Tipperary community athletics group is thriving on support of all runners

The J&N Coaching group is a totally voluntary, not for profit group catering for all standards of runners from beginner to competitive runners. It is essentially a “runners for runners” initiative with strong elements of fun and social interaction. In saying this the coaches at J&N try to ensure that each runner learns correct technique and adopt good training routines and recovery methods. The group has been operating since June 2023, but John Laste and Niall O’Sullivan have been coaching athletes since 2013.

The name Niall O’Sullivan is synonymous with athletics across the country, county and local community. He is a founder member of Clonmel Athletic Club, he was a club officer for over 50 years and continues to sit as an officer on the Tipperary Athletics County Board. Niall was a recipient of volunteer of the year award in 2022 a well-deserved accolade presented by the Federation of Irish Sport for outstanding voluntary contribution to the sport. 

John Laste is a former Clonmel Athletic Club Chairman, an experienced athlete over 40 years running over 50 marathons at home and abroad. In recent years John has been race walking winning multiple provincial and national masters titles over several distances, on the road, indoor and outdoor track events.

As a member of The Irish Masters he has competed internationally winning team medals at two separate European Championships as well as competing in world championships in Finland and Poland. John is now setting his sights on the World Masters Indoor championships in Alachua Florida in April 2025.

Both coaches are suitably trained by the sport’s governing bodies but also have a wide array of athletic event experience from event organisation to competitive participation on a local, national and international level. J&N group is self-sufficient and is not supported by local groups or clubs. The Coaches pay for their own insurance and provide copies of indemnity to the venues we train on.

Tipperary families enjoy a wonderful time at the Christmas Market at the Kickham Plaza

Christmas Market

The J&N running groups cater for all levels and a great way to keep both mind and body fit, everyone can participate. We coach athletes in different disciplines, including sprinters, cross country runners, middle distance, race walkers and marathon runners.

Running is a sport that costs relatively nothing, you just need a half decent pair of shoes and a place to run safely. J&N has no signing on fees the only monies we collect via an honesty box at our training sessions which we use to help pay for training facilities and equipment. All monies we collect are voluntarily given and go back to the group in many different ways.

J&N Coaching recognises that not all runners can be elite, but not being elite does not mean your level is less important. If you take it that the average world marathon finishing times calculate that only 4% men and 1% women finish sub 3 hours. While 81% men 65% women finish sub 5 hour. It is this cohort of runners between 3 and 5 hours that make up not only the majority of our group membership but they also make up the main proportion of participants in mass participation events. So, groups like J&N are providing an important training model for this cohort as well as being a vital community fitness/health initiative and social outlet for people.

While J&N have some athletes who link into the online coaching, the biggest draw is the unique atmosphere created in the group training that J&N provide. Niall describes the group as being like one big family that supports and looks out for each other.  There are no Prima Donna’s in the group, everyone has their own personal goal and each member in the group respects that and are inspired by the achievements of each other no matter how big or small those accomplishments may appear to the greater athletic world.

The group has been growing steadily with those who hear about J&N wanting to experience the positive and supportive environment. J&N Coaching were delighted to get a regular slot on the new TUS running track, establishing a consistent and regular base for the group and ensuring the safety of group members, particularly in the winter months. With the introduction of our beginner programme called First Steps, the group membership continues to expand and so a second track session has been agreed with TUS Track Manager Patrick Davoren. We are very grateful to Patrick for his enthusiasm and support. The J&N Coaching Group are now the largest adult running group utilising the excellent facilities at the TUS Campus. 

At this year’s Dublin, Sydney, Philadelphia, Berlin, Amsterdam Marathons and Lanzarote Marathons J&N coached up to 50 runners, with all completing their respective event in personal best times across the board. Each and every one of these runners is celebrated just as triumphantly as an Olympic Champion. The recognition of people’s personal achievements is so important to us, not just for personal pride and self-esteem but for the acknowledgement that they receive from the local community and their friends and families. Indeed, the group achievements inspire others to come and have a go. 

J&N coach and advise athletes from several athletic clubs across the country and we are always proactive in encouraging athletes to represent their respective clubs. We are delighted to have just recently, coached two National Masters Race Walk Champions at 10k distance and a National senior Bronze medal winner over the 35k distance. We hope to add more race walkers to our group in the coming year and have many more similar accomplishments into the future.

The J&N training group is innovative in its approach to helping runners to achieve the best outcomes possible, ensuring the group is prepared with the provision of experienced coaches, workshops on nutrition, strength & conditioning, expert physiotherapy sessions, training plan briefings, the all-important post-race social gatherings for coffee, tea and cakes and our special celebration gatherings. All of this is achieved at very low cost to the group members.

The J&N group are always happy to support local community projects and in the past year have made contributions to local groups such as Cuan Saor, South Tipperary Hospice, Hygiene Hub, Powerstown Races Supporters club and facilitating our group members raising funds for their preferred charities on our social media platforms. Recently the group were delighted to be the first group to have a Parkrun takeover. Parkrun is a fantastic asset to the local community and is a terrific resource for runners particularly those new to running. It was great to pay it back in a small way and we hope other groups around Clonmel would follow suit to support the terrific Parkrun team.

J&N will continue to provide a friendly training environment for people for as long as they want it. Both coaches are so grateful to Susan Laste for her excellent communication and social media work and to our group members who give their time to offer mentor support to our beginner groups. The J&N group continues to grow and we intend to meet the demand with more coaches and assistant coaches to support our various programs going forward. We can be contacted through all social media platforms just DM for further information.