Getting to know… Robbie Cox – Edition 11 
From the start, running’s been in Robbie Cox’s blood — quite literally. His dad competed at English Schools, earned his Cambridge Blue under the late, great Mike Turner, raced for Woodford Green for over 50 years, and wore multiple England vests.
“Growing up, I’d be at the side of the course watching him race, flicking through Athletics Weekly, or getting inspired by his hero Ron Hill’s autobiography. I was hooked from the start.”
Robbie fell in love with the full spectrum of the sport — that classic club runner’s mix of cross country, track, and road. He started out at Woodford Green, following in his dad’s footsteps, before life and family brought him south to Surrey — and to Woking AC, where he’s been ever since.
When asked what athletics has given him, Robbie doesn’t hesitate.
“There’s a line in Fight Club: ‘After fighting, everything else in your life got the volume turned down. You could deal with anything.’ That’s exactly how I feel about competitive running.”
“When you’re training day after day, in all conditions, pushing when your body is screaming at you to stop, everything else in life feels easier by comparison. The discipline of it builds resilience, confidence, and perspective. It’s also paradoxical — the more you train to exhaustion, the more energy and clarity you seem to gain. I didn’t come into the sport for mental health reasons, but when I’m in shape, I feel invincible in all walks of life.”
After a race, though, it’s time to enjoy the moment.
“After a big session it’s usually head down, focus, and onto the next one. But after a good race? That’s when you celebrate — usually with champagne or whatever the tipple of choice is that day, ideally shared with clubmates, friends, or family.” 
His proudest moments? There are a few that stand out.
“Running a 2:37 marathon was special, but more than the time itself it was the message I got afterwards from my dad, who simply texted that he was ‘proud.’ That’s stuck with me.”
“Race-wise, two stand out. My first-ever win — a five-miler in Battersea Park where I went toe-to-toe with Matt Woodman and somehow managed to edge away right at the end. And the inaugural Fast Friday 10,000m at Walthamstow. Ben Pochee was pacing it way faster than my PB, but on that day everything just clicked. I felt completely in control, kicked with two laps to go, and brought it home in front of my dad and my coach. That one will stay with me forever.” 
And finally, proof that even the most disciplined runners can’t outrun bad luck:
“I’ve been knocked over by a car door, torn a rib muscle lying in bed, broken a toe on an Ikea cupboard while picking up a cat, even fallen off a pole while (very drunkenly) trying pole dancing. Most recently, I managed to break another toe on holiday — while saving my daughter from an aggressive dog. Not the usual way to ruin a training block!” 
(Editor’s note: Note to self — never leave Robbie unsupervised near Ikea furniture, pole-dancing poles, or small household pets. Luckily, he’s safer (and faster) on the track.)
Thanks for sharing your story, Robbie — and for reminding us that the best athletes don’t just run fast, they tell great stories while doing it.