Arches Ultra.
The 50 Mile is the longest distance at the Arches Ultra, the third event in Mad Moose Events' Triple Crown of Moab. The first half stays quiet and the biggest climbs wait until after kilometre 45, so your preparation comes down to one thing: climbing well on legs that have already been moving for hours.
Arches Ultra 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish share one spot at just under 1,400 metres, and the first 25 kilometres swing through a narrow band of elevation around that mark. The loop then drops to its lowest point at about 1,330 metres. From kilometre 27, four short climbs in quick succession win back around 200 metres.
The core of the race begins at kilometre 45 with the longest climb, 150 metres in one go. Soon afterwards the course reaches the high point of the day at almost 1,570 metres. About 160 metres of that are gone again by kilometre 53. Kilometre 64 brings the steepest sustained section, a little over a kilometre at more than nine percent, with a descent of about 130 metres straight after it. One last short ramp at kilometre 73 touches 19 percent in places before the closing kilometres ease back to the start.
The loop runs through the Bar M, Klonzo and Klondike trail systems along the border of Arches National Park. The views are of the Moab cliffs and the La Sal Mountains, and dinosaur tracks and Utahraptor State Park belong to the same landscape. Mad Moose Events holds the race at the end of January, which makes it a winter race.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 7.5 | 1 km | 3.4 % | 5 % | +33 m | — |
| km 27 | 1.4 km | 4.5 % | 7.5 % | +61 m | — |
| km 29.2 | 1.6 km | 4 % | 6.9 % | +65 m | — |
| km 31.6 | 0.5 km | 7.1 % | 13.9 % | +35 m | — |
| km 35.6 | 0.7 km | 5.7 % | 10.4 % | +41 m | — |
| km 45.4 | 3.3 km | 4.6 % | 13.6 % | +151 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 64.2 | 1.1 km | 9.2 % | 16 % | +104 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 72.9 | 1.2 km | 5.6 % | 19.1 % | +67 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 Arches Ultra 2027.
Start under control
Most of this course can be run: only a small share is truly steep, and the rest is gentle up and down. That is exactly what makes the first 45 kilometres dangerous, because nothing forces you to walk and the pace feels harmless for a long time. Keep it low enough to take the four climbs from kilometre 27 well below what you could do.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 45 and 71. Walk the long climb to the high point where it turns steep and run the rest evenly, rather than tipping over the top with nothing left. The ramp at kilometre 64 is a walking section however fresh you feel. The downhill kilometres after it ask more of your legs than your lungs, so do not brake harder than you need to.
Spend what is left
Build your plan around the aid stations and cut-offs, not around a target pace. If you reach kilometre 45 already at your limit, there is no buffer left for the second half, and the final ramp near the end becomes the longest minute of your day.
Training plan for Arches Ultra 2027: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect roughly eleven to 15 hours for the 50 miles, depending on experience. For long stretches this is a steady aerobic effort, with a few hard climbing passages arriving only in the second half. Endurance base counts for more here than top speed.
Train race pace
What decides the day is what your legs can still do after 45 kilometres. Put the climbing at the end of your long runs and build in weekends with two longer sessions back to back. More than the raw mileage, what matters is climbing cleanly after several easy hours on your feet. Practise brisk uphill walking as well, because the steep sections will call for it.
Rehearse the course
Downhill running deserves its own attention. After the high point and after the ramp at kilometre 64 you face more than 100 metres of descent each time, on tired legs. Strength work for the quads and regular downhill running at the end of long sessions prepare you for exactly that load.
Arrive fresh
The race falls at the end of January, which puts your longest runs in the depths of winter. Use them to test clothing, food and drink in those conditions, since details like these matter over eleven hours or more. Most of the loop also sits at around 1,400 metres or a little above it, so if you live near sea level leave some margin in your pacing.
Courses
Download the Arches Ultra 2027 course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Arches Ultra 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 Arches Ultra.
How long is Arches Ultra 2027?
Arches Ultra 2027 is 80.47 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 Arches Ultra 2027 have?
Arches Ultra 2027 has around 1,164 m of elevation gain over 80.47 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Arches Ultra 2027?
Arches Ultra 2027 is classified as Rolling, averaging 14.6 vertical metres per kilometre. 23% of the route is flat, 36% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 3% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Arches Ultra 2027 have?
The hardest climb of Arches Ultra 2027 starts at kilometre 45.4, runs for 3.3 km at an average of 4.6% and gains 151 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Arches Ultra 2027 a loop course?
Yes, Arches Ultra 2027 is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Arches Ultra 2027 course?
Yes. The Arches Ultra 2027 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 Arches Ultra 2027?
Preparation for Arches Ultra 2027 should account for 80.47 km, 1,164 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 Arches Ultra 2027?
The pacing strategy for Arches Ultra 2027 should reflect 80.47 km, 1,164 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 Arches Ultra 2027 take place?
Arches Ultra 2027 takes place on January 30, 2027.
Where does Arches Ultra 2027 take place?
Arches Ultra 2027 takes place in Moab, United States.
Which distances does Arches Ultra 2027 offer?
Arches Ultra 2027 offers 4 distances — 50 Mile: 80.47 km; 50K: 50 km; Half Marathon: 21.1 km; 9K: 9 km.
How do I register for Arches Ultra 2027?
Registration runs through the organiser: madmooseevents.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
