Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon.
The Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon runs in March on well maintained forest trails in the Forest of Dean near Coleford, over an officially measured half marathon distance on a route that is new for 2027. The loop drops into the valley early and earns its height back in two long climbs, and that shape is what to prepare for.
Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The first kilometre and a half is nearly level, then the course tips over: by about km 3.8 you have lost some 100 metres and reached the lowest point of the loop. From there a long, uneven ascent begins that stretches across almost seven kilometres. It steepens towards its middle, with short ramps from km 6.4 and km 7 leading into the main section, and from km 9.6 the trail gains just over 40 metres in under a kilometre, touching around ten percent in places.
Between km 10 and km 14.5 the route stays high and undulates at the highest level of the day. Then it drops a second time, about 60 metres down to km 17, before the last four kilometres climb back to start height, with a short, steeper pitch from km 18.7.
The whole loop is run on well maintained forest trails in the Forest of Dean, ending at the same height it starts from. The route is new for 2027 and differs from previous spring courses, so even returning runners face ground they have not raced before.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 6.4 | 0.4 km | 3.7 % | 6.3 % | +15 m | — |
| km 7 | 0.4 km | 5.4 % | 9.3 % | +22 m | — |
| km 9.6 | 0.9 km | 5.2 % | 10.2 % | +44 m | — |
| km 18.7 | 0.3 km | 5.8 % | 8.9 % | +17 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 Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027.
Start under control
The start is the trap. After a level opening the course runs downhill for two kilometres, and letting the pace go there banks time on the watch and tired quads for what comes next. Take the first descent relaxed and controlled rather than fast.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between km 4 and km 10.7. The gradient is moderate for much of it, but it keeps going, and the steepest part from km 9.6 arrives only at its end. Run the climb on effort, not pace, and plan to power-walk the steep pitches if your heart rate would otherwise run away.
Spend what is left
The rolling high ground up to km 14.5 is where you find your rhythm again. Hold something back there for the finish: after the second descent, the way back up to start height, including the ramp at km 18.7, costs more than four kilometres suggest.
Training plan for Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect roughly 1:45 to 2:45 hours, depending on fitness. At its core this is an aerobic endurance effort, but the two long climbs and two descents make it far less rhythmic than a road half: steady running is broken by long stretches of raised load uphill and muscular strain downhill.
Train race pace
The key is the seven-kilometre climb in the first half. Train it with longer hill runs or ten to twenty minute intervals on sustained gradients, running evenly by feel and deliberately walking the steepest bits. A second stimulus belongs at the end of long runs: a climb on tired legs, which is what the return from km 17 asks for.
Rehearse the course
Do not underestimate the descents. Around 230 metres of downhill, spread over two long drops, load the front of the thighs heavily, especially when the course climbs again afterwards. Build in regular controlled downhill running and leg strength work so the second descent does not become the problem.
Arrive fresh
The race is on 21 March, so your preparation falls in the winter months. Put as many long sessions as you can on forest trails rather than tarmac, so your feet and stride are used to the ground, and run the long ones on rolling loops that mimic the swing between valley and high ground.
Courses
Download the Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 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 Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon.
How long is Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027?
Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 is 21.1 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 Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 have?
Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 has around 238 m of elevation gain over 21.1 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027?
Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 is classified as Rolling, averaging 11.4 vertical metres per kilometre. 31% of the route is flat, 36% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 2% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 have?
The hardest climb of Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 starts at kilometre 9.6, runs for 0.9 km at an average of 5.2% and gains 44 metres. 4 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 a loop course?
Yes, Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 course?
Yes. The Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 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 Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027?
Preparation for Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 should account for 21.1 km, 238 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 Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027?
The pacing strategy for Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 should reflect 21.1 km, 238 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 Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 take place?
Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 takes place on March 21, 2027.
Where does Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 take place?
Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027 takes place in Coleford, United Kingdom.
How do I register for Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2027?
Registration runs through the organiser: forestofdean-halfmarathon.co.uk. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
