Hey crew,
The last couple of months were a wild ride, broken cheekbone, nose and collarbone my old man ending up in ICU for a couple of weeks… all in quick succession.
I tried running too soon before things healed properly, so I had to shut it down completely.
Took a couple of weeks in Japan to reset, and now I’m home in Perth. Fingers crossed I get the all-clear from the doc this Wednesday to start running again.
Here are my three top tips for you to be more consistent and get injured less in 2026.
1. Build slowly
Increase your weekly mileage by just 5–10% at a time. No hero jumps, your body adapts best with patience. This simple rule has saved me from countless injuries.
2. Go hard on your fast day followed by a light easy day
On your harder sessions go HARD but the next day follow up with a light run, walk or swim. It lets your legs recover, reduces overload and makes consistency feel sustainable instead of punishing.
3. Choose Gear That Fits & works YOU
Ignore the social media hype trains. Get shoes and kit suited to your gait, terrain and goals, pop into a spot like SBR. The right gear prevents injuries before they start.
Stick to these, and 2026 could be your strongest year yet. Small habits, big results.
Local Run Clubs Over the Holidays
Rockingham locals: SBR Collective Intervals (Thursdays 5:30pm, Memorial Park) and UpHill Running (Sunday mornings, Safety Bay) are keeping the stoke alive, check their socials for holiday schedules.
Check this post out on insta for run clubs near you!
Big Australian Running Dates for 2026
ASICS Gold Coast Marathon → 4-5 July 2026 (Gold Coast, QLD) – Flat, fast paradise for PBs!
TCS Sydney Marathon → 30 August 2026 (Sydney, NSW) – Abbott World Marathon Major status.
Melbourne Marathon Festival → October 10-11 2026 (Melbourne, VIC) – Massive event with all distances.
City2Surf Perth → 30 August 2026 – One of our largest fun run.
Plus trail ultras, Ironman 70.3s, and more, plan your year now!
Perth & WA Races in February 2026
Peninsula Run → Sunday 1 February
John Forrest Trail Run → Sunday 8 February 2026
Point Walter Run → Sunday 22 February 2026 (Point Walter Reserve, Attadale – 5km/16km fun run/walk).
Running Works Lark Hill Party Ultra → Saturday 28 February 2026 (Port Kennedy, 3km looped course: 25km Twilight, 50km, 100km ultras, plus kids events… neon-lit, party atmosphere vibes!).
Bibra Lake Runningworks Festival → Sunday 28 February 2026 (Bibra Lake, multiple distances).
Chitty Chitty Run Run (Perth Trail Series) → 28 February – 1 March 2026 (Chittering, trail fun).
Big Shoutout: Michael Kazich
Huge congrats to Michael Kazich for taking 2nd place male in the 25km Bunbury True Blue Ultra on 17 January 2026 in Australind!
He crossed the line in 1:48:04 just 3:16 behind the winner—
in a stacked field. A fantastic debut ultra performance on that tough course. Proud of him and all our community stepping up to new distances. Stories like this fuel the fire
Article Here: https://www.autra.asn.au/autra-news-report-19-1-2026
Get after it!
Alistair Chegwidden
@Chegitout | #TheRunMaker #PerthRunning