About Us
Happy Pace was born from a deep love of triathlon and the belief that the journey to race day should feel just as rewarding as the finish chute.
Over the last few years, we’ve supported athletes stepping into their very first triathlon, achieving personal bests, qualifying for World Championships, and finishing IRONMAN events and bucket list races they once thought were out of reach.
We believe performance and joy are not opposites. You can chase ambitious goals and still love the process. You can train seriously without losing perspective. And you can fit this sport into a full, busy life without needing to put everything else on hold.
Our coaching is designed to meet you where you’re at, with structured training, practical guidance, and genuine support. We help you build consistency, belief, and momentum so you can train well, race well, and enjoy the process along the way.
Because when you find your happy pace, that’s where the magic happens ✨
Our Coaches
Mardi Cuthbert
Founder/Coach
With over 10 years in the sport, Mardi has represented Australia at both the ITU World Championships and the 70.3 World Championships, completed 10 × 70.3 events and in 2025 achieved a long-held goal of becoming an IRONMAN.
Outside of triathlon, Mardi works full-time in engineering and understands the realities of balancing training alongside a busy career and life. Her coaching philosophy is centred on helping athletes become strong, confident and capable through purposeful training, genuine support and a healthy perspective on the sport.
A qualified AusTriathlon Coach since 2018, Mardi is passionate about the transformative power of triathlon - not just for building fitness, but for the confidence, community, and joy it can bring to your life.
Christian Kovarik
Coach
Christian's triathlon journey began at age 18, but it wasn't until his late twenties that he fully embraced the sport. Since then, he has won the 2XU Triathlon Series, completed multiple Ironman and 70.3 events, and raced countless marathons and half marathons.
His coaching experience ranges from helping athletes cross the finish line of their very first triathlon or Ironman to guiding athletes towards sub-10-hour Ironman performances and qualification for the Ironman World Championships. Christian's approach is shaped by his own transformation - from weighing 110kg and struggling to run 5km to completing his first Ironman.
Christian is passionate about helping athletes build confidence, trust the process and achieve goals they once thought were out of reach, all while balancing the demands of work, family and everyday life.
Katie Holmes
Coach
Katie discovered triathlon in 2019 as a way to combine her love of running and cycling while connecting with like-minded people. Since then, she has represented Great Britain at both European and World Age Group Championships and has raced everything from sprint distance through to 70.3 racing. A full IRONMAN may still be on the horizon!
With a background in trampoline gymnastics as both an athlete and coach, Katie has been coaching triathlon for over five years. Her experience includes supporting athletes from their first local races through to World Championship qualification, delivering group coaching programs and creating long-term training plans tailored to individual goals.
Katie is particularly passionate about the community side of triathlon and helping athletes enjoy the journey as much as the destination. She loves supporting people to build confidence, achieve meaningful goals and discover just how much they're capable of.