Coaches

TXR sessions are developed and supervised by Athletics Australia accredited Coaches.

More details on our Coaches below:

 HEAD COACH Rupert van Dongen
  • Co-founder
  • Level 3 Advanced Distance Running Coach
  • IAAF Kids Athletics / Sporting Schools Coach
A TXR co-founder, Rupert devises the overall TXR training program. He has 30+ years experience as a runner and 20 years coaching experience, including coaching Victorian teams for many years. Rupert's own running background includes track, trail, cross country, road, walking & running from 10- 45k, including national championship events. You may also see his name as devising the programs for Fairfax Events races such as the City to Surf.
Rupert is sponsored by 2XU and provides coaching to adidas. He is also a director of Melbourne Athletics Academy.
 
 FRANKSTONRoss Taylor

President

Level 2 Recreational Running Coach

Ross has been training with TXR since 2014 and coaching since 2016.  He is a keen triathlete and is currently training for his first full Ironman. Ross usually coaches at the Frankston session on Tuesday evenings.		 
WAVERLEY PARKCraig Drakeford

Secretary

Level 2 Recreational Running Coach
Craig is quite new to TXR, joining early in 2015 however he has been running on and off since his school days. In his time at TXR he has ran a range of road events from 5km to a Half Marathon. Since joining TXR he has also developed a love for trail running which he thought was never possible due to his love for road events. You will generally catch him at our Waverley Park sessions.
 
WAVERLEY PARK

PARKDALE

EDITHVALE
Mark Swinkels

Treasurer

Level 2 Middle and Long Distance Running Coach

A key player since our foundation & ongoing development. You will see Mark usually Tuesdays at Jells Park/Waverley, Wednesday nights and Thursdays at Bayside. Mark's background is again varied! He specialises in ultra and trail events but you are also likely to see him out on the track...
 
EDITHVALE
Megan Tymko

Level 2  Recreational Running Coach

I've been running for around 5 years and in this time have run a range of distances from 800m track through to marathon. My highlight event is the Great Ocean Road HM - it was my first event and I've run it every year since 2010! I have also discovered a love of trail running, for the simple reason that there are so many beautiful areas to run in - Mt Macedon would have to be a favourite of mine.

I became a running coach in 2013 and have coached a variety of groups, including: Nike Run Club, Can Too, Run Melbourne Training Series and of course, TXR.

Regardless of pace, distance or ability, I enjoy coaching people who love to run! I get a lot of satisfaction when my runners beat their PBs or push themselves hard during a speed session. From novices through to advanced, I just love sharing my love of running!
 
 BERWICKDee Mazzanti

Level 2 Recreational Running Coach

Dee has been with TXR since 2013 and has been a Level 2 coach since early 2016.

She enjoys running most distances and has completed 3 marathons but feels much more comfortable running a half marathon distance.  She also enjoys running parkrun every Saturday morning.

Dee is currently enjoying coaching TXR Generation Next - "it’s great to see the younger generation giving 100% and trying to improve and become great runners".

Dee is proud to be a TXR coach and help people to become better runners and achieve their goals. You will find her most Thursday nights at TXR Berwick and leading the occasional Sunday long run and enjoying a coffee and chat afterwards.


 
 WAVERLEY PARK

Rohan Dowd

Level 2 Recreational Running Coach

Rohan has been a regular runner at TXR Tuesday Jells Park and Waverley sessions since the inception of TXR.  He has 7+ years experience of road events at distances from 5km up to Marathon and has more recently been participating in trail running. he can occasionally be spotted employing his favoured 'karate hands' running technique when sprinting for the finish line.


 
WAVERLEY PARK

Alison Moxham

Management Committee Member

Level 2 Recreational Running Coach		 
WAVERLEY PARKGeorgia Hooper

Management Committee Member

Level 2 Advanced Recreational Running Coach

Georgia has been running with TXR since its inception in 2012.

Her love of running has led her to participate in both road and trail events with her goal being to run her first Ultra Trail event this year.

Georgia became a running coach in early 2016 and coaching quickly became her passion. She regularly coaches the Tuesday sessions and was an official coach for the City2Sea event in 2016.

She thoroughly enjoys encouraging and fostering the runners she coaches and feels a sense of pride watching others achieve their goals.

 
 FRANKSTONBec Howe

Level 1 Community Athletics Coach

Bec has a lengthy history of running across various long distance disciplines, having completed half and full Ironman events and marathons, before finding her true love in trail running, which is now her primary focus.

Bec loves the varied locations and terrain of the trails, the camaraderie of her fellow trail runners and the challenge of ultra distance events.

A recent addition to the TXR family, she has embraced training with a diverse group of people with a common love of running whose passions span across road, track and trail running of various distances, and loves helping people achieve their goals and sharing in their achievements.