Craig Kirkwood is a highly respected New Zealand endurance and multisport coach whose journey in sport began at age 14 and has taken him from competitive running to coaching elite athletes on the world stage. As a former national representative and competitor in events ranging from World Mountain Running and World Cross Country Championships to the 2002 Commonwealth Games marathon, and multiple Ironman and World Triathlon events, Craig brings deep personal experience and insight to his coaching. His understanding of endurance sport isn’t just theoretical it’s grounded in years of training, racing, and evolving through diverse competitive environments. 

In 2013, Craig formalised his passion for guiding others by founding CK Coaching, after a decade of informal coaching and a career-shaping exposure to high-performance methodologies while working alongside respected coaches early in his journey. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sport Science and is both an accredited Athletics New Zealand and Triathlon NZ coach. Craig is known for his pragmatic, athlete-centred approach: balancing rigorous training with real life, while tailoring programs to meet individual goals whether that’s breaking personal records, completing endurance challenges, or stepping onto the international podium.

Over the years, Craig’s coaching portfolio has expanded from recreational and age-group athletes to nurturing some of New Zealand’s top performers, including Olympians and elite triathletes. Through his involvement in high-performance initiatives and mentoring programmes  such as HPSNZ’s Te Tūāpapa Coach Accelerator, he continues to refine his coaching craft and support athletes striving for excellence at the highest level. Craig’s philosophy centres on helping people discover what they are truly capable of, pushing boundaries with purpose, resilience, and clarity.