Couples who run together…
At The Runners Hub, we’re lucky to have an incredible community of runners, each with their own unique stories and motivations. From time to time, we love diving deeper into their journeys, and this time, we’re doing something a little different.
We turned the spotlight on the couples who run with us—because let’s be honest, nothing tests a relationship quite like a shared love (or rivalry) for running! We wanted to know what drives them, how they support each other, and just how competitive things really get.
To keep things fun, we asked each of them the same set of questions—without letting them see their partner’s answers. The results? Well, you’ll have to read on to find out!
Nikki and Brad
For nearly 19 years, Nikki has been chasing Brad—literally. What started as her passion soon became his, turning running into something that binds them. Their friendly rivalry keeps things fun, from PB battles to weekly mileage debates.
Brad admires Nikki’s dedication, especially her Comrades Marathon finish, while she finds inspiration in his disciplined training. Whether side by side or pushing each other from afar, running isn’t just a sport for them—it’s a shared journey.
How long have you been running together??
Nikki: I've been chasing him for almost 19 years. (Bonus pic attached of us at our first Half Marathon in 2004 - I think we might have run together for the first two minutes, and then he was a dot on the horizon.)
Brad: Nix has been running for longer than me. I joined in when we got to Australia in 2004.
Do you remember the very first run you took together?
Nikki: Nope! I can barely remember the last run we took together
Brad: I do not!
Did running bring you together, or was it a case of "if you can't beat them, join them". Who initiated it?
Nikki: It was definitely a case of “if you can’t beat them, join them.” I started running, and after a few years, a lot of travel, and a move to Australia, Brad finally realised it wasn’t just a passing phase and decided to give it a go.
Brad: Nix got into running when we were living in London - it was a great opportunity to avoid the tube getting home from work and to experience the city in a different way. I was not interested! But we both got fit while travelling on our way to Australia and when we arrived she suggested that we run the half at the Melbourne Marathon (2004). So for me, it was "if you can't beat them, join them". I didn't do much running after that until we moved back to Zimbabwe, and then it became something that brought us together.
How would you describe your partner's relationship with running?
Nikki: Running is his sole-mate
Brad: Obsessive
Describe any "friendly" rivalry you have between you both. Has there ever been any friction caused by running in any way….?
Nikki: I’m definitely a bit competitive, which is frustrating considering I have no chance of ever beating him! I did hold the family marathon PB for a while, but it wasn’t long before he left me in the dust. However, I do still hold the family distance record, and plan on holding onto that for as long as I can!
Brad: We often declare how far we have run for the week, or how our VO2 max has changed. I guess there's a competitive spirit hidden in our remarks. I would like to catch up with the number of marathon's she has run, but we always do the same runs! There is no friction caused by running - we are lucky that we both love doing it.
Describe the proudest moment you felt towards your partner (running related)?
Nikki: I'm literally proud of everything he does, but I think, outside of his achievements (which are considerable), I'm most proud of how he turns up for himself, day in and out, prepared to do the work. His approach spills into every aspect of his life when he's in a training block - his nutrition, his dedication to strength training (even though it's not his favourite thing to do), prioritising his sleep and recovery - everything. It's pretty inspirational.
Brad: When she finished the Comrades Marathon
How well does your partner take on running advice from you…?
Nikki: Haaaaave you met Brad?
Brad: She relies very heavily on my sage advice.
