Amasa Trail Race.
At the Amasa Trail Race in Moab, Utah, the 10K is the shortest distance but no warm-up lap: a single climb of nearly three kilometres takes care of most of the vertical, and the way back ends in a long, steep drop. Prepare for that one hill and its return leg, and you have prepared for this race.
Amasa Trail Race 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The loop starts and finishes at around 1,220 metres, and the first kilometre stays practically level. A small wave of about 40 metres follows, all of it handed back just before kilometre 2. At kilometre 2.2 the climb that defines this race begins: nearly three kilometres at a little over seven percent on average, with ramps reaching 13 percent. You top out just past kilometre 5 at about 1,420 metres, the highest point of the course.
The return comes in two stages. Until shortly before kilometre 7 the ground stays high and rolling, with a small counter-climb that costs more than it looks after the work already done. Then the course drops: in a little over two kilometres you give back nearly all the height, and the final kilometre and a bit runs flat to the finish.
The setting is the desert canyon and slickrock country around Kane Springs Canyon. Petroglyphs and views of the La Sal Mountains belong to this terrain. Mad Moose Events stages the race as part of its Run Moab series.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.7 | 1.1 km | 3.8 % | 7.4 % | +40 m | — |
| km 2.2 | 3 km | 7.1 % | 13 % | +209 m | Cat. 3 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Amasa Trail Race.
Start under control
The first two kilometres are a lead-in, however much the level start invites a brisk pace. Every heartbeat you add here and on the small wave comes with you into the climb, and that climb offers no chance to recover. Arrive at its foot feeling as if you have hardly started running.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 2 and 5. Three kilometres at seven percent is too long for most runners to hold a hard running pace. Choose from the first step an effort you can still produce in the climb's last kilometre, and power-hike the steepest ramps as soon as your running stride there becomes slower than a strong walk.
Spend what is left
The trap sits beyond the high point. Thinking the job is done costs time on the rolling stretch to kilometre 7, and throwing everything at the steep section after it gets paid for in hammered quads. The flat final kilometre then shows who rationed the downhill.
Training plan for Amasa Trail Race: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners should expect about 1:05 to 1:40 hours out here. That is a mainly aerobic effort with one clear centre of gravity: the main climb takes around 25 to 35 minutes close to threshold, while the opening and closing stretches are closer to a tempo run on level ground.
Train race pace
Your key session is therefore long, even work on a hill. Start with repeats of eight to ten minutes on a gradient around seven percent and extend them until you can hold half an hour of controlled climbing in one go. Alternate deliberately between running and fast hiking, so that you have a rehearsed answer for the steepest ramps.
Rehearse the course
The downhill deserves at least as much attention. The long section beyond kilometre 7 loads the quads heavily, and it arrives after the climb has already tired them. Put descending at the end of your hill sessions rather than doing it fresh, and add strength work for quads and calves.
Arrive fresh
Slickrock and desert canyon ask for sure footing, not a road rhythm. Move part of your running onto rocky, uneven ground so that your stride length and your eyes adapt to it. Because the event is cupless, a small drinking vessel of your own belongs in your last training runs: water comes from dispensers at the start/finish and every aid station.
Courses
Download the Amasa Trail Race course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Amasa Trail Race dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Amasa Trail Race.
How long is Amasa Trail Race?
Amasa Trail Race is 10 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Amasa Trail Race have?
Amasa Trail Race has around 297 m of elevation gain over 10 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Amasa Trail Race?
Amasa Trail Race is classified as Hilly, averaging 28.6 vertical metres per kilometre. 8% of the route is flat, 41% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 10% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Amasa Trail Race have?
The hardest climb of Amasa Trail Race starts at kilometre 2.2, runs for 3 km at an average of 7.1% and gains 209 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 2 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Amasa Trail Race a loop course?
Yes, Amasa Trail Race is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Amasa Trail Race course?
Yes. The Amasa Trail Race course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Amasa Trail Race?
Preparation for Amasa Trail Race should account for 10 km, 297 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Amasa Trail Race?
The pacing strategy for Amasa Trail Race should reflect 10 km, 297 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Amasa Trail Race take place?
Amasa Trail Race takes place on April 10, 2027.
Where does Amasa Trail Race take place?
Amasa Trail Race takes place in Moab, United States.
Which distances does Amasa Trail Race offer?
Amasa Trail Race offers 3 distances — Amasa 10K: 10 km; Amasa 15K: 15 km; Amasa 25K: 25 km.
How do I register for Amasa Trail Race?
Registration runs through the organiser: madmooseevents.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
