William Krithararis is a Melbourne-based Osteopath and running coach, and the director of Alpha Sports Medicine in Ascot Vale. What drives him as an Osteopath is in helping runners overcome injury, improve performance, and stay consistent with their training through a combination of hands-on treatment, load management, strength and programming.

His work is built around a simple idea running should feel good more often than it feels frustrating. Whether someone is dealing with a persistent injury, building toward their first race, or chasing a personal best, William’s focus is always the same: helping runners understand their body, train with intent, and stay moving long term.

A Runner First

Running isn’t just something William treats it’s something he lives every day.

Having completed multiple marathons and an ultra marathon, he understands what the process actually looks like beyond a training plan. The early mornings when motivation is low, the sessions that don’t go to plan, the fatigue that builds over weeks, and the mental challenge of staying consistent when things aren’t clicking. He also understands the opposite the momentum, the breakthroughs, and the confidence that comes when training starts to come together. This lived experience shapes the way he works. His guidance isn’t just theoretical it’s grounded in what actually works in the real world. He knows when to push, when to pull back, and how to help runners navigate the grey areas that often lead to injury or burnout.

William works with runners of all levels, including:

• First-time runners building toward a 5km
• Recreational runners looking to stay consistent
• Marathon and half marathon runners chasing personal bests
• Injury-prone runners trying to break the cycle of setbacks
• Runners returning from time off or rehab

No matter the starting point, the goal is always progress without constantly being forced back to square one.

From Injury to Insight

William’s connection to Osteopathy started through his own experience.

As a teenager playing AFL, he dealt with recurring injuries and the frustration of being sidelined without clear answers. Like many athletes, he was told to rest, wait, and gradually return but without fully understanding why the injuries kept happening.

That experience shaped the way he practices today.

He knows what it feels like to lose momentum, to question your body, and to feel stuck between wanting to train and not knowing if you should. Because of this, he prioritises clarity in his work helping people actually understand their injury, not just manage it.

When someone understands what’s happening, they train differently. They make better decisions. And most importantly, they regain confidence.

Sporting Background

Before fully stepping into the running world, William spent three years playing VFL football with the Northern Blues, while continuing to play local football.

That environment taught him a lot not just physically, but mentally. The expectation to perform, the intensity of training, the impact on the body, and the pressure to keep showing up week after week. Now, combining his background in team sport with endurance running, he brings a well-rounded understanding of how different types of stress affect the body and how to manage them.

Run West – More Than Just a Run Club

In 2023, William founded Run West, a Melbourne-based run club that has become a core part of his identity and impact. Run West isn’t just about training sessions or mileage. It’s about creating an environment where people actually want to show up. What started as a simple idea has grown into a strong, supportive community of runners from all different backgrounds and experience levels. Some come to improve performance, others to stay accountable, and many just to feel part of something.

For William, Run West is personal.

It’s where his philosophy comes to life outside of the clinic. It’s where he sees runners build confidence, develop consistency, and change the way they think about training.

Through Run West, he has helped people:

• Go from inconsistent to structured training
• Build confidence in their running ability
• Stay accountable within a community
• Enjoy running again without constant pressure

It also gives him real-world insight into how runners train not in theory, but in practice. He sees how people respond to load, how injuries develop, and what actually helps people stay consistent. That insight feeds directly back into his clinical work, making his approach more relevant and more effective.

Philosophy

At the core of William’s philosophy is a simple idea:

Your body is built to move and when you support it properly, it will adapt.

He doesn’t believe in quick fixes or one-size-fits-all plans. Instead, his focus is on:

• Building long-term capacity
• Managing load intelligently
• Developing strength that supports movement
• Keeping training sustainable

He understands that running isn’t linear. There are phases where everything feels good, and others where nothing seems to work.

His role is to guide runners through both adjusting training when needed, managing setbacks, and keeping them moving forward without burning out or breaking down.

Beyond the Clinic

Outside of the clinic, William continues to live the lifestyle he promotes.

You’ll usually find him out on a run, often planning his next race, or at the bouldering gym building strength and variety into his training. He values the balance between structured performance and movement for enjoyment something he encourages all runners to explore. He also appreciates good food, quality coffee, and time spent with the community he’s built through running. And as a loyal supporter, he’ll always be backing the mighty Magpies.