You don't need another plan. You need a clear path to becoming a better runner — structured, progressive and built around your life, whether you're training in the Lake District, elsewhere in the UK, or anywhere in the world.
This is about building you over time — stronger and more durable, aerobically fitter, more efficient across terrain, and consistent in your training. Not just for your next race, but for where you'll be in 6–12 months and beyond.
Your training evolves as you do — with ongoing adjustments based on your response, clear guidance so you understand the process, and support across training, racing and recovery, including race-day fuelling (see our guide on how to fuel an ultra).
Build consistency, confidence and a strong foundation for running.
Break through plateaus and train with more structure and purpose.
Maximise performance, race execution and long-term progression.
We coach all four mountain running disciplines from our base in Keswick, in the heart of the Lake District — face to face on the Lakeland fells, and online for athletes across the UK and worldwide. Most runners we work with move between them, and the training is built to carry across.
Steep, rough and often unmarked. Brennan is a two-time Three Peaks Fell Race winner and 2022 English Fell Running Championships runner-up, with wins at Skiddaw, Newlands Memorial, Buttermere Sailbeck and Grisedale Horseshoe. Both coaches hold the UK Athletics Fell and Trail Leader qualification.
From 25km to a hundred miles. Brennan won the UTS 50km at the UTMB World Series, placed 34th at OCC by UTMB and represented GB at the 2022 European and World Trail Running Championships, taking team bronze.
Long days, big climbs and technical ground. Kat’s background as a mountaineer and alpinist feeds straight into how we prepare athletes for sustained climbing, descending and moving well over difficult terrain.
Racing where the ground steepens and the air thins. Brennan is a former UK Skyrunning Champion and winner of the Garmin Mourne Sky Race; Kat races the Skyrunner UK series, including the Ring of Steall in Glencoe.
Perfect if you want structured training and thoughtful support — ideal for self-motivated runners who want expert guidance and a clear training path.
Phone calls available on request at extra cost.
Get StartedFor runners who want more regular connection and deeper support throughout their training.
Get Started
We talk through your background, goals and what coaching looks like for you — no pressure, no commitment.
Your training is built around your life, schedule, terrain and goals — never a generic template.
Coaching that evolves with you month by month, year by year. We have athletes we have worked with for over 7 years.
Consistent improvement over time — not just for your next race, but for where you'll be in 6 months, a year and beyond.

"A huge 16-minute PB on a tough course, in conditions that demanded smart decisions from the very start. Layering up, staying patient in a congested opening climb, and committing to a steady, controlled effort early on — that's what set the tone."

"Superb return to form for Bryan, finishing an impressive 7th at the Cavour race in Italy last weekend. A great start to this year's racing season."

"Big thanks to Coach Kat for keeping my legs strong on the descents! Was a good feeling to be able to run to the end rather than hobble!"

"Preparing for an ambitious PB attempt at the London Marathon and following it three weeks later with a crack at UTS 50K in Snowdonia was always going to be a challenge, but with Brennan's assistance I had one of my best training blocks ever. An intelligent training plan built around my busy life focused on building both speed and resilience, and I was pleased to PB in a road half marathon in the buildup. A strong run in London — my second fastest ever there at 51 years old — was followed by a great day out in challenging conditions in the Welsh mountains, where I feel as a fairly novice mountain runner I did well in managing my effort and finishing strongly. More races are already planned to build on the momentum, and I'm confident with the Townshend team's support I'll not only achieve but surpass my goals."

"I am really enjoying these hilly trail half marathon races right now — they are definitely underrated. It was a tough race that worked my legs and lungs hard against some very fast road runners. Fighting for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place from the very start to the finish line was amazing. Now it's time to train hard for the next one — my coach Brennan and I have more goals to reach at Skyrunning UK, we have some unfinished business there. Time to get back to the steep, rocky hills and start climbing."

Mark took the win at Spelga Skyline, out in the Mournes — a brilliant result on a tough course.

George took 2nd place at the St Sunday Skyrace, tackling the exposed ridgelines above Ullswater for a brilliant result on tough Lake District terrain.

Seventeen months of building strength, resilience, and consistent habits led to this: Lydia's first ultra finish at the Lakeland 50 in 10:39:05, 14th lady and 99th overall — patient, purposeful progression paying off.

"Fantastic conditions and support on the fells yesterday. So grateful to be part of such an amazing club, Keswick AC. Thanks again to Townshend Performance and Kat Townshend for training and racing advice."

"Great run from coached athlete Poppy in the first round of the English Fell Running Championships, finishing a strong 5th. A really solid start to the series and great strength shown over a tough route."

"I can't believe it's been a week already! What a perfect day on the fells, and one I am super proud of. No drama, just a fantastic team and a quiet determination to get it done. I am so grateful and so happy that I get to do these things."
Not sure which option is right for you? Book a free consultation and we'll work it out together.
Book Free ConsultationOur athletes get exclusive discount codes on nutrition and gear from these trusted brands.
We offer two coaching options. Standard Coaching is £100 a month and includes a goal-setting call, two weeks of training planned ahead, runner-specific strength and conditioning, TrainingPeaks session feedback and partner discounts. Premium Coaching is £135 a month and adds sports and nutrition guidance, unlimited contact via email and WhatsApp, and monthly review calls.
Standard Coaching covers structured training with email support, with phone calls available at extra cost. Premium Coaching includes everything in Standard plus sports and general nutrition guidance, unlimited contact via email and WhatsApp, monthly review calls and a premium TrainingPeaks account.
Yes. All of our coaching is delivered entirely online, so we coach athletes UK-wide and worldwide — training, feedback and support wherever you're based, via TrainingPeaks, email and WhatsApp.
We start with a free consultation to talk through your background, goals and what coaching would look like for you, with no pressure or commitment. From there we build a personalised plan around your life, schedule and terrain, and your training keeps evolving as you progress.
All levels — from runners new to structured training who want to build consistency and confidence, through intermediate athletes looking to break through plateaus, to competitive and elite runners maximising performance and race execution.