Looking for a UTMB World Series training plan? RunMotion Coach is the official online coach of the UTMB World Series, and we have built a dedicated page for every race on the circuit, with all of its distances, its elevation gain and the sessions that matter most to finish it well.
The short answer
- Start by choosing your race and distance: training for a 20K and a 100-miler are very different jobs.
- As a rule of thumb, plan 3–4 months of specific training for a 20K or 50K, 5–6 months for a 100K and 6–9 months for a 100-mile race, on top of an existing aerobic base.
- Key sessions: long runs with climbing, threshold hill repeats, downhill practice, strength work and rehearsing your fueling plan.
- Below you will find the training plan for every race on the circuit, sorted by region.
Contents
- RunMotion Coach, official online coach of the UTMB World Series
- How the UTMB World Series works
- How long do you need to train for a UTMB World Series race?
- Key sessions for every race on the circuit
- Plan your race-day strategy with Race Strategy
- Training plans for every UTMB World Series race
- FAQ
- Your next step
RunMotion Coach, official online coach of the UTMB World Series
RunMotion Coach is the official online coach of the UTMB World Series. The app builds a personalised training plan for the race you are targeting, taking into account its distance, its elevation gain, your current level and the time you actually have to train. The plan then adapts every week to the sessions you completed — or missed.
We come from the Alps. Guillaume and Romain Adam, the twin brothers who founded RunMotion, grew up with mountains, steep climbs and ultra-trail as their playground. Guillaume, who designs the app’s algorithms, is a former international 1500 m runner and has raced UTMB himself. That mix of training science and mountain experience goes into every plan.
How the UTMB World Series works
The UTMB World Series brings together dozens of trail races on every continent, all leading to the Finals at UTMB Mont-Blanc in Chamonix. Each event offers several distances, grouped into four categories: 20K, 50K, 100K and 100M. Finishing a race earns you Running Stones, which improve your chances in the Finals lottery; the Majors award more of them. If you are planning several races in one year, read our guide to planning your trail running season.
How long do you need to train for a UTMB World Series race?
| Category | Typical distances | Specific training block | Recommended experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20K | about 15–35 km | 2–4 months | A few short trail races or a good road base |
| 50K | about 40–70 km | 3–5 months | A 20–30 km trail race with climbing |
| 100K | about 75–120 km | 5–6 months | One or more 50 km+ trail races |
| 100M | about 140–175 km | 6–9 months | At least one 80–100 km ultra |
These are only guidelines: elevation gain, technical terrain, altitude and heat change the real difficulty a lot. A high-mountain 50K can demand more preparation than a runnable 100K, which is why each race page below details the course profile. If you are stepping up in distance, our guide on increasing your trail distance safely will help.
Key sessions for every race on the circuit
Whatever the race, solid trail preparation rests on the same pillars. Long runs with climbing build your time on feet and your power hiking. Threshold hill repeats develop climbing strength without burying you. Downhill practice prepares your quads for the long descents that wreck legs late in a race. Add regular strength training, and use your long runs to rehearse fueling, gear and, for ultras, running at night.
Want a plan built around your race? RunMotion Coach, official online coach of the UTMB World Series, creates a personalised programme that includes your race’s elevation and adapts every week. Try it free for 7 days.
Plan your race-day strategy with Race Strategy
Race Strategy by RunMotion builds your race plan kilometre by kilometre: pace adjusted for elevation, altitude and technical terrain, estimated split times at key checkpoints, a fueling and hydration plan by section, and race-day weather adjustments. Pick your race from the list or import the official GPX file.
Training plans for every UTMB World Series race
UTMB Mont-Blanc week in Chamonix
| Race | Distance | Elevation gain |
|---|---|---|
| UTMB training plan | 174 km | 9700 m |
| TDS training plan | 145 km | 9500 m |
| CCC training plan | 108 km | 6200 m |
| OCC training plan | 60 km | 3500 m |
| MCC training plan | 40 km | 2350 m |
UTMB World Series races in Europe
UTMB World Series races in The Americas
UTMB World Series races in Asia and the Middle East
UTMB World Series races in Oceania and Africa
| Race | Country | Longest format | Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUT by UTMB training plan | South Africa | 168 km / 8014 m D+ | 7 |
| HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB training plan | Australia | 161.1 km / 7200 m D+ | 6 |
| Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB training plan | Australia | 160.5 km / 4731 m D+ | 4 |
| Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB training plan | New Zealand | 163 km / 3800 m D+ | 5 |
FAQ
Do I need Running Stones to enter a UTMB World Series race?
No. Running Stones are used for the Finals lottery in Chamonix. To enter a race on the circuit you generally need a UTMB Index in the relevant category or a recent qualifying race, depending on each event’s rules.
Can I train for two UTMB World Series races in the same season?
Yes, as long as you pick one main goal and use the other race as a stepping stone, leaving at least two weeks between a build-up race and your main event, and taking proper recovery after any ultra.
Is the RunMotion Coach plan suitable for trail beginners?
Yes. Your plan starts from your current level and availability. If the gap with your target race is too big, start with a shorter format on the circuit and aim longer next season.
Your next step
Choose your race, read its page to understand what lies ahead, then build your preparation over several months without rushing. For a plan that fits your race profile and your everyday life, start your free 7-day trial of RunMotion Coach.
