RILEY COCKS
Riley is an elite Australian Distance runner and holds a Masters in Physiotherapy. He holds personal bests of 1:02.43 for the half-marathon, 2:16.57 for the marathon, 28:45 for 10,000m, and 13:45 for 5,000m. Riley is the SA State Record Holder for the Half Marathon distance.
Riley represented Australia at the 2017 and 2019 World University Games in the 10,000m where he placed 8th and 10th respectively. He was selected for the Australian team to compete at both the 2020 and 2023 World Half Marathon Championships, but unfortunately didn't compete due to COVID restrictions and injury.
After the Gold Coast Marathon was cancelled in 2021, Riley made his marathon debut at the Melbourne Marathon in December finishing fourth in a time of 2:17.44. He returned a year later for his second marathon again placing 4th in a new PB of 2:16.57.
Riley’s career highlights include placing placing 2nd at both the 2018 and 2022 Australian Cross Country Championships. He broke the South Australian record at the half marathon distance in Launceston in 2021 and later lowered this record in 2023 at Marugame in Japan.
Riley placed 7th at the 2020 Australian 10,000m Championships (held in 2021) with a personal best of 28:45. Riley ran a big personal best at the 2021 Sydney Track Classic, with 13:50 to place 7th overall in the Australian 5,000m Championships. This was Riley’s first time under the 14 minute barrier with a previous personal best of 14:01 from earlier this year. He went on to better this at the 2022 Adelaide Track Classic in 13:45.
As a coach Riley draws on over a decade of running experience combined with his background in physiotherapy and 6 years of working in a running specialty store. He is eager to share his wealth of knowledge in the latest training philosophies, recovery techniques, injury prevention and footwear trends to help runners of all levels to reach their goals.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Health Science & Master of Physiotherapy
Registered Physiotherapist
Level 1 Community Athletics Coach
Level 2 Recreational Running Coach
Level 3 Performance Development Coach - Distance Running