SITTING DOWN WITH USWA DIRECTOR SHAUN KAESLER

Contributed by Julia Mackay, AURA member and secretary

Shaun established Ultra Series WA in 2016 and it has grown exponentially since then. While being an inspiration himself, he gains inspiration from the runners who participate in the USWA events. Shaun’s inspiration in the past has been witnessing runners cross the finish line and achieve what they thought to be ‘impossible’. While this still motivates Shaun, he has since found greater inspiration in the amazing ‘community’ of USWA. He considers himself very privileged to offer such a great and versatile range of events to runners, including interstate and overseas events. One of the big appeals to USWA is the new adventures on offer and the opportunity for runners for challenge themselves and be part of an amazing group and to have fun.

On the topic of inspiration, Shaun still finds so much in every event including from those who encouraged him to establish USWA; those who continue to achieve amazing results; those who take pride in their achievements no matter how great or small; sharing adventures with a fantastic group of like-minded people; new achievements, longest distances run and person bests. However, he also receives so much from watching the crop of untapped runners starting to make waves with results in WA. 

Shaun sums this up beautifully by stating: We have created a community environment of the most genuine, eager and encouraging people to go and adventure on the trails and then to see the feedback after each event, this is absolutely enough to fill my glass and continue doing it.’

There is no doubt that USWA has grown to be a significant running group in WA with many lessons learnt along the way but Shaun has a philosophical approach to learning. His comment that ‘I have had so many wonderful adventures and witnessed so many people do crazy, epic shit’ epitomises his attitude of live and learn, make mistakes and adjust for next time! 

Just recently, Shaun was talking about the future of USWA with his partner and his plans are to keep evolving and to keep creating running adventures for USWA but in a way that keeps the ethics, genuineness and community about it.

The workload in running a running business is the biggest challenge and Shaun acknowledges the huge workload that goes into making USWA the success it is. However, he also acknowledges that he is not alone but he has a plethora of amazing volunteers for whom he is very grateful as these special people help to make USWA the incredible community it is.

COVID-19 has been a testing time for so many, not least of all those whose livelihood relies on gatherings of large numbers of people! Like many who run a business, he is used to being busy managing USWA, coming up with new events and running his Tribe and Trail retail store.

However, for Shaun, this period of shutdown was an opportunity for him to take stock, and have some needed down time and made him realise the direction he wanted to take USWA in with events and helping runners to grow their own identity.

So, while COVID-19 has been a time of reflection for Shaun, he admits he is very happy with his life at the moment. He would love to spend more time with his children, and to run some events himself but he understands that life is just as it should be for now and he surrounded by ‘some wonderful beings.

One of Shaun’s favourite runs was the Tahoe 200 Miler which he did in 2017 as this was a life changing event for him. 

When competing in this gruelling race, he was experiencing turmoil in his private life but he had made the decision to move forward and he made amazing friends and shared one crazy adventure with his crew (his parents, an Aunt and an old neighbour from the country farm he grew up in regional SA) and these fond memories will stay with Shaun forever.

Shaun uses a variety of strategies to keep himself focused during a long run including remembering the investment he made in the run in the first place, that a DNF is not the ideal option for him and knowing the emotion of crossing that finish line keeps him driven.

I did my first ever Ultra with the USWA (a fantastic 53kms as part of the Wild Goose Chase Running Festival) and I knew absolutely nothing about ultra running except that it looked hard and very tiring.

I couldn’t talk to Shaun about running and not ask him what advice he would give someone contemplating doing an ultra, what would it be? He replied that he believes everyone is capable of running an ultra but, from his perspective, the ones who do, run on for a reason – i.e. a breakup, health reasons, mental health issues etc. but Shaun likes to find out a runner’s why so that he give them some direction and encouragement as to why they should tackle one. 

From my own point of view, Shaun was totally confident that I would smash my Goose Ultra and he didn’t waiver from this even if I did about 100 times. The congratulatory hug I got at the end (despite coming last) is something that I will never forget.

I have known Shaun since I dressed up in a scary costume and ran in the Haunted Pines Run which was part of the Forest Series. He is a phenomenal man with an abundance of energy and ideas.

To quote one more time from him, a principle by which he lives his life is that only I am responsible for what my future holds [and], if I really want to achieve something in life, then only I can make that a reality. 

And Shaun has well and truly achieved the creation of a very special running tribe here in WA.

Pictured: Ultra Series WA director Shaun Kaesler. Photograph – Supplied.