Running smart ahead of city’s marathon

A GROUP of running coaches have united to provide expertise and scientific principles to training ahead of the Ballarat Marathon.

They have produced the official training guides for the April 26 race.

The collaboration between Ballarat coaching service Runners Prep, founded by exercise physiologist Mitch Kennedy, and Dr Ryan Worn, senior lecturer of exercise science at Federation University, led to the programs’ creation.

Their working relationship with Adam McNicol, the marathon’s co-creator, presented the group with the chance to produce the guides from the latter half of 2025.

Mr Kennedy said the programs were designed to provide structured training for anyone to use.

“We want it to be accessible to as many people as possible and as flexible as well given the nature of busy schedules these days,” he said.

“No matter what kind of running background you’re coming from, you were able to find a plan that would fit your needs.”

Dr Worn added that they wanted to provide a resource that helped to reduce opportunities for training injuries.

“There’s a high injury risk because every time you step you collide with the ground there is a small collision at your foot, so that has its toll on the body,” he said. “The key way of dealing with that toll is to have a properly conditioned body through properly prescribed training.

“So that’s not running too much, not running too hard and running when you should and resting when you need.”

The group, which included physiotherapist Rebecca Wilkinson and shoe specialist Ben Ludbrook, pooled their education and lived experience to design a Ballarat-generated approach to training.

Dr Worn said they had received positive feedback.

“We have expertise here,” he said. “We have a really strong running community in Ballarat and this really cool event. Why not show something off about this collaboration for the city of Ballarat?”

With less than a month before the sold-out marathon and half-marathon, Dr Worn advised participants not to rush their training programs, to use footwear from a reputable outlet and maintain a diet with high-quality carbohydrates.

Dr Worn said there was still time for potential runners to prepare for the shorter distances, with a training approach that included walk and run intervals of up to 30 minutes a day.

“And the goal’s not going to be to try for Australian representation,” he said.

The guides can be found at ballaratmarathon.com.au/training