For as long as he could remember, Connor Kitto loved movement.
Rugby. Running. Weight Training. Challenging his body.
In 2023, Connor ran a half marathon in 1:38—a solid time for a recreational runner in his mid-20s. He trained a few times a week, weight trained consistently, and brought a natural athleticism to his training.
But something deeper was stirring.
👉 How far could I take this?
👉 What would happen if I actually trained properly?
Then came the big idea:
Run the Emerson’s Dunedin Marathon.
Double the half marathon, subtract 16 minutes, and you’ve got a sub-3 goal. Ambitious? Absolutely. But Connor was ready to put in the work.
From Confidence to Clarity
That’s when Connor reached out to RhodesRunner.
When we first spoke, it was clear:
He had the self-belief. He had the drive.
What he didn’t have was structure, progression, or a plan.
22 weeks out from race day, we got to work.
It didn’t take long to see that Connor was disciplined, coachable, and consistent.
He showed up for every session. He trusted the process.
The real coaching challenge?
Helping him realise that sub-3 wasn’t realistic... yet.
We aligned on a smarter first goal: 3:30. And that’s where the real transformation began.
Learning to Train Like a Runner
Over the next 5 months, Connor didn’t just become fitter.
He became a student of the sport.
He learned:
✅ How to periodise running and strength training
✅ How to hit the right zones on easy and quality days
✅ How to rest — not just train harder
✅ How to listen to his body
✅ How to nail race day fuelling
✅ How to trust his race strategy
By race week, he was physically sharp, mentally ready, and fully bought in.
Race Day: A Breakthrough Moment
On race day, Connor executed like a pro.
Result? 💥 3:25 — goal crushed.
The moment he crossed the line, he knew:
👉 He was hooked.
👉 He was the runner he always believed he could be.
👉 And he was only just getting started.
In Connor’s Words:
“Clear. Concise. Gets Results.
Simon will not only have you incredibly well prepared physically, but even more importantly, mentally. I came to him with very little understanding of how training works — now running is one of the things I’m most confident in.
Simon helped me adjust goals when I needed it, pushed me when it mattered, and made me believe I could hit any time I set — if I put in the work.
Thanks Simon, you were bloody awesome to train for!”
What Happened Next?
Connor wasn’t done.
Armed with what he’d learned, he went solo — buying a RhodesRunner custom training plan (no coaching this time), aiming for 3:15 at the 2025 Christchurch Marathon.
His training was consistent. His focus, relentless.
Result? 🎯 3:15:04
Spot on.
Now that once-lofty sub-3 goal?
Suddenly, it’s within reach.
Connor’s back with RhodesRunner — and 16 weeks out from Dunedin 2025, we’re chasing it.
Be Like Connor
Connor’s story isn’t just about numbers.
It’s about growth, humility, structure, and relentless consistency.
📌 Set realistic goals
📌 Stack smart training on top of smart training
📌 Balance strength and endurance
📌 Be coachable
📌 Be patient
📌 And keep showing up.
Be the runner you were meant to be.
🎯 Want to take your running to the next level?
Start with a training plan (FREE for any entrant of the Emerson’s Dunedin Marathon) or sign up for 1:1 Online Coaching with RhodesRunner.
The journey starts now.
Just like it did for Connor.
More about Connor Kitto, Announcer – The Hits | Canterbury
