Free 16-Week Training Plan for KAT100 by UTMB Easy Trail 8K
Train for steep Austrian alpine climbs, high vertical density, and descents that demand strong quads.
At 8 km with 250 m of elevation gain, this is a fast, punchy distance where speed and hill strength both matter. At 31 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 2 hours, so pace management starts from week one.
Expected race date: Sat, 7 August 2027Open entry8 km · 250 mStart: 17:00
Use this date as a planning estimate
The organizer has not announced the 2027 event date. The plan will move when the official date is published.
I'm preparing for KAT100 by UTMB Easy Trail 8K. Here is the public training preview.
8 km · +250 m · 309 days to race day
Public preview only; my private routes and schedule changes are not included.
Plan: https://trailsplits.com/races/kat100-by-utmb-easy-trail-8k/training-plan?tier=strong-finish&strength=1&strength_track=no-gym&engine=unified&days=3
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August can be hot in town but stormy and cold on high ridges, so kit and pacing need flexibility.
What this plan focuses on
Prioritize vertical gain and descent durability.
Practice poles and power hiking.
Use long climbs after easy running to mimic race fatigue.
Train fueling while hiking steep grades.
Plan heat and storm contingencies.
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 2h 45m of running.
Fit the plan to your recent training
This schedule opens at 2h 45m of running and 50 m of climbing in week one and peaks at 3h 30m and 175 m in a week; the longest planned outing is 1h 15m. 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
175 m
3h 30m total training time
Cutoff pressure
Moderate cutoff
15.0 min/km average required. At an easy all-day pace the course takes about 1.5 h of the 2 h allowed.
Training emphasis: aerobic cruising speed, cadence control, and late-race leg speed.
Plan summary
The block begins on 2027-04-19, 28 weeks from now.
Duration
16 weeks
Start
2027-04-19
Peak weekly time
3h 30m
Peak weekly vert
175 m
Week 1Base Building
2h 45m ·
50 m vert
Mon · 2027-04-19rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2027-04-20hills
Easy hills + uphill strides
35 min · 25 m vert · ~4.7 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 · 2027-04-22easy
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 · 2027-04-24long
Long run
1h 05m · 25 m vert · ~8.8 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 · 2027-04-29easy
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 · 2027-05-01long
Long run
1h 10m · 50 m vert · ~9.4 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 · 2027-05-06easy
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 · 2027-05-08long
Long run
1h 10m · 50 m vert · ~9.4 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 · 2027-05-13easy
Easy run
1h 00m · ~8.3 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 · 2027-05-15long
Long run
55 min · 25 m vert · ~7.4 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 · 2027-05-20easy
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 · 2027-05-22long
Long run
1h 10m · 50 m vert · ~9.4 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 · 2027-05-27easy
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 · 2027-05-29long
Long run
1h 10m · 50 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 · 2027-06-03easy
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 · 2027-06-05long
Long run
1h 10m · 75 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 · 2027-06-10easy
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 · 2027-06-12long
Long run
50 min · 50 m vert · ~6.6 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 · 2027-06-17easy
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 · 2027-06-19long
Long run
1h 10m · 75 m vert · ~9.2 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 · 2027-06-24easy
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 · 2027-06-26long
Long run
1h 10m · 75 m vert · ~9.2 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 · 2027-07-01easy
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 · 2027-07-03long
Long run
1h 15m · 100 m vert · ~9.7 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 · 2027-07-08easy
Easy run
1h 05m · ~9 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 · 2027-07-15easy
Easy run
1h 15m · ~10.4 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 · 2027-07-22easy
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 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 8 km as planned: start controlled and use the fuelling and kit rehearsed in training.
Sun · 2027-08-08recovery
Post-race recovery
Effort: Rest or very easy
Prioritize rest, food, fluids and gentle movement; do not schedule a workout by default.
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: 15.0 min/km
Exports
Use the personal subscription URL for a live saved plan. Calendar links regenerate from their parameters and may reflect updated race facts or engine fixes. A kept plan and its downloads remain unchanged.
Disclaimer: this plan is general information, not medical advice. Adjust based on fatigue,
experience, and injury history.
About the KAT100 by UTMB Easy Trail 8K course
At 8 km with 250 m of elevation gain, this is a fast, punchy distance where speed and hill strength both matter. At 31 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 2 hours, so pace management starts from week one.
This training plan adapts the 16-week structure specifically for 8 km with 250 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 Easy Trail 8K
The current 16-week schedule has these phases for 8 km and 250 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 31 m of vertical per kilometer, much of the KAT100 by UTMB Easy Trail 8K 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.