

Meet The Team
Brennan Townshend
Brennan is an elite ultra trail runner, professional running coach, and former professional cyclist based in the Lake District, UK. He lives with his family in the heart of the Northern Lakes, where the mountains shape both his training and coaching philosophy. With over 16 years of endurance sport experience, Brennan has competed at an elite level across cycling, triathlon, and fell, trail, and ultra running. His background across multiple disciplines gives him a deep, well-rounded understanding of performance, resilience, and long-term athlete development. Athletic Achievements Running Brennan has delivered standout performances across some of the most competitive races in the UK and internationally. His results include: Winner – Three Peaks Fell Race (2x) Winner – UTS 50km (UTMB World Series) Winner – Garmin Mourne Sky Race Winner – V3K Ultra Winner – Skiddaw Fell Race Winner – Newlands Memorial Race Winner – Buttermere Sailbeck Winner – Grisedale Horseshoe On the international stage, Brennan represented Great Britain at the 2022 European and World Trail Running Championships, contributing to a team bronze medal at the World Championships. Additional accolades include: Runner-up – English Fell Running Championships (2022) Former UK Skyrunning Champion UTMB Experience Brennan’s experience competing in the global UTMB World Series provides a direct advantage to the athletes he coaches. Racing at the front of international ultra trail events means he understands exactly what it takes to perform on the most demanding courses in the world - from pacing and fuelling strategies to technical descending, climbing efficiency, and race execution under fatigue. Proven performances against elite international fields Extensive experience on technical, mountainous terrain Deep understanding of ultra-distance race demands and strategy View Brennan’s full UTMB profile and race results: https://utmb.world/runner/1640163.brennan.townshend For the athletes he coaches, this translates into practical, real-world insight—not just theory. Brennan applies lessons learned from elite competition to help athletes prepare effectively, avoid common mistakes, and perform with confidence on race day, whether they are stepping up to their first ultra or targeting high-level competition. Cycling Before transitioning fully into running, Brennan competed as a professional cyclist, racing at an elite level across the UK and Europe. His cycling career included: Competition at elite national and international road races Experience racing in high-performance team environments Strong results in stage races, road races, and time trials Development within the professional cycling pathway, building a deep understanding of endurance physiology and race strategy His time in cycling laid the foundation for his endurance career, developing the aerobic capacity, tactical awareness, and training discipline that continue to underpin his success as both an athlete and coach. Coaching Experience & Philosophy Brennan has been coaching endurance athletes for over 12 years, helping athletes of all levels maximise performance, prepare for key events, and achieve long-term progression. His coaching is grounded in science-driven methodology, combining data analysis, structured training principles, and real-world racing experience. He focuses on building durable, resilient athletes capable of performing consistently in demanding environments. Brennan’s approach is highly individualised, recognising that every athlete responds differently to training. His programs are designed to optimise performance while balancing lifestyle, recovery, and long-term development. Qualifications & Education UK Athletics Qualified Running Coach United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy – Running Coach Association of British Cycling Coach BSc Sport & Exercise Science (Manchester Metropolitan University – final year) Continuous professional development remains central to Brennan’s coaching, ensuring his methods evolve alongside the latest research and best practice in endurance performance.


Kat Townshend
Kat Townshend is a highly experienced fell, trail and mountain running coach, combining elite racing insight with real-world mountain experience to help runners unlock their full potential. As co-founder of Townshend Performance, she works with athletes of all levels - from first-time trail runners to experienced ultra racers - delivering structured, personalised coaching that builds strength, resilience and long-term performance. A Background That Sets Her Apart Kat brings a unique depth of experience rarely found in running coaches: Former mountaineer and alpinist Mother of two balancing training with real life Years of experience operating in demanding mountain environments This means her coaching goes beyond running: Deep understanding of terrain, risk, and mountain movement First-hand experience managing fatigue, exposure, and endurance over long durations Practical insight into training around real-life demands, not ideal scenarios Coaching Credentials & Expertise UK Athletics Level 2 Coach UESCA Certified Ultramarathon Running Coach Fell & Mountain Running Coach Level 2 Personal Trainer 7+ years coaching experience Her approach blends: Evidence-based training methods Strength and conditioning integration Terrain-specific preparation (fell, trail, mountain) Real-world race strategy and execution Proven Athlete - Real Experience That Matters Kat is an active competitor within the UTMB World Series, bringing current, relevant racing experience into her coaching. Key Performance Highlights UTMB Index: 553 (strong competitive level) 3rd Female – Keswick Mountain Festival 25km (2025) Multiple top-5 female finishes in UK trail races Consistent performances across 25k–75k mountain races Athletes benefit from a coach who is: Actively racing Continuously learning Applying lessons directly into coaching Coaching Philosophy “Train smarter. Build stronger. Perform when it counts.” Kat’s coaching is built around: Individualised plans (not templates) Long-term athlete development Balancing training with real life (work, family, stress) Building confidence as much as fitness Her background as an alpinist and parent reinforces a key principle: Consistency beats perfection. Why Be Coached by Kat? 1. Personalised, Adaptive Coaching Every plan is built around: Your goals Your lifestyle Your current fitness 2. True Mountain Expertise Unlike many coaches, Kat brings: Real alpinism experience Deep terrain understanding Practical race-day decision-making skills 3. Built for Real Life As a mother of two, Kat understands: Time constraints Fatigue management How to make training work in busy lives This makes her coaching realistic, sustainable, and effective. 4. Consistency Without Burnout Athletes experience: Better recovery Reduced injury risk Sustainable progression 5. Strength, Resilience & Durability Focus on: Strength training integration Hills and technical terrain Mental resilience under fatigue Athlete Results & Transformations Kat’s athletes consistently achieve meaningful progress: Performance Gains First ultra completions Significant improvements across distances Progression from beginner to confident trail runner Consistency & Injury Prevention Strong training consistency Reduced injury rates Successful race completions without burnout Confidence & Capability Improved pacing and fuelling strategies Greater confidence in mountain environments Ability to handle longer, more technical races Who Kat Works Best With Trail / fell runners wanting structure Road runners transitioning to trails Ultra runners aiming to level up Busy athletes balancing life and training Anyone wanting long-term progression - not quick fixes