Train Smart for The Australian Alpine Ascent (AAA) with these training plans.

The AAA features 80km, 59km and 25km trail runs.

You’ll cross through the picturesque Kosciuszko National park, with a stunning start and finish at Charlotte Pass Village; it’s brutal, but it’s beautiful and the courses have been designed to showcase the very best of the Snowy Mountains along the way.

Here is some information to work out which plan will work best for you:

The AAA events at Mt Kosciuszko are held on March 15th 2024.

25k – Charlottes Pass village to Mt Kosci Summit – +760 m / -758 m

59k – Perisher to Charlottes Pass via Mt Kosci Summit – +1,505 m / -1,503 m

80k – Perisher to Charlottes Pass via Mt Kosci Summit – +2,138 m / -2,136 m

Which Training Plan to Choose for The Australian Alpine Ascent

25k training plan – Use our 12-Week 21km trail plan – this will not need any adjustments. You will need to start this 12 week plan on 25th December 2023

For the 59k training plan you can use our 16-week 50km trail plan – this will not need any adjustments. You will need to start this 16 week program on 27th November 2023

For the 80k you can use either our 16-week 50km trail plan or our 16-week 100km trail plan with some minor adjustments depending on your level of running experience and race goals. You will need to start this program on 27th November 2023

How to adjust for the 80km training plan

I am a firm believer that you can’t train much harder/further for a 100km race than you can for a 50km race. There is only so much training that your body will cope with before you start causing fatigue or injury. You are better to err on the side of caution and do slightly less training, rather than slightly too much. Your first aim, and main priority needs to be making it to the start line injury-free – so please bear that in mind when you choose which program to follow.

If 80km will be the furthest you have ever run, then I would suggest using our 50km training plan at the intermediate or advanced level. If you get started on this plan and feel like you are capable of more volume – then you could move up from intermediate to advanced, or if you are already following the advanced level then you could add 3-4km onto the long runs during week 7, 9, 10, 11 and 13 of the program.

If you have previously already “raced” 80km or further and your body has coped well with the training, then you could use our 100km training plan and follow the beginner, intermediate or advanced level depending on your level of running experience and current fitness.

NB: If you start using either our 50k plan or our 100k plan and you feel like you need to swap, then please just email me and I will be happy to swap them for you. My aim in writing these programs is to get you to the start line fit, healthy, and in the best shape possible. If that happens, then it will be much easier for you to reach the finish line.,

Happy training!

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