Leopards
LEAP crew on a group run

LEAP Training Crew

LEAP is a collaboration between Trail Leopards and Ascent Running, led by Kai Forster and Didier de Villiers. Eight in-person sessions every week, offering a full performance package across running, strength, and recovery workouts, with the coaching, perks, and community around them.

Most modern endurance coaching happens behind a screen, meaning athletes lack the community and accountability that group training brings. While generic training plans and algorithmic apps have their place, they miss the most critical ingredients for sustainable progression: in-person coaching, real-time feedback, and the shared energy and accountability of a crew doing the work together.

Whether you are taking your first running steps, aiming to break a 5km barrier, or preparing your body to handle the demands of an ultra marathon, LEAP bridges the gap between casual, social group runs and high-level 1-on-1 coaching.

How LEAP Supports Your Running and Fitness Goals

  • In-Person Structure & Coaching: 8 weekly sessions covering the complete training spectrum: aerobic volume, interval pacing, technical trail running, dedicated runner-specific strength work, and recovery.
  • UESCA-Certified Coaching: Led by certified coaches with engineering and Master's degrees, bringing structured periodisation, biomechanics awareness, and load management without burnout.
  • Full Scalability: No fitness prerequisites. Workouts and trail intervals are structured so everyone gets the right physiological stimulus regardless of baseline fitness.
  • The LEAP Performance Lab: Access to our curated digital coaching vault—exercise demos, strength protocols, nutrition guides, and gear and race-planning blueprints that have been battle-tested across ultra-marathon distances.
  • Exclusive Partner Discounts & Perks: Discounts with our trusted network of physiotherapists, biokineticists, sports massage therapists, and brand partners.
Mountain trail

Weekly Calendar

  • Monday

    • 06:30

      Easy Run

    • 17:45

      Leg strength

  • Tuesday

    • 06:30

      Bakery Run / Intervals

  • Wednesday

    • 06:30

      Easy run

    • 17:45

      Upper body & core strength

  • Thursday

    • 18:00

      Community trail run

      + free drink

  • Friday

    • 07:00

      Stretch, dip, coffee

  • Saturday

    • 07:30

      Long Run

Membership & Options

LEAP is designed to be accessible, offering high-touch coaching at an unmatched cost per session. All Ascent Running and Trail Leopards coaching clients get automatic access.

1. The LEAP Crew Membership

Launch Price: R399/month, or R499 for the rest of 2026 as a once-off payment.

  • Full access to all 8 weekly sessions (works out to roughly R13 per session)
  • Full access to the Performance Lab online platform & resource library as it is developed
  • Exclusive partner discounts (physio, biokinetics, wellness, gear)
  • Member community group for training logs, updates, and race-day logistics

2. Drop-In Rates

  • Strength Sessions: R150/session
  • Group Runs: R50/session
Cape floral kingdom trail

Note for the Leopards Community

Trail Leopards will always remain the welcoming, open community you know and love. Our standard social runs and community events aren't going anywhere.

LEAP is an optional premium layer for runners who want intentional structure, in-person strength conditioning, and consistent coaching oversight to unlock their potential.

The LEAP training crew together