, Evan and Rylan. Together, they’ve built more than just a coaching business – they’ve created a thriving community of passionate endurance athletes. 

Our Impact

FTR’s success stories span the entire spectrum of endurance sports:

• World Championship Qualifiers (Ironman & 70.3)
• Professional triathletes
• State and regional champions
• Olympic Trials marathon hopefuls (2028)
• First-time triathletes and marathon finishers
• More PR’s and BQ’s than we can possibly count. 

Whether you’re aiming to complete your first triathlon or gunning for a world championship qualification, FTR offers professional coaching that meets you where you are and takes you where you want to go.

Join our community of dedicated athletes and discover what you’re capable of achieving with the right guidance and support.