10/03/2026
This weekend marks the end of a very special journey with someone who has had more impact on me than he will probably ever know.
Craig Kirkwood, thank you so much for your support, encouragement, advice, time, and patience. Your intentionality and genuine care for me and my career has meant the world. You helped guide me through the junior ranks, welcomed me back after college, and helped me reach the pinnacle of sport multiple times.
We’ve travelled the world together, shared plenty of laughs and good banter, experienced incredible success, and also some very frustrating setbacks. Thank you for walking alongside me and believing in me through it all.
New Zealand and our running legacy is lucky to have you, and I’m incredibly grateful to be a small part of your coaching journey.
People don’t see the work you put in behind the scenes, but it is truly appreciated. It still blows me away just how much time, thought, and dedication it takes to be a great coach - not just for one or two athletes, but for an entire squad with a wide range of ages and abilities. Thank you for making the sport I love better every single day.
Also a massive shoutout to his No.1, Kylie, for the constant support - for letting him disappear overseas with the team, helping me be the best I can be, and for the years of support through Bay Massage Therapy.
The sacrifices you both make to improve the sport and the lives of the people around you are noticed, valued, and deeply appreciated ❤️
I am super disappointed not to be able to ‘end well’ and would have loved to race nationals for that special 1-2 or even double gold with your new prodigy but I’m sure there will be many more good duals and great banter, memories and performances to come.
Thanks again,
Sam
Some of the results I have had under Craig:
2x senior boys XC champ
NZSS 1500m, 3000m champ
World secondary schools XC 2nd
3:38 1500m @18
3:58 Mile @18
Scholarship to University of Washington
3:34 1500m indoor NZ record and NCAA collegiate 1500m indoor and outdoor record
2x Olympian
2x Commonwealth Games **
(6th in 2022 in 3:31 2nd fastest NZ all time)
3x World championships
Multiple national Mile and 1500m champ
