Rohan Stagg

In this edition of Beyond the Singlet we are joined by Tigers regular Rohan Stagg. Since joining the club last year Rohan has become one of the clubs most dedicated runners, and a regular at the midweek club sessions. The hard work has been paying off as well. Rohan completed his first marathon marathon last year and has been setting Strava pbs galore in recent weeks as he prepares to take on Melbourne Marathon for a second time in October. Welcome Rohan!

How did you get into running?

Mum was a great runner so I was encouraged to run from a young age. After winning the 4x100m Relay Victorian Athletics Championship back in Grade 6 and competing in the State Triple-Jump, I wanted to try a few different other sports such as football and basketball. 30 years later during Covid lockdowns, I went out for a 5km run which took 40 minutes but just enjoyed being out and about. I’ve recently found running to be a good way to keep fit and focused in general and actually enjoy it this time around.

How did you come to join Richmond Harriers?

As a Richmond local, I was walking back from the supermarket one day in early January 2023 and noticed a sign on a door at the Citizens Park building saying “Richmond Harriers Athletics Club”. I had been considering ways to improve the running so got home and Googled Richmond Harriers, saw the Harriers racing singlet and signed up straight away. I made it down for a run a couple weeks later and after meeting Joji, Max and a few other folks at the club have not missed many weeks since. It has been great to finally wear the Harriers racing singlet this year at a couple of the XCR’s.

Besides running, what are your other hobbies?

My two daughters and hopefully future Richmond Harrier Tiger Cubs keep me busy. My hobbies though include Richmond Tigers (AFL), basketball, golf, music and getting down the coast to the Bellarine Peninsula. Basketball remains my favourite sport and Michael Jordan my favourite athlete of all time.

What’s your favourite running memory?

It is a tough call between winning the 4x100m Relay Victorian Athletics State Championship in Grade 6 or finishing my first Melbourne Marathon 33 years later.

Do you have any target races coming up?

The first target race of 2024 was competing in an XCR for the Richmond Harriers. It was great to wear the racing singlet at the Jells Park Relay in April and get passed the baton from former World Champion Kevin Solomon for my first Cross Country race since 1988.

This year is again focused on the Melbourne Marathon in October. Get this second Marathon done and only 8 more to go to reach Spartan level.

Also, from out of the blue Richmond Harrier MJ has thrown down the gauntlet of a Go Kart Race later this year. I cannot wait for this event and am confident I can beat MJ in a race for once!

What running shoes are you currently wearing?

Rotate between Nike Vomero 17’s and the Nike Vaporfly 3.

What’s your favourite running distance / event?

I preferred the sprints as a junior and look forward to giving the 100m to 1,500m a go later this year and see if the body holds up. The Ballarat 15km XCR was great and got PB’s for 5km, 8km, 10km and 15km. The full Melbourne Marathon is my favourite event and will hopefully finish for the second time this October and maybe a few more down the track.

Do you have a running idol / mentor that inspires you?

I have a few:

• Mum – numerous state and national records in the 1950’s and 60’s including an Australian Record (Junior) for the 4×110 yards in 1964, which was only 3.6 seconds from the Open Olympic World Record back then. Mum missed the Commonwealth Games due to a foot stress fracture.
• Charlie Booth – who coached Mum. Charlie is a legend of Athletics in Australia and invented starting blocks, but without a patent.
• David Goggins.
• Nedd Brockmann.

Headphones or no headphones when running? If yes, what 3 songs we would find on your playlist?

No headphones. I prefer to be aware of surroundings while running.

The last 3 gigs I’ve been to though is Powder Finger, Ben Harper and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers – all in Melbourne. The next gig coming up is Pearl Jam in November, which is also in Melbourne.