Byford-based Run and Become Squad, previously discussed in our October 2nd 2025 edition, is celebrating a recent growth in membership, and is currently on the hunt for a new home.
The team’s founder and coach, Keith Redpath, who established the group in 2018, describes a long history with running as a sport.
“I was born in 1952 and began running at the age of ten. More than six decades later, I still compete regularly. Coaching athletics has been my passion for over 55 years, and I continue to refine my skills.
“After living in Scotland for 65 years, I retired and emigrated with my wife, Tricia, to Byford, Western Australia, in 2017, to be closer to the rest of our family.”
Regarding his personal history with the sport, Mr Redpath said: “Running has been the quiet thread stitching my life together. Long before I understood technique, training zones, or the difference between talent and tenacity, I understood one simple truth: moving forward felt right.
“I didn’t begin with wisdom or guidance—just a pair of legs, a stubborn streak, and a curiosity about what might be possible if I kept showing up.”
Mr Redpath describes his beginnings as a runner as having been very different to what may be experienced by those starting their journey today.
“In those early years, the sport was wonderfully uncomplicated. No GPS watches chirping at me, no online debates about cadence or lactate thresholds, no shoes engineered by scientists in lab coats. It was just me, the dirt beneath my feet, and the slow realisation that effort—honest, consistent effort—could shape a life.
“Running taught me patience when I wanted progress, humility when I thought I knew better, and resilience when life delivered its inevitable setbacks. It taught me to listen—to my body, to my instincts, to the quiet wisdom that only arrives when the world falls away.
“Eventually, the path led me to coaching, where I discovered a joy even greater than chasing my own goals: helping others uncover theirs.”
Mr Redpath describes the group as: “a non-profit, volunteer-driven organisation dedicated to inspiring, educating, and promoting running throughout the community. We know that running holds a profound joy that words cannot capture. It is an experience only athletes understand.
“Together with our club president, Rosa Radosevic, we have created a vibrant, safe, and progressive environment that welcomes athletes of all ages and abilities.”
In a truly inclusive fashion, the group caters to all age groups, from young to old.
“Membership spans from five-year-olds to seventy-three-year-olds, from state champions to those simply seeking fitness and health.
“Our athletes have won over 1500 Parkruns in the last eight years. There are no coaching fees—anyone can join. Our club has become a valuable community service, promoting health, well-being, and the joy of movement.”
Mr Redpath has recently completed a book, fleshing out his remarkable journey in greater depth. It is currently with the publishers.
The family-run group has recently grown to over 100 members and does not seem to be slowing down. As a result, attempts have been made to establish a permanent training base in the Byford area, though it has proven challenging.
“Despite our size and success, the club currently operates without a regular training base and without access to a dedicated athletic track. For several years we have relied on a rotation of public ovals and shared community spaces to deliver structured training sessions.
“While we remain adaptable and committed, this arrangement limits our ability to plan long term, deliver event specific coaching, and provide the safest and most consistent environment for our athletes.
“Given our continued growth and the increasing demand for athletics opportunities within the Shire, we believe the time is right to explore options for a more stable and suitable training venue. A dedicated facility—or even a consistent shared space—would significantly enhance our capacity to serve the community, support youth development, and host local events,” said Mr Redpath.
He has yet to receive a conclusive answer from the shire.
