At what grade should an ultrarunner stop running and start hiking? 10%? 12%? 15%?
There isn't a universal answer.
CTS Director of Coaching Cliff Pittman examines the physiology behind running versus hiking on steep terrain. He explains how cost of transport changes with grade and speed, why walking becomes more economical under certain conditions, and why running economy is only part of the equation once muscular fatigue accumulates deep into an ultramarathon.
Then Cliff turns the science into a practical race-day framework: deliberately train your hiking, use RPE instead of a fixed grade cutoff, consider the length of the climb, and use running and hiking strategically to manage muscular load over the entire race.
HOST
Cliff Pittman is the Coaching Development Director at CTS, leading the Ultrarunning and Cycling Coaching staff with a specialty in guiding athletes from first-time ultrarunners to elite competitors at races like Western States 100, Leadville 100, and the Triple Crown of 200s. A competitive trail and ultra athlete himself, Cliff brings firsthand experience and a rare ability to turn complex training science into simple, actionable coaching.
