About
Kia ora, I’m Gordon, the coach behind Your Running Pal.
I work with trail runners who are ready to take on something bigger than they have done before. This often means a first 100km, a 24-hour challenge, or a long day out that pushes into new territory.
Taking a step up like this is different and not just because it is more distance. It brings more uncertainty, more moving parts, and a higher risk of getting things wrong if you are guessing your way through it.
My role is to guide you through that.
My background
I have been running on the trails for over a decade, first in the peat bogs of northern England, followed by a move to New Zealand in 2021 where I now run in the mountains and local trails.
Races and challenges have included Backyard Ultras, 100-mile events, and 24-hour efforts. Those experiences taught me that success in long-distance running comes from more than fitness. Pacing, fuelling, durability, and decision-making all matter once the hours build up.
Coaching has been part of my life since my teenage years. I started Your Running Pal in June 2025 to help runners take on bigger goals with structure and confidence.
What matters to me as a coach
Coaching is built around preparing you for the reality of long-distance running, not just the ideal version of it.
Work together includes setting a goal that is challenging and realistic, then building a long-term path towards it. Training is structured and personalised, with regular adjustments based on how you are actually responding.
You will develop a clear pacing approach, a fuelling strategy that works over long efforts, and the durability needed to hold things together deep into a race or adventure. Support is ongoing, with regular check-ins and responsive communication when problems come up. We’ll also work together on how to make the most effective use of strength work and rest as key training tools.
The aim is not just to make you fitter. The aim is to make you prepared.
Who I work best with
My coaching suits runners who already have some experience on the trails and are stepping into a bigger challenge. This might be a first 100km or 24-hour event, but it could also be competing at the sharp end of races or adventuring with less injury risk. A good fit is someone who wants structure, is willing to train consistently, and cares about following their purpose every day, rather than chasing an outcome.
Getting started
A first conversation is the best place to begin. We can talk through your goal, your current training, and what the next steps might look like.
Calls can be done over WhatsApp, or in person over coffee if you are based in Wellington.
If you have a big goal in mind and want to approach it with a clear plan, I would be keen to hear about it.
Contact me
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly. I can’t wait to hear from you!