Free 16-Week Training Plan for Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB CHT 20K
Train for rolling Tuscan trail where repeated moderate climbs matter more than a single alpine ascent.
At 20 km with 920 m of elevation gain, this is a fast, punchy distance where speed and hill strength both matter. At 46 m of vertical per kilometer, much of the course is runnable — the plan focuses on building your aerobic cruising speed while preparing you for the steeper sections. The official cutoff is 4 hours, so pace management starts from week one.
Race date: Sun, 21 March 2027Open entry20 km · 920 mStart: 09:30
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Continue Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB CHT 20K
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I'm preparing for Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB CHT 20K. Here is the public training preview.
20 km · +920 m · 170 days to race day
Public preview only; my private routes and schedule changes are not included.
Plan: https://trailsplits.com/races/chianti-ultra-trail-by-utmb-cht-20k/training-plan?tier=strong-finish&strength=1&strength_track=no-gym&engine=unified&days=3
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Terrain autopilot
Find a matching route near you
We'll look for a loop near you that matches your next run (40 min · ~4.9 km · +100 m)
and rehearses the 46 m/km demand of CHT 20K.
Terrain intel
Expect vineyard tracks, forest paths, gravel roads, stone villages, and constant short-to-medium climbs.
Weather & kit
March weather can move from cool rain to warm exposed running, with muddy sections after storms.
What this plan focuses on
Build rolling hill efficiency.
Practice fast hiking on punchy climbs.
Use strides and tempo work for runnable trail.
Prepare shoes for mud and gravel.
Fuel steadily through frequent rhythm changes.
Unified race plan · beta
Uses the same load, recovery and taper rules as race discovery, with course-specific climbing only because this course has verified elevation.
Use it for race-effort sessions and race day. Easy runs stay easy whatever the goal; the plan's efforts come from how you run now.
Your starting point
Not stated. The plan assumes a typical starting week for this race and opens at 3h 00m of running.
Fit the plan to your recent training
This schedule opens at 3h 00m of running and 250 m of climbing in week one and peaks at 4h 15m and 700 m in a week; the longest planned outing is 1h 40m. These are prescriptions, not proof of readiness.
Adjust this plan
Swap concrete training days, or mark a day done/skipped without changing the race-specific template.
Calendar subscriptions refresh on the calendar app's schedule. This calendar export uses the selected start date and includes weekly summaries and any pre-base sessions. Use Keep this plan above for a fixed copy of the displayed race schedule.
Route-aware workouts
Key sessions include route buttons that deep-link into the Planner with pre-filled distance
+ elevation filters.
Little downhill to prepare for; general strength still helps.
Peak week target
700 m
4h 15m total training time
Cutoff pressure
Firm cutoff
12.0 min/km average required. At an easy all-day pace the course takes about 4 h of the 4 h allowed.
That leaves little margin: a bad patch, the weather or an intermediate cutoff can decide the day, and more training buys less time on a course like this than it seems.For a first time, Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB CWR 10K on the same weekend is the safer choice.
Training emphasis: rolling aerobic speed, moderate hill repeats, and disciplined pacing.
Plan summary
The block begins on 2026-11-30, 8 weeks from now.
Duration
16 weeks
Start
2026-11-30
Peak weekly time
4h 15m
Peak weekly vert
700 m
Week 1Base Building
3h 00m ·
250 m vert
Mon · 2026-11-30rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-12-01hills
Easy hills + uphill strides
40 min · 100 m vert · ~4.9 km
Effort: Easy; strides strong but relaxed
Start with 10 minutes easy on rolling terrain. Then 6 x 20 seconds uphill strides, strong but relaxed, walking back down between them. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; the rest of the run is easy on the hills.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Thu · 2026-12-03easy
Easy run
1h 10m · ~9.7 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2026-12-05long
Long run
1h 10m · 150 m vert · ~8.7 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Start with 10 minutes easy on rolling terrain. Then 6 x 20 seconds uphill strides, strong but relaxed, walking back down between them. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; the rest of the run is easy on the hills.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Thu · 2026-12-10easy
Easy run
1h 10m · ~9.7 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2026-12-12long
Long run
1h 10m · 175 m vert · ~8.5 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Start with 10 minutes easy on rolling terrain. Then 6 x 20 seconds uphill strides, strong but relaxed, walking back down between them. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; the rest of the run is easy on the hills.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Thu · 2026-12-17easy
Easy run
1h 15m · ~10.4 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2026-12-19long
Long run
1h 15m · 175 m vert · ~9.2 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 6 x 20 seconds relaxed strides, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Thu · 2026-12-24easy
Easy run
1h 05m · ~9 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2026-12-26long
Long run
55 min · 150 m vert · ~6.6 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Start with 10 minutes easy on rolling terrain. Then 6 x 20 seconds uphill strides, strong but relaxed, walking back down between them. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; the rest of the run is easy on the hills.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Thu · 2026-12-31easy
Easy run
1h 20m · ~11.1 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2027-01-02long
Long run
1h 15m · 225 m vert · ~8.9 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Start with 10 minutes easy on rolling terrain. Then 6 x 20 seconds uphill strides, strong but relaxed, walking back down between them. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; the rest of the run is easy on the hills.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Thu · 2027-01-07easy
Easy run
1h 20m · ~11.1 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2027-01-09long
Long run
1h 20m · 250 m vert · ~9.4 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 x 6 minutes uphill at a hard but repeatable effort, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Thu · 2027-01-14easy
Easy run
1h 15m · ~10.4 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2027-01-16long
Long run
1h 25m · 275 m vert · ~9.9 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 6 x 20 seconds relaxed strides, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Thu · 2027-01-21easy
Easy run
1h 10m · ~9.7 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2027-01-23long
Long run
1h 05m · 200 m vert · ~7.7 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 x 6 minutes uphill at a hard but repeatable effort, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Thu · 2027-01-28easy
Easy run
1h 15m · ~10.4 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2027-01-30long
Long run
1h 30m · 325 m vert · ~10.3 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 x 6 minutes uphill at a hard but repeatable effort, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Thu · 2027-02-04easy
Easy run
1h 20m · ~11.1 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2027-02-06long
Long run
1h 30m · 325 m vert · ~10.3 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 x 6 minutes uphill at a hard but repeatable effort, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Thu · 2027-02-11easy
Easy run
1h 20m · ~11.1 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2027-02-13long
Long run
1h 35m · 350 m vert · ~10.8 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 6 x 20 seconds relaxed strides, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Thu · 2027-02-18easy
Easy run
1h 20m · ~11.1 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 x 5 minutes on familiar, controllable terrain at controlled hard, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Thu · 2027-02-25easy
Easy run
1h 25m · ~11.8 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 x 5 minutes on familiar, controllable terrain at controlled hard, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Thu · 2027-03-04easy
Easy run
1h 25m · ~11.8 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 3 x 2 minutes at controlled race effort, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Run the 20 km as planned: start controlled and use the fuelling and kit rehearsed in training.
Cutoff check
If your race has a time limit, this estimates the minimum average pace and whether your
target finish time clears the cutoff.
Result
Min pace: 12.0 min/km
Exports
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Disclaimer: this plan is general information, not medical advice. Adjust based on fatigue,
experience, and injury history.
About the Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB CHT 20K course
At 20 km with 920 m of elevation gain, this is a fast, punchy distance where speed and hill strength both matter. At 46 m of vertical per kilometer, much of the course is runnable — the plan focuses on building your aerobic cruising speed while preparing you for the steeper sections. The official cutoff is 4 hours, so pace management starts from week one.
This training plan adapts the 16-week structure specifically for 20 km with 920 m of elevation gain,
scaling weekly volume and vert targets so your body is ready for race-day demands.
Shorter trail races reward aggressive pacing and strong climbing. The plan emphasises quality intensity — hill repeats, tempo efforts, and race-pace sessions — while building enough endurance to finish strong on tired legs.
Training phases for CHT 20K
The current 16-week schedule has these phases for 20 km and 920 m of climbing:
Weeks 1–6 — Base Building: Establish consistent aerobic training and introduce course-like terrain gradually.
Weeks 7–11 — Vert Accumulation: Increase course-specific climbing while rehearsing easy effort and fueling.
Weeks 12–14 — Peak Volume: Practise the longest planned outings and race equipment without adding extra sessions.
Week 15 — Taper: Reduce training load while retaining a small amount of familiar intensity.
Week 16 — Race week: Reduce training and follow the race-day plan.
Pacing a runnable course
At 46 m of vertical per kilometer, much of the Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB CHT 20K course is runnable.
Training should emphasise aerobic cruising speed — tempo runs on rolling terrain, sustained effort on moderate climbs, and efficient flat-to-uphill transitions.
The biggest risk on a runnable course is starting too fast; practice negative-split long runs to build discipline.