Ultra Running Coach

Steve Hopwood Running Coach

I work with trail and ultra runners of all abilities, from first-time ultra hopefuls to experienced athletes chasing big, personal goals. At the heart of my coaching is a simple belief: training should fit around your life, not the other way round. 

I’m an ultra runner myself, so I understand the realities that don’t always make it into training manuals, busy jobs, family commitments, tired legs, self-doubt, and the mental ups and downs that come with long-distance running. That lived experience shapes how I coach. I care just as much about how training feels as how it looks on paper. 

What I value most is the individual. No two runners respond the same way to training, so I don’t believe in rigid formulas or one-size-fits-all plans. Instead, I take the time to understand each athlete, their background, goals, strengths, limits, and life outside running, and build training that works for them. Flexibility isn’t a weakness in a plan; it’s a strength. 

I’m big on consistency over heroics, patience over panic, and long-term development over short-term wins. That means focusing on smart volume, appropriate intensity, durability, and resilience, both physical and mental. I want athletes to not only reach the start line prepared, but to enjoy the process of getting there and come out the other side healthier and more confident. 

At Zone 2 Coaching, the relationship matters. I value open communication, honesty, and trust. You’re not just following a plan, you’re working with a coach who listens, adapts, and supports you through the highs and the tough patches alike. 

Ultimately, my goal is to help runners build sustainable performance, confidence in their own decision-making, and a long, happy relationship with the sport. If you care about doing things properly, training with purpose, and being treated as a person first and an athlete second, we’ll get on just fine. 

Personally, I love big mountain adventures/races, long days out on my bike and taking time to unwind in the garden with the chickens :)