SaintéLyon training plan
Train for the SaintéLyon: a block built on 80 km and 2,400 m of vert
From Saint-Étienne to Lyon, through the night, on a mix of trails and roads.
- Distance
- ≈ 80 km
- Elevation gain
- ≈ 2,400 m
- Density
- ≈ 30 m/km
- When
- late November
Organiser figures for the 2026 edition, rounded. Courses change: enter your edition's numbers, the plan is built on them.
What this course asks of you
Moderate climbing for 80 km, but more descending than climbing on the way to Lyon, and a stretch of tarmac that punishes legs already worn down. The cold and the late-November night make the race harder than its numbers.
What the plan does for this profile
Climbing builds up to the race's
Your weekly vert rises from base to peak, capped at your race. On the last loading week your trail runs aim for the SaintéLyon's density, about 30 m per km, within the climbing available where you train.
Back-to-back weekends
The engine treats races of 80 km and more as ultras: the long run is followed by a supporting run on tired legs, and advanced athletes get a second long run every other week.
Descending, if your course calls for it
Enter your edition's elevation loss: eccentric work is only scheduled when the descent really matters, always away from the key session, and never during an injury.
Questions about training for the SaintéLyon
What runners ask before they commit.
Count in months rather than weeks, on top of an existing aerobic base. Uptrail sizes the block from your race date and your current training, and tells you honestly what remains achievable in the time available rather than compressing the preparation.
Train for another race
Uptrail is not affiliated with the organisers of the SaintéLyon. The race name belongs to its organisers.
The SaintéLyon is prepared week by week.
Enter your race, its elevation and the days you can run. The block is built, then rebuilt after every run.
