Apocalypse Ultramarathon.
The Apocalypse Ultramarathon lets you choose which loops you run and in what order, and the Conquest Loop is the shortest and most concentrated of them: Caer Caradoc, Willstone Hill and Helmeth Hill packed into just over 15 kilometres, at about 40 metres of climbing per kilometre. Preparing for it mostly means preparing for steep ground in both directions.
Apocalypse Ultramarathon 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
From the base in Church Stretton the loop, run clockwise, stays almost level for the first two and a half kilometres. Then comes its longest climb: just over 2.5 kilometres at around ten percent, up to about 430 metres. The way down is just as direct, and by kilometre 6.7 you are back just above 200 metres.
Two more ascents follow in quick succession, first about 90 metres of climbing, then a little over 120 from kilometre 8.8, returning you to nearly 400 metres. A shorter climb at kilometre 12 is the last of the work before the course drops away and runs out flat. More than a third of the distance is steep, uphill or down; only the start and the finish are truly level.
The route uses public footpaths, bridleways and roads, with virtual checkpoints as reference points along the way. Direction is your choice: run anti-clockwise, the smaller climbs come first and the long ascent turns into the big descent at the end.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2.6 | 2.6 km | 9.9 % | 36.5 % | +254 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 6.7 | 1.2 km | 7.8 % | 15.4 % | +93 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 8.8 | 1.2 km | 10.7 % | 18.8 % | +124 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 10.3 | 0.3 km | 10.8 % | 15.4 % | +32 m | — |
| km 12 | 0.8 km | 8.3 % | 15.3 % | +62 m | — |
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 Apocalypse Ultramarathon.
Start under control
Time on this loop is not made on the level stretches but in how much you dare to spend on the hills. The flat opening kilometres are a warm-up, not a chance to bank minutes. At an average of ten percent, a brisk hike on the first climb is the better deal for most runners than a running stride they cannot hold.
Hold your rhythm
The loop is decided between kilometres 6 and 10, where two ascents follow almost seamlessly on the first long descent. Let yourself fly down those 220-odd metres and you carry the damage straight into the next climb, and from kilometre 8.8 the strength is missing.
Spend what is left
The trap is the short distance. Not quite ten miles sounds like a loop to tick off quickly, but the share of steep ground takes legs you need for every further loop. Inside a longer combination, budget it defensively, above all downhill.
Training plan for Apocalypse Ultramarathon: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect roughly two to three and a half hours for a single Conquest lap; inside a combination it becomes one section of a much longer day. The effort is no steady run but a constant switch between powerful climbing at a high heart rate and braking work on the way down, with little recovery in between.
Train race pace
The skill that decides it is being able to climb hard twice more after a long ascent and a steep descent. Train that with hill repeats of ten to fifteen minutes on the steepest slope you can reach, running the descent briskly instead of jogging it as a rest. Add repetitions first, speed later.
Rehearse the course
The quads matter just as much, because these hills cost nearly as much going down as going up. Regular downhill running and strength work for thighs and calves make the difference between a controlled descent and one where all you can do is brake.
Arrive fresh
Because the route runs on footpaths, bridleways and roads, all three surfaces belong in your long runs, and shoe choice is something to test on steep slopes rather than on the flat. With the race in May, the key hill sessions fall in late winter and spring, and if you plan several loops, that is also the time to run two steep laps back to back.
Courses
Download the Apocalypse Ultramarathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Apocalypse Ultramarathon dynamically
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Everything about Apocalypse Ultramarathon.
How long is Apocalypse Ultramarathon?
Apocalypse Ultramarathon is 15.33 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 Apocalypse Ultramarathon have?
Apocalypse Ultramarathon has around 605 m of elevation gain over 15.33 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Apocalypse Ultramarathon?
Apocalypse Ultramarathon is classified as Mountainous, averaging 39 vertical metres per kilometre. 12% of the route is flat, 25% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 19% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Apocalypse Ultramarathon have?
The hardest climb of Apocalypse Ultramarathon starts at kilometre 2.6, runs for 2.6 km at an average of 9.9% and gains 254 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 5 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Apocalypse Ultramarathon a loop course?
Yes, Apocalypse Ultramarathon is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Apocalypse Ultramarathon course?
Yes. The Apocalypse Ultramarathon 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 Apocalypse Ultramarathon?
Preparation for Apocalypse Ultramarathon should account for 15.33 km, 605 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 Apocalypse Ultramarathon?
The pacing strategy for Apocalypse Ultramarathon should reflect 15.33 km, 605 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 Apocalypse Ultramarathon take place?
Apocalypse Ultramarathon takes place on May 8, 2027.
Where does Apocalypse Ultramarathon take place?
Apocalypse Ultramarathon takes place in Church Stretton, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Apocalypse Ultramarathon offer?
Apocalypse Ultramarathon offers 4 distances — Conquest Loop: 15.33 km; War Loop: 21.39 km; Death Loop: 18.69 km; Famine Loop: 24.87 km.
How do I register for Apocalypse Ultramarathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: beyondmarathon.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
