Cortina 56-26.
The long course at Cortina 56-26 links the Olympic venues of the Ampezzo valley, from the centre of Cortina to the ski jump at Zuel. Most of its roughly 2,800 metres of climbing sits in two mountain blocks, and the second does not start until kilometre 32. The preparation that counts is steep climbing on legs that are already tired.
Cortina 56-26 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
From the centre of Cortina the course climbs almost at once: within a few hundred metres the first ascent of about 380 metres is under way. After a brief easing, the first serious piece starts at kilometre 6 with a little over 600 metres of ascent. It takes you above 2,300 metres, the high point of the day. The first aid point, at Tondi di Faloria, follows at kilometre 12. A long descent and a short counter-climb then lead to Passo Tre Croci.
After that the course gives nearly everything back. By Fiames it has dropped to just under 1,300 metres, and the valley kilometres beyond are the flattest of the race. The second block builds from kilometre 32. First come 470 metres of ascent, then, after a short breather, the slope past Piè Tofana up to Rifugio Pomedes, which at just over 18 percent on average is the steepest sustained stretch of the day.
From Pomedes the route drops more than 1,000 metres, past Lago d'Ajal and over one last short kick, to the Olympic ski jump at Zuel, a finish just under 100 metres below the start. The race is built as a point-to-point tour of the valley's Olympic sites: the ice stadium, the bobsleigh track, Col Drusciè, the Tofana pistes and the Campo di Sopra and Pianozes area are among its landmarks.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.2 | 3.5 km | 10.9 % | 25.2 % | +384 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 6.1 | 4 km | 15.6 % | 30.3 % | +621 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 16 | 1.3 km | 11.4 % | 19 % | +143 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 19.2 | 1.1 km | 7.5 % | 15.2 % | +82 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 30.5 | 0.8 km | 6.2 % | 11.2 % | +52 m | — |
| km 32.1 | 3.1 km | 15.1 % | 25.9 % | +471 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 36.2 | 3.3 km | 18.5 % | 41.3 % | +607 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 49.7 | 0.5 km | 11.3 % | 20.7 % | +59 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 Cortina 56-26.
Start under control
More than half of this course is steep, up or down, and only a few kilometres are truly flat. There is no steady running pace to hold here, so you race on effort. Take the first block with restraint, not least because some 1,000 metres of climbing come before the first aid point at kilometre 12, and until then you live on what you carry.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 32 and 40. Those eight kilometres hold over 1,000 metres of ascent, the hardest of it after the Piè Tofana aid point. What matters is a hiking pace you can sustain all the way to Rifugio Pomedes, because a collapse on that slope cannot be won back on the descent.
Spend what is left
The trap comes earlier. Between Passo Tre Croci and Fiames the route runs downhill for a long way and then flat along the valley, and that is exactly where a quick pace feels cheap. You pay for those kilometres twice: on the slope to Pomedes and on the long final descent to Zuel, for which your quads still need something left.
Training plan for Cortina 56-26: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group athletes can expect roughly eight to twelve hours out here, depending on trail experience. This is above all a long aerobic effort that alternates brisk uphill hiking with controlled downhill running, with little ordinary running in between. Your flat pace decides very little on this course; your endurance on a slope decides nearly everything.
Train race pace
The yardstick for your preparation is the section after Fiames: more than 1,000 metres of steep ground with over 30 kilometres already in your legs. Shape your long sessions so the hardest climbing comes late, and practise hiking on gradients of 15 percent and more, with poles if you plan to race with them and the rules allow it. Long mountain days of well over 1,500 metres, plus sessions on consecutive days, reproduce this fatigue most honestly.
Rehearse the course
Downhill running matters just as much, because more than half the course falls. Add strength work for the quads and run steep descents regularly at the end of long sessions, so that the kilometres after Lago d'Ajal stay running kilometres.
Arrive fresh
The July date puts your key mountain days from early summer onward. Since the race ranges from about 1,100 to above 2,300 metres, a few sessions above 2,000 metres help if you can reach them. Practise eating while climbing as well: Piè Tofana already sits on the steepest stretch, and what you take on there has to stay down on the slope.
Courses
Download the Cortina 56-26 course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Cortina 56-26.
How long is Cortina 56-26?
Cortina 56-26 is 56.5 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 Cortina 56-26 have?
Cortina 56-26 has around 2,844 m of elevation gain over 56.5 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Cortina 56-26?
Cortina 56-26 is classified as Mountainous, averaging 50.6 vertical metres per kilometre. 7% of the route is flat, 15% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 26% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Cortina 56-26 have?
The hardest climb of Cortina 56-26 starts at kilometre 6.1, runs for 4 km at an average of 15.6% and gains 621 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Cortina 56-26 a loop course?
No, Cortina 56-26 is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Cortina 56-26 course?
Yes. The Cortina 56-26 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 Cortina 56-26?
Preparation for Cortina 56-26 should account for 56.5 km, 2,844 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 Cortina 56-26?
The pacing strategy for Cortina 56-26 should reflect 56.5 km, 2,844 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 Cortina 56-26 2027 take place?
Cortina 56-26 2027 takes place on July 24, 2027.
Where does Cortina 56-26 2027 take place?
Cortina 56-26 2027 takes place in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Which distances does Cortina 56-26 offer?
Cortina 56-26 offers 2 distances — Cortina 56K: 56.5 km; Cortina 26K: 25.3 km.
How do I register for Cortina 56-26?
Registration runs through the organiser: cortina56-26.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
