How Elites Race At Their Limit | UTA100 2026

Elite trail runner Vlad Shatrov raced to his limit across 100km of the brutal Blue Mountains at Ultra Trail Australia, a UTMB World Series Major. In this video we break down how Vlad approached the second biggest trail running festival in the world. From his training in the lead-up, through the pacing decisions, to the in-race problem-solving when blisters started biting. Vlad shares the methodology behind running 10:46 at one of the toughest UTMB Majors on the calendar. Dialling in heart rate zones and weighted hill reps in training. Pacing discipline that kept him in control on the early climbs. And the calm in-race decision-making that saved his feet and let him push to his limit through to Katoomba. Whether you're training for your first ultra, racing for the podium at a Major, or just trying to find what you're actually capable of on a trail, this video shows what it takes to race at your limit. And why everyone out on course at UTA is suffering through the same challenges, and how they can learn from elites like Vlad. 📱 Our Channel Partner Whether you're building to your first 5K or an ultramarathon, RunMotion gives you one system that grows with you as your goals change. RunLab viewers get a free month of premium here: https://bit.ly/RunMotion-RunLab 📌 Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:52 What is Ultra Trail Australia? 01:13 The Prep (Understand Your Limit) 02:26 The Effort (Run Your Own Race) 04:13 The Biggest Climb 05:47 Adaptive Training Plans! 05:57 The Curveballs (Solve Problems Early) 06:34 The Toughest Part of the Race 07:35 The Final Checkpoint 09:10 The Camaraderie (Lift Each Other Up) 10:25 The Finish Line 📺 Related Videos Why Elites Run Downhill Faster https://youtu.be/BQhpEL2JKkE How Elites Beat Pain | Ultra Trail Kosci https://youtu.be/zKFoSe-j5TA How Elites Run Steep Hills (And When You Should Hike) https://youtu.be/5J25E1SLWhs 🎒 Gear we use _Some links below are affiliate links. Buying through them supports the channel at no extra cost to you._ The Lights We Use: https://bit.ly/Fenix-RunLab Use Code RUNLAB20 for 20% off (Australian store only) The Sweat Sensor We Use: https://alnk.to/a47u9qq The Ice Bandana We Use: https://bit.ly/ice-bandana Our Favourite Running Singlets: https://bit.ly/blacksheep-RunLab 🏃‍♂️ Follow Vlad Strava https://www.strava.com/athletes/12387974 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vlad_protrailrunner/ 🎥 Follow Chris Strava https://www.strava.com/athletes/28291087 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chrisbeavon/ 🎬 Follow RunLab Media Instagram https://www.instagram.com/runlabmedia/ 📩 Business enquiries info@runlab.media