Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56.
The Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 is a 56-mile loop from Hazel Grove where walkers and ultra-runners share one route and visit the same checkpoints in a fixed order. It starts at noon on Saturday, the finish closes 24 hours later, and some 2,300 metres of climbing turn the distance into a long day that runs on into the night.
Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The loop starts and finishes in Hazel Grove and runs on roads, tracks, trails and field paths out into the Peak District hills and back. The climbing is front-loaded: from km 14 the route rises for three and a half kilometres, at km 20 a steeper climb averages more than eleven percent, and between km 29 and 35 two short ramps kick up past 25 percent in their steepest pitches.
After a longer, gentler climb from km 46 the course holds a rolling high line until around km 75, reaching its highest point near km 64. The final 15 kilometres or so drop steadily back to Hazel Grove with no climb worth the name.
The event is run every year by the 3rd Hazel Grove Scout Group as a fundraiser, with the field capped at 400. Registration and kit check happen on Saturday morning, and on the route you have to register at each checkpoint in the set order.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 6.7 | 1.7 km | 8.4 % | 15.2 % | +145 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 14.1 | 3.6 km | 8.2 % | 18 % | +294 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 20.6 | 2.4 km | 11.5 % | 17.4 % | +270 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 29.3 | 1 km | 14.5 % | 26.8 % | +148 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 32.8 | 2.2 km | 10.5 % | 30.6 % | +231 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 46.3 | 3.1 km | 6.5 % | 19.1 % | +202 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 63.4 | 1.1 km | 7.2 % | 14.1 % | +79 m | — |
| km 73.3 | 1.3 km | 7.6 % | 12.6 % | +101 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 Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56.
Start under control
With the hard climbs packed between km 14 and 35, early in the afternoon while the legs still feel fresh, the biggest risk here is spending too much too soon. Hike the steep ramps around km 30 and 33 without exception, and only run again once the ground lets you do so without labouring for breath.
Hold your rhythm
The race is not decided on those ramps but in the long rolling middle between km 46 and 75. After a noon start you are out there past dusk by then, and anyone who can still run evenly gains hours while others are reduced to walking.
Spend what is left
The trap is the run-in: the last 15 kilometres slope gently down and invite you to run, but only if your quads survived the many descents before them. More than a third of the course goes downhill, so controlled descending pays from the very first hill.
Training plan for Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56: 12-week build
Build the base
Ultra-runners typically need 12 to 18 hours for this loop, while walkers often use much of the 24-hour window. The effort is mostly long and aerobic, broken up by steep climbs you will hike and many descents that tire the muscles more than the pace does.
Train race pace
What decides the day is whether you reach the rolling middle section still able to run after the climbs of the first 35 kilometres. Build long sessions on hilly ground where you hike the steep pitches briskly and then settle back into an easy running rhythm on the stretches that follow.
Rehearse the course
Downhill running is the second priority. Regular descents within your long runs condition the quads for the last 15 kilometres, which are only quick if you can still run them.
Arrive fresh
The noon start in early September means you head into darkness on course. Put some long sessions into the evening and run them with a head torch, practise navigating between checkpoints, and test your food and kit exactly as you will present them at Saturday morning's check.
Courses
Download the Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 dynamically
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Everything about Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56.
How long is Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56?
Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 is 90.12 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 Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 have?
Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 has around 2,343 m of elevation gain over 90.12 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56?
Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 is classified as Hilly, averaging 25.3 vertical metres per kilometre. 17% of the route is flat, 26% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 12% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 have?
The hardest climb of Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 starts at kilometre 14.1, runs for 3.6 km at an average of 8.2% and gains 294 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 a loop course?
Yes, Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 course?
Yes. The Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 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 Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56?
Preparation for Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 should account for 90.12 km, 2,343 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 Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56?
The pacing strategy for Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 should reflect 90.12 km, 2,343 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 Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 take place?
Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 takes place on September 4, 2027.
Where does Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 take place?
Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56 takes place in Hazel Grove, United Kingdom.
How do I register for Bullock Smithy Hike / Ultra 56?
Registration runs through the organiser: bullocksmithy.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
