Our Story
Built by mates. Driven by running. Held together by something bigger.
Back in 2018, co-founders Matty Abel and Olly Woolrych noticed something that bugged them. Blokes on Sydney’s Northern Beaches weren’t really connecting outside the pub. Plenty of good men around, but not many spaces where they could build proper friendships in a healthy way. So they started a run group. A handful of mates meeting at Queenscliff to run the stretch of road that snaked down to Collins Beach. That road became known as Viper Hill. The logo got printed. Shirts got made. And more mates kept showing up. What started as Thursday evening laps in Manly has grown into one of Sydney’s most recognised run clubs. 150+ active members. Over half a million dollars raised for charity. 50+ trained Mental Health First Aiders. And a culture built on the belief that how we look after ourselves directly shapes how we show up for the people around us.
Running was always the vehicle, but it was never really the point. A culture started to form around the club. One that cared a lot more about who you are as a person than how fast you are as a runner. In 2020, the first Viper Retreat was held in Kosciuszko National Park. That weekend, the club's values were distilled into what they are today. The retreat has been a non-negotiable on the calendar ever since.
Why We Exist
The stats are confronting. In Australia, seven men die by suicide every single day. It's the leading cause of death for blokes under 44. Over half of men aged 35 to 50 meet the criteria for loneliness. And almost one in four men say they wouldn't seek help from anyone for their mental health.
But research consistently shows that men connect best through shared activity. Side by side, not face to face. Nearly half of men drop out of traditional therapy early because it doesn't fit how they process things. Activity-based connection works.
Running is our vehicle. When you're pushing up a hill at 5:50am alongside someone, barriers come down. Conversations happen naturally. The running creates the container for the connection. And it's that connection that changes lives.
Vipers Run Club is a community of men who believe that the way we feel about ourselves directly correlates to the way we treat ourselves. We exist so that every man who wears the Vipers logo is supported to be a better friend, partner, husband, father, son and colleague.
Our Values
Community - We are more than a run club. When you wear the Vipers logo, you represent all of us. Being a Viper means being part of something bigger than yourself.
Mateship - Relationships where you give more than you take. Where you show up for each other and hold each other accountable. Deep connections built through shared experiences.
Belonging - Be yourself. Belonging at Vipers has more to do with who you are as a person than how you perform as a runner. When you wear our logo, you never run alone.
Wellbeing - Physical and mental health. How we live our lives and how we relate to each other. We take action towards habits and behaviours that support our goals.
Growth - We challenge ourselves and each other to become better versions of ourselves. Being ready for growth means being ready to be better than you were yesterday.
Community Impact
Vipers is deeply connected to the Northern Beaches, originally home to the Gayemagal people, to whom we pay our respects. We believe we owe it back to support and uplift our local community.
Fundraising: Over $522,000 raised across Movember ($335K+), Lifeline Northern Beaches ($105K+), and the Viper Ball ($82,500 to fund a wheelchair-accessible van for Jeff Jenkins, a Viper member diagnosed with MND). Our annual Move for 60 event sees Vipers continuously run for 60 hours straight at Queenscliff Beach. Move for 60 won Community Event of the Year at the 2026 Northern Beaches Australia Day Awards.
Lifeline Partnership: Since 2024, we've been partnered with Lifeline Northern Beaches. Beyond fundraising, this includes mental health first aid training for our members, the Accidental Counsellor course, a learning program, and Vipers volunteering on Lifeline's crisis support hotline.
Recognition: Matty Abel received the NSW Government Community Service Award for his work with Vipers. Andrew Lee was recognised at the 2026 Northern Beaches Australia Day Awards for his contribution to Move for 60. Move for 60 won Community Event of the Year at the same awards.
Local Partners: We're proud to work alongside Pace Athletic, The Steyne Hotel, and Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club.
How We Run
Vipers is a registered Incorporated Association in NSW, governed by a volunteer committee elected at our Annual General Meeting. We're member-led and supported by leadership teams across partnerships, events, member experience, digital, wellbeing and coaching. We've also put 10+ members through the NSW Athletics Level 1 Recreational Coaches course so our sessions are led by qualified coaches from within the community.
In The Media
Vipers has been featured across Australian media for our work in men's mental health and community building:
ABC News, Channel 9, The Daily Telegraph, Manly Daily, The Beast Magazine, Running Heroes Australia, Stride Magazine, Northern Beaches Advocate
For media enquiries, contact:
info@vipersrunclub.com