Meet the Coaches
At Fleurieu Run Tribe, we’re proud to have a passionate and experienced coaching team dedicated to helping runners of all levels achieve their goals. From seasoned marathoners to first-time runners, our coaches bring a wealth of knowledge, personal achievements, and a deep love for the sport.
Learn about their journeys, favorite workouts, and the inspiration that drives them to guide our vibrant running community. Together, we’re here to support you every step of the way—whether you’re chasing a new PB, building endurance, or simply discovering the joy of running.
Looking for personalized training? Individual online programs are available for an additional cost. Spots are limited, so contact us today for more details.
Emma Kraft
Qualifications:
- Athletics Australia Level 2 Development Coach and Advanced Recreational Running Coach
Personal Bests (PBs): 1500m: 4:42 | 3000m: 10:13 | 5000m: 17:26 | 10,000m: 36:25
About Emma: Emma’s journey into coaching was inspired by years of disciplined self-motivation and remote coaching based in Alice Springs under Team Tempo's Adam Didyk. Relocating to Victor Harbor in 2020, she established the Fleurieu Run Tribe, growing it into a vibrant community with over 80 members.
Running Highlights:
- 3x Zatopek 10 National Competitor
- 2020 Adelaide Marathon Winner
- Represented Australia at 3 x World Mountain Running Championships
- Completed Berlin, New York, and Chicago Marathons
Favorite Workout: 1km intervals for their measurable progression and VO2 max sessions for marathon prep.
Advice for Runners: Consistency and patience are key. "Endurance is built over time, while speed is lost over time."
Future Goals: Become an accredited Level 3 Performance Coach for Middle and Long Distance.
Nick Oakley
Qualifications:
- Athletics Australia Level 1 Recreational Running Coach
Personal Bests (PBs): 5k: 17:13 | 10k: 36:22 | Half Marathon: 1:19:27 | Marathon: 2:52:44
About Nick: Encouraged by Emma, Nick discovered a passion for coaching in 2022. He finds inspiration in the Fleurieu Run Tribe community and strives to help runners achieve their goals.
Running Highlights:
- Achieved sub-3-hour marathon (2:52).
Favorite Workout: Sunday Long Runs – great for planning and camaraderie.
Advice for Runners: Consistency is essential, but so is structure. "Train for where you are, not where you want to be."
Future Goals: Improve 5k and 10k times and expand 1:1 coaching programs.
Shane Porteous
Qualifications:
- Athletics Australia Level 1 Recreational Running Coach
About Shane: From triathlons to running, Shane loves helping others conquer "Their Hard." Co-founder of Victor Harbor parkrun, he combines technical knowledge with personal experience to guide runners.
Running Highlights:
- Co-founded Victor Harbor parkrun
- Completed Heysen105 and Geelong 70.3
Favorite Workout: Hill training on Granite Island and challenging interval/tempo sessions.
Advice for Runners: "We get to do this"—focus on the joy of the process.
Future Goals: Enhance top-end speed and excel in 70.3 triathlons.
Jess O’Keefe
Qualifications:
- Athletics Australia Level 2 Advanced Recreational Running Coach
- Level 1 Strength & Conditioning Coach (ASCA)
- Cert III in Fitness
About Jess: Jess began run coaching to complement her chiropractic practice, with a passion for helping new runners build routines and avoid injuries. During university, Jess was a solo treadmill runner until inspired by an incredible Tribe member, Jo Barns, to go the distance.
Running Highlights:
- Running my first marathon with a friend
- Sunshine Coast Marathon
- Queenstown NZ Marathon
Favorite Workout: Marathon-specific sessions, especially those focused on steady progress and endurance.
Advice for Runners: "Be patient. Everyone starts somewhere, and with consistency, you’ll achieve results you once dreamed of."
Future Goals: Continue guiding new runners to discover the joy of running while achieving personal growth within the running community.
John Rogerson
Qualifications:
- Athletics Australia Level 1 Recreational Running Coach
Personal Bests (PBs): 5km: 18:28 | Half Marathon: 1:37:59
About John: John discovered his raw running talent at Victor Harbor parkrun, where he also met some of the Tribe. His energetic personality makes him a favorite among Fleurieu Run Tribe group running coaches, where he thrives in this environment.
Running Highlights:
- Building confidence and helping kids as an assistant coach and buddy runner at the Jamieson Ultra (Encounter Lutheran College).
- Volunteering weekly at South Coast Little Athletics, where he is a crowd favorite due to his great rapport with kids.
- Running his first Half Marathon in Victor Harbor with Riley.
Future Goals: John aspires to run a marathon and participate in an ultra-endurance event such as a Last Man Standing or 'Back/Front Yard Ultra' format.
Favorite Workout: 10 x 200m with 1-minute recovery or 8 x 400m.
Advice for Runners: "Don’t give up, keep on running, kids."
Jason Smith
Qualifications:
- Athletics Australia Level 2 Recreational Running Coach
- Cert III & Cert IV (enrolled) in Fitness
About Jason: After becoming a fitness trainer, Jason realized that he had a passion for helping people and wanted to broaden his coaching skills. He’s also a coach at F45, where he shares his expertise in strength training and functional fitness, which perfectly complements running.
Jason has been on and off running since 2019, aiming to improve his fitness for CrossFit. He ran his first marathon in Adelaide in 2019 and later completed the 70km distance at Heysen.
Personal Bests (PBs):
- 5km: 21:34
- 10km: 44:49 (City-Bay)
- Half Marathon: 1:44:09
- Marathon: 3:50:06
Favorite Workout: Jason prefers flatter terrain and tempo pace workouts so he doesn’t have to run too fast!
Advice for Runners: "Run slower to run faster. Make sure you don’t go out and try to run too fast or too long too soon!"
Future Goals: Jason aims to beat his road marathon PB and would love to coach athletes to a personal best!