Frenchs Forest Running Club & Women's Coaching Group
Build speed, endurance and confidence with the Northern Beaches’ most supportive women’s running group.
Expert coaching for runners in Frenchs Forest, Belrose, Davidson, Forestville and Killarney Heights since 2007.
Smarter Running Training on the Northern Beaches
Whether you are a seasoned runner looking to improve your parkrun time or returning to fitness after a break, our Frenchs Forest group provides the structure you need. We combine the social benefits of a club with the specific, results-driven programming of a professional coach.
We are the local running club for women from Frenchs Forest, Belrose, Davidson, Forestville, Allambie Heights and Beacon Hill.
Session Times & Joining Us
Our Frenchs Forest squad makes the most of the fantastic green spaces and upgraded running paths in the heart of the Forest area. We focus on choosing the best terrain for each specific workout to keep your training varied and effective.
Logistics:
Day: Wednesday
Time: 6:30pm
How to Find Us: To maintain our boutique group environment and ensure everyone has plenty of space to train, we provide our exact meeting coordinates, parking tips, and “what to bring” guide via email once you have booked your trial session.
Note: We typically train within the Frenchs Forest/Belrose precinct, with easy parking and access to amenities.
Why Join the Frenchs Forest Running Group?
Structured Interval Sessions
Lionel Watts and other fields in the area offer great surfaces for speed and agility. We utilize the fields and paths for interval training – running faster than your usual pace with recovery breaks. It is the fastest way to get fit, regardless of your starting point.
Motivating Community
The energy of this Northern Beaches running session is infectious. You’ll be training alongside a group of like-minded women who celebrate every PB and support you through every tough session.
Coaching for Longevity
We don’t just want you to run fast; we want you to run forever. Our sessions are coached with a focus on technique and injury prevention, ensuring you stay healthy whilst you chase your goals. Frenchs Forest is the longest running of our running training groups; one of our members was in the original group which formed 18 years ago!
Who Is This Group For?
You don’t need to be an outright speedster to join us. We use “Rating of Perceived Exertion” meaning you run at a pace that is challenging for you. There is no need to run at the same pace as anybody else.
- Prerequisite: You should be able to run for 20 minutes continuously (at any pace). Not quite there yet? Ask us about our “Learn to Run” options or let us assess you at a trial session.
- Ability Range: From 5k times of ~40 minutes down to low 20-minutes. After 20+ years of coaching, we have a few tricks up our sleeves to keep you all together! No-one will ever be left behind, nor will you be held back if you’re leading the pack.
Membership Pricing
Option | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
Drop-In Session | $25 | Testing the waters or occasional attendance |
Full Term – 11 weeks | $220 | Runners committed to improvement |
Full Term – Unlimited | $330 | Speedsters who want to train multiple times a week |
About The Coach
Meet Your Coach: Richard Sarkies
40 Years of Running. Zero Major Injuries. A Lifetime of Experience
When you join a Hooked on Running session, you aren’t just getting a stopwatch-holder; you’re training with a coach who understands the science of sustainable running. Richard has been a fixture in the Australian running community for over 30 years, but his personal running journey spans over four decades.
His philosophy is simple: Run smarter, not just harder. Having stayed almost entirely injury-free for over 40 years of competitive running, Richard specializes in teaching women how to find their “top gear” without compromising their bodies.
Academic Expertise & Professional Credibility
Richard doesn’t just coach from intuition; he coaches from a deep academic and professional foundation. A former Lecturer in Fitness at TAFE NSW for seven years, and current facilitator of recreational running coach courses for Athletics NSW, he has spent his career teaching other trainers how the human body moves.
His qualifications include:
Bachelor of Human Movement (University of Wollongong)
Level III Middle/Long Distance Coach (Athletics Australia)
Level II Strength & Conditioning Coach (ASCA) – Crucial for injury prevention!
Level II Sprints, Hurdles & Relays (Athletics Australia)
From the Track to the Community
While Richard has coached state and national-level athletes, his true passion lies in the local community. He believes that everyone, regardless of their starting point, deserves access to elite-level coaching principles.
Whether he’s competing in a 1500m track race or completing the Sydney Marathon (where he recently raised $10,000 for the Indigenous Marathon Foundation), Richard practices what he preaches. He brings that same energy, discipline, and warmth to every session at Killara, Roseville, and Frenchs Forest.
Ready to Run Smarter?
If you want to take your running to the next level with expert coaching, or if you’d simply like to run with a great bunch of supportive local women, come along for a no-obligation session.