RUNNING EXCELLENCE
It Takes a Village – Meet the Team Behind FAST Running
At FAST Running, we know that success isn’t built in isolation—it’s forged through community, connection, and the shared pursuit of excellence. Our team is the village behind every personal best, comeback, and breakthrough moment. From elite coaches and specialists to support staff and partners, each person plays a vital role in helping our athletes thrive.
Our approach is defined by agility—not just in movement, but in mindset. We adapt, innovate, and evolve to meet the unique needs of every athlete. Whether you’re preparing for your first race, chasing a national title, or building lifelong skills, our athlete-first philosophy ensures your journey is supported with the right knowledge, care, and energy at every step.
We don’t just coach running—we coach the whole athlete. And this team is how we do it.
A Team, A Vision – Built With Purpose, Powered by People
At FAST Running, our approach is no accident—it’s a strategy shaped through collaboration, experience, and intention. Developed alongside athletes, coaches, and expert partners, our training environment adapts with purpose. We believe in clarity, agility, and transparency, ensuring every member of our community understands not just what we do, but why we do it. Every person—coach, parent, or athlete—is part of our team and our vision.
TEAM SPOTLIGHT
Marijke Welvaert:
Lead – Athlete Intelligence & FAST Females
As FAST Running’s Lead – Athlete Intelligence & FAST Females, Dr Marijke Welvaert combines elite sport analytics expertise with a deep commitment to female athlete development. She leads our data-driven performance systems while guiding the growth of FAST Females — strengthening representation, education and performance pathways for women in sport. Through insight, structure and care, Marijke ensures every athlete benefits from evidence-based coaching in an inclusive, forward-thinking environment.
FAST for Sport
Lead Coach
As FAST Running’s FAST for Sport Lead Coach, Matt (Mathijs) van der Lugt leads our speed development programs for athletes across a range of sports. With a strong understanding of acceleration mechanics, force production and movement efficiency, he helps athletes translate sprint principles into on-field performance. Matt works closely with teams and individuals to build speed that is transferable, resilient and repeatable — ensuring athletic performance improves where it matters most.
More Than Medals – A Coaching Philosophy That Puts People First
We measure success in more than seconds, placings, or podiums. At FAST, our coaching philosophy is built around the whole athlete—valuing long-term growth, wellbeing, and opportunity as much as competition. We tailor our approach to each individual, knowing that people-first coaching delivers high performance and lasting impact. Our athletes aren’t just part of a program—they’re part of the team driving it forward.
ATHLETES FIRST
Athlete Ambassadors
They’re the heartbeat of FAST—athletes leading athletes, turning “Running Excellence” into everyday action. From the first hello to the last rep, they set the tone: warm, skilled, and relentlessly team-first.
ATHLETE AMBASSADOR
Rose Catejan
Rose brings calm leadership and consistency. She sets the tone at training—clear demos, patient guidance, and a knack for helping younger athletes feel confident and included.
ATHLETE AMBASSADOR
Sanjna Vijayakumar
Sanjna is a connector and an energy-giver. She champions inclusion, builds bridges across friendship groups and families, and inspires teammates with her enthusiasm and “we win together” mindset.
FAST Kids
Coaches
At FAST Running, our FAST Kids Coaches are more than just instructors—they’re mentors, motivators, and champions of fun. Every session is led by passionate, qualified coaches who specialise in teaching the fundamentals of running, speed, agility, and coordination in a way that’s energetic, safe, and age-appropriate. We keep group sizes small to ensure every child is seen, supported, and inspired to move. Whether it’s their first sprint or a step toward representative sport, our coaches help lay the foundation for a lifetime of confident movement and athletic potential.
Behind the scenes, our FAST Kids Coaches are part of a collaborative and supportive coaching community. We invest in their development, celebrate their growth, and ensure they feel part of something bigger. If you’re a coach who thrives on positivity, connection, and helping young athletes take their first steps toward excellence, FAST Running isn’t just a program—it’s a team you’ll be proud to be part of.
Join Our Team
Do you believe in developing athletes beyond the stopwatch? Are you passionate about coaching, performance, recovery, or supporting the next generation of talent? At FAST Running, we’re always open to connecting with people who share our values and can contribute to our athlete-first environment. Whether you’re a coach, practitioner, mentor, or simply someone who sees potential and wants to help shape it, we’d love to hear from you. If you feel you have something to offer, don’t wait for an opening—get in touch and introduce yourself.