Dukeries 30 / 40.
The 30-mile loop of the Dukeries 30 / 40 sets out from Sherwood Forest on forest trails and footpaths, passing Thoresby Estate, Creswell Crags and Welbeck Estate. Its 470 metres of climbing come in short waves, with a single rise standing out after kilometre 24. Preparing for it means building legs that keep running, far more than training for hills.
Dukeries 30 / 40 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish sit near the heart of Sherwood Forest, joined by one closed, fully marked lap. Forest and footpath stay underfoot for nearly the whole day, and the Thoresby and Welbeck estates along with Creswell Crags are the landmarks on an otherwise low-lying route. Aid stations are spread throughout, and the third, at the A614, doubles as a time check.
The first 20 kilometres or so are an easy rise and fall, broken by short ramps at kilometres 3.4 and 7.5 and another at 19.6. At kilometre 24.3 comes the piece that defines the lap: 800 metres at nearly seven percent on average, with spikes around 15 percent. It lifts you to a little over 110 metres, the highest ground of the day.
From there the course loses height in steps. One last small ramp arrives at kilometre 36, and after that you stay low and close to level. The final ten kilometres move between about 25 and 45 metres on the way back to where you began.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 3.4 | 0.5 km | 4.6 % | 10.8 % | +24 m | — |
| km 7.5 | 0.5 km | 4.7 % | 5.2 % | +22 m | — |
| km 19.6 | 0.3 km | 5.2 % | 6.3 % | +15 m | — |
| km 24.3 | 0.8 km | 6.8 % | 14.9 % | +54 m | — |
| km 36 | 0.4 km | 5.2 % | 7.7 % | +22 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 Dukeries 30 / 40.
Start under control
Roughly a third of the course is flat, a third gently up and a third gently down, with barely one percent truly steep. Almost all of it can be run, so natural walking breaks are rare. Manage the waves by effort, not by pace, and take the short ramps of the opening 20 kilometres without pressing.
Hold your rhythm
On the main climb at kilometre 24.3, power-hike the steepest parts rather than forcing them: 54 metres of gain decide nothing here, while a spiked heart rate around halfway can. The race is settled afterwards, on the long stretch from kilometre 36. No gradient sets your rhythm any more, and whoever can still run evenly moves through the field.
Spend what is left
The trap is how easy the start feels. Shallow waves on forest trails invite an average you cannot hold on the low ground at the end. The 10.5-hour limit leaves room, so the pressure in this race comes from your own pace.
Training plan for Dukeries 30 / 40: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners take around five to eight hours over the 30 miles. That makes it a steady aerobic effort with few spikes: lots of short waves keep the legs working, but only one climb takes you near your limit. Most of the work therefore belongs in easy endurance, not in hard hill intervals.
Train race pace
The core of the preparation is long runs on rolling ground, building to about 30 to 35 kilometres. Keep running over the gentle rises on these outings, since that is what this course asks of you for hours. One or two sessions at marathon length or slightly beyond show you how the closing kilometres will feel.
Rehearse the course
The section after kilometre 24 needs one specific stimulus: put a steep hill of a few hundred metres into the second half of your long runs, hike it briskly and start running again as soon as you reach the top. That rehearses the switch from walking back to running on tired legs, which the last third of the lap depends on.
Arrive fresh
With the race in May, the key long runs fall in winter and early spring. Do as many as you can on forest trails and footpaths so your ankles and feet get used to the ground. Practise eating and drinking at aid stations too, as the route takes you past several of them.
Courses
Download the Dukeries 30 / 40 course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Dukeries 30 / 40 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 Dukeries 30 / 40.
How long is Dukeries 30 / 40?
Dukeries 30 / 40 is 48.28 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 Dukeries 30 / 40 have?
Dukeries 30 / 40 has around 468 m of elevation gain over 48.28 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Dukeries 30 / 40?
Dukeries 30 / 40 is classified as Rolling, averaging 9.6 vertical metres per kilometre. 33% of the route is flat, 31% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 1% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Dukeries 30 / 40 have?
The hardest climb of Dukeries 30 / 40 starts at kilometre 24.3, runs for 0.8 km at an average of 6.8% and gains 54 metres. 5 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Dukeries 30 / 40 a loop course?
Yes, Dukeries 30 / 40 is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Dukeries 30 / 40 course?
Yes. The Dukeries 30 / 40 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 Dukeries 30 / 40?
Preparation for Dukeries 30 / 40 should account for 48.28 km, 468 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 Dukeries 30 / 40?
The pacing strategy for Dukeries 30 / 40 should reflect 48.28 km, 468 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 Dukeries 30 / 40 2027 take place?
Dukeries 30 / 40 2027 takes place on May 8, 2027.
Where does Dukeries 30 / 40 2027 take place?
Dukeries 30 / 40 2027 takes place in Ollerton, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Dukeries 30 / 40 offer?
Dukeries 30 / 40 offers 2 distances — Dukeries 30 Mile: 48.28 km; Dukeries 40 Mile: 64.37 km.
How do I register for Dukeries 30 / 40?
Registration runs through the organiser: hobopace.co.uk. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
