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Achilles Adelaide Newsletter

Next Training – 7 November @ Glenelg

Location: Glenelg Rotunda
Meet from 8.45am for a 9:00am start
Session led by Justine, with a guest appearance from Achilles Sydney
Includes our fourth transport trial and monthly coffee

RSVP HERE: Helps us pair guides and athletes smoothly. You can update your plans later if needed – just message us or redo the form.

Achilles Adelaide 2026 Membership is now rolling into 2027 – Please follow the link to register and be covered until 31 December 2027. New athletes and guides are $60, including an Achilles top, and renewing members are $30 for the 12-month period. Achilles Adelaide 2027 Membership Registration

What’s on

Our activities calendar updates automatically, so this list always shows what’s coming up next. Saturday training is at the Glenelg Rotunda – meet from 8.45am for a 9.00am start. Please RSVP each week so we can pair guides and athletes.

Open the activities calendar in a new tab (easier to read with a screen reader or on a phone).

Fundraising

• Fundraising to send Achilles Adelaide Athletes to attend 2027 Australian Masters Athletics Championships in Perth. You can donate here.

🏅 Achilles Adelaide – Member Spotlight (Mick Keyte and Katherine Thrussell) – November 2026

Featuring: Mick Keyte – Guide

This month, our Achilles Adelaide Member Spotlight celebrates two of our guides – Mick Keyte and Katherine Thrussell. As Achilles Adelaide keeps growing, featuring one member a month would mean some of our wonderful people waiting years for their turn, so we are continuing our Member Spotlight series with two profiles side by side – sharing more of the stories, skills and generosity that sit behind every Saturday session.

November is also Glenelg Classic month (Sunday 15 November), which makes it the perfect time to celebrate two people who know the joy of a finish line – and who spend so much of their running lives helping others reach theirs.

Meet Mick

If you have ever looked through the photos from an Achilles Adelaide Saturday session, parkrun or race and wondered who was behind the camera, there is a good chance it was Mick Keyte.

Mick is both a guide and one of our community’s unofficial storytellers. He captures the pre-run laughs, the encouragement along the way and the huge smiles at the finish. Just as importantly, he helps make those moments accessible by adding descriptions so athletes who are blind or have low vision can share in the photos too. His pictures give members, families, supporters and funders a window into the spirit of Achilles Adelaide.

Away from Achilles, Mick has an impressive endurance history: around 12 marathons, six Ironmans and a decade of trail running, including long ultras in Australia and overseas. He is also a coach and trail-clinic leader, bringing plenty of practical experience – and a calm, adaptable approach – to his guiding.

Mick in pictures

Image descriptions for the Mick photos

Photo 1: Barossa Half Marathon, August 2026, out on the course. Claire F, in a white cap, sunglasses and yellow Achilles singlet, takes a selfie as she runs just ahead. Behind her, Mick and Alex run side by side down a long, straight bike path, both in yellow Achilles International Australia Adelaide T-shirts. Mick, on the left in a yellow and black cap with a “Guide – Michael” bib, is smiling. Alex, on the right with bib 3100 “Alexander”, is focused on the path ahead. They hold a short blue tether between them. Bare winter grapevines and green grass line both sides of the path, with low hills and a farm shed in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Photo 2: Barossa Half Marathon, August 2026: the finish line. Mick takes a selfie of the three of them, all in yellow Achilles International Australia Adelaide tops, holding up their purple and gold Barossa Marathon Festival 2026 medals, which are shaped like a bunch of grapes. Mick, on the left, is grinning under a yellow and black running cap. Alex, in the middle, is beaming, with his hair still damp from the run. Claire F, on the right, wears a white cap and sunglasses. Behind them, other runners mill around the blue Barossa Marathon Festival finish arch, with tall gum trees and a bright blue sky dotted with white clouds.

Photo 3: City-Bay Fun Run, 20 September 2026: the finish line at Glenelg. Mick, on the right in a yellow Achilles top and a yellow and black patterned cap, takes a selfie with Ricky, who wears a yellow Achilles International top and a blue cap and gives a big thumbs up. Mick guided Ricky to a 55-minute finish. Behind them is the big inflatable “City Bay – FINISH” arch, other runners crossing the line, and the red-brick Glenelg Library with its colourful painted circles, under a sky full of fluffy white clouds.

Photo 4: A selfie taken by Mick at Saturday training. Mick, on the right, is grinning widely at the camera in a yellow Achilles top and a black-and-yellow patterned running cap. Beside him on the left, Dragan walks along the paved seaside path in a yellow Achilles International Australia Adelaide T-shirt and a black cap, with his long grey beard catching the breeze. Behind them is a tall rusted-steel sculpture of a fish on a post, then rocks, the beach and the sea under a blue sky with scattered white clouds.

Photo 5: March 2026, checking out a new course. Mick takes a selfie, grinning, in a red cap and a yellow top with a running vest and water bottle. Beside him, Alex smiles in a yellow Achilles Adelaide T-shirt, a navy visor and dark sunglasses. Behind them is a sign reading “You are at: Warnpangga (Park 10) Running Loop” with a map of the loop, and a long avenue of gum trees in the Adelaide Park Lands.

Photo 6: City-Bay Fun Run 2026, out on the course. Mick grins into the camera in a running selfie, wearing a black and yellow cap and a yellow top. Behind him, guide Michael S, in a yellow Achilles “GUIDE” singlet, gives a big thumbs up as he runs with Ricky, who wears a yellow Achilles Adelaide T-shirt and green shorts; the two are linked by a tether. Other runners fill the road behind them.

A long endurance résumé

Mick’s running journey began with a last-minute invitation to the Barossa Half Marathon. From there came a marathon personal best of 2:39, a move into Ironman racing, and then the trails, where he found his calling among rugged tracks, big climbs and long days outside.

He has since raced across Australia and Europe, including representing Australia at the 2015 World Trail Championships in Annecy, France. His favourite event is the Lavaredo Ultra Trail in Italy’s Dolomites, while one of his biggest adventures was a multi-day journey around Switzerland’s Eiger massif.

A few highlights from Mick’s racing and community journey:

• Great Ocean Trail Ultra, 2024 – Mick completed the 100 km course from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles in 12:00:10, finishing eighth overall and first in his age category. The day included heat, soft sand, two snake sightings and a long stretch where managing water became critical. His practical advice: carry enough water, consider poles and train on the terrain you’ll face.
• Eiger Ultra Trail, Switzerland – a huge mountain-running adventure that Mick describes as around 280 km with approximately 15,000 metres of climbing, completed as a team over several days – his longest race, and a remarkable test of endurance.
• Representing Australia – Mick raced the 84 km event at the 2015 World Trail Championships in Annecy, France, after preparing for the long, sustained climbs with repeated hill sessions around Adelaide.
• Strong results close to home – first-place overall finishes at the 105 km Heysen Trail Race and the 75 km Federation Ultra Trail in 2020, second overall at the 56 km Yurrebilla Ultra in 2021, and second overall at the Ikara Ultra 50-mile event in May 2026.
• Giving back – alongside guiding and photographing Achilles Adelaide sessions, Mick has coached beginner trail-running and pole-use clinics, and helped get parkrun started in Coober Pedy to encourage local children and the wider community to get active.

Guiding and the Achilles Adelaide community

Guiding calls for more than fitness. It means reading the course, communicating clearly, adjusting to the athlete beside you and building trust – especially when the path is crowded, uneven or unfamiliar. Mick’s years on technical trails have taught him to stay alert to what lies ahead, while his own guiding experiences have reminded him not to take everyday sighted experiences for granted.

Mick’s contribution continues after the run, too. Through his photos and image descriptions, he helps the wider Achilles community relive the day and feel part of each other’s milestones. For Mick, the reward is simple: giving a few hours of his time so someone else can achieve something they once thought might be out of reach.

Questions & Personal Reflections

The essentials

How did you first hear about Achilles Adelaide, and what made you come along to that first session?

Fellow guide Che posted about running the London Marathon with Johnny and Achilles. I’d been looking for a group like this for years. As soon as I saw the post, I met Achilles and Justine the next weekend at Glenelg and knew this was the positive group I’d been looking for.

What is your favourite thing about Achilles Adelaide?

Just being able to make someone’s week by guiding them on a Saturday – whether it’s walking, jogging or running, whatever the athlete wants to achieve, the guides are there to assist. Making someone’s “dream” become a “reality”.

What is your favourite moment or memory from being part of Achilles Adelaide?

Too many to list, but just arriving on a Saturday and seeing the big smiles from the athletes – rain, hail or shine they are there and beaming, ready to roll. A special moment recently was guiding and training young Alex towards his first half marathon up at the Barossa. It was an amazing day, seeing Alex achieve such a huge goal.

Your story

Tell us a bit about yourself – where did you grow up, and where do you call home now?

Adelaide born and have lived here forever – great city, good hills, nice beaches.

What do you do for work, and how does it fit around all the running?

Currently an electrician, but having been with Achilles for six months now, I’m in the process of becoming a support worker. I have found helping others much more rewarding, and I’m looking forward to assisting others to achieve their goals in life. I see a shortage of support workers who can assist athletes to achieve their fitness goals – whether that is swimming, riding a bike, running or hiking – just getting someone outside and getting them to believe in themselves. Anything is possible; I’m here to make that “possible”.

How did you get into running in the first place? Was there a moment, a person or an event that started it?

A mate rang me on a Saturday night and said, “I’m going up to run the Barossa Half Marathon – do you want to come?” I jumped on board with very minimal training and went OK, then thought, “Hey, let’s run a marathon.” It all started from there, 20 years ago.

You’ve done marathons, Ironman and now a lot of ultra trail races – how did that progression happen? What pulled you from road to trail?

I’ve run maybe 12 marathons, achieved my goal (2 hours 39 minutes), then went on to something different – Ironmans. The problem was, I couldn’t swim very well, so I took a few adult swimming classes and completed six Ironmans.

Then I went on to trail running and never looked back. I’ve been on the trails for 10 years now, completing many ultras all around the world, my longest being in Switzerland – 280 kilometres with a few hills thrown in (15,000 metres vertical)!

What took you to Europe to race, and what was that experience like?

Europe has real mountains compared to Australia – big, big climbs with stunning scenery. It’s easy to run a race and then holiday around Europe with my wife.

Is there an event that changed how you think about your own limits?

There are three races:

• Melbourne Marathon, when I cracked 2 hours 40 minutes (just – 2hr 39min).
• Busselton Ironman: 10 hours and 5 seconds. Yes, 5 seconds – I was a bit disappointed not to go sub-10 hours!
• Representing Australia in Annecy, France, at the World Trail Championships.

What’s the hardest day you’ve ever had in a race, and what got you through it?

Getting lost in a race due to course-marking tampering – at the Brisbane Ultra 110 km and at a race in Asia. Both times I took a 10-kilometre “detour”, only to turn back, get back on track and finish the race. I’m not one to break mentally; I just reset and keep going. “You can’t change the past, so move on.”

Do you have a coach, a training group, or are you more of a solo planner?

I don’t have a coach, but I do coach runners to achieve their goals and find it rewarding to see them improve. I run solo during the week and then with a group on the weekends.

Guiding

What made you decide to become a guide rather than just turn up and run your own race?

A few hours of my time allows other athletes to achieve goals they thought may never be achievable.

Tell us about your first guiding experience – what do you remember about it?

Two things come to mind:

• I asked the athlete, “What colour bag do you have?” – a silly question, I realised after I said it. The athlete just laughed; I felt like a goose.
• Running with Johnny for the first time, I swapped with another guide, forgot I was guiding Johnny, thought I was still in front and almost ran him into a bollard. Lesson learnt pretty quickly that day!

What have you learned from guiding athletes who are blind or have low vision that you didn’t expect to learn?

So many things:

• Different types of vision loss
• Different types of canes
• Blind tennis recently with Joanne
• Tandem bike riding with Lizzie and Alex
• Simple things that sighted people take for granted can be very challenging for vision-impaired people

How do you describe a course to someone? Is there a trick to it, or does it change with every athlete?

I use two voice tones: one for general chit-chat, and another when I need to let the athlete know about the conditions ahead. It seems to work and the athletes seem fine with it. I’m probably a bit over-cautious, but I want to make sure the athlete has full confidence in me being their eyes.

What’s the difference between guiding on road and guiding on trail?

Trails are tough because there are so many rocks and dangers. I want to explore this more – I just need to find the athletes who are happy to give it a go!

Is there a moment out on a course with an Achilles athlete that has really stayed with you?

The excitement from Alex throughout his first half marathon – he was yelling out at times with excitement – and the BIG smile when he completed his first half marathon at such a young age.

What would you say to someone who’s thinking about guiding but isn’t sure they’re good enough or fast enough?

Just DO IT. The rewarding feeling you get from assisting others is priceless. You do not need to be fast – you can walk and make someone’s week with one hour of your time.

What do you wish more people understood about guiding?

The buzzing feeling you get making someone’s week very special.

Behind the camera

How did you end up becoming the unofficial Achilles Adelaide photographer?

I’m really not sure how that one panned out! It’s great catching memories from each week, and athletes can listen to the “captions” of their photos.

How long have you been taking photos, and is it a hobby that came before or after the running?

Not a hobby, but with phones nowadays it’s very easy to capture some great shots.

What are you looking for when you’re photographing a session or a race? What makes a good Achilles photo?

Smiles, the bright yellow Achilles shirts, and unexpected photos that people do not know you are taking – the raw side of being on the start line.

Do you have a favourite photo you’ve taken of our group, and what’s the story behind it?

I always like the circle of love at the start – everyone introduces themselves with big smiles, and I like to capture this photo. I just need to climb a tree to get up higher for the shot as the group keeps getting bigger!

Recently, when I took Alex to a shoe demonstration day at Run DNA, their photographer took a great shot of Alex and me both smiling, wearing the same shirt and shoes.

What gear do you use, and do you carry it while you’re running?

Just the phone or a GoPro. I can carry them both in my T8 shorts, as they have pockets around the waist for easy access.

You’re photographing a community where a lot of people can’t see the photos. Has that changed how you think about the images you take, or how you describe them?

Nowadays you can add a “caption” to the photo describing the scene, so vision-impaired athletes can get a feeling for the image and the situation it captures.

Trails, coaching and giving back

You coach beginner trail clinics – what’s the most common mistake you see people make on trails?

Overthinking things. Just chill, go with the flow and it will happen.

What’s your favourite trail in South Australia, and why?

We are very lucky in South Australia to have a lot of trails close by. All the foothills are great and vary from flatter runs to very hilly runs. The Flinders Ranges are awesome, Melrose is beautiful, and popping over the border to the Grampians is always a spectacular place to run.

Poles: genuinely useful, or a personality type?

Very useful in many ways. For big climbs they are great going up and down to save your legs – but also, for older runners, they give the stability and confidence to go faster downhill. With the correct technique, they work well.

The Great Ocean Trail Ultra sounded brutal. Would you do it again? Which bit would you change?

A beautiful race along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, finishing at the Twelve Apostles with amazing views. I’d definitely do it again.

Two snakes. Please tell us that whole story properly.

I see plenty of snakes on the trails and have run over the top of them more times than I can count. We just need to be careful in SA, and I always carry a snake bandage. The Great Ocean Road is known for snakes on the trail. I saw a couple, but neither of them attacked as such, so not too bad – it just makes you think that every “stick” is a snake!

What’s on the bucket list that you haven’t done yet?

I might just do a Backyard Ultra next year. The idea is to run a 6.7 km loop every hour, on the hour – the last one standing is the winner. The world record is now well over 100 hours – nearly five days straight! There is one in Adelaide next year and they have offered very good prize money, so I may just eye that one up.

What are you training for right now?

I’m generally fit and ready to go for any race around 100 kilometres, so I just enter at the last minute. Nothing on the radar at the moment, but that could change next week if a race pops up.

Another challenge I’m looking forward to is completing a triathlon with Achilles athlete Lizzie. She has always wanted to do one – we just need to practise the swim together.

Quick Strides with Mick

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not running, guiding or taking photos?

My wife and I like to travel and have been lucky to visit many parts of the world. I also like classic cars and have a couple that we like to drive when the sun’s out.

Family life – anything you’d like to share?

Married, no kids, and a cocker spaniel named Bronte.

Favourite place in Adelaide?

Morialta trails.

Favourite post-run food or coffee order?

Pizza and a beer.

Beach or hills?

Hills, without a doubt.

Sunrise run or sunset run?

Before sunrise – getting on the trails and watching the sun come up.

Favourite race you’ve ever done – anywhere in the world?

Easy one: the Lavaredo Ultra Trail in the Dolomites in Italy – a 120 km race through the most amazing scenery in Europe – followed closely by any race in Switzerland.

Dream travel destination?

Tough one – maybe Antarctica.

What does a perfect weekend look like?

Achilles on a Saturday, naturally (-: Out for dinner on Saturday night with friends, then hit the trails on Sunday for a long run, and out for a classic car cruise in the afternoon.

Something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I was part of the team that started parkrun in Coober Pedy. I worked with the kids at the school up there to get them more active, then got the ball rolling to get parkrun up and running. It’s been going for over three years now – not a huge number of people, but it gets the community moving and brings visitors up to complete the parkrun.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone standing at the start of their first event, what would it be?

Pace yourself. Don’t get caught up in the excitement – you will pay the price later on.

Final Word

Mick brings a rare combination to Achilles Adelaide: the perspective of an accomplished endurance athlete, the care of a thoughtful guide and an instinct for capturing the moments that make a community feel connected.

He knows what it takes to keep moving when a race gets tough, but what matters most to him is helping someone else discover what they can do. Whether he is guiding an athlete through a course, sharing trail-running skills or capturing the smiles that tell the story of a Saturday morning, Mick helps turn individual achievements into shared celebrations.

Thank you, Mick, for the time, experience, encouragement and care you give – on the course, behind the camera and in all the little moments that make Achilles Adelaide such a special community.

#AchillesAdelaide #MemberSpotlight #InclusiveRunning #VolunteerGuide #BlindSports #LowVisionCommunity #AchillesFamily #GuideRunning #TrailRunning #SouthAustralia

🏅 Achilles Adelaide – Member Spotlight (Mick Keyte and Katherine Thrussell) – November 2026

Featuring: Katherine Thrussell – Guide

This month, our Achilles Adelaide Member Spotlight celebrates two of our guides – Mick Keyte and Katherine Thrussell. As Achilles Adelaide keeps growing, featuring one member a month would mean some of our wonderful people waiting years for their turn, so we are continuing our Member Spotlight series with two profiles side by side – sharing more of the stories, skills and generosity that sit behind every Saturday session.

November is also Glenelg Classic month (Sunday 15 November), which makes it the perfect time to celebrate two people who know the joy of a finish line – and who spend so much of their running lives helping others reach theirs.

Meet Katherine

Katherine Thrussell is one of those guides who has been part of the fabric of Achilles Adelaide from the beginning – and who has quietly built one of our longest-running athlete-and-guide partnerships along the way.

She is a regular at Saturday training at the Glenelg Rotunda, she leads sessions herself, she turns up at parkruns, and even while preparing for a marathon of her own she fits Achilles in around training, children, work and much-needed downtime. We can’t tell you how grateful we are to have people like Katherine in our community. We are nothing without guides, and while we welcome guides and offer them maximum flexibility – we know it is all voluntary – it is priceless to have people who show up week after week and put their hand up to help whenever they can. If you have been to an Achilles Adelaide milestone – including our events, Government House, coffee mornings and our very first birthday in February 2026 – there is a good chance Katherine was there.

★ Did you know? Katherine once seriously entertained the idea of photography as a career – which explains why she was so happy cheering from the sidelines at the Moana run, capturing so many of our athletes’ moments on camera.

Katherine in pictures

Image descriptions for the Katherine photos

Photo 1: An early Achilles Adelaide Saturday at Glenelg. Ten of us stand in a line on the grass in the sunshine. Several guides wear bright yellow Achilles “Guide” tops, and the others are in running gear, caps and sunglasses. In the middle is athlete Cassie in a purple T-shirt, holding her white cane. Behind the group is the stone wall along the foreshore, then the beach, the jetty in the distance, a few event marquees, and a clear blue sky over the ocean. Katherine is among the guides.

Photo 2: Ballarat Marathon, April 2026, on the start line. Katherine takes a selfie of the four of them in a busy street, with hundreds of runners, orange barriers and Ballarat’s grand old sandstone buildings behind them. From left: Katherine in a pink running singlet and lilac cap with sunglasses perched on top; David Dall in a yellow Achilles Adelaide “GUIDE” T-shirt and black cap; Warren in a yellow Achilles Adelaide singlet and black cap (his face is blurred in this photo); and Serin in a pink and white singlet and pink cap. All four are wearing race bibs and smiling.

Photo 3: Glenelg Classic 2025, 10km. Three of “Team Cruisy” stand side by side on the grass, all smiling. From left: athlete Cassie in a yellow Achilles International Australia T-shirt, yellow cap, sunglasses and black shorts, wearing race bib 1533; guide Serin in the middle, in a yellow Achilles “GUIDE” singlet, white cap, sunglasses and bright patterned shorts, with bib 1542 “Serin – Guide”; and guide Katherine on the right, in a yellow Achilles “GUIDE” singlet, white cap with sunglasses on top and black shorts, with a “Guide – Katherine” bib. Other runners gather behind them, with a row of cream-coloured apartment buildings and a cloudy blue sky in the background.

Photo 4: Saturday 26 September 2026. Katherine (left, in a yellow “GUIDE” top, white Achilles cap and sunglasses) and Cassie (right, in a yellow Achilles International top, yellow cap and sunglasses) walk towards the camera along a path marked with a white line. Both are smiling broadly. Katherine holds one end of a short blue tether and Cassie holds the other. Behind them, another member of the group in a black jacket laughs as she walks. It is an overcast morning, with temporary fencing, an old two-storey building with a verandah, and palm trees in the background.

Photo 5: Achilles Adelaide’s first guide training session, 9 November 2024. Twelve guides in bright yellow Achilles “GUIDE” T-shirts and singlets stand in a row on dry grass under a large gum tree, smiling at the camera. Behind them are more gum trees, a footpath and city office buildings under a cloudy sky. Katherine is among the guides.

Photo 6: Glenelg, 12 July 2026, at the announcement of Shaw and Partners’ support for Achilles Adelaide. Around 50 athletes and guides, almost all in yellow Achilles tops, gather on the grass in front of the Glenelg rotunda with its red domed roof and ornate white trim. Two Shaw and Partners representatives in bright pink shirts stand at the front. Two black guide dogs sit with their handlers, an athlete at the front holds a white cane, and yellow Achilles Australia Adelaide banners stand either side of the group. Norfolk Island pines, apartment buildings and a clear blue sky are behind them. Katherine is in the group.

Photo 7: 12 July 2026. Katherine and Johnny, seen from behind, run side by side along a timber boardwalk beside the beach. Katherine, on the left, wears a yellow Achilles “GUIDE – #Go Achilles!” singlet over a white long-sleeved top, black tights and a white cap. Johnny, on the right, wears a yellow Achilles Adelaide “#Go Achilles!” T-shirt, black shorts and a black headband. Their hands are close together, holding the tether between them. A railing runs beside the boardwalk, with sand, a calm blue sea and a cloudless sky beyond.

Photo 8: Government House, 10 February 2026. Luci, Cassie and Katherine stand close together, smiling, drinks in hand, in an ornate room with pale yellow walls, gilded wall brackets and a dark timber doorway that opens onto a room with a crystal chandelier. Luci, on the left, wears a pale blue dress. Cassie, in the middle, wears a teal fedora, dark sunglasses and a red and white patterned shirt, and holds her white cane. Katherine, on the right, wears a white sleeveless top.

Photo 9: A Saturday run along the seaside path. Guides Serin (left, in a yellow cap) and Katherine (right, in a white visor with sunglasses on top), both in yellow Achilles “GUIDE” singlets, run either side of Alexander, who wears a black Pink Floyd T-shirt and holds a white tether. All three are smiling. Rocks and a calm sea are on the left, and other runners follow behind them on the paved path under a cloudy grey sky.

Photo 10: City-Bay Fun Run, 20 September 2026. Guides Katherine, Derryn and Jenny R and athlete Alex at the start of City-Bay, smiling, all in yellow Achilles Adelaide tops and caps, linked by a short blue tether.

Photo 11: City-Bay Fun Run, 20 September 2026: the Achilles Adelaide team before the 12km start. About 25 athletes and guides in matching yellow Achilles tops and race bibs line up together on a wide paved area, some in “GUIDE” tops and some in “LOW VISION” tops. One athlete holds a white cane and one guide kneels at the front. Palm trees, bare plane trees, stadium light towers and a bright blue sky with white clouds are behind them.

Photo 12: City-Bay Fun Run 2026, at the finish in Glenelg. From left, Jenny R, Alex, Katherine and Derryn stand on the grass in yellow Achilles Adelaide tops, each wearing a City-Bay 2026 medal on a blue ribbon and a race bib. Behind them are an apartment building, a large shade structure with raised walkways, other finishers and a clear blue sky.

Photo 13: A windswept selfie of Katherine with some of her beachside running crew: five smiling women in running singlets on a seaside promenade, with Katherine in the middle in a white cap. Behind them are a grey, choppy sea, a bronze dolphin statue on the left, a tall tree trunk on the right, and an overcast sky.

Team Cassie, and the long game

Katherine is no stranger to the marathon herself. Since that first 6 km City to Bay with her daughter in 2017, she has gone on to run the Adelaide Marathon, the Gold Coast Marathon (2025), and both the Ballarat and Melbourne Marathons in 2026 – and she has her eye on Sydney next.

Much of Katherine’s guiding has been alongside athlete Cassie Hames. Together with Serin Halliday, they have formed a partnership that has shown up again and again across our first two years:

• Glenelg Classic 2025 – “Team Cruisy” with Cassie and Serin.
• Seacliff parkrun, February 2026 – Katherine, Serin and Cassie.
• Achilles Adelaide’s first birthday, February 2026.
• The long Ballarat prep runs through early 2026, including a memorable 24 km training run.
• Ballarat Marathon, April 2026 – Katherine ran the marathon, on the start line alongside Serin, Warren, Karen and David. Unfortunately Cassie had to pull out injured, but that didn’t stop Katherine making sure Cassie felt included and loved.

Serin took on the marathon build-up with Cassie, and Katherine was right there alongside them – on the long runs, at parkrun and through the Saturday mornings. Building up to a marathon with an athlete is not a single day’s commitment – it is months of Saturday mornings, long runs, logistics, weather, injuries and adjustments. That kind of steady, week-after-week reliability is exactly what makes guiding work, and it is what Katherine has given our athletes even when she isn’t the one running the final marathon. Her time, effort, commitment and love for our community mean she is always there to lend a hand, both on the tether and with encouragement. When things get tough, Katherine keeps going – a treasured trait!

Leading from the front

Katherine is also one of the guides who steps up to lead a training session, which means taking on the running of the morning – welcoming people, working through the pairings, keeping an eye on everyone and making sure that nobody who turns up is left standing on their own.

Often Katherine does this around fitting in her own run before the session, sorting the kids and walking her much-loved dog, Amiri.

Questions & Personal Reflections

The essentials

How did you first hear about Achilles Adelaide, and what made you come along to that first session?

My beautiful friend Justine had been talking about this idea she had to start Achilles here in Adelaide. It came up on many of our morning runs, and I had no idea what Achilles was. When encouraged to come along to a guide training session with Phil from Achilles Sydney, I apprehensively joined, more to support Justine than anything else. I really had no idea what to expect, but meeting Phil and Angela, who I was paired with for our blindfold exercise, made me start to think that this could be something I could be interested in – and the encouragement, inclusive approach and flexibility were immediately appealing.

What is your favourite thing about Achilles Adelaide?

Meeting so many genuinely amazing people and witnessing the generosity of spirit and real sense of community that has been built from day one and continues to grow. I feel like I get so much more from Achilles than I give – a sense of belonging, the ability to help, making new friends and connections… being part of something bigger than myself.

What is your favourite moment or memory from being part of Achilles Adelaide?

There are so many, I am not sure I can choose one. There is one 24 km long run with Cassie and Serin in the lead-up to Ballarat that was truly fun and enjoyable – going with the flow, as Cassie likes to say, jumping into a parkrun along the way, lots of laughs and stories; the running was almost an aside to all of that. Early days with Johnny, seeing the joy on his face as he collapses on the ground at the end of a run! The first birthday celebration, seeing how Achilles has grown. My first run with Dragan, seeing him achieve his goal and hearing his stories. I could say something about each athlete I have been paired with, but we would be here all day.

Some of my favourite moments are those that happen outside the scheduled run or walk – in the car en route to or from an event, at monthly group coffee, on the bus ride to City to Bay. In these moments the chat is uninterrupted and the excitement of the group is joyful. Watching so many athletes at the Moana run – I was so delighted to cheer from the sidelines and capture some of those moments on camera.

Perhaps also the Adelaide Marathon Festival in 2025, the first event Achilles Adelaide took part in where we were joined by athletes and guides from Achilles Melbourne. It was wonderful to meet experienced guides from Melbourne, to learn from their experience and be involved with such a large group. I ran with Ricky that day and had a ball. I had no doubt that Ricky had more speed in him, and his recent achievement at City to Bay proves that – yet another example of an athlete kicking goals, which is fantastic to see.

Your story

Tell us a bit about yourself – where did you grow up, and where do you call home now?

I was born in Melbourne and lived there until I was seven. My mum, brother and I moved to Adelaide and I have lived here ever since, so Adelaide is home. Growing up, my brother and I made regular trips to Melbourne each year to see family. I would visit the art gallery, and usually there would be a shopping trip with one of my ‘god sisters’.

What do you do for work? How did you end up in that line of work?

Working as Team Leader, Planning at the City of Marion, I am fortunate to work with a team who are passionate about serving the community. Before this I was a leader at the City of Salisbury, and I also do some contracting as a side gig to keep my learning and breadth of knowledge going.

My career has given me the opportunity to work for master-planned community developers, architectural clients and local government. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from many amazing development industry leaders in both the local government and private sectors.

I have always worked in some form of customer service role, including some time on the Indian Pacific and Ghan trains. That was a fantastic experience – working with a close-knit crew and being part of passengers’ journeys and holiday experiences, some seeing Australia for the first time. Working on the train involved almost everything you can think of, from silver service in the dining car to cleaning bathrooms, making beds and putting water on the train. The Adelaide to Perth trip was probably my favourite, as we would arrive in Perth in the morning and be able to spend the day sightseeing or just having lunch with crewmates. Some of my fondest memories are of a day trip to Rottnest Island and lunches in Fremantle – we had a rule to always sample local WA wines. The trip includes, or at least used to, an optional bus tour in Kalgoorlie which takes in the red-light district among other sites of local interest. It is quite something to travel across the Nullarbor, especially during wildflower season, when typically we would essentially have two trains and two crews. There was one trip over New Year that was particularly fun, with crew partners invited to travel with us and join in the festivities.

Planning was not something I considered early in my studies; I really fell into it through my work with a private developer and exposure to local government. I have to say I feel like I have found a tribe of a different sort in local government – although maybe not so different, given a similar focus on community and service.

How do you fit training, guiding and volunteering around everything else in your life?

Poorly! I have always tried to volunteer in some way in one of my children’s activities, whether it be managing a football (soccer) team, school excursions, dance assistant or Board member, and have been fortunate to have flexible work which allows me to take time to be present for these reasons. As more of a morning person, I run or train early before school and work commitments.

However, somehow I do make it happen, and I have always enjoyed giving back, learning and being part of a community, knowing that volunteers are essential – giving back and helping is in my DNA.

How did you get into running? Were you sporty as a kid, or did it come later?

I was not a sporty child – I was a ballet dancer. I started dancing when I was four and danced through university. After Year 12, I considered pursuing dance as a career after auditioning for and being accepted into the dance program at the then Centre for Performing Arts. I share this love for dance with my youngest daughter, who dances, and we love to go to the ballet when we can. I chose to study architecture instead, thinking that was a more practical option, and because of a love for design.

The extent of my sporting activity before running as a parent was limited to front-yard football with my son – mind you, I spent most of my time chasing him around the yard trying to get the ball. Backyard basketball was also a feature, for which I believe I am undefeated, although Owen may have a different recollection!

How did I start running? My daughter Grace loves to run and encouraged me to join her – our first event was the 6 km at City to Bay in 2017. I did not enjoy running at first and could not imagine why she loved it so much and constantly ran with a big smile on her face. Grace encouraged me, and watching her and her teammates on the track each week inspired me to keep going. Making time to train more consistently and finding my tribe of running friends (Running Chicks and the Flinders Sunday run group) built my love for running, and now I am hooked!

Where did your love of dance – and the arts – come from?

I am not entirely sure where my love for dance came from, but apparently I often danced in the aisle at church as a young child, and my grandma was also a dancer. My mum does not dance but has shared her enjoyment of the theatre and is artistic in other ways. Mum has always sewn, making most of my dresses for school formals and 21st birthdays from an idea or sketch, as well as the multitudes of ballet costumes. Mum also paints, recently taking up watercolour classes.

My mum has always been very active in community service, sitting on various committees and boards, and is still involved in a number of these. Recently she was inducted as an inaugural Loreto College Marryatville springART Life Member in recognition of her work on that committee. While I admit to not really appreciating this work my mum did when I was growing up, it has obviously influenced me.

What was your first ever event, and how did it go?

City to Bay 6 km, 2017 – it was fabulous, such fun because I was running with my daughter Grace and we chatted the whole way until we were separated by a large group on Jetty Road. Grace went one way around and I the other, and she sprinted away to beat me over the line. It was a great event and I recall being so proud of Grace and thinking, wow, that was a long way!

We recently did the Melbourne Marathon together – me running the marathon and Grace the 10 km – and I was so proud of her, and so happy to be sharing this running journey with Grace (ballet with Phoebe and running with Grace).

From a 6 km City to Bay to four marathons – which has meant the most to you?

As my first marathon, the Adelaide Marathon holds special memories for me. Each event is special for a different reason – Gold Coast was built into a family holiday and running friends were also participating, Ballarat was my first event outside of Adelaide with an Achilles connection, and Melbourne included Grace’s run, which was great. I really tried to enjoy the atmosphere in Melbourne, and seeing friends along the way on two occasions and both girls at the end was uplifting. Seeing Kipchoge was something, and I have no doubt running into the MCG will be memorable for some time.

What does running and movement mean to you personally, beyond the times and the distances?

Movement in general has always been a part of my life – from dance, to dance parties in the lounge room solo or with the girls and my son Owen when he was young and shorter than me, swimming at school, and walks with family, to running. I still don’t say I am a runner, but running has become a means to stay fit and healthy and, more importantly, a source of connection with friends and community.

My running tribe and my children beg to differ on me not saying I am a runner! Maybe one day I will listen ;o)

You call Running Chicks and the Flinders Sunday run group your “tribe” – how did you find them?

I found the Flinders Athletics Club through Grace’s running, and there reconnected with a friend who is a parent from Owen’s former football club. Kylie introduced me to the Running Chicks, and I still remember my first outing, wondering how on earth I was going to make it from Brighton Jetty to Glenelg and back! It’s amazing what great conversation can help you achieve. The group was soon to take part in the McLaren Vale Half Marathon, and somehow I decided that sounded like a great adventure. It was a beautiful run, and Paul, the then President of the Flinders Athletics Club, was there to support both Kylie and me – and, I am sure, other athletes – which was very much appreciated.

As is often the case, a running achievement is followed by a celebratory meal – one of my favourite parts of running with such an amazing group of women who lift each other up. Running is not just about the running; it is listening, chatting, connecting, hearing their stories. My world has certainly changed in a positive way since embracing running in general, Achilles Adelaide, my favourite Running Chicks for early morning runs, and the communities that surround all of this.

Are there other sports, clubs or communities you’ve been part of over the years?

• Junior Committee member and team manager at West Torrens Birkalla Soccer Club
• Stella Maris Parish School Board member

Guiding

What made you decide to become a guide?

As I mentioned, I first came along to that guide training more to support Justine than anything else. What I didn’t expect was to realise that these are my people too. What started as supporting a friend has become a community I’m part of in my own right – joining the Achilles community has been a wonderful surprise.

Tell us about your first guiding session – what do you remember, and were you nervous?

Well, that first guiding session was memorable. It was a beautiful sunny day at Glenelg and the number of guides outweighed the one athlete significantly! In fact, we walked to the meeting place with no idea who would show up – it was way before having an RSVP system. A few of us newly trained guides stood around hoping someone would come (our back-up plan was a coffee), and to our delight one person showed up with a big smile and a willingness to have a go with us.

It was a great introduction, running alongside Cassie and listening to Mel make the calls – what a great teacher. I don’t remember being nervous, but expect there was some apprehension trying something new and unknown. A few years before Achilles, I made a conscious decision to say yes more often, put myself out of my comfort zone more and see what happens. It turns out amazing things can happen and you might surprise yourself.

Cassie has also become a valued friend, along with some of the guides from that very first day. Could there be a better start?

You’ve guided Cassie over a long stretch of time now. How has that partnership developed, and what have you learned from each other?

Cassie has a way of letting you know exactly what she thinks; she is generous with her knowledge sharing and really funny! There is never a dull moment and conversations flow freely and frankly. She is happy to share her experiences, for which I am grateful. Hearing some of Cassie’s stories, as well as those of other athletes, has given me a real insight into some of the challenges that people with a vision impairment and other disabilities face daily. I hope that my awareness has grown and that I can keep advocating in whatever way I can.

I am certainly more aware of people around me now and offer to help more, realising that with a few small adjustments our world can include everyone – if only people are more aware.

Tell us about Ballarat 2026 – the build-up, the day itself, and what stands out most.

I was devastated for Cassie when she had to pull out of Ballarat injured, but delighted that she decided to still travel and volunteer on the day. That says volumes about the person Cassie is – willing to help others, all the while missing out on her own goal.

It was lovely to have a group in Ballarat. Warren, Karen, David, David’s nephew, Serin and I were able to get together for a carb-loaded pasta meal the night before the race, and after the race Cassie, Serin and I headed straight for much-needed food and coffee. I always enjoy a debrief celebration after an event – it is so much nicer to share these moments with friends. Unfortunately, Karen had an injury flare-up during the run and was unable to join us. We did, however, join the Run As One crew for drinks later that afternoon. Ballarat is a beautiful place, and I enjoyed walking around the lake the next day as a gentle recovery.

How did “Team Cruisy” get its name?

I had to ask Cassie about this one! The story goes that other athletes were talking (at the Glenelg Classic, we think) about getting specific times or racing specific speeds in specific events, and Cassie said, “Well, I am just going to cruise along.”

It’s all about not going into anything with a time limit or speed in mind – so no pressure, and all about having fun and cruising along.

For me, that’s what Achilles is really about. Our guides do their best to support athletes who have time or racing goals, and it’s wonderful when we can – but it isn’t always possible to match a guide to every speed or distance, so a bit of flexibility from all of us goes a long way. At its heart, Achilles is about participation and fun, and Cassie sums that up perfectly.

I always love a chatty run or walk with Team Cruisy. Zero pressure, lots of laughs and even more fun and enjoyment.

What have you learned from guiding athletes who are blind or have low vision that you didn’t expect?

I probably didn’t expect the immediate connection that comes from trust. I am constantly in awe of the open mindset of each and every athlete, and the confidence they have to put their faith in me and their understanding if things don’t quite go to plan.

Is there a particular moment on a course with an athlete that has really stayed with you?

Seeing Sam come in last at the Glenelg Classic, guided by Kylie Pyne and Serena Murphy. The joy that Sam exudes is soul-lifting, and seeing that smile as he headed towards the finish was one of those times where the ethos of Achilles was clear – it’s not about who is the fastest, but getting it done and having fun along the way.

What do you wish more people understood about guiding – and about what our athletes are capable of?

You are only limited by what you can imagine – hard things are possible and we are all constantly learning. I consider guiding to be a real privilege, as athletes put their trust in your hands via the tether, and from that a real connection is forged, even if you are guiding someone for the first time. One hour to learn about someone new.

The idea of guiding can be daunting at first, but our athletes are generous, kind and flexible and will work with you. There is always someone who will want to go at your pace and no pressure to be at a particular level. Achilles Adelaide guides will train you and support you so you are never alone and can build as you gain confidence.

What would you say to someone who’s thinking about becoming a guide but is worried they’re not fast enough or experienced enough?

I would say there is an opportunity for everyone and absolutely no pressure to be a particular speed. Achilles is about getting out there and having a go, being in the outdoors and supporting athletes in whatever capacity you can and/or want.

You lead training sessions as well as guiding. What do you enjoy about that, and what’s tricky about it?

It’s pretty simple – I love to help. It is why I love my job and why I have loved being involved in any volunteering I have done. It gives me a sense of purpose, and I enjoy seeing others achieve their goals, whether that is a staff member growing their knowledge or an athlete improving in whatever way they seek. It doesn’t have to be big; it can be the small things that make a difference.

As our numbers grow, rallying everyone and making sure every athlete has a guide before heading off can be a challenge – usually because everyone is having such a great time chatting, so it’s a good problem to have! But honestly, leading a session isn’t an imposition and it isn’t difficult. The pairings and organising are done behind the scenes, the system and team are so good that every guide knows who to find, and really the team sorts itself out. You can come along for the fun, guide for the hour and leave it at that – or you can offer to do a bit more, help out on the morning, and stay for coffees and events. It’s all completely up to you.

Achilles Adelaide

You’ve been around since the start. What’s changed most about Achilles Adelaide since those early days?

Well, the most obvious observation is the sheer size of the community, but I also see the camaraderie that has grown, the confidence of both athletes and guides, and a long list of achievements, big and small – and I don’t just mean events. I would say what may seem small is actually not.

What has surprised you most about this community?

How much I look forward to my Saturday mornings and miss it when I can’t attend. I admit to a hesitation when Justine first floated the idea of guiding, but it very quickly became a welcome part of my routine.

Is there a session, an event or a person that made you think “yes, this is why I do this”?

This is a hard one. Going for a walk with Cassie outside of Achilles after her accident, when she did not feel confident to go out alone, comes to mind.

So does a recent walk with a newer athlete – I’ll call her K. English is not her first language, so we didn’t have the chatter that usually fills a walk, and I was a bit worried about what she was getting out of it. But when we got back, her carer told me how much she had enjoyed her walk – I believe it’s something she usually only does with her mum. So I guess sometimes it is literally just about getting out there.

What would you like to see Achilles Adelaide do or achieve over the next few years?

I would love to see more athletes able to participate. Hopefully the transport trial will enable this, and perhaps an expansion to include additional chapters to reduce travel distances for those who are not close to Glenelg – although I understand the logistics of that may be difficult. I already see so much more awareness in locals along the beachfront; hopefully this can continue and expand.

Any moments you’d like to give someone else credit for?

I would like to say thank you to each and every athlete who turns up, rain or shine – without them we would not exist. Equally to the guides who give their time, as we can’t do what we do without guides turning up.

Goals and what’s next

What are you working towards at the moment, big or small?

I have my name in the Sydney Marathon ballot and am looking forward to finding out on 3 November if I got in. If not, I think I will take an Achilles Australia charity spot to make sure I can go with my friends and have a great weekend of running, while running a World Major marathon in my own backyard. In the meantime I will work on consistency and getting strong.

Do you have a personal running goal you’d love to tick off?

A marathon that feels strong, and ideally to break that four-hour barrier. In Melbourne I really tried to enjoy my run more, taking in the crowd and getting involved, and while it did not all go to plan, I did exactly that and it was a good experience.

Any events on the calendar we should be cheering you on at?

• Victor Harbor 10 km – December 2026
• Sydney Marathon (fingers crossed) – August 2027
• City2Surf with Grace – 2028

Do you have a PB you’re proud of?

Completing the 12 km City-Bay in 2025 in my goal time of under 60 minutes is definitely something I am proud of.

Is there a race, anywhere in the world, that’s on your bucket list?

I would love to take part in a major event overseas to experience that atmosphere – maybe Berlin or London.

Quick Strides with Katherine

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not running or guiding?

Spending time with family and friends – it could be a walk along the beach or the Hallett Cove boardwalk followed by a smoothie at the Boat Shed. Alone time, if I can get it, includes reading (I am happy to read a favourite more than once). I also love to bake but don’t often get the chance. Over the years the children have challenged me with various birthday cake requests, some more successful than others!

Family life – anything you’d like to share?

I live with my two daughters, and I love it when my son comes to visit and stays for dinner so everyone is together. I have a wonderful brother and sister-in-law and a beautiful mother – and of course our much-loved dog, Amiri.

Favourite running route?

Along the beachside with friends.

Favourite post-run food or coffee order?

Definitely a coffee – long black – and usually some sort of eggs: avo and eggs on toast or, if straight after a run at the café, banana bread. There is a running joke in our house involving my girls: which number breakfast am I on? Breakfast 1 is something light before a long run, a snack immediately after, and then maybe a more substantial breakfast at home!

Beach or hills?

Beach.

Sunrise or sunset?

Sunrise.

Early start or sleep in?

Early start.

Walk and chat, or head down and focus?

Love both.

Go-to music, podcast or audiobook?

Triple J – and, as Phoebe likes to say, “anything old”, by which she means U2 or The Cranberries!

Dream travel destination?

I love Spain for the architecture, but one day I really want to visit Italy and the island of Salina, where family is from.

Something people would be surprised to learn about you?

My children tell me I’m funny but I don’t see it. The word “bananas” is hilarious and makes me giggle – it’s an inside joke.

If you could have dinner with any three people, past or present, who would they be?

My children – it is not often that I have all three in one place, so when I do, I try to cherish it.

What are you most grateful for right now?

I am grateful for the wonderful friends and family who make me smile, laugh with me and support me. I am grateful that I can choose to run – sometimes I think we need to remind ourselves of that when we face a challenge or don’t feel the best and the run doesn’t go to plan.

Final Word

Katherine is the kind of member every community needs and not every community gets: consistent, generous with her time, and willing to commit to an athlete for the long haul rather than just the good days.

From Saturday mornings at the Rotunda to parkruns, from 24 km prep runs to the start line at Ballarat (one of four marathons of her own), she has helped our athletes chase down goals that would not have been possible without a guide beside them – and she has done it with warmth and without fuss.

Thank you, Katherine, for everything you give to Achilles Adelaide.

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