John Charles

Sports Podiatrist

John Charles is a podiatrist and running coach based in Melbourne, widely known as “The Running Podiatrist”. He has over 16 years of experience in podiatry, working across both the UK and Australia.

An accomplished Ironman triathlete and multi-time marathoner, John knows the mental and physical demands of the long haul. This firsthand perspective allows him to offer more than just medical advice; he provides a roadmap for performance, blending gait analysis with a deep understanding of a runner’s individual needs.

Beyond the clinic, John takes a keen interest in the evolution of athletic footwear. Whether he’s co-hosting the SEPA (Sports and Exercise Podiatry Australasia) Sole Science Podcast or working with fellow health professionals, his mission remains the same: to empower the Melbourne running community to move stronger, faster, and further.

Recommending Running Shoes – A Podiatrist’s Guide

The evolving running footwear landscape, characterized by advanced technologies, a rapid rate of development, and an overwhelming influx of choice and information, poses significant challenges for any health professional working with runners.

In this presentation I will talk about my challenges with shoe recommendation from the start of my career as a running shoe store expert in London to my extensive work as a sports podiatrist with a wide range of runners in Melbourne.
I will discuss the evidence base (or lack of) for specific shoe perscription and my journey towards a philosophy that puts the runner at the centre of their shoe choice. I will talk about my idea of a “Sweet Spot” for a running shoe that meets three core qualities – Fit, Comfort and Beliefs to find footwear the maximises comfort, optimises movement and reduces injury.

I aim to upskill your knowledge around the current evidence, where things are heading and how we can use our unique skills and role to best recommend running shoes for our patients.