Blackall100.
The long course of the Blackall100 loops through the forests, gullies and ridge lines around Mapleton on the Sunshine Coast, and its near 2,900 metres of climbing arrive in short, hard pieces rather than as one big mountain. Preparing for it means building legs that still work, uphill and downhill, deep into the second half.
Blackall100 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are at QCCC on Obi Obi Road in Mapleton, and the loop sets off at around 390 metres. The first third swings between ridge and gully: at km 10 the course drops to a little over 200 metres, then steps back up in two stages. The next dip follows soon after, with a climb of just over two kilometres leading out of it from km 19. From there you stay high until past km 30, on constant short ups and downs.
From km 33 the deepest gully of the day takes you down over about eight kilometres to roughly 120 metres. At km 43 the longest climb of the race begins: a little over three kilometres and more than 300 metres of gain. The top does not end the work, because from km 59 a ramp of just under two kilometres charges another 200 metres.
The last third sits lower and undulates without big swings between km 72 and 88. That does not make it flat: only about an eighth of the whole loop is level. From km 89 the course climbs one final time to above 450 metres, before rolling back to Mapleton, where the race hub and the finish bell are waiting.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 10.2 | 1.3 km | 9.4 % | 29.5 % | +119 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 11.9 | 1.1 km | 7.2 % | 14 % | +76 m | — |
| km 18.7 | 2.2 km | 10.1 % | 26.7 % | +219 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 43.4 | 3.2 km | 10.7 % | 23.4 % | +336 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 58.9 | 1.9 km | 11.2 % | 33.9 % | +206 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 69.3 | 0.7 km | 11.3 % | 14.2 % | +74 m | — |
| km 70.8 | 1.5 km | 5.4 % | 12.1 % | +83 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 88.8 | 1.9 km | 7 % | 18.6 % | +130 m | Cat. 4 |
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 Blackall100 2027.
Start under control
Plan this day by effort, not by kilometre splits: a little over four tenths of the course climbs and about as much falls, so there is no steady pace to hold. Walk the steep ground from the first hour, even while you could still run it. The high sections up to km 33 feel like recovery after the early dips, but their constant up and down costs more than it seems to.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between km 33 and 47. Letting go on the long descent costs you twice: the quads take the damage, and there is little time at the bottom before the longest climb starts. Climb it evenly, then use the kilometres on the high ground that follow to eat again and get back into a run.
Spend what is left
The biggest trap comes later. The undulations between km 72 and 88 look like a chance to coast home, and anyone chasing time there has nothing left for the last climb. The aim on this stretch is to keep running all of it, not to run it fast.
Training plan for Blackall100 2027: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners are out for roughly 12 to 17 hours on this loop. Over that span the effort stays aerobic but never uniform: many short ramps keep forcing spikes, and the downhills tire the muscles more than your heart rate lets on.
Train race pace
The race turns on what your legs can still do after 40 and after 85 kilometres. The longest climb comes straight after the longest descent, and the last ascent waits until just before km 90. Long sessions should mirror that: two long runs on consecutive days on hilly trail, with the climbing placed in the final hour of the second one.
Rehearse the course
The priorities are strong hiking and downhill work. Practise steep ground at a walking stride you could hold for hours, in blocks of 15 to 20 minutes. Add strength work for the quads and run long descents deliberately tired, because this loop goes down just as far as it goes up.
Arrive fresh
The race falls in mid-October, spring in the southern hemisphere, so anyone travelling from Europe puts the last build into late summer and sorts out the journey early. The organiser provides the course as a file: load it onto your watch before long sessions so that navigation and eating to a schedule are routine by race day.
Courses
Download the Blackall100 2027 course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Blackall100 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 Blackall100.
How long is Blackall100 2027?
Blackall100 2027 is 100 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 Blackall100 2027 have?
Blackall100 2027 has around 2,871 m of elevation gain over 100 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Blackall100 2027?
Blackall100 2027 is classified as Mountainous, averaging 28.4 vertical metres per kilometre. 13% of the route is flat, 29% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 14% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Blackall100 2027 have?
The hardest climb of Blackall100 2027 starts at kilometre 43.4, runs for 3.2 km at an average of 10.7% and gains 336 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Blackall100 2027 a loop course?
Yes, Blackall100 2027 is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Blackall100 2027 course?
Yes. The Blackall100 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 Blackall100 2027?
Preparation for Blackall100 2027 should account for 100 km, 2,871 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 Blackall100 2027?
The pacing strategy for Blackall100 2027 should reflect 100 km, 2,871 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 Blackall100 2027 take place?
Blackall100 2027 takes place on October 16, 2027.
Where does Blackall100 2027 take place?
Blackall100 2027 takes place in Mapleton, Australia.
Which distances does Blackall100 2027 offer?
Blackall100 2027 offers 3 distances — Blackall100 100 km: 100 km; Blackall100 50 km: 50 km; Blackall100 21 km: 21 km (Half marathon).
How do I register for Blackall100 2027?
Registration runs through the organiser: runqld.com.au. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
