Why I Run: Katie Dall. Founder of Club KT and Ultra Runner
Meet Katie Dall. A ex body builder, ultra runner, mother, coach and so much more.
Katie’s journey is proof that passion, consistency, and community can take you places you never imagined.
Now, through Club KT and her coaching, Katie is helping others fall in love with running, not just for the finish lines, but for everything it brings along the way. We sat down with Katie to ask her a few questions.
What got you into running in the first place?
I first got into running back in 2006 during my natural bodybuilding days, originally as a way to lean up. At the time, it felt more like something I had to do rather than something I enjoyed, but little did I know how much it would go on to shape my life. After transitioning from bodybuilding and competing on stage into triathlon, I realised how naturally running came to me. Then in 2011, after having my daughter Khloe, I found my true passion for the sport while training for my first half marathon. Since then, I’ve completed multiple marathons, trail ultra marathons, and in 2023, my first 100-mile ultra. I’m also deeply inspired by the people around me. I wouldn’t have ventured into the world of 100km+ events without others first believing in me and encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone, especially my crazy ultra-running partner Toby, who’s been a huge part of that journey.
What’s your favourite thing about running?
The challenge, both mental and physical, especially when I’m out on the trails climbing big mountains. There’s nothing quite like going deep into the pain cave in nature. It’s where I feel most at peace and where I learn the most about myself.
What’s one recovery habit you swear by that many athletes tend to overlook?
Sleep and stress management. They’re both things I continue to work on, and I’ve learned just how critical they are for performance and longevity. I’ve also found that consistent recovery sessions, using tools like the sauna, contrast therapy, steam room, red light therapy, and compression boots have an incredible impact on my recovery, mental clarity, and ability to bounce back for the next session.
When things get really tough in a race or during training, how do you keep your mindset strong and push through?
I always come back to my why. I think about the journey it’s taken to get where I am and remind myself that pain is temporary. I embrace the discomfort, knowing it will soon be replaced by elation and a rush of endorphins once I cross the finish line or complete the session.
You founded Club KT and built a running community, how does community and connection play into your success as an athlete?
Before founding Club KT, I was a personal trainer working out of a small boutique studio in Brisbane, and I did most of my training alone. When COVID hit and I had to adapt to training people outdoors, I quickly saw just how vital community and connection really are. It’s a basic human need, one that so many of us lose in the rush of modern life. Creating the Club KT Walk Run Club has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. Being the glue that brings people together, watching relationships form, and seeing people find belonging, confidence, and support has been incredibly special. That sense of shared journey, pushing beyond comfort zones together and having people to lean on during the tough times has absolutely helped me grow, not only as a person but also as an athlete.