From cycling 1,600 km across Türkiye to transforming his 10K time from 98 minutes to 35:50, Kerem Yildiz's running journey is a testament to consistency, patience and determination.
As the Founder and Head Coach of Runformance, Kerem brings a wealth of experience as both an athlete and coach. Joining us as part of the IRX 2026 Athlete & Influencer Programme, he's passionate about connecting running communities and sharing his knowledge on an international stage.
We caught up with Kerem to learn more about his journey into running, what excites him most about IRX 2026 and why he believes community is at the heart of the sport.
1. You’ve built an inspiring profile as both an athlete and a coach, how did your journey into running first begin?
I used to be a cyclist, and I first started running as cross-training. At one point, I cycled 1,600 km from Istanbul to Artvin, and I remember thinking, “If I can ride this far, why can’t I run a marathon?” That was when I wrote my first training plan for myself as a coach. When I first started running, my 10K time was 98 minutes. A lot of people made fun of that time, but I kept working. Over the years, I managed to bring it down to 35:50. So for me, running has always been a good reminder of how much you can improve with consistency and patience.
2. You’re joining the IRX Athlete & Influencer Programme this year, what excites you most about being part of the programme?
What excites me most is being part of a community that brings together people who genuinely care about sport and performance. Since I experience running from two sides—as an athlete and as a coach—I really enjoy sharing what I learn and gaining insights from other athletes and different perspectives. I’m also excited to represent my own running community and bring some of the running culture we’ve been building in Turkiye/Netherlands into a more international environment. For me, that exchange is probably the most exciting part of the programme.
3. How do you see events like The International Running Expo helping to grow the running community worldwide?
I think events like The International Running Expo help running grow by bringing different parts of the sport together in one place. Runners, coaches, brands, race organisers and people from different countries all get the chance to meet, share ideas and learn from each other. That kind of interaction helps good ideas and experiences travel much faster between communities. Running is already the biggest community in the world and events like this make that global community feel much more connected. And I think the more connected we become, the stronger the running culture grows everywhere.
4. What are you most looking forward to experiencing at the Expo?
Meeting new people and seeing new tech in the global arena.
5. If you could go for a run anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
South America. I’ve always been really curious about the running culture there, and I’ve never had the chance to run there. What excites me most is the diversity. Different countries, landscapes, altitudes and running communities, all with their own culture around the sport. I’d love to experience that firsthand, meet local runners and understand how running is part of everyday life there.
6. What's your favourite distance to race?
Marathon, I have run nearly 40 marathons.
7. Finally, what’s your go-to song or ritual before a big race?
I have a simple ritual. Before a big race, and even during the race, I keep repeating to myself: “Today is going to be a good day” and “Today is a good day.” I come back to those words throughout the race, especially when things start to get difficult. It helps me stay present, positive and focused on the experience rather than getting lost in the pressure of the result.