Training

Robson — Our quiet achiever and expert coach

Robson is the steady heartbeat of Bargara Coastal Runners.

A professional running coach with unmatched expertise, he guides us through Tuesday morning sessions and supports us every Saturday at parkrun.

Robson is a quiet-talking, no-fuss coach who never yells, never embarrasses, and always lifts people up. His calm presence, encouraging words, and deep knowledge make every runner, no matter their level, feel capable and inspired.

We’re incredibly lucky to have a coach who leads with humility, patience, genuine care… and Dad jokes!

Duncan — The stepping-up superstar

When something needs doing, Duncan is already there.

He fills in for our coaches at a moment’s notice, shows up for every early-morning long Sunday run, and somehow always keeps the mood light even before sunrise.

Duncan is our champion social-media reminder-poster, our unofficial stand-in coach, and the guy who brings humour, motivation, kindness and generosity wherever he goes.

For runners of all abilities, having Duncan at the front (or the back!) of a long run makes the whole morning feel easier.

Phil — Our mild-mannered machine

Phil is the quietly reliable force who keeps Bargara Coastal Runners moving, quite literally.

Mild-mannered in personality but powered like a Duracell battery, he’s always ready to lead, encourage, and clock up the kilometres.

Phil never misses a Thursday night run or a Sunday long run, and his consistency lifts the whole group. Beyond the club, Phil is the major coordinator for our district parkruns – a huge responsibility involving volunteers, logistics, and even helping set up new locations and events.

And after all that? He’ll still be first in line for a well-deserved coffee.

Tracey — Our calm, clear and clever coach

Tracey brings a special kind of magic to Thursday nights.

Another of our quietly spoken leaders, she has an uncanny gift for delivering instructions with both clarity and humour – a rare combination that keeps us focused and smiling.

Tracey is the undisputed queen of pacing. She keeps us honest with our pacing guidelines, teaches us to run smarter, and helps us improve not just our races but our recovery too, including her famous post-training stretching sessions.

Her gentle leadership makes every session feel supportive, structured, and achievable.

Annette — An endurance athlete who refines run technique

Annette is one of the familiar faces at Tuesday morning training and is always happy to step in whenever the club needs her.

While relatively new to coaching, she brings a long background in endurance events and a genuine passion for helping people discover what they are capable of. She is particularly interested in running technique and helping runners understand how and why they run, not just how fast they can go.

An active listener, Annette enjoys getting to know the person behind the runner; what inspires them, what keeps them motivated and, most importantly, what their short and long-term goals are.

She believes running should be something we can enjoy for many years, so longevity, overall health, nutrition and fuelling for longer runs and events are all part of her coaching philosophy.

Always open to feedback from fellow coaches and athletes, Annette is continually learning herself. She believes good coaching is about listening, learning and helping each runner become stronger, healthier and more confident.