UTA22

Race strategy

Run the downhill at race pace, but focus on the climb.

• 655m descent. Go easy, save your quads.
• Start easy and control your HR up to 8.1km.
• Go easy on the first downhill, save your quads on the descents until 8.1km, then run your race pace.
• Start · 0.0km–1.8km · Race-day nerves push your heart rate up: don't follow the crowd, find your own rhythm.
• Settle in · 1.8km–8.1km · Descent of 655m averaging 8%. Ease in: hold back more than feels necessary. The race is still ahead. This descent is hard on the legs: short steps, stay in control, poles if you have them.
• Home · 8.1km–21.5km · Climb of 1114m, high point 961m. Build to the finish: leave whatever you have left out on the course. Climb by heart rate or breathing, not pace.

Course

The course climbs 1200m+. With 55m/km of climbing, this is a true mountain course with sustained climbs and descents. By gradient, 45% of the distance is uphill, 45% downhill and 10% flat. The longest climb runs 13.4km at an average 8.3% grade (1114m of vertical). The longest descent runs 8.1km at an average 8.1% grade (655m of vertical). The steepest climb averages 15.1% over 0.9km. The steepest descent drops at 24.1% over 0.2km. Surface: 65% smooth and 33% trail.

Poles

Poles bring little benefit here: only about 2.4km of pole-friendly terrain.

Quad damage

Quad damage risk is low (index 16 of 100): a few descents worth noting, none of them decisive.

• Go easy on the first downhill, save your quads on the descents until 8.1km, then run your race pace.
• #1 · 0.0–8.1 km · 655 m D−, -8.1% · 13.4 km ahead → control