Achilles Melbourne

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Melbourne, VIC
Achilles Melbourne

To enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics, promote personal achievements, fitness and enhance self esteem

Achilles Running Club Melbourne is the Melbourne Chapter of Achilles in Australia and internationally. We promote inclusion in running and welcome people of any ability to join our club. Our athletes have vision impairment or physical disability. They run with guides/volunteers and work together towards fitness goals in a social and supportive environment. Achilles Running Club Melbourne is affili

ated with Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria and Achilles Running Clubs of Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Hunter/Central Coast. We train on a weekly basis every Sunday at 8:30am meeting at the Tan running track, fountain at the corner of Linlithgow Avenue and St Kilda Rd and Wednesdays at 6:15pm (Strength cross training) online or at the Tan.

21/08/2026

Here's a snapshot of some images of parkrun from last weekend
Wendy G is celebrated her 500th parkrun at Gardiners Creek. Sheila, Winson, Jacinta, Marg and Claudia were there to celebrate!

We had Rhi, Peggy, Erika and Matt in Shepparton before the Running Festival kicked off.

Everyone else stayed local to Melbourne.
Please share your parkrun photos with us. In WhatsApp photo sharing chat or by email. Or drop your photos below!

Save the Date!
Claudia is hoping to achieve their 250th parkrun on Saturday 19 September at The Phar Lap Track in Braeside.
All welcome.

Where are you parkrunning tomorrow?

20/08/2026

Newsletter Alert!

As we approach the end of August, we have a few members aiming for marathons. These are true team efforts, not just on race day, but also in the training and preparation phase. If you're able to help with a few early starts or long runs shared between guides or as a single guide, please let us know if you can help.

PLUS don't miss your entry to London or Tokyo, or closer to home: a spot on the trail bus! This weekend is also our coffee catch up, heading to BearBrass at 10am after training.

All the details in this week's newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/69f2cd00b61d/training-returns-this-sunday-6755555

[PD: Helen, Mikey and Sami smile together inside the rotunda]

17/08/2026

Congrats to all our teams at the Campbell's Shepparton Running Festival over the weekend!

Erika and Peggy with medals smiling together in front of red, white and blue Shepparton running festival banner. Text overlay: "Shepparton running fest"

Another strong 21ks from Peggy and guide Erika's first ever half mara! Peggy Soo Erika Jane

PD: Peggy and Erika run together on a paved path that is shaded by thick tall gums. Text overlay as per caption.

The course was re-routed at the last minute due to flooding. Team Pete and Simon Jim Achilles Simon navigated the narrow out-and-back trail like pros with a sub 2 hr half mara 💪

PD: Peter and Simon run in sync on a narrow gravel path in an open area with sparse tall trees and runners in both directions behind them. Text overlay as per caption

Vice Pres Maddy swapped Achilles yellow for Vollie yellow handing out the bling at the finish line. Buzz the Galactic Seeing Eye Dog

PD Maddy in a yellow vest on her yellow Achilles hoodie holds a bunch of medals smiling and looking to the right of the photo .

Guide Matt was also out on course running and snapping our team 📸 Matt Hopcraft Peggy Soo

PD Peggy and Matt with medals and in Achilles yellow in front of the blue white and red Shepparton signage.

Super guide, Chelsea, and Will soaked up the sun in the half mara Chelsea Crouser

[PD: Chelsea runs behind Will on the edge of a gravel path in an open area. Vivid blue sky and a strong shadow cast behind them]

More friendly faces (and voice met us at the finish line with Rhi on the official.mic 🎤) Rhiannon Rowbotham
Buzz the Galactic Seeing Eye Dog

PD selfie from Rhi with Maddy in the background and Shepparton running fest arch behind them.

Achilles fam: loving our regional runs together!

PD: Selfie from Chelsea with Fiona, Pete, Simon, Will, Matt, Erika and Peggy behind..

14/08/2026

Where are you parkrunning tomorrow?
Wendy G is celebrating her 500th parkrun at Gardiners Creek. There might be a few Achilles joining her celebrations!

Last week, Marg H was still enjoying the Sunshine Coast at Kawana parkrun.

Peter E and Simon B were doing a fantastic job running guide training at Prince of Wales in Ballarat.

Blake B was at Ocean Grove

Most other members were scattered around Melbourne.
Here's a snapshot of some images of parkrun from last weekend

13/08/2026

Stop scrolling! Can you help our VIPs?

We're searching for guides to help our VIPs achieve some marathon goals. We have requests for super long Sunday runs (or you can share the distance between guide friends!) and mid-week runs in the west, the city and the east.

Or if you want to slow down for a trail run with TrailBus, don't forget to register. Perhaps you want to go even slower for a coffee, then mark your diaries for the next coffee catch up!

PLUS Tokyo and London ballots are open. This might be your chance!

Details in this week's newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/5d5abd6d64b6/training-returns-this-sunday-6755420

[PD: Michelle and Maysa run along the Tan with wintery trees bordering the bath behind them.]

12/08/2026

Our very own guide, Esther, (for at least a few more days!) was featured in Vet Practice Magazine ! Esther shared her experience getting to know Achilles, running with us and encourages others to give guiding a go!

Check out the full article here:

https://www.vetpracticemag.com.au/leading-the-way/

It was also Esther's last training with Achilles before she heads home to New Zealand. A previous volunteer of the month recipient and seasoned guide, we are all sad to see her go. All the best, Esther, and thank you for everything you do!

[PD1: a newsprint-style framed photo of Esther holding the vet practice magazine and smiling. The feature photo on the magazinf is of Esther and Claudia running on the road. Text reads: "Feature and Farewell: esther features in vet practice magazine sharing her experiences running with Achilles. A wonderful piece about connection, community and kindness." PD2: close up of the magazine article; " PD3: Esther and Simon W smile together in the rotunda. PD4: Esther in her new yellow hoodie with her arm out wide smiles with Monica]

09/08/2026

Did you know that Achilles Melbourne can come to *you* to train your local running community to guide? Simon Simon Jim Achilles and Annika were at Prince of Wales parkrun (Ballarat) last Saturday to do just that. We connected with local people with vision impairment and guides-to-be and showed them the ropes (it's literally a rope!). We gave guiding a go with new guides during parkrun itself, and took a "class photo". If you want to find out more on how you can create your inclusive running community, particularly if you know there is need in your area, send us a message or stay in touch through our unaffiliated clubs form.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWuQYiCIbKYMXJPw2AjrnOdoUDbeBT0ga4P5CDN9oRHEOhFg/viewform?pli=1

[PD1: Simon stands with a circle of people talking with the wise flat grass field behind him..PD2: Peter stands on a straight path talking to four other runners. PD3: Simon holds a tether which is held by David on next to him. They both wear Achilles shirts. The sun is low and strong suggesting winter country morning time. PD4: Simon runs slightly ahead of David and a guide in a dark their. PD5 A group of around 11 people smiling together with the Prince of Wales social media frame in front of them. Text overlay for all photos replicating the caption]

06/08/2026

Newsletter alert!

Marathons open: guides wanted for Melbourne Marathon; London Marathon ballot open. We give a huge congratulations to some of our newest marathon runners. If you're in Ballarat this weekend, join our guide training at Prince of Wales parkrun!

Details in this week's newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/fe1a6695c79f/training-returns-this-sunday-6755338

[PD: Sophie stands next to her work colleague, Naomi. Soph is wearing her medal and is holding a hand-made sign that says 'Go Soph!'. It's a black cardboard sign with pastel lettering , stars and pom poms are stuck onto the cardboard and a big heart is drawn on the sign too.]

05/08/2026

The last of the Rapid Ascent trail series for trail duo, Peter E and Emily. The adventure pair ran across the trails of Silvan for the third and last of the trail series. They finished in style with Peter E taking out first place in his age category! Congratulations, team!!

[PD1: selfie with Emily and Peter smiling against a bright shiny sun and inflated blue finish arches and other runners behind them. PD2: Peter E on the first place spot of a daisy and Emily below on a third place spot. A man in a blue event crew t-shirt shakes his hand. ]

03/08/2026

We have a new marathon runner among us! Congratulations to Sophie Thomas who completed her first ever marathon at the Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival

Sophie ran alongside sighted guides, Monica and Karen Karen Buckley. In the crowd were more first-time marathon runners and sighted guides, Naomi and Marg Marg Harvey.

This has been an exceptional team effort with Claudia and guide Naomi also finishing the marathon, and Roz F joining the crew. These incredible runners have all been training together in rain and sunshine to collectively cross the finish line on Sunday.

Team Maddy with Marilyn and Amanda sailed through the 10k event.

[PD: Sophie between Karen and Monica looking relieved with a medal around her neck. Text reads "sunshine coast marathon". PD 2, Claudia and Naomi running together, PD3 Roz and Marg running through the finish area bordered by fences with blue flags. PD 4: Monica, Sophie and Karen with her arms raised run through the finish chute. PD5: Maddy and Amanda running together in the finishers chute. PD6: Group photo Sophie, Karen, Monica Naomi, Roz Claudia and Marg raise their arms smiling in front of a black sponsor's banner. ]

Address

Melbourne, VIC

Opening Hours

8:30am - 10am

Telephone

+61437777540

Website

https://www.achillesaustralia.org.au/melbourne/

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