We are the A-Team of coaches
A-Team Coaching is home to four highly experienced and knowledgeable coaches, each of which has a unique coaching style and brings something different to our athletes’ experience. We aren’t a “one-size-fits-all” type of coaching platform, nor do we follow the same plans, for the same race, for different athletes.
Please read through the bio’s and information for each of our coaches provided below and, when sending through an inquiry, select the coach you feel would be best suited to your individual preference, level of experience and training goals.
“AI is real cute. But you are not a Tamagotchi. You still need to put in the training! Running is, and always has been a physical extension of our emotions, and not of our computers.”
-David Ashworth
OUR COACHES
“Goal races are a small part of running. It’s just one day among all the days, weeks and months of training.
Learn to love the journey. Don’t make your training just a means to an end.”-David Ashworth
Why Our Coaches Make the Difference
David Ashworth
With a personal best of 2h 29min for the marathon and a century of ultra-distance finishes, David knows endurance running inside out. He’s completed the legendary Comrades Marathon 14 times (recent PB 6h05), and has tackled the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon 10 times. That range — from 5 km pace to ultra-endurance — gives him unique empathy for runners of all levels.
But it’s not just experience: David brings formal credentials in endurance coaching, running-form analysis and sports science (including nutrition and cycling). That means whether you’re a beginner easing into your first 5km, a marathoner chasing a personal best, or an ultra hopeful aiming for Comrades, David can craft a training plan that acknowledges where you are — and helps you get where you want to go. Read more…
Ann Ashworth
Ann is one of South Africa’s most decorated female ultra-marathoners and a powerful advocate for women in endurance sport. She’s not only a former winner of Comrades, but also holds organisational experience — recently serving as Race & Operations Manager for Comrades Marathon, elevating every aspect of the race.
Beyond her elite achievements, Ann champions female-centred development. Her coaching combines decades of personal racing experience with up-to-date knowledge of strength training, nutrition, and even sports psychology (Ann is in the process of obtaining formal psychology certification).
What that means for you: if you’re a woman looking for coaching that truly understands female physiology, mental demands, recovery needs and race dynamics — whether you’re new to long-distance running or pursuing podium potential — Ann offers structured, empathetic guidance based on world-class experience and science-backed methods. Read more…
Cuan Walker
If road-running in South Africa had a familiar face and voice, it’s Cuan — a household name in the sport. As a media commentator on major races since 2008, he has both the insight of a runner and the broad perspective of an observer of the sport.
Cuan has completed four Comrades ultras himself. More importantly, he has studied — at arms length — the training methodologies of world-class Kenyan and international runners, including spending time in Kenya immersing himself in elite endurance culture.
That dual background — practical road-running experience as well as elite-level training methodology — makes Cuan ideal for athletes seeking a refined, performance-driven approach. If you value strategic planning, disciplined training, and benefit from someone who understands both local racing culture and international best practices, Cuan brings a rare mix of perspective and know-how. Read more…
Kerry Koen
Kerry Koen is a decorated endurance runner and a vital member of the A-Team Coaching stable. She has earned multiple coveted finishes — including gold medals at the Comrades Marathon and a strong ultra-distance record at the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon.
On top of her elite race credentials, Kerry brings the advantage of lived experience as a competitive runner who has navigated training, race-day pressures, recovery cycles, and the demands of long-distance performance. This translates into real-world empathy and insight for athletes who are chasing first finishes, personal records, or podium ambitions.
When you choose Kerry as your coach, you get a mentor who understands the full spectrum of endurance running — from rigorous training blocks and strength work to pacing strategy, mental resilience, and race-day execution. Her history of performance underscores not just what’s possible — but what’s proven. Read more…
What This Means for You
By choosing A-Team Coaching, you’re not just matched with “a coach.” You’re matched with an expert whose background aligns with your goals — from first-timers, weekend warriors, marathon-seekers, to ultra-athletes chasing Comrades Marathon or Two Oceans finishes. Our coaches don’t rely on cookie-cutter templates: they draw from their own racing history, formal training, and current best-practice in sports science to deliver a custom plan tailored to your lifestyle, fitness level, and ambitions.