SQUADRUN is very proudly the affiliated coaching partner for the 2023 Ultra-trail Australia. The event enters it’s 15th year and our 8th as the trusted coaching product. And what an amazing 2022 we had!!! SQUADRUN once again celebrated a finish rate around NINE TIMES the event average.
What it means to be the trusted ‘affiliated coaching partner’
The UTA team value our knowledge and understanding of the Ultra-trail Australia and what it takes to help entrants complete the event and achieve their goals. The whole UTA team want to see you succeed and to give you the very best chance of doing this they recognise the importance of having a structured training approach coupled with a deep supportive network.
What is SQUADRUN?
SQUADRUN is an industry leader in delivering high quality, bespoke programmes that are designed to help you achieve your UTA goals. It’s a weekly training plan written with intensities specific to you designed to deliver the right training for the Ultra-trail Australia. It’s not just that though, it’s so much more than a programme. It’s Australasia’s largest coach-lead running community. It’s a massive network of runners across Asia-Pacific sharing their training journey. Ali and I pride ourselves on being some of the most contactable and supportive running coaches in the business. Coupled with our support you’ll enjoy benefits from numerous affiliated partners as well discounts, deals, training camps, group runs, and much much more.
I’m already a member of another club/group
SQUADRUN is most certainly NOT an exclusive club or group. The last thing we want to do is force people to only wear jet-planes and feel that they can no longer mingle with everyone else out there. We actively encourage people to participate in their recreational pass-time in any way they choose. Wear your local trail running cap one day and a SQUADRUN bandanna the next. Make use of all available resources and offers that will help foster and develop your training or love for the sport. If another coach has a training camp that you want to attend – GO! If you see us at an event COME SAY HI! We’re inclusive, we’re fun and we’ll welcome anyone of any ability. There would be few things worse for the Trail Running community than exclusive little fragmented groups. We’ve seen this mindset elsewhere and it’s yucky.
Where is SQUADRUN?
Everywhere! Your training plan is delivered online and we support you remotely however we travel frequently and as your coach it’s is likely that we will get some ‘quality’ time together before you toe the line mid-May. You’re never alone with the SQUADRUN family and fellow squaddies number in the hundreds across Australasia. It’s almost certain that you’ll have local hook-ups to share your training journey and we’ll gladly facilitate groups runs in your area.
Succeed!
You entered an Ultramarathon, you want to make sure you’re going to finish it. At Ultra-trail Australia 2016 SQUADRUN celebrated a 96.5% completion rate and 95% in 2017 and 94% in 2018. These finish rates are around 9 times the event average. Put simply SQUADRUN athletes are almost 10 times more likely to complete their chosen event than the rest of the field regardless of ability.
HUGS!
We’ll actually be there when you finish. No SQUADRUN athlete gets left behind! Ali and I will be there to see you start and we’ll be watching your progress live and online until you’re safely back from the bitey snake-infested wilderness. Get coached by SQUADRUN and receive 50% more finish line hugs (there’s two of us).
High-Fives
With so many SQUADRUN runners and walkers in the event you can guarantee you’ll get a massive amount of shout-outs and support on your journey towards the finish line. Expect a special kind of care and support from fellow ‘squaddies’ on race day. Be part of the family and feel the SQUAD-love!
Who is this for? – “Real people, Extraordinary Goals”
Literally EVERYONE. We typically say we’re the 90% of the field that excludes those special few shiny diamonds that take their stuff so seriously they’re willing to pay 5-times-as-much for a premium 1-on-1 coaching service. SQUADRUN is the everyday athlete. We’re the walkers, we’re everyone from the tail end through the bottom corner of the podium. The ‘average’ SQUADRUN athlete is a 42 year old, 72kg mum but the shelf is long and the bookends far apart. We’ll help you take your 13hr UTA to a 12hr blinder, or simply see you knock off your first ever 100km event. Improve on your 50km time or make a decent go of your 22km foray into trail running.
Will the Train to UTA Plans work for me?
No. You need to work for you. Regardless of how much you pay a coach (or don’t pay a coach) it’s ultimately YOU that has to ‘lace up’ and do the training. We won’t be there to push you out the door or to watch you while you do it. We’ll try to keep an eye on you to ensure you’re getting along ok and remain at your disposal should you need to contact us at any time for help and support but ultimately it’s YOU that must do the training.
This said, if you can commit to regular and consistent training on one of the “Train to UTA” plans you will see very real and significant success. Our athlete retention is incredibly high and indicative that the service we provide is effective and represents outstanding value for money. If you want a testimonial – sign up for a trail and ask any of our members why they love being part of our family.
Who this won’t work for
Train to UTA won’t work for people that don’t actually want to do the training.
Don’t sign up for an Ultramarathon if you don’t want to do an Ultramarathon and don’t get coaching if you don’t want to run, or walk, this event. It would be a mistake for us to tell you that you need to get coached by us. There is a discipline component to training but moreover there must be a fundamental desire to do it. Tell us you want to be coached and seek us for the training programme. We’re ready to support and encourage those who are motivated to run.
Three Generations of SQUADRUN athletes
Facebook – We.Are.Family…
It’s hard to describe the online Facebook community and it’d be interesting to hear how it would describe itself. It’s an incredible, motivational, supportive juggernaut of running advice, fun personalities, and caring beautiful humans. It’s hundreds of real people celebrating their passion for the sport. The real value of this Facebook group can’t really be measured but a fair comment would be “you came for the $15 per week training plan but you stayed for the community”
Of course interaction on Facebook is entirely optional and we have many of our athletes that merely watch and read information and advice shared there. If you don’t like Facebook and prefer complete autonomy, that is fine also however it is essential you maintain contact with Ali and I for any help or support you require.
Start when you want to
Entered the Ultra but not ready to kick off you’re running just yet? Don’t worry. Kick-off your training when you choose. Our advice is always to begin chipping away at the training kms as early as possible but we appreciate you might want to give it a bit until you’re ready to seriously commit to your training. Let us know when you want to get going and we’ll be there to help you on your way.
example programme only
How it works
It’s COMPLICATED! Your biggest initial challenge will be understanding the training plan and how to apply it to yourself. If you remember nothing else, remember this – Read the FAQs and take your time coming to terms with how the programme works.
It is a ‘priority based‘ training plan, YOU can work into your busy life. It is explained clearly in the FAQs. It really is.
Where was that you say? The FAQs! Must I link a fourth time?
Ali and I will help you get started and provide the info you need to piece together your programme. The important thing is that if you need help or support, please contact us! Coaching is a two way street and we are more than happy to help you out, just ask!
Your Priorities matter to us
In all likelihood running isn’t the only thing going on in your life and we appreciate that you probably place family and work ahead of your training. GOOD. No sane person would do otherwise. So what is your running to you? It’s the fun thing you do in your spare time and you choose to do it because it’s FUN. So lets keep it that way!
We have only 3 rules at SQUADRUN:
- No Injuries – you can’t do much if you’re broken. Let’s avoid this at all costs. Let our deep and talented team of affiliated professionals support you in your training and ensure you are in doing the thing right.
- HAVE FUN! – That’s why you do it in the first place. Let the hilarious and community of mad squaddies keep your spirits high and join them for regular Facebook shenanigans
- Run. – It’d be great if you could get some training in at some stage…
Exclusive back-stage pass
As a SQUADRUN member not only are you part of the ‘cool kids club’ but you’ll also enjoy preferential treatment with benefits others wont enjoy. I can’t exactly shorten the course for you but I can make your finish line a little better. Expect an exclusive ‘members-only’ marque for you and your supporters right on the finish line.
We know UTA like few others and our hotline to the Race Directors means we have all the current and up-to-date info at any time you require it. Come ‘start-wave allocation’, you’re going to seriously benefit from our support ensuring you’re put in the right place to have the race of your life.
If you’re from out of town or overseas being part of the team makes even more sense.
TRAINING CAMPS!
SQUADRUN are a NPWS licensed concession holder and are one of only a few businesses allowed to legally take runners into the Blue Mountains. We hold Ultra-trail Australia training camps in November and March/April. These are available for purchase through the Ultra-trail Australia webstore, sell-out quickly and are a popular way to get some really involved on-course training support.
While we wont be able to host training camps for the 2023 event, we will still be doing regular group runs on the course for SQUADRUN members!
Oh my god SQUADRUN is amazing value – Sign me up!
Yes! Jump in and grab a discounted training trial via the webstore here. Use the coupon “10dollars” to receive the $29 UTA offer.
Note that the discounted price is a one-time-only trial offer.
The standard price of $15/w applied if you choose to continue to train with us after the 4-week trial.