American David Sinclair avenged a drop at this race final 12 months by successful the 2026 Transvulcania Ultramarathon in course-record time. On this interview, David talks about how the race performed out between the highest males, how rain within the days main as much as the occasion made for quick situations, and the way he took dangers to lastly open a niche on the descent that he was capable of maintain till the end.
For extra on how the race performed out, learn our in-depth 2026 Transvulcania Ultramarathon outcomes article.
[Editor’s Note: If you are unable to see the video above, click here to access it.]
David Sinclair Submit-2026 Transvulcania Ultramarathon Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Meghan Hicks of iRunFar. I’m with David Sinclair. He’s the champion of the 2026 Transvulcania Ultramarathon. Congratulations, David. How does that really feel?
David Sinclair: Thanks. It’s, yeah, simply a fully unbelievable day. I’m so stoked. The race simply went approach past expectations. Every thing simply clicked in the present day, was excellent.
I had a very, actually robust DNF in a storm final 12 months with close to hypothermia and it was my first ever DNF. I used to be like, “I’m going to harm myself and have a medical situation,” so I made the robust name to drop out. And I used to be like, “This race is so cool. I need to come again on a 12 months it’s not a storm and get to the end line.” So proper after DNFing, I used to be like, “I’m coming again subsequent 12 months,” and yeah, I made it.
iRunFar: You probably did greater than made it. You probably did okay.
Sinclair: Yeah. The winter wasn’t nice for coaching, however I’ve been making an attempt to start out constructing towards Western States 100, and I assumed this may match as a superb little health take a look at, and a very nice aggressive area, and it simply match within the schedule.
So I made positive to come back again. I had 10 days right here earlier than the race this 12 months, so I acquired 4 good recon coaching runs on the course. Noticed the vast majority of the important thing sections. I felt that was actually useful for understanding the race and being extra ready this 12 months.
iRunFar: So, backing as much as this race, you have been on the Canyons 25k, what was that, about 4 weeks in the past?
Sinclair: Simply two weeks in the past.
iRunFar: So did you come straight right here from there?
Sinclair: Yeah, I had a day house in Vermont, and I repacked my bag and went to Boston and acquired a global flight.
iRunFar: So that you tuned up for this with that?
Sinclair: Yeah, that was only a bonus. I went out and acquired a run or two on the Western States course.
iRunFar: Acquired it.
Sinclair: And there was this bizarre factor with UTMB, the place I acquired second at CCC, they usually say, “Nicely, if you wish to come again to UTMB races subsequent 12 months, you then’ve acquired to have a stone.”
iRunFar: Go get a stone.
Sinclair: I didn’t know that. So, I’m doing Western States, however that’s a giant if. You don’t get the stones in the event you don’t end. In order that they’re like, “Perhaps it is best to come do a brief race.” I’m like, “Okay.” It was a pleasant excuse to exit to California and get somewhat brief tune-up race.
iRunFar: And acquire the requisite stone.
Sinclair: And I acquired my stone, so I signed up a pair days in the past for CCC once more.
iRunFar: Wonderful. You mentioned it was a little bit of a tricky winter for you. What occurred or what went on?
Sinclair: Oh, effectively final 12 months I used to be doing all this U.S. ski mountaineering stuff, and it was actually enjoyable, however I did 25, 30 ski races after which went proper into operating season, and it ended up being like, Transvulcania final 12 months was robust, however then I rebounded, had a superb operating season, however with deciding to do Western States, that was the large objective. I used to be simply burnt out after an extended 12 months, and I used to be like, “I ought to run extra.”
So I made a decision to not do a lot ski racing, after which being in Vermont within the winter, and making an attempt to coach somewhat extra for operating, and a few knee accidents once more. Yeah, it wasn’t an excellent winter, however been shifting in the appropriate route the final month and a half.
And yeah, I used to be unsure I used to be match but. I haven’t carried out any actual intervals, simply making an attempt to do as a lot mileage as I can, making an attempt to prepare for Western States. However after the Canyon 25k went fairly surprisingly effectively off no taper or something, I used to be like, “Okay, I can come right here and see the place the health is at.” And I actually shocked myself in the present day.
iRunFar: So let’s discuss in the present day just a bit bit. It seemed like perhaps you have been tempo setting for a superb chunk of the day.
Sinclair: I bear in mind I used to be making an attempt to consider final 12 months and the way it was chilly, so lots of issues went flawed. I believe I wasn’t digesting, and it simply felt actually somewhat too laborious on a regular basis. So I used to be like, “I need to be somewhat extra conservative initially.”
And it was truly fairly windy the primary hour or so, so I simply tucked within the pack, and was simply making an attempt to be as relaxed as potential. After which as quickly as I began hitting the gradual downhills with the cool climate, and it rained a bunch the final couple of days, so usually these climbs are simply this free volcanic gravel, and the tougher you push, the extra you sink in it.
iRunFar: That’s why individuals have been so quick.
Sinclair: It’s so sluggish. And it was excellent, simply sufficient moisture to carry it collectively. It didn’t crumble underfoot. So it was simply you have been operating a lot sooner for approach much less effort in comparison with regular.
Even per week in the past, I did my final future at Los Canarios, and I used to be like, “Oh, that is so depressing,” going up since you run, and it was sunny and scorching that day. And you then flip round, and it feels very nice coming again down with the free gravel, however going up, it’s simply so laborious to run in.
And in the present day it was excellent, and I believe that may very well be half of why the occasions have been so quick. After which simply, yeah, a very aggressive race, individuals pushing one another, and funky climate. I barely felt like I used to be sweating on the market.
It was similar to, lots of people say it is a scorching race, and it was chilly initially. Earlier than the solar rose, the wind picked up, and I used to be like, “Oh man, I ought to have introduced a jacket.” However then it was simply excellent on the ridge. The wind died down, after which we have been operating via clouds all the way down to Tazacorte. It often simply will get hotter and warmer, however I used to be like, “I’m somewhat heat on the backside,” however I simply splashed water, and I used to be like, “Okay, I can get a pair extra miles to the end.”
iRunFar: By perhaps it was 30-ish okay in, it seemed such as you had damaged from the sector and caught somewhat little bit of a niche from the fellows behind you. Was that intentional? Did that simply occur naturally? What occurred there?
Sinclair: I suppose, I believe it was Damien [Humbert] who was out entrance a superb minute, after which I used to be operating with Petter [Engdahl], and Nadir [Maguet], after which Ben [Dhiman] was with us. We have been that pack operating collectively, working collectively, simply making an attempt to be snug.
After which I used to be like, “Oh, I really feel good after we began operating downhill.” So Ben and I acquired somewhat bit forward, and we just about, I believe, had caught Damien on the El Pilar, and with Abel [Recknold], my group supervisor, they have been the very best. I simply did the tremendous fast, don’t-even-stop-running actually alternate, after which I simply stored rolling.
Then I used to be within the lead with Ben, after which as we began climbing, I believe he was respiratory somewhat bit tougher, and I used to be like, “Okay, that is good.” And in order we began actually climbing once more, I acquired somewhat bit forward, and I may see these two guys proper behind me.
However then, finally, I used to be like, “Oh, they’re getting additional behind. I nonetheless really feel so significantly better in contrast so far final 12 months.” I’m wanting on the splits. We’d been 5 minutes below at El Pilar, and I used to be like, “I’m shifting approach higher, so I may very well be below 5 hours or one thing at El Roque if nothing goes flawed.”
iRunFar: Proper.
Sinclair: And I used to be like, “Oh man, I’m shifting so, so effectively.” And I used to be, I couldn’t see anybody behind me. So I used to be like, “I might need this within the bag.” After which proper earlier than the Pico de la Cruz, I look again, and there’s Petter, and he’s simply pop, pop, pop.
And he comes by me, and that was the low level for the race, and he was pushing the climbs. I used to be feeling the altitude. My abdomen was …
iRunFar: That is across the excessive level of the course, proper?
Sinclair: Close to the excessive level.
iRunFar: Okay.
Sinclair: And he stored stretching these tremendous little steep climbs, so then it goes down once more and he’d should name out, and among the marathoners don’t hear you, so it slows him down, and that will permit me to catch again up.
And so he lastly broke me and acquired 5 seconds forward proper on the excessive level. However then we began going downhill and I may catch again up. So I did one other fast alternate, simply took one flask, simply had not even used the vest for the downhill.
And I used to be like, “Nicely, Petter appears actually sturdy climbing. I don’t need to be operating, having such a superb day after which find yourself getting second of such a superb run.” So I said-
iRunFar: With the climb to the end on the very finish, yeah.
Sinclair: Yeah, with the climb, I used to be like, “I’m simply going to take some threat and simply actually go for it on this downhill, and hope the quads maintain up, hope I don’t roll an ankle.”
And it clicked, and I couldn’t consider how effectively I simply held up all the way in which down. After which I acquired down there, and I used to be like, “I don’t understand how a lot of a niche I’ve.” So I acquired some final Coke on the Tazacorte assist station and that’s the one half I didn’t know the place the course went. And also you’re on this bizarre wash, and also you’re scorching for the primary time, and also you’re simply actually drained, after which it simply kicks up, and also you’re like, “Okay, I simply acquired to maintain shifting as a result of I don’t understand how a lot of a niche I had.
iRunFar: Had been you operating scared or …
Sinclair: I used to be operating somewhat scared, after which I used to be yelling, asking, “Anybody understand how a lot of a niche I’ve?”
iRunFar: Anyone?
Sinclair: And eventually, somebody says, “Oh, you’ve acquired seven minutes.” And I used to be like, “Okay, I believe I can try this.” And eventually, you come out into Los Llanos, and also you’re on the town, and the climb stops, and it’s like, “Okay, I acquired this, and I can take pleasure in that final mile.”
So I attempted to wave to the group, and it’s cool how necessary this race is to the individuals of the island. I didn’t make it to the end final 12 months, so I didn’t know.
However particularly on a pleasant day like that, there will need to have been 10,000 individuals on the market cheering, they usually all needed excessive fives, and folks have been developing after me asking for selfies like, “Oh, I really feel like I’m not in such a distinct segment sport for a second.”
iRunFar: Transvulcania royalty now.
Sinclair: Yeah, so it’s cool. They deal with you proper right here. The island is a particular place.
iRunFar: As a result of this course, with that 8,000-foot downhill, is fairly particular, you’ll be able to’t actually practice for a 8,000-foot singular descent until you come right here and practice on the course. Had you carried out any particular downhill preparation to season the quads earlier than you bought right here, or to what do you attribute that being your excessive level for the day, mainly?
Sinclair: Yeah, I believe it was sudden. I do know I’ve been operating a good quantity of mileage. Simply common coaching runs in Vermont, you find yourself getting a superb quantity of vert it doesn’t matter what you do.
After which I had somewhat little bit of vert out in California earlier than the Canyons 25k. I did one other particular session at a ski space. So it’s a thousand toes of vert at a time, however you do it 5 occasions and it’s not as technical as this so, I believe, I suppose that labored effectively.
I truly did my laborious coaching day proper after I arrived, to go from simply above Tazacorte and I went all as much as Roque. I used the poles. I used to be like, “Oh man, that is brutal.”
And you then flip round, and I’m like operating sluggish, being cautious. I don’t need to roll an ankle, it’s simply coaching, however my quads, I ran 20 minutes off what a superb time could be within the race. I believe it took me an hour and 40 minutes to don’t even the entire descent.
After which I used to be like, “Oh, my quads damage so unhealthy the following day.” And I used to be like, “That is going to be inconceivable.” I knew it was a giant descent, after which previewing it was virtually a nasty alternative as a result of it simply made me extra nervous and be like, “Oh, that factor’s so laborious, it’s going to crush me.”
After which yeah, I believe I owe rather a lot to Petter as a result of I used to be nervous for the descent, and I used to be planning to watch out and simply attempt to get down easy, effectively, however then aggressive drive: I acquired to do what I acquired to do to attempt to win the race. In order that introduced my A-game out. So kudos to Petter for pushing me so laborious.
iRunFar: That’s superior. It truly is how a lot you’ll be able to increase the bar if you’ve acquired individuals pushing you otherwise you’re working collectively to do it collectively.
Sinclair: Yeah. It’s cool when you’ll be able to truly rise to the event as a result of generally if that’s all you bought, that’s all you bought. However there have been lots of tremendous sturdy guys in the present day, they usually have been all preventing laborious and, yeah, simply superior to have a big day and are available out on high.
iRunFar: Yeah. To paraphrase you on the end, you mentioned one thing alongside the strains of, “At this time was the very best day of my life to date.”
Sinclair: I imply, I wouldn’t say the very best day of my life …
iRunFar: No, okay.
Sinclair: … however a superb, it was a superb.
iRunFar: Sorry, greatest race. Finest race.
Sinclair: I believe I used to be proper up there, particularly to do it right here to … Final 12 months I had some actually good races. I had some second locations within the huge races, and it’s like, “Oh, it feels actually good,” nevertheless it makes you hungry, like, “Oh, I need to get a giant win.”
So to come back right here, particularly People coming over to Europe, it at all times feels particular to do it in these laborious Euro races, and say we’re not simply easy California carpet runners. So, yeah, that is proper up there for some of the particular wins of my profession.
iRunFar: Congratulations in your win of the 2026 Transvulcania, and we’ll be seeing you at States in not too lengthy, huh?
Sinclair: Yeah, I simply acquired to hope to recuperate now. I believe I’m much more nervous for Western States as a result of it’s my first 100 miler, and the sector is simply insane.
iRunFar: Insane.
Sinclair: Warmth’s by no means been my sturdy swimsuit, so I’m fairly nervous, however now I’m cautiously optimistic. Nonetheless haven’t completely determined about what the sport plan is. I believe I need to attempt to run sensible there the primary time, I’d wish to get a decent end slightly than go for the win and simply …
iRunFar: Cook dinner your self.
Sinclair: … prepare dinner myself in flames. Yeah, we’ll see. I’m actually excited. It’ll be a enjoyable problem. I do not know what’s going to occur although.
iRunFar: It’s going to be fairly a present, and also you’re going to be a part of it.
Sinclair: Yeah. It’s actually an honor to be on the present. I do know it’s robust as a result of I turned down the Golden Ticket the primary time, and I made a decision to do it, and now I’m like, “Oh man, what did I get myself into?” However it’s going to be enjoyable, and I’m stepping into respectable form, so I simply acquired to remain wholesome.
iRunFar: Okay. See you at States.
Sinclair: See you at States from La Palma.
