GROUNDWORK LITE
From city streets to trail.
A six-session guided run series in NSW and VIC, from a first social run to a guided trail finale. November 2026 to April 2027.
RegisterOVERVIEW
WHAT IT IS
GROUNDWORK is a guided progression for runners who want to head off the pavement. Each session builds one clear skill, so you finish the series ready for real trail.
HOW IT WORKS
Six sessions, one purpose each: easy social running, effort-based pacing, a sustainable aerobic base, hills up and down, fuelling and kit, then the finale. Every session is led by a local Arc’teryx Ambassador and built on the one before it.
WHERE IT ENDS
The Summit is a guided trail run, where you put everything you’ve learned into practice.
SCHEDULE
Six sessions, six skills. Same program in both cities.
1. Introduction
A social run to meet your group and see where the series is heading. We keep the pace easy enough that everyone can talk in full sentences.
2. Foundation
Change how you think about running on trail. Learn to run by effort rather than pace, and to keep your eyes up on uneven ground.
3. Rhythm
Build an easy, sustainable aerobic base on a 10 km conversational run, with a simple breathing pattern to keep you relaxed over distance.
4. Climbing & Descent
Handle hills both ways. Power hike the climbs to save energy, then use quick, short steps on the way down, with hill repeats to practise both.
5. Fuel & Kit
Rehearse a long run, so the Summit feels familiar. Practise fuelling early and often, and pack and carry the kit you’ll need on the day.
The Summit
The pinnacle trail moment. A guided trail run to bring it all together, using what you’ve learned and looking after each other and the trail.
FACILITATORS
Your guides for the series.
Ji Sheng, NSW
Ji Sheng is an Arc’teryx Ambassador, competitive trail runner and the founder of MUTU, a community for women and people of colour to explore the outdoors, with events from beginner hikes to trail runs, camps and fast packing. Ji races trails regularly and is a familiar and well-respected community figure in the running scene. A community builder and connector with strong inclusion credentials, and the NSW lead for Groundwork Lite.
Samantha Gash, VIC
Samantha Gash is an Arc’teryx Ambassador, ultra-marathon runner, author and social impact entrepreneur. In one calendar year she became the first woman, and the youngest person, to complete the Four Deserts Grand Slam, four 250 km races across some of the planet’s harshest terrain. An inspirational, here to lead Groundwork Lite for VIC.
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