FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - Achilles Adelaide
I’d like to volunteer, how can I be of assistance?
Volunteers are warmly welcomed for a number of roles. These include assisting with guiding athletes with vision impairment to run and/or walk, looking after guide dogs and running/walking with athletes at events. We try our best to match your pace to someone similar to you. However, you must be prepared to slow down to a walking pace for our athletes who are starting to build up their fitness or are walking only. Volunteers can also offer to act as a guide outside weekly training sessions and/or assist with transport to/from training and events.
I can’t even run 100 metres! Can I still attend training sessions?
Achilles Adelaide welcomes anyone of any ability. Whether you have mobility issues or injuries that prevent you from running or you can run a marathon in record time, we welcome you to our club.
How often are training sessions?
We plan to train once a week at a location yet to be determined (somewhere central with easy parking and access for all). We also plan to train on a week night for a strength cross-training session once we get enough numbers to justify this session. We meet rain, hail or shine…so be prepared for anything!
I’d like to attend my first training session. How do I let you know I’m coming?
We will communicate online on Facebook or Instagram each week and plan to incorporate a weekly newsletter too. The social media posts will include a RSVP link to notify the rostered coordinator that you’ll be coming to our training session(s). Please ensure you are on our mailing list by contacting [email protected]
Do you have enough guides?
At Achilles, we never turn away anyone who is interested in guiding as we believe that everyone should learn how to guide. While our trainings are well attended, our athletes can sometimes be left without a guide outside these times. Once you’ve trained as a guide by attending a training session, please get in contact if you can help with mid-week runs or Saturday parkruns at various locations around Adelaide.
Is Achilles Adelaide open to vision impairment and physical disabilities only?
Achilles Adelaide will consider people with other disabilities on a case by case basis. Please chat to us if you’re interested and you have a disability other than vision impairment or a physical disability. Please contact us at [email protected] for an inquiries.
I’ve never guided anyone who is vision impaired. Can I still be involved?
No prior experience with guiding is required! We have dedicated guide trainers available at every Sunday training session, so you can come along on any given Sunday training to learn how to guide (don’t forget to let us know you’re coming though – see above: “I’d like to attend my first training session…).
How long is a training session?
We walk or run for about an hour in the local area. The distance, time and pace that you will run for will be agreed with the member with disability that you are assigned to.
I’m having difficulty getting to the training venue. Is there any assistance with transport?
Please let us know if you are having difficulty with transport. Achilles does not provide transport to training or events. However, we are happy to try to accommodate your needs.
Is there car parking at the training venue?
There is ample free car parking at the training location.
Are there any membership fees?
It costs $65 to join Achilles for the first year that includes a t-shirt. Renewing members who do not require a new t-shirt can rejoin for $35. For 2024/25, new members receive a club running t-shirt (subject to availability). Membership fees will also assist Achilles Adelaide to continue to provide an exceptional running group. This includes weekly training sessions, paid entry (where possible) into Adelaide running events, social events and learning how to run with people with disabilities. We are happy for people to “try before you buy” and attend training for a couple of weeks before committing to a membership.
I don’t have a t-shirt yet, who do I contact?
Contact our friendly treasurer team at [email protected] to organise your club shirt. As we do not keep excess stock, you may be required to wait until we place our yearly order for new shirts.
Do I have to attend every training session?
While we’d love to see you every week (because getting out and about is good for the soul), we understand that life happens and that you may not be available every week. Please respond via our social media links and eventual weekly newsletter to indicate if you are attending that week.
Is training still on if it rains?
Unless there is a severe weather warning, Achilles training will still run in rain, sunshine, but probably not hail. BYO ponchos and towels.
Is there an age limit to be a part of Achilles?
Achilles Adelaide is open to persons 16 years or older. Persons aged between 16-18 years must gain parental consent and be accompanied by an adult to participate. Should a prospective member be under the age of 16 years, we would encourage the person participate in other fantastic disability sporting opportunities for children and adolescents.
What happens if I sustain an injury at training?
While the risk of serious injury remains low when running or walking, participation with Achilles Adelaide is at your own risk and we strongly recommend you have personal ambulance cover in the event of a personal emergency.
What does training involve?
Able-bodied members are paired with members with a disability. We assign guides according to their interest and ability, so no-one need do more than they feel capable of.
If there are no guides available to match the pace of a speedier member with a disability, that member will be happy to run/walk at the slower pace of any available guide.
As one blind runner said, 'This is 100% better training than a treadmill, and 1000% more interesting'.
If there are more guides than people who need guiding, guides will typically join other groups for a run or a walk.
We aim to make Achilles a social environment for our members to exercise in. So “the more the merrier” for most of our members.
After exercising, we meet back at the starting point. All members are welcome to stay for a cup of coffee, tea or a juice at the local café. We are planning to have a once a month scheduled catch up for everyone to enjoy to have a social chat and catch up.
Watch this short video here put together by Achilles International on how to guide
Am I guaranteed a run at training?
No. Your pace at training will be dictated by the members with disability that turn up on the day. If you want to run and there are members who also want to run we’ll try and pair you up. But that run could be a lot shorter and slower than you would normally do. So please don’t rely on our training sessions as one of your usual running days. Typically our runner volunteers treat it as a rest day.
What if I can’t run?
Whether you’re just not a runner or you are a runner carrying an injury we still welcome you at Achilles.
We have a number of members with a disability that don’t run and rely on our volunteers to assist them on a walk instead.
Who are your members?
Our members (volunteer guides and members with a disability) range in age from 18 to 70+. We have anywhere from 10 to 40+ people attending our weekly sessions. People with disabilities who attend training may be vision-impaired, mobility handicapped etc. They walk, jog or run at various speeds.
Consequently, some of our volunteers need only walk with a member with a disability, while other volunteers may guide one of our running members with a disability.
We have several vision-impaired members who are keen to race and would love someone to assist them at the correct time. Please let us know if this is you.
Do I have to come every weekend?
No. We welcome all levels of engagement from our volunteers and members. Whilst many of our volunteers and members turn up most weeks we also have a large base of casual members who come less regularly.
While we occasionally have a roster for volunteer guides for our sessions, we do rely on others to show up. We have no way of knowing how many members with a disability will turn up at each session, and high attendance often means that we need more guides than those rostered.
So, if you would like to volunteer but can only attend irregularly and cannot commit to a roster, you will be very welcome (and needed). You can even let us know how often you would like to help out and we can add you to the rotating volunteer (ie non-regular) roster.
I have heard about Achilles in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Central Coast/Hunter. Is Achilles Adelaide affiliated with these groups?
Absolutely! Achilles is an international movement promoting inclusion in athletics. Achilles in Australia started in Sydney 20 years ago and has slowly spread down south to Adelaide via Canberra and Melbourne. We are proudly affiliated with clubs in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and encourage you to visit them if you are ever in their town. Please visit www.achillesaustralia.org.au for more information.
What else does Achilles do?
We intend for our members to have the option to participate in walking and running events such as City to Bay, half marathons, marathons and many community events.
We can also organise the occasional bush walk if people become interested
In addition to the weekly training sessions, we can organise extra training runs at other mutually convenient times and locations, especially when major events are coming up.
Sometimes we arrange social events, such as breakfast after the run or dinner before an event if we're staying overnight.
Over time Achilles Adelaide would love to expand to all areas of disabilities, both physical and mental, if we can get enough guides. Feel free to let us know of any special areas of interest you have or if you know someone who could benefit from such a service.
Achilles Adelaide sounds like a fantastic club. How can I become more involved?
We think Achilles Adelaide is fantastic too. We are always looking for a diverse range of people to assist with Achilles.
Want to volunteer as a guide or interested in finding a guide? Contact [email protected] where our volunteer coordinator will assist you further. For general enquiries, contact [email protected] where our committee can answer any other general questions.
Join our social media sites
Achilles Social Media Links - Instagram Facebook LinkedIn
I
I’d like to volunteer, how can I be of assistance?
Volunteers are warmly welcomed for a number of roles. These include assisting with guiding athletes with vision impairment to run and/or walk, looking after guide dogs and running/walking with athletes at events. We try our best to match your pace to someone similar to you. However, you must be prepared to slow down to a walking pace for our athletes who are starting to build up their fitness or are walking only. Volunteers can also offer to act as a guide outside weekly training sessions and/or assist with transport to/from training and events.
I can’t even run 100 metres! Can I still attend training sessions?
Achilles Adelaide welcomes anyone of any ability. Whether you have mobility issues or injuries that prevent you from running or you can run a marathon in record time, we welcome you to our club.
How often are training sessions?
We plan to train once a week at a location yet to be determined (somewhere central with easy parking and access for all). We also plan to train on a week night for a strength cross-training session once we get enough numbers to justify this session. We meet rain, hail or shine…so be prepared for anything!
I’d like to attend my first training session. How do I let you know I’m coming?
We will communicate online on Facebook or Instagram each week and plan to incorporate a weekly newsletter too. The social media posts will include a RSVP link to notify the rostered coordinator that you’ll be coming to our training session(s). Please ensure you are on our mailing list by contacting [email protected]
Do you have enough guides?
At Achilles, we never turn away anyone who is interested in guiding as we believe that everyone should learn how to guide. While our trainings are well attended, our athletes can sometimes be left without a guide outside these times. Once you’ve trained as a guide by attending a training session, please get in contact if you can help with mid-week runs or Saturday parkruns at various locations around Adelaide.
Is Achilles Adelaide open to vision impairment and physical disabilities only?
Achilles Adelaide will consider people with other disabilities on a case by case basis. Please chat to us if you’re interested and you have a disability other than vision impairment or a physical disability. Please contact us at [email protected] for an inquiries.
I’ve never guided anyone who is vision impaired. Can I still be involved?
No prior experience with guiding is required! We have dedicated guide trainers available at every Sunday training session, so you can come along on any given Sunday training to learn how to guide (don’t forget to let us know you’re coming though – see above: “I’d like to attend my first training session…).
How long is a training session?
We walk or run for about an hour in the local area. The distance, time and pace that you will run for will be agreed with the member with disability that you are assigned to.
I’m having difficulty getting to the training venue. Is there any assistance with transport?
Please let us know if you are having difficulty with transport. Achilles does not provide transport to training or events. However, we are happy to try to accommodate your needs.
Is there car parking at the training venue?
There is ample free car parking at the training location.
Are there any membership fees?
It costs $65 to join Achilles for the first year that includes a t-shirt. Renewing members who do not require a new t-shirt can rejoin for $35. For 2024/25, new members receive a club running t-shirt (subject to availability). Membership fees will also assist Achilles Adelaide to continue to provide an exceptional running group. This includes weekly training sessions, paid entry (where possible) into Adelaide running events, social events and learning how to run with people with disabilities. We are happy for people to “try before you buy” and attend training for a couple of weeks before committing to a membership.
I don’t have a t-shirt yet, who do I contact?
Contact our friendly treasurer team at [email protected] to organise your club shirt. As we do not keep excess stock, you may be required to wait until we place our yearly order for new shirts.
Do I have to attend every training session?
While we’d love to see you every week (because getting out and about is good for the soul), we understand that life happens and that you may not be available every week. Please respond via our social media links and eventual weekly newsletter to indicate if you are attending that week.
Is training still on if it rains?
Unless there is a severe weather warning, Achilles training will still run in rain, sunshine, but probably not hail. BYO ponchos and towels.
Is there an age limit to be a part of Achilles?
Achilles Adelaide is open to persons 16 years or older. Persons aged between 16-18 years must gain parental consent and be accompanied by an adult to participate. Should a prospective member be under the age of 16 years, we would encourage the person participate in other fantastic disability sporting opportunities for children and adolescents.
What happens if I sustain an injury at training?
While the risk of serious injury remains low when running or walking, participation with Achilles Adelaide is at your own risk and we strongly recommend you have personal ambulance cover in the event of a personal emergency.
What does training involve?
Able-bodied members are paired with members with a disability. We assign guides according to their interest and ability, so no-one need do more than they feel capable of.
If there are no guides available to match the pace of a speedier member with a disability, that member will be happy to run/walk at the slower pace of any available guide.
As one blind runner said, 'This is 100% better training than a treadmill, and 1000% more interesting'.
If there are more guides than people who need guiding, guides will typically join other groups for a run or a walk.
We aim to make Achilles a social environment for our members to exercise in. So “the more the merrier” for most of our members.
After exercising, we meet back at the starting point. All members are welcome to stay for a cup of coffee, tea or a juice at the local café. We are planning to have a once a month scheduled catch up for everyone to enjoy to have a social chat and catch up.
Watch this short video here put together by Achilles International on how to guide
Am I guaranteed a run at training?
No. Your pace at training will be dictated by the members with disability that turn up on the day. If you want to run and there are members who also want to run we’ll try and pair you up. But that run could be a lot shorter and slower than you would normally do. So please don’t rely on our training sessions as one of your usual running days. Typically our runner volunteers treat it as a rest day.
What if I can’t run?
Whether you’re just not a runner or you are a runner carrying an injury we still welcome you at Achilles.
We have a number of members with a disability that don’t run and rely on our volunteers to assist them on a walk instead.
Who are your members?
Our members (volunteer guides and members with a disability) range in age from 18 to 70+. We have anywhere from 10 to 40+ people attending our weekly sessions. People with disabilities who attend training may be vision-impaired, mobility handicapped etc. They walk, jog or run at various speeds.
Consequently, some of our volunteers need only walk with a member with a disability, while other volunteers may guide one of our running members with a disability.
We have several vision-impaired members who are keen to race and would love someone to assist them at the correct time. Please let us know if this is you.
Do I have to come every weekend?
No. We welcome all levels of engagement from our volunteers and members. Whilst many of our volunteers and members turn up most weeks we also have a large base of casual members who come less regularly.
While we occasionally have a roster for volunteer guides for our sessions, we do rely on others to show up. We have no way of knowing how many members with a disability will turn up at each session, and high attendance often means that we need more guides than those rostered.
So, if you would like to volunteer but can only attend irregularly and cannot commit to a roster, you will be very welcome (and needed). You can even let us know how often you would like to help out and we can add you to the rotating volunteer (ie non-regular) roster.
I have heard about Achilles in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Central Coast/Hunter. Is Achilles Adelaide affiliated with these groups?
Absolutely! Achilles is an international movement promoting inclusion in athletics. Achilles in Australia started in Sydney 20 years ago and has slowly spread down south to Adelaide via Canberra and Melbourne. We are proudly affiliated with clubs in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and encourage you to visit them if you are ever in their town. Please visit www.achillesaustralia.org.au for more information.
What else does Achilles do?
We intend for our members to have the option to participate in walking and running events such as City to Bay, half marathons, marathons and many community events.
We can also organise the occasional bush walk if people become interested
In addition to the weekly training sessions, we can organise extra training runs at other mutually convenient times and locations, especially when major events are coming up.
Sometimes we arrange social events, such as breakfast after the run or dinner before an event if we're staying overnight.
Over time Achilles Adelaide would love to expand to all areas of disabilities, both physical and mental, if we can get enough guides. Feel free to let us know of any special areas of interest you have or if you know someone who could benefit from such a service.
Achilles Adelaide sounds like a fantastic club. How can I become more involved?
We think Achilles Adelaide is fantastic too. We are always looking for a diverse range of people to assist with Achilles.
Want to volunteer as a guide or interested in finding a guide? Contact [email protected] where our volunteer coordinator will assist you further. For general enquiries, contact [email protected] where our committee can answer any other general questions.
Join our social media sites
Achilles Social Media Links - Instagram Facebook LinkedIn
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