The Running Collective

04/05/2026

Hi Kapiti clients and friends. A couple of years ago, I started the registration process to become a physiotherapist in Australia. This whole process took way longer than expected, and in the meantime, I started growing my roots in the fantastic Kapiti community. Eventually, the day after completing the Melbourne Marathon last year, I received my Permanent Visa for the state of Victoria. Almost symbolic.

What followed were the most turbulent months of my life, with countless times when I changed my mind, hesitated, and had lots of sleepless nights. The thought of moving never left me completely, however, and I don't want to regret not taking the leap when I'm older, greyer and hopefully wiser.

It's incredibly sad to leave beautiful Kapiti behind, along with my business and my clients, who often became very good friends. I'm incredibly grateful to all clients who have put their trust in me, and the people who have referred their loved ones to me, so I could grow as a physiotherapist as well as in my business.

My last day in New Zealand will be on the 11th of June, but I'm closing the practice on 5/6.

This is not a farewell, though. I will see you back. I will still defend my Kapiti half title in November, and hope to see you all sign up under The Running Collective :)

Thank you for everything, Kapiti!

Jeroen

13/04/2026

One for the mates.

This photo of me yesterday during the last few 100m of the sums it all up. Pushing through the wall through pain and shedding a few tears along the way.

The last few months have not been easy. Very big life decisions to take, countless sleepless nights and a severe shortage of iron. Throughout these difficult months, my passion for running kept me mentally sane. To be able to cross the finish line with another PB (2h32'11) after being almost trampled in the start and suffering from a sore hamstring in the last 10 km, is an indescribable feeling.

Thanks to all the mates for being there for me in the last few months. You know who you are ❤️ This one is for you.

30/03/2026

Yesterday, I participated in the Waitarere Forest Run Half Marathon. I am not the biggest fan of trail running, but I chose to run this race as a last big training for the in 2 weeks. By running my half at marathon pace (on often rough terrain), it proved to be a solid last training session, and the last part of my biggest training week/plan ever. I took the win as an added bonus, and was elegant enough not to fall on my face in the last 100m of the race over a bumpy patch.

In the next two weeks, I have a bit of running still, but it's nothing compared to what I've done before. The tapering has begun! I've put in the hard work, now it's all about staying healthy, resting enough, eating my carbs and then hopefully, I'll have the perfect race on 12 April.

Fingers crossed 🤞🏻

Well done to all the mates I saw on race day, especially the Running Collective Friday Morning regulars! Always great to chat post-race with food and drinks!

17/02/2026

Round The Bays 2026 recap!

What. A. Day.

After a routine blood check two weeks ago, my results showed a lack of iron. Even though training was going well, there was a little bit of worrying about whether I should run a half-marathon or not. Add a strong southerly on race day, and the circumstances weren't ideal to run a PB.

Carpooling with the Kāpiti crew was a great way to calm the pre-race nerves as we found a parking spot next to the start, as well as toilets seemingly invisible to the other 1000s of runners.

After a short study round, multiple NZ champion decided to go solo. We would only see him back at the turnaround and the finish line. I managed to stay in an elite group behind, where we worked together to fight against the wind. With my pace ranging from 3'05 to 3'55/km, it was clear there was no chance of running an even race.

Just before the turnaround point, our group fell apart, and from then on, it was every man for himself. With the encouragement from friends and kind strangers, I managed to stay in third place. I never really ran for a time and focused more on the place. I was quite surprised to finish in 1h12'40, about a minute above my PB, and without being as tired as normally post-race.

Very honoured to share the podium with 2 NZ representatives, but luckily the speaker only asked about the winners' future goals (LA Olympics) and not mine 😂

All in all, a very good racing day with mateys! Congratulations to the rest of the Kāpiti crew, you legends!

13/02/2026

Busy running weekend going on!

Good luck to the legends ._.clown, and Andy Thompson doing in rough circumstances! 🏞️⛰️🏃

Good luck to and .taylor.71 in their duo epic adventure! 🏃🏃‍♀️🚴🚴‍♀️🚣🚣‍♀️

Good luck to , , .mt, , , , and James in a windy ! 🌬️🏃🏃‍♀️

29/12/2025

1: Team The Running Collective @ Kāpiti half 🩵
2-3: 4th consecutive victory in my hometown after an absolute nail biter
4: helping friends and clients achieve their running goals doesn't feel like a job ._.clown .syj
5: bagged my 100th parkrun this year. Why does this not exist in Belgium? 🤔
6-7: Parkrun fun and pacing
8: Running assessments using .ai
9: Friday Morning group runs 🤗 because running is not always an individual sport
10: Kapakapanui - nope, trail running is not my cup of tea. But the views man, the views!

25/12/2025

1: You can't beat Wellington on a good day (new half marathon PB) 2: When you only have one gear (5k and 10k PB in a half marathon 🙃) 3: I became a retailer in 2025
4: Running shoe besties (9 pairs added to the collection this year 😅) 5: New location for the practice! 6-10: Melbourne marathon, starting in the group with the first woman, incredible cramps in the last 7k, but still managing a PB. Crazy experience!

23/12/2025

22/12/2025

2025 Recap part 1:
1&2: NKT Yoga and Movement course in Melbourne
3: A world champion, an olympian and a local tourist running together
4: Karel "Forrest Gump" Sabbe and his followers
5: Selfie with the Fastest Known Time on Te Araroa
6: New half marathon PB under the eye of dad
7: in good company
8: The legend who has to endure all my yapping on a weekly base
9: Redemption after 2 consecutive years of 2h39'48
10: PB crew

10/12/2025

I'm here for you throughout the holiday season 🎄✨⁣
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The clinic will be closed on:⁣
Dec 22⁣
Dec 25-26⁣
Dec 29⁣Jan 1-2⁣
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Bookings remain open anytime via my website: https://bookingsnz.gensolve.com/therunningcollective
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I wish you a joyful, restful Christmas and a brilliant start to 2026! 🎁

03/12/2025

CONGRATULATIONS to TRC athlete, Brad! 🥳⁣
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After his marathon debut last year, Brad was eager to run another one. ⁣
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We managed to work/run around his work + young family and had a great training block without any niggles - something I am always very careful about with my background as a physiotherapist. ⁣
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Even though the Whanganui marathon started at 6 am, it got rather warm near the last quarter of his race, and he got a little dehydrated. ⁣
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Still, he managed to finish in 4h15, an incredible performance! ⁣ 💪🏼
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A few years ago, Brad came to me for physiotherapy as he was unable to run more than a few 100 meters without having pain in his shins. ⁣
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After just a few physio sessions, we were able to sort the problem (hint: the cause of shin splints is not always in the shins 👀). Being able to run consistently without having to stop every few weeks because of injuries did wonders!⁣
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From my patient to my athlete to my mate, very happy to see the progress you've made, Brad! 🤩