Her Trails Coaching
Kunanyi Alpine Marathon
Climb the mountain, own the ridge
A 20-week female-first training program built for the Kunanyi Alpine Marathon: 46km and 2,360m of climbing over Hobart's most demanding trail terrain. Includes vertical climbing capacity, technical descending, alpine exposure and scrambling preparation, pacing strategy, fuelling, and weekly coaching calls.
The Course
One of Australia's most technical trail marathons
The Alpine Marathon climbs the full height of Kunanyi through forest and dolerite boulder fields, crosses the exposed, remote Thark Ridge past Montagu Thumbs and Cathedral Rock, then descends technical single track back to Hobart. It is built for experienced trail runners, and this program is built to prepare you for exactly that.
Vertical, exposure and technical descending
- ●1,350m of climbing in the first 12.2km, straight from the start
- ●Remote, exposed alpine ridgeline with scrambling using hands and feet
- ●1,370m of technical descending off the plateau into Cathedral
- ●Alpine weather exposure, often 10 degrees cooler at the pinnacle
- ●Long remote sections between aid stations with real self-sufficiency required
Built specifically for Kunanyi's profile
- ●Progressive vertical gain sessions and power-hiking technique from week one
- ●Technical footwork and confidence work for exposed, hands-on terrain
- ●Downhill-specific strength and descent drills for the Cathedral drop
- ●Cold and wind acclimatisation ahead of the pinnacle and ridge sections
- ●Mandatory gear familiarity and self-sufficiency practice on long runs
The 20-Week Arc
Building climbing, descending and endurance
Your training breaks into six phases across 20 weeks, with deload and absorption weeks built in deliberately. Recovery isn't a pause in the plan, it's where the adaptation from hard training actually happens. Each phase builds directly on the last.
Phase 1
Prime
Weeks 1 - 4
Aerobic base, hill repeats, foothills terrain and stair work.
Phase 2
Build
Weeks 5 - 10
Vertical gain sessions, technical descending and exposed terrain confidence. Includes an absorption week.
Phase 3
Peak
Weeks 11 - 14
Vertical gain and back-to-back efforts continue to build, with fuelling and mandatory gear practice at race intensity. Includes a deload week.
Phase 4
Sharpen
Weeks 15 - 17
Peak week (week 16) brings your longest climbing effort and highest vertical gain, then quality over volume and ridge-line confidence work through to week 17.
Phase 5
Taper
Week 18
Reduce volume, maintain fitness, arrive fresh at the start line.
Phase 6
Race Week
Weeks 19 - 20
Easy activations, gear checks, rest, and race day on Kunanyi.
Program Approach
What we build throughout 20 weeks
The Alpine Marathon is a distinct challenge with specific physical and mental demands. This program builds the exact capacities that make you strong on Kunanyi.
Climbing endurance
Leg 1 alone climbs 1,350m in 12.2km. We build sustained climbing power through progressive vertical gain sessions, so you can hike efficiently and steadily from the very first kilometre.
Technical descending
The drop off the plateau into Cathedral is 1,370m of technical trail. You'll train foot placement, momentum management and downhill strength so you can move down confidently without damage or hesitation.
Exposure and scrambling
Thark Ridge is remote, exposed and requires scrambling using both hands and feet. We build this confidence progressively on technical terrain, so the ridgeline feels manageable rather than overwhelming on race day.
Fuelling and self-sufficiency
Aid stations are spread across long, remote legs. We test your fuelling and mandatory gear use on long training days, so carrying what you need feels routine rather than a last-minute scramble.
Alpine weather resilience
The pinnacle plateau runs roughly 10 degrees cooler than the city, with regular wind. We build cold and wind acclimatisation into training so a change in conditions doesn't change your race.
Race composure
Kunanyi tests you mentally as much as physically. We train problem-solving, pacing discipline and the resilience to keep moving through remote, technical terrain when fatigue pushes back.
Getting Started
Content releases weekly, but your timeline comes first
The program is released one week at a time, in step with the periodisation, starting Monday 2 November 2026. If you're joining partway through, or your current fitness means a different starting point makes more sense, just let us know. We'll set that up for you and give you guidance based on your baseline, so you're never training the wrong week for race day on 20 March 2027.
What's Included
Everything you need, in one place
Your training, strength, recovery and coaching live in one integrated platform. Nothing is bolted on.
Training Program
- ●Progressive 20-week Alpine Marathon program built for Kunanyi's profile
- ●Sessions structured around women's physiology and cycle rhythm
- ●Technical descending and exposure confidence progressively built
- ●Deload and absorption weeks planned into the periodisation
- ●Power-hiking strategy, fuelling and mandatory gear practice
Coaching + Community
- ●Weekly live coaching calls on Tuesday and Thursday
- ●Join live or watch recorded sessions on your schedule
- ●Community hub with peer support and accountability
- ●Email coaching support through race day
Common Questions
What runners ask before they start
Do I need trail experience or can I be new to trails?
The Alpine Marathon is for experienced trail runners. KMR asks entrants to self-assess their skills and confidence with exposure and scrambling before registering, and this program assumes solid trail fitness to build from. If you're newer to trails, reach out first so we can advise on the best entry point.
How does the program handle the exposed ridgeline section?
We build technical terrain confidence progressively through the Build and Peak phases, using rocky and exposed sections in your training area where possible. Your coach can also point you to Hobart-based training runs on the actual course during the festival's training weekend.
Can I adjust the start date?
Yes. Content releases weekly from Monday 2 November 2026, but if you're joining partway through, or your baseline fitness suggests a different entry point, let us know and we'll set this up for you along with guidance based on where you're starting from. Coaching calls are recorded, so you can join live or catch up on your own schedule.
What's the time commitment per week?
Peak week (week 16) is your biggest, with several hours of vertical-focused training depending on your fitness level and pace (a mix of runs, strength and recovery). Base and deload weeks are considerably lighter. Each workout has a prescribed duration, and your coach can adjust volume to your capacity.
Is this group coaching or individual?
It's structured group coaching with one shared program and twice-weekly live calls. Our coaches can advise on 1:1 customization options if needed for specific circumstances.
Also Worth Considering
Running more than one race 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 multiple races or want flexibility between programs, the All-In Membership is usually the most cost-effective option and gives our coaching team the ability to support you across training blocks and transitions.
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
