Newsletter

Achilles Adelaide Newsletter

Next Training – 9 May

Location: Glenelg
Meet from 8.45am an 9:00am start
Session led by Justine

Includes – Guide training and our monthly social coffee catch up

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 up – Please follow the link to register. Achilles Adelaide 2026 Membership Registration

What’s next:

• Expressions of interest in for Australian Masters Games in Perth – March 2026
• Human Guide Training – 25th May
• Optical Education Session – 15th June

This Months Upcoming Activity

Social Coffee & Guide Training 9th May

Next Months Upcoming Activity

Saturday 6 June – Kings Birthday Weekend Park Run (no Glenelg)

Saturday 13 June – Guide training and social coffee

Saturday 20 June – normal Glenelg training

Saturday 27 June – Glenelg Training – led by Angela

💛 Adelaide Marathon Festival 2026 – May 3 2026 – What a Day!

A huge shoutout to the South Australian Road Runners Club for once again hosting an incredible Adelaide Marathon Festival.

They continue to support Achilles Adelaide in the best possible way — from more accessible entry options to providing free guide bibs, which allows us to support our athletes properly (and keep costs realistic while still aiming for at least two guides per athlete). It genuinely makes a difference.

Last year, this event was our very first Achilles Adelaide outing, joined by Achilles Melbourne — and it was something special.

This year… we showed up in yellow 💛

Still growing, but a little more seasoned — and with almost the same numbers as last year’s combined effort with Melbourne. That says a lot.

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🏃‍♂️ Marathon

Warren (Guides: Craig, Corey to start, Anna to finish)

Backing up from “Run the Rat” just one week ago (with guide David), Warren delivered again — going well under 4 hours. Huge effort. Now… rest is non-negotiable 😄

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🔟 10km

Simon (Guides: Alicia, Emma McCosh) – A strong return to road running — finishing with confidence

Pelgrina (Guides: Beck Pearce, Justine) – First 10km event — and absolutely nailed it. So proud

Lauren (Guides: Nicola, Rosey) – Getting stronger every event — another great run

Ricky (Guides: Bruna, Erin Mack, Juliette) – Flew through the 10km — complete with a sprint finish that had the guides working hard too

Lizzie (Guides: Susan, Serin) – Smashed it — smiling from start to finish (and beyond)

Alex (Guides: Emma Morris, Leonie, Carlos) – Goal achieved — sub 70 minutes. Brilliant work. En route to a half marathon at Barossa later in the year

Cassie (Guide: Katherine) – Walking with purpose — no concern about cut-offs here, just determination and good conversations

Eva (Guide: Mikari + guide dog Henley 🐾) – Out there doing her thing — so good to see Eva regularly at sessions and events

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🖐️ 5km

Alimata (Guides: Jacinta, Dani) – Famous speed walk — just over 45 minutes 🔥

Jenny (Guides: Natalie C, Karyn HW) – Run/walk done right — strong, consistent, determined

Karen Mc (Guides: Jane S, Emily H) – Goal smashed — sub 60 minutes. There may be ongoing debates about sore legs in their house for a while 😄

Sam (Guides: Helene, Emma Bruce) – Chatty, bright and loving every minute — walked and talked his way through 5km

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🌟 Special Mentions (Guides doing big things too!)

• Clare Moase – 10km sub 50 minutes

• Kylie Pyne – 10km sub 60 minutes

• Tiani – Half Marathon sub 1:50 PB👏

• Megan – Super strong half marathon effort

• Anna – Half marathon in 1:33, then casually added another 14km guiding Warren… seriously? 😄

• Claire F – Marathon debut turned ultra marathon thanks to a wrong turn — handled like a pro

• Jaxon – Half marathon done in style as prep for Gold Coast

• Nat L – Completed her first half marathon and absolutely smashed it, running strong right through to the end

• Mike Keyte was further afield doing the Ikara Ultra 83km Flinders Rangers – he summed it up in one word “Stunning” ________________________________________

🌦️ And the weather…

Forecast: terrible

Reality: cold, windy… but no rain (well… unless you were running the marathon 😅)

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Moments like this are what it’s all about — shared effort, trust, laughter, and a whole lot of determination.

So proud of every athlete and every guide 💛

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Image description: A large group of Achilles Adelaide athletes and guides wearing yellow tops at the Adelaide Marathon Festival, standing in the race village at Pinkys flat

#AchillesAdelaide #AdelaideMarathonFestival #InclusiveRunning #RunTogether #CommunityInMotion

🏅 Achilles Adelaide – Member of the Month – May 2026

Megan Inge

Meet Megan 💛

Megan Inge is someone who brings calm capability, warmth and depth to everything she does. At Achilles Adelaide, she is a guide, runner and trusted presence — someone athletes know they can rely on.

Outside of Achilles, Megan balances two professional roles — working as a Fertility Clinic Unit Manager and as a Patient Recruitment Coordinator for a fertility research study. She is also a proud mum of two (aged 19 and 20). Megan discovered running at 26, navigating the demands of work, family life and training with quiet determination.

Whether she’s guiding on a Saturday morning, heading to the track mid-week, or supporting families through her professional work, Megan brings empathy, steadiness and care to every role she takes on. Her involvement reflects the heart of Achilles Adelaide — connection, inclusion and shared movement, grounded in respect and community.

Megan first discovered Achilles Adelaide at parkrun, where Serin warmly encouraged her to get involved after noticing her interest. What began as curiosity quickly became something much more meaningful. Over time, she has gently shifted her competitive energy into volunteering — finding just as much fulfilment in supporting others as she once did chasing personal results.

She loves being part of the running community at events and has especially enjoyed guiding at City–Bay (6km), the Glenelg Classic (5km), Run Moana (5km), and numerous parkruns. For Megan, being alongside athletes — sharing the experience rather than racing it — has brought a deeper and more meaningful joy to running.

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Running & Athletic Life

Running has long been part of Megan’s life. She is a member of South Australian Road Runners and continues to stay connected to the local athletics community through both training and competition.

Megan regularly attends Masters track nights on Wednesday evenings at SA Athletics Stadium, where she has guided Pelgrina — combining her own athletic background with her guiding role in a supportive and purposeful way.

In 2025, Megan returned to competition at the iconic Bay Sheffield — a reminder that her athletic roots run deep. Those who know Megan well know she used to be very fast — and while life has shifted her priorities over time, her love of movement, competition and community remains strong.

Megan has recently stepped into the role of Achilles Adelaide Masters Athletics Coordinator, where she is encouraging both athletes and guides to get involved in Masters Athletics — particularly the summer track season and future opportunities such as the Masters Games in Perth in 2027.

There is already a strong and growing group involved, including Pelgrina, Susan, Angela, Dani and Leonie — creating a fun, supportive and inclusive environment.

Megan’s proudest running achievements include:

• Completing her first marathon in Canberra in 2002 — despite not knowing if she would make the finish line
• Qualifying for the London Marathon at the Prague Marathon in 2016 with a Good for Age time (by just 17 seconds)
• Representing South Australia at the Gold Coast Marathon in 2014 and winning a bronze medal as part of a team

Her greatest joys now include girls’ weekends away for marathon events and the simple pleasure of training alongside friends.

Megan shares:
“At this stage of life, running gives me wellbeing, happiness and fulfilment — and I love seeing others discover that for themselves too.”

Her relationship with running has evolved significantly. After years of focusing on personal bests and performance, an undiagnosed injury over the past three years has shifted her perspective.

“I’ve embraced the social side of running and no longer see it as something I have to do, but something I genuinely enjoy.”

“At 51, with a stubborn leg issue, I know chasing PBs isn’t my focus anymore — but I can help others chase theirs. Seeing Pelgrina’s tears at the City–Bay finish line was a powerful reminder of what shared achievement really means.”

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Work, Life & Family

Megan works as Quality and Unit Manager at Family Fertility Centre, where she supports patients in achieving their dream of starting a family. Her work requires compassion, communication, calm decision-making and trust — qualities that translate seamlessly into her guiding at Achilles.

Earlier in her career, Megan worked in scientific and academic roles, including as a Clinical Embryologist and Scientific Director, with experience linked to the University of Adelaide. This background reflects her discipline, depth of knowledge and lifelong commitment to learning.

Family plays a central role in Megan’s life. With adult children and a supportive husband, she is now in a stage of life that allows greater flexibility — enabling her to commit more fully to guiding and maintaining her own training.

“It’s always a balance, and family will forever come first. I feel fortunate to now have the flexibility to show up for Achilles and for myself.”

When it comes to managing busy seasons, Megan keeps it simple:
“Two things — my Google calendar and early mornings.”

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Life Outside Running

Outside of running, Megan loves travelling and exploring new places — whether that’s overseas adventures or quick getaways closer to home. She enjoys cycling, hiking, listening to audiobooks, and has a keen interest in real estate.

She also values time spent with friends and family — enjoying good food and wine, coffee catch-ups, winery visits and the occasional comedy night. She loves cheering on her children at lacrosse and unwinding at home with her husband James.

“At this stage of life, it’s less about doing more and more about appreciating the people and moments that matter most.”

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Megan Says

“I love being genuinely helpful and supporting athletes who want to get fitter, build confidence, or achieve goals they may once have thought were out of reach. Being part of someone else’s journey is incredibly rewarding.”

“Guiding gives me a real sense of purpose. It reminds me that running isn’t just about times — it’s about connection, trust and shared effort.”

“Achilles has been a turning point for me. It has given my running deeper meaning and strengthened my sense of happiness and community. It makes me feel like I’m contributing to something bigger than myself.”

Megan also reflects on the friendships that have shaped her experience, including sharing the journey with close friends Susan Wilson and Asta McCormack, and building strong connections within the Achilles community.

“I keep coming back because of the people. The athletes are so appreciative, and the guides are simply wonderful. There’s a warmth and camaraderie that makes it feel like an extended family.”

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What Megan Has Learned

Achilles Adelaide often shifts perspectives — on sport, ability and community.

One of Megan’s most powerful experiences came during her first blindfolded training session:
“Even being guided by someone I trust completely felt vulnerable. It gave me a profound appreciation for the level of trust our athletes place in us every time they hand over the tether.”

Another standout moment was guiding Pelgrina on the athletics track for the first time:
“She was so grateful just to be included in that space — and that gratitude was incredibly humbling. Watching her power down the straight in a 200m race was unforgettable.”

Through Achilles, Megan has learned that fulfilment doesn’t need to come from performance alone:
“I once measured success in minutes and seconds — now I measure it in connection.”

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If Megan Could Go Back in Time…

“If I could speak to a younger version of myself, I’d tell her that success isn’t just about results. The relationships, resilience and memories last far longer.

Enjoy the process. Don’t worry what others think. Be present.

Fulfilment often comes from connection and lifting others up — not just personal achievement.”

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What Achilles Adelaide Means to Megan

“Achilles Adelaide is community in its truest form. It’s a place where everyone belongs — not because of how fast they are, but because they show up.

The trust between athlete and guide is something special. Handing someone a tether is an act of courage; holding it is an act of responsibility. That creates a connection built on communication, respect and care.

For me, Achilles feels like family.”

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Looking Ahead

Megan is excited about continuing to grow the Masters Athletics pathway within Achilles Adelaide, including building a team for the Perth Masters Games in 2027 and increasing participation in events like the Bay Sheffield.

She is also developing a Fertility Wellbeing Program at Family Fertility Centre — supporting patients through gentle exercise and holistic wellbeing practices during what can be a challenging time.

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Things You Might Not Know About Megan

• She’s good at headstands
• Red wine is her weakness
• She has a chocolate labrador and loves dogs
• She has completed 53 parkrun locations across 7 countries

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Quick Q&A

Favourite way to move: Horse riding (if a horse is available)
Go-to post-run: Açai bowl and a skinny flat white
Favourite place to train: Chambers Gully Trail
One word to describe Megan: Planner
Mood booster: A run

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Why Megan Matters

Megan represents the heart of Achilles Adelaide — someone who quietly gives her time, care and experience so others can move with confidence and dignity.

Her background as an athlete, combined with her generosity as a guide, helps shape the inclusive and supportive community we are building together.

We are incredibly proud to recognise Megan Inge as our Member of the Month for May 💛

Image descriptions

1. Angela, Pelgrina and Megan running along at a park run. 2. Achilles Adelaide members standing together after training at Glenelg. 3. Leonie, Lizzie and Megan standing together after a training session at Glenelg. 4. Leonie, Angela, Pelgrina, Megan and Susan standing together with medals around their necks. 5. Megan posing for a photo at the Womens in Sports Brunch 2026 with other Achilles Adelaide members and elite sports people. 6. Megan, Karen, Lizzie and Serin standing together after participating in a local park run event.