Your Ultra-Trail Xiamen training plan needs to prepare you for a hilly course packed with climbing in the hinterland of Xiamen, Fujian province, China. There are four races from 10K to 100K, and the longest has more than 5100 m of elevation gain in under 100 km. Here are the official figures and how to train for each distance.
The short answer
- Indicative build-up: 8 weeks for the 10K, 12 to 14 weeks for the 20K (28.9 km), 16 to 20 weeks for the 50K, 6 to 9 months for the 100K.
- Peak weekly climbing as a rough guide: 1000 to 1500 m for the 20K, 1500 to 2500 m for the 50K, 3000 to 4500 m for the 100K.
- Key sessions: long climbs, descents, long hike-run days, back-to-back weekends for the 100K.
- The defining feature: high climbing density (over 50 m per km on the 100K and 20K) on a course that links summit after summit.
Contents
Ultra-Trail Xiamen distances and elevation
Figures come from each race page on the official Ultra-Trail Xiamen by UTMB website. All races start at Fantian Cultural Square.
| Race | Distance | Elevation gain | Profile / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LXM 100K (100K category) | 96.4 km | 5154 m | De’an Fortress, Yunding Mountain, Xidong Reservoir, Beichen Mountain; 6 a.m. start; 29 h cut-off |
| MXM 50K (50K category) | 53 km | 2460 m | 7:30 a.m. start; 16 h cut-off |
| SXM 20K (20K category) | 28.9 km | 1519 m | Longer and steeper than its category suggests; 9 h cut-off |
| EXM 10K (no category) | 10.3 km | 263 m | Introductory race; 3 h cut-off |
The organisers describe Xiamen as a city that blends mountains, rivers and urban spaces. The 100K links several summits and landmarks inland: De’an Fortress, Yunding Mountain, Xidong Reservoir and Beichen Mountain. The event takes place in mid-March. The race pages give neither maximum altitude nor weather data, so check the forecast before you travel.
What makes Ultra-Trail Xiamen hard
The key number is climbing density: 5154 m over 96.4 km, more than 53 m per kilometre on the 100K. The 20K follows the same pattern with 1519 m over 28.9 km. You will spend most of your time going up or down, with little chance to recover.
Race names can also mislead: the 20K is almost 29 km and the 50K is 53 km. Train for the real distance and climbing, not the label. On the 100K, many runners will finish in the dark despite the 6 a.m. start, so head torch use and late-race fuelling belong in your preparation.
How long do you need to prepare?
10K and 20K: the 10K, with 263 m of gain, is accessible to a regular runner in about 8 weeks. The SXM, with 28.9 km and 1519 m, needs 12 to 14 weeks and some trail experience.
50K: allow 16 to 20 weeks, ideally after a hilly trail race of 30 km or more.
100K: plan 6 to 9 months, after at least one mountain 50K. These are guidelines; your history, recovery and available time come first.
The phases of your training plan
Base: aerobic endurance, strength and a first block of climbing, with one short speed session a week and a lighter week every three or four weeks. Because the race is in March, this phase falls in winter for runners in the northern hemisphere, so treadmill incline work or stairs can fill the gap when hills are scarce.
Specific: over the last 8 to 12 weeks, stack up long climbs, descents and long hike-run days. For the 100K, add back-to-back weekends and one long run that finishes by head torch.
Taper: two to three weeks with 30 to 50% less volume and a few short efforts.
Key sessions to train for Ultra-Trail Xiamen
Long climbs. Three to five climbs of 10 to 15 minutes at a sustained effort, running or power hiking depending on gradient, to prepare for summit after summit.
Descents. Repeated 5 to 10 minute relaxed descents to condition your quads. On a course this hilly, legs often give out on the downhills late in the race.
Long hike-run days. Three to six hours depending on your race, alternating running and power hiking, with your pack and race food.
Back-to-back weekends. For the 100K, two long runs on consecutive days to run on tired legs without one oversized session.
To organise these sessions week after week, RunMotion Coach, the official online coach of the UTMB World Series, builds a personalised trail or ultra plan adjusted to the sessions you complete and the time you have. Try it free for 7 days.
Build your race plan with Race Strategy
With this much climbing, average pace means very little. Race Strategy by RunMotion calculates your strategy kilometre by kilometre, adjusting pace for gradient, altitude and terrain technicality. You get estimated split times at key points, a section-by-section fuelling and hydration plan (carbs, water, sodium) and a race-day weather adjustment. Just import the official GPX of your race.
Running Stones and the UTMB World Series
Ultra-Trail Xiamen is part of the UTMB World Series. According to the race pages, the 100K earns 3 Running Stones, the 50K 2 and the 20K 1; the 10K page lists none. They improve your odds in the draw for the Chamonix finals. To plan your season, see our UTMB World Series training plan guide and our advice on planning your trail running season.
FAQ
Are poles allowed at Ultra-Trail Xiamen?
Check the official mandatory gear list. If allowed, they can help on the many climbs of the 100K, provided you have trained with them.
What level do I need for the Xiamen 100K?
With 96.4 km, 5154 m of gain and a 29 h cut-off, it is for trail runners who have finished at least one mountain 50K. Our guide to increasing your distance explains how to step up.
Is the Xiamen 20K suitable for beginners?
With 28.9 km and 1519 m of gain, it is a demanding first trail race. Beginners are better off with the 10K; if you already have a few short trail races behind you, the 20K is a great goal.
Final word
Ultra-Trail Xiamen rewards runners who are strong both uphill and downhill and can absorb very dense climbing. At RunMotion, vertical gain and ultras are home ground: our founders, twin brothers Guillaume and Romain Adam, come from the Alps. For a plan built around your race, start your free 7-day RunMotion Coach trial.
Article updated by the RunMotion Coach team.
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