COACHES
Experienced, qualified, and genuinely invested in every athlete we work with.
At Zenith Running we take a holistic approach to coaching - supporting each athlete's journey both physically and mentally. We work with runners of all abilities equally, in an environment that celebrates success at every level, from a first parkrun to a national singlet. Behind that approach are two coaches who bring decades of combined experience in athletics, education and athlete development.
Peter Schuwalow
Head Coach
Peter leads Zenith Running's coaching, guiding distance runners from 800m through to the marathon, always through personalised, structured programs built around the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.
Coaching is only half of Peter's story. He is an experienced educator with a Master of Education, currently Head of Sport at a Melbourne independent grammar school, and has held roles with School Sport Victoria, the Victorian Institute of Sport and Monash University. He has also served in leadership roles as a team manger at the World University Track & Field Championships and Half Marathon Championships, and with international Ekiden teams. Peter's teaching background shapes how he coaches — patient, structured, and focused on long-term development, not just the next race.
International Personal Coaching Highlights:
* World U/20 Athletics Champs (Imogen Baker, 2026)
* World Athletics Champs (Sarah Klein, 2025, 2023, 2022 & 2015)
* World Mountain Running Champs (Lawson Duff, 2023)
* Commonwealth Games (Sarah Klein, 2014)
* World University Cross Country Champs (Ben Kelly, Katie Gamble & Hennie Lawernce, 2020 & 2018)
* World Cross Country Champs (Gemma Maini, 2017 & 2015)
* Olympic Games (Carolyn Schuwalow, 1996)
Serena Schuwalow
Athlete Educator
Serena is an Australian Athletics accredited coach and World Athletics Kids' T&F coach. As an athlete she was a two-time National Junior Champion and four-time National Open medallist who represented Australia on three occasions.
As a teacher in leading independent schools such as Wesley College, Serena learned to work in partnership with parents and students. She now consults with sport parents on guiding their child's sporting journey — supporting whole families, not just athletes, through the demands of competitive sport.
In schools she saw how often talented athletes and their families miss out on the resources and knowledge that make the real difference. Drawing on her own experience, two education degrees and the completion of a Mentoring Program at Monash University, she works as an educator and digital specialist for sport parents and athletes alike — helping families close that gap with the strategies, structure and tools that build emotionally fit athletes who thrive in every part of life, from the track to the classroom.
Serena knows the sport from the front line: a 2:44 marathoner who finished third in the prestigious Zatopek 10,000m. These days she runs for the joy of it — often alongside her daughter at fun runs supporting causes close to their hearts.
Our shared commitment - Both coaches have completed the World Athletics Safeguarding Course for Children - because the wellbeing of every athlete, especially our younger ones, comes first.