Her Trails Coaching

Ikara Ultra 50km
Program for Women

Trezona to Wilpena Pound

A structured 20-week training program built for the Ikara Ultra 50km, a true outback journey through the ancient Ikara-Flinders Ranges. Ikara means meeting place, and this point-to-point course starts at Trezona Camp Ground, runs south through classic Flinders country past Bunyeroo Lookout and the old stations, and finishes with the iconic 18km Tanderra Saddle loop inside Wilpena Pound. Build the trail-specific endurance, rocky-trail footwork and mental durability to run it well, supported by experienced coaches and a community of women preparing for the same race.

Duration

20 Weeks

Distance

50km

Terrain

Rocky outback trail, creek beds, fire trail

Location

Wilpena Pound, South Australia

Race Date

1 May 2027

Access

Platform + App

The Course

Training for the Ikara Ultra 50km

The Ikara Ultra 50km is a point-to-point journey through the ancient grandeur of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges in outback South Australia. It starts at Trezona Camp Ground and runs south along some of the most incredible trails around Ikara, past Bunyeroo Lookout, through the Yanyanna aid station and the old Wilcolo and Wilpena stations, on rocky trail, dry creek beds and fire trail. The finish is anything but a formality: the last 18km is the iconic Tanderra Saddle loop inside Wilpena Pound itself, saved for the end when your legs already have a full day in them.

The country is what makes it hard. The trail is rocky and dry underfoot, the aid stations are far apart, and the Pound loop delivers the biggest climbing of the day right at the point most runners want to be finished. The program develops the endurance, the outback footwork and the pacing patience to run it as a journey, not simply to survive it.

The Course Sections

What you will actually run

The course breaks into four distinct sections, running south from Trezona to Wilpena and finishing on the Pound loop. Each has its own character and demands, and knowing what each one asks of you shapes how we train for it. Distances below are approximate.

Section 1

Trezona to Bunyeroo Lookout

Approx. 12km | the outback opening

The day starts at Trezona Camp Ground and heads south into classic Flinders country, rolling trail through open, ancient landscape toward the views at Bunyeroo Lookout. Fresh legs and cool morning air make this the easiest place in the race to run too hard. The job here is simple: settle in, run within yourself, and set up a long day ahead.

Demands: controlled early pacing, restraint on fresh legs, finding a rhythm you can hold all day

Section 2

Bunyeroo to Yanyanna

Approx. 10km | creeks, gorge country, fire trail

From Bunyeroo the course drops into the working outback: dry creek crossings, fire trail and long open lines through gorge country toward the Yanyanna aid station. This is where the race becomes remote and the sun climbs. The running is runnable but relentless, and the aid stations are a long way apart, so your fuelling, hydration and pacing rhythm all get tested here.

Demands: steady runnable rhythm, disciplined fuelling and hydration, self-sufficiency between distant aid stations

Section 3

Through the stations to Wilpena

Approx. 10km | Wilcolo and Wilpena stations

The trail carries on past the old Wilcolo and Wilpena stations toward the Wilpena aid station at the edge of the Pound. Arriving here in one piece, still eating and still moving well, is the mark of a race run smart, because the hardest section of the whole day is still to come. This is the moment to reset, refuel and get ready for the loop.

Demands: managing effort through the middle miles, arriving at Wilpena with something left, a clean transition before the loop

Section 4

The Tanderra Saddle loop and finish

Final 18km | the Pound loop and biggest climb

The last 18km is the iconic Tanderra Saddle loop inside Wilpena Pound, the biggest climbing of the day saved for the end. Legs that already have a full day in them are asked to climb up to the saddle and then descend to the finish at the Wilpena Pound Visitor Centre. Nothing about this section is a victory lap. It is where the race is decided, and where the finish is earned one steady kilometre at a time.

Demands: late-race climbing on fatigued legs, mental resilience through the final loop, race execution under fatigue

How We Train For It

Course-specific preparation, not generic endurance

Every element of this 20-week program is built around what the Ikara Ultra 50km actually asks of you. A point-to-point outback 50 that saves its biggest climb for the final 18km is a different race than a front-loaded mountain course, and the training is specific because the course is specific.

Long-Run Endurance

50km in remote country can be a long day on feet. Progressive long runs build the deep endurance base to keep moving strongly through the middle miles, so you reach the Pound loop with the fitness to run it rather than just walk it in.

Rocky Outback Footwork

The Flinders trail is dry, rocky and uneven, with creek beds and loose fire trail underfoot. Terrain-specific sessions train foot placement, ankle stability and confidence on rough ground so the surface costs you less energy across the day.

Climbing On Tired Legs

The Tanderra Saddle loop delivers the biggest climb of the day in the final 18km. Long runs are built with climbing loaded into the back end so you rehearse ascending strongly when the legs are already tired, exactly as the course demands.

Heat And Self-Sufficiency

Aid stations are far apart and the country is exposed. We rehearse carrying and rationing your own fluid and food, managing heat and staying on top of hydration, so the remote sections between Bunyeroo and Wilpena never catch you short.

Fuelling A Long Day

Nothing ends a 50 faster than a stomach that stops cooperating. Fuelling and hydration protocols are rehearsed on every long run so what you eat, when and how much is completely settled well before you line up at Trezona.

The Final Loop

The Pound loop comes at the moment most runners are ready to be done. The program includes specific late-race execution work, mental rehearsal and pacing sessions so when you leave Wilpena for the final 18km you already know how to find another gear.

What's Included

Everything you need, in one place

This program covers your running, strength, recovery and coaching from one integrated platform. Nothing is bolted on.

Training Program

●Progressive 20-week Ikara Ultra 50km program
●Rocky-trail and back-loaded climbing sessions for remote outback terrain
●Integrated strength for runners program
●Integrated mobility work for durability

Coaching + Community

●Weekly live coaching calls, join live or watch replays
●Fuelling, hydration and race-day execution guidance
●A connected community of women preparing for the same race
●Access to the Her Trails community for support and connection

Also Worth Considering

Training for more than one goal this season?

Instead of purchasing individual programs, many runners choose the Her Trails All-In Membership for broader training support across the year. If you plan to complete more than one program this season, the All-In Membership is usually the most cost-effective option and gives our coaching team the ability to support you as you transition between races, training blocks and recovery periods.

Best Value

Her Trails All-In Membership

$220 / quarter

✓Access to every Her Trails program including trail, road and strength
✓Community and coaching platform with weekly coaching calls
✓Strength and mobility training for runners
✓Coaching support between races and training blocks
✓Ongoing community support and accountability
✓Discounts on merchandise and selected partner opportunities

Explore the All-In Membership

Before you decide

Questions before you commit?

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