In The Loop Running Club Profile: RunAsOne

Lace up and meet the inspiring team behind RunAsOne! Sportitude Running interviews the co-founders and coaches of RunAsOne, Riley Cocks and Isobel Batt-Doyle alongside RunAsOne running coach Jacob Cocks to uncover what this vibrant running community is about and how you can become a member.

Since it's beginnings 2 years ago, RunAsOne has grown to become 300 runners strong - creating a positive and encouraging environment where runners of all abilities can fuel each others' motivation to achieve their running goals and maintain physical fitness.

South Australian long-distance runner and Olympian Isobel Batt-Doyle is currently training to compete in the Women's 10,000m at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. We'll be proud to watch her cross the finish line on the 3rd of August and cheer her on as she represents Australia in green and gold.

With this support network of real-world athletes sparking your passion and sharing their professional running knowledge to put your best foot forward, you can reach your fitness goals - whether you run for recreation, have your heart set on completing a 5K race or even a full marathon.

Check out the interview with full transcript below.

How did you get into running?

Riley: I got into running following my brother’s footsteps in under 6s at Little Athletics. I found that I was good at the longer distances and haven’t looked back since.

Izzi: I got into running because my parents were really active people. They did half marathons and marathons. When my sister joined Little Athletics when I was 8 years old, I just followed her out there and I loved it ever since then.

Jacob: I started my running journey at Little Athletics and quickly made my way out to the Flinders Athletic Club where I started training for distance running at about 11 or 12 years old.

What is the story behind RunAsOne?

Riley: My partner Izzi and I founded RunAsOne at the start of COVID. We wanted to offer a running group for our friends and family and then it grew from there. We enjoyed bringing on lots and lots of new faces and new runners.

What advice would you give to new runners?

Riley: I think one of the best things to motivate new runners would be to try an event. We have so many events available now such as Parkrun, fun runs and marathons worldwide. Start at a Parkrun to set a time and then try to beat that time. It’s super motivating.

Izzi: My advice to new runners is to find a community of friends to run with. It makes it much more fun and you’re more accountable to your goals. Also, don’t overdo it at the start. It’s tempting to do a lot too quickly. Just focus on small steps, consistency and always having fun.

Jacob: To motivate new runners I would tell them to firstly focus on yourself and your own improvement. Doing the little things right to begin with, building a strong base before you go out to chase those big goals.

Who is RunAsOne for?

Riley: At RunAsOne we cater for all levels and abilities. We have so much diversity in the group, from older women to younger guys and little kids. We train people for events up to ultra marathons and finishing your first 5K. We cater for anyone.

When and where does your group meet?

Riley: RunAsOne meet predominantly at Victoria Park on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 6:30am. Each month we do a long run from a café that will change from time to time. We also do track sessions at the Adelaide Harriers Athletic Club.

What do the the sessions involve?

Riley: We have a wide variety of sessions ranging from fartlek runs to tempo runs to hill sessions and short and long intervals.

How can the group help runners achieve their goals?

Riley: One of the best things about RunAsOne to help runners is the group environment. It’s a really good environment out here. Everyone is super encouraging and it pushes you along the way. We also have expert coaches to provide you with a personalised program to really target specific goals.

How do you join and what are the membership options?

Riley: Runners can join RunAsOne by heading to our website and sending us a form submission. We have four membership options:

• Group training
• Individualised training program
• Remote coaching
• Trail running (new)

Do you offer membership trials?

Riley: Our memberships are paid memberships but we offer our first month for free so you can come along, give it a go and see how you like it.

The best way to get in contact with us is via our social media, being Instagram or hit us up on the RunAsOne website.

Any long-term goals for RunAsOne?

Riley: It’s hard to picture where the group will be in another 5 or 10 years. It’s grown so rapidly in the first 2 years. We hope to continue to inspire runners and help people reach their personal best.

Izzi: When we started the group in 2020 with 2 or 3 people, I would have never thought it would grow to 300 runners 18 months later. In the next 5 or 10 years who knows where we’ll go but I hope we can reach as many runners as possible and continue to make a fun and safe space for people to come and run, achieve their goals, push themselves, make new friends and feel like they’re part of something really special. Hopefully we can keep doing that for a long time.

Jacob: In 5 to 10 years I hope RunAsOne continues to grow as it is at the moment and continues to be a place where runners of all abilities feel comfortable and also inspired by those that have come before them and are doing really great things.

When: Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6:30am

Where: Victoria Park. 119 Wakefield Road, Adelaide, SA 5000

Instagram: @runasonecoaching

Website: www.runasone.com.au

Email: [email protected]

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In The Loop - Episode 1 - Running Club Profile: Torrens Park Run Club

Happy running!