Welcome to AlpasFit

Athlete & Background

Lijan is a Salomon elite trail runner and mother based in Stellenbosch, South Africa. With a BSc Honours in Human Physiology from the Muscle Research Group, her academic background reflects a deep fascination with how the human body responds to exercise. She furthered her education with a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, equipping her to teach athletes the science behind running and how to listen to their bodies. Passionate about nutrition, exercise, and holistic living, Lijan brings both scientific knowledge and real-world athletic experience to her coaching.

Running Journey

Lijan’s running career began on the track as an 800m and 1500m athlete in high school before discovering trail running in 2016. Since then, she has competed back on the track, and in road, and cross country events, but has focused primarily on trail races in South Africa and Europe, including representing South Africa at the Trail World Championships in Austria in 2023. For Lijan, trail running represents freedom – it clears her mind, brings her joy, and embodies an active, healthy lifestyle that respects both body and environment.

Coaching Philosophy

Lijan’s coaching is built on consistency and sustainability – she believes running should be a lifelong passion. Her approach is holistic, taking into account each athlete’s unique physiology. For female athletes who wish, she incorporates menstrual cycle awareness to optimise performance. Living by the motto “health is wealth,” Lijan prioritises her athletes’ wellbeing above all else.

As both an elite athlete and a mother, Lijan has firsthand experience navigating pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and the return to running at a high level. This journey has deepened her understanding of the physiological, hormonal, and psychological changes that occur during and after pregnancy, uniquely positioning her to support mothers wanting to get back into running.

Whatever level you’re at, Lijan serves as a voice of encouragement, support, and belief, helping you work towards your unique goals whilst maintaining the joy that running brings.

Experience & Achievements

Lijan has claimed over 70 podium finishes in prestigious races including the Otter African Trail Run, MUT by UTMB, Whale of Trail, Ultra Trail Drakensberg, and Ultra Trail Cape Town.

Recent highlights include:

∙ 2nd at Sanlam Cape Town Trail 2025 (22km) – five months postpartum

∙ 1st at Karkloof 20 Miler ASA National Trail Championships (32km)

∙ 4th at Crossing Riviera, Switzerland (30km)

∙ 6th at Eiger35 by UTMB, Switzerland (36km)

∙ 1st at Ultra Trail Drakensberg (38km)

∙ New 10km PB at Spar Ladies 10km (36:28)

∙ 2nd at Otter African Trail Run (42km)

∙ 1st at Whale of Trail (37km) – new course record

∙ Completed Sierre-Zinal, Switzerland (31km) in 2021

∙ Represented South Africa at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, 2023

Athlete & Background

Charl is a sports scientist, trail runner, and cyclist with a deep belief that courage lives within every athlete—the courage to attempt what once felt impossible. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Stellenbosch in 2024 and has always been driven by a passion for learning, self-development, and making the most of his abilities and circumstances.

Running Journey

A trail runner at heart, Charl has pushed his limits across road and mountain terrain, developing both performance and resilience through experience, study, and hard-earned lessons in racing. From solo time trials to mountain challenges and competitive trail events, his journey has been shaped by curiosity, discipline, and a desire to understand the science behind endurance.

Coaching Philosophy

Charl believes coaching should be exciting, creative, and flexible, empowering athletes to understand their bodies and make informed training decisions. His approach focuses on performance, injury prevention, and long-term development through education, awareness, and confidence. With a strong background in exercise physiology, biomechanics, metabolic physiology, sport psychology, and anatomy, he guides athletes not only through structured training but also through learning to listen to their own physical signals.

Nutrition & Performance

Passionate about sports nutrition, Charl’s academic focus on metabolic physiology and personal experiences with under-fuelling led to a deep understanding of how the body absorbs and uses energy. This journey inspired the creation of his own sports nutrition brand, Tru Fuel, built on organic ingredients and an eco-conscious approach, and has allowed him to develop effective, practical fueling strategies for endurance athletes.

Challenges & Achievements

• 10km PB – 33:30 (solo time trial)
• Stellenbosch Mountain VK10K (5km, 1065m vert up & down) + 10km road run – 1h16 + 36:56
• Jonaskop Challenge Record – 15km road climb, 1200m vert in 1h19

Race Results:
• 1st – Maxi 20km (2023)
• 3rd – Maxi 30km (2024)
• Maxi Dark Series 2024 – 1st, 1st, 2nd, 1st (Overall Winner)
• 2nd – Whale of Trail 35km (2024)
• 5th – UTD 36km (2024)
• 2nd – Maxi 20km (2025)

Coaching Approach

Charl supports athletes chasing everything from health and fitness to personal bests, big race goals, and endurance adventures. His mission is to help each athlete grow in confidence, knowledge, and courage—taking the first step toward becoming the best version of themselves.

Background & Passion

A Biokineticist with a deep love for the outdoors, driven by a fascination with the human body and its incredible ability to adapt, move, and grow stronger.

Experience

Experience spans working with professional rugby teams, ultra trail runners, and everyday individuals, with a passion for helping beginners take their first confident steps and supporting seasoned athletes to reach their true potential.

Approach to Coaching

Biokinetics is a way of life, grounded in science and guided by a holistic approach that blends biomechanics, nutrition, and individual life demands. Each athlete is supported with a personalised plan designed to promote long-term progress, learning, and growth.

Life in Motion

Whether trail running, mountain biking, or horse riding, movement in all its forms is a constant source of joy. The goal is to help others live with energy, health, and a love for the natural world—because getting outside and moving is where it all begins.

Background & Journey

Growing up on a farm in the Eastern Cape, life outdoors was a way of life from the very beginning. After a serious field hockey injury in 2010, running later became a source of rediscovery and purpose. A move to Thailand in 2016 marked a turning point, and by 2018 a deep love for running had taken root, despite the extreme heat and challenging conditions.

Running & Experience

Through consistency, discipline, and balance, a passion for the sport quickly grew into competitive racing, with multiple podium finishes in ultra-distance events across Thailand from 2020 onwards. Along the way, a strong running community was built, driven by a love for sharing the sport and motivating others to believe in their potential.

Coaching Philosophy

With a background in teaching and a special love for coaching cross-country, there is a deep appreciation for the resilience, courage, and growth shown by athletes. Coaching is about more than results—it’s about walking the journey together, through highs and lows, helping athletes believe in themselves and push beyond what they think is possible.

Race Highlights

• Merrell Hobbit 90km Non-Stop, South Africa – 1st
• Ultra-Trail Nan 80km, Thailand – 1st
• Columbia Trail Masters 50km, Thailand – 1st
• Longmore Forest Endurance Run, South Africa – 2nd

Trail Runner

I fell in love with ‘competitive exploring’ through Adventure Racing in 2008. Since 2012 I focused on Trail Running giving me the purity of going far with very little. I’m grateful for the opportunity of being a 3-time SA representative at the World Trail Champs with Landie. In my career as a runner I have experienced many ups and downs and have learned the recipe to come back from injury or illness and repeatedly reach my goals. I have completed 12 Otter trail runs making me the most experienced coach on this race.

Professional

I am a qualified Industrial Engineer, building robust business systems and payment solutions when I’m not running! I love to coach clients in our Alpasfit Coaching Academy and re-live every race and with each athlete I assist.

Family Man

As a dad of two, I understand the value of spending time with family and always factor this into my athletes training plans.

Major Local Wins

• Otter African Trail Run – 2017
• Ultra Trail Cape Town 100km –  2015
• Skyrun 100km – 2016
• African X Trailrun 
• Table Mountain Challenge – 2014

International Results

• Grand Raid Pyrenees – France : 2nd
• Riano Trail Run – Spain: 1st
• Transalps 8 day stage race – Europe – 2nd
• Mont Blanc 90k – France; 6th
• 3x Ultra Trail Championships: 46th, 32nd & 77th
• Guiness World Record attempt: Most vertical distance covered for a team (19 376m in under 24 hours)

Athlete & Background

Landie is a co-founder of AlpasFit, a retired professional trail runner (2025), a Chartered Accountant CA(SA) with a Master’s degree in Tax, a mom of two, and a part-time tax consultant. Her trail running journey began in 2008, and she competed at elite level from 2011, building a career defined by resilience, consistency, and a love for endurance sport.

Running Journey

Landie has raced at the highest level locally and internationally, with career highlights including top-10 finishes at the Two Oceans Ultra and the World Ultra-Trail Championships, a top-20 finish at the Comrades Marathon, and three South African World Championship representations. She has claimed victories at some of South Africa’s most iconic races, including the Otter Trail Run, Ultra-Trail Cape Town (55km, 65km and 100km), Skyrun 100km, Cape Town Trail Marathon, and Whale Trail 53km. Together with her husband, Christiaan Greyling, she has competed in numerous international events and shared many adventure expeditions through Lesotho and beyond, shaping a deep appreciation for exploration, endurance, and mental strength.

Coaching Philosophy

As a coach, Landie is passionate about helping athletes become the best version of themselves. She thrives on motivating runners to push beyond perceived limits, build confidence, and pursue goals that once felt out of reach—whether that means standing on a podium or achieving a deeply personal breakthrough. Her approach is grounded in experience, empathy, and a belief in long-term, sustainable growth.

International Highlights

• 9th – World Ultra Trail Championships
• 2nd – TransAlps 8-Day Stage Race, Europe
• 4th – Mont Blanc Marathon & 80km
• 4th – Hong Kong 100km
• 1st – Grand Raid Pyrénées, France
• 1st – Buffalo Stampede Ultra, Australia
• 1st – Riaño Trail Run, Spain

Athlete & Background

A competitive trail runner since 2022, with a passion for pushing limits across diverse terrain and a growing list of podium finishes in highly competitive trail races.

Running Journey

Discovering trail running quickly became a love for exploration, challenge, and performance in the mountains. The journey so far has been defined by consistent progression, competitive racing, and a drive to keep discovering what is possible with dedication and hard work.

Professional Background

Off the trails, a career as a Software Projects Manager brings a strong focus on structure, efficiency, and teamwork—an approach that translates directly into training and racing. Balancing the demands of the tech world with high-level running is challenging, but deeply rewarding.

Life & Balance

Married to Mariechen, with two energetic cats at home, family remains the anchor. Time with loved ones is an essential part of any training plan, adding meaning and perspective to every goal achieved.

Race Highlights

• Karkloof 32km – SA Champion
• Otter Challenge – 1st Place
• Pass2Pass 27km – 1st Place
• George Mountain Ultra Trail 25km – 2nd Place
• JMC 21km – 1st Place
• Whale of Trail 35km – 1st Place
• Whale of Trail 53km – 3rd Place

Coaching Mindset

Grateful for every step of the journey so far, with a strong belief in consistency, balance, and long-term growth, and excited for many more races, adventures, and personal bests—both on the trails and in life.