Granite Peaks Ultras.
The 25K is the entry distance of the Granite Peaks Ultras, and in the Mournes entry only means shorter. Nearly 1,800 metres of climbing, carried by two big ascents, turn this Saturday race from Newcastle into a true mountain run, one that asks at least as much of your legs going down as going up.
Granite Peaks Ultras 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The new course is a loop that starts and ends at town level, with the Mournes in between. The weekend is based at Shimna Integrated College in Newcastle, and for all its short distance the 25K is one of the three UTMB Index races. There is no warm-up: the course rises almost from the first metre, gathering more than 800 metres of ascent in under five kilometres.
After that it turns more fragmented. A first descent leads to a calmer stretch around 550 metres. Then comes the short ramp from km 8.4, which gains almost 150 metres within a few hundred. From there it is a long way down to the valley, where the course runs almost level until km 16.5.
The ending belongs to the mountain again. The course climbs back in steps, with the last high point just after km 21. Then it heads back to Newcastle without a break: more than 700 metres of descent in under four kilometres.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.1 | 4.7 km | 17.5 % | 44.5 % | +820 m | HC |
| km 7.5 | 0.5 km | 13.4 % | 22.7 % | +67 m | — |
| km 8.4 | 0.5 km | 32 % | 42.4 % | +144 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 12.1 | 1.5 km | 7.2 % | 15.6 % | +104 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 16.5 | 2.5 km | 13.2 % | 38.1 % | +322 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 19.5 | 0.7 km | 14.5 % | 24.2 % | +95 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 20.5 | 0.7 km | 20.9 % | 43.4 % | +141 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 Granite Peaks Ultras 2027.
Start under control
The trap sits right behind the start line. Fresh legs tempt you to run a climb averaging almost 18 percent, but anything you buy here in seconds gets paid back in minutes. Drop to a brisk hike as soon as your breathing turns ragged, and arrive at the first high point feeling you could still go harder.
Hold your rhythm
The nearly level valley stretch around km 15 looks like time to win back, yet its real job is preparing you for the second ascent. Run it easily, eat and drink there, then take the steps from km 16.5 at an even effort rather than attacking each new rise.
Spend what is left
The race is decided on the way down. Around 30 percent of the course falls away steeply, and the final descent asks the most just as your quads are at their most tired. If you can still run in control at the top, you will pass plenty of people here; spend everything on the second ascent and you will brake your way through the last four kilometres.
Training plan for Granite Peaks Ultras 2027: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect roughly 3:30 to 6 hours. That is far more than this distance would suggest on the road. The effort is mostly long and aerobic, broken by hard passages on the steepest ramps. With only around seven percent of the course flat, neither a good cruising pace nor a strong half marathon time will carry you to the finish on its own.
Train race pace
The two phases that matter most are the first ascent and the closing descent. For the ascent you need endurance in steep hiking: sessions of 30 to 60 minutes on the longest hill you can reach, or repeated climbs until an opening like this one feels normal. Practise switching between running and hiking so that it stops being a decision on race day.
Rehearse the course
Prepare the descent deliberately. From about eight weeks out, add regular downhill running, short at first and then longer, alongside strength work for quads and calves. The key rehearsal is one long session that ends with several hundred metres of descent on tired legs.
Arrive fresh
With the race in mid-April, most of this work falls in winter. Book your hill sessions early and firmly, and place the longest one two to three weeks before the start so your legs arrive rested on the Saturday.
Courses
Download the Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Granite Peaks Ultras 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 Granite Peaks Ultras.
How long is Granite Peaks Ultras 2027?
Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 is 25 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 Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 have?
Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 has around 1,768 m of elevation gain over 25 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Granite Peaks Ultras 2027?
Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 is classified as Mountainous, averaging 70.3 vertical metres per kilometre. 7% of the route is flat, 16% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 33% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 have?
The hardest climb of Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 starts at kilometre 0.1, runs for 4.7 km at an average of 17.5% and gains 820 metres. Cycling-convention rating: HC. 7 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 a loop course?
Yes, Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 course?
Yes. The Granite Peaks Ultras 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 Granite Peaks Ultras 2027?
Preparation for Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 should account for 25 km, 1,768 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 Granite Peaks Ultras 2027?
The pacing strategy for Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 should reflect 25 km, 1,768 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 Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 take place?
Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 takes place on April 16, 2027.
Where does Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 take place?
Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 takes place in Newcastle, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 offer?
Granite Peaks Ultras 2027 offers 3 distances — Granite Peaks 25K: 25 km; Granite Peaks 50K: 52 km; Granite Peaks 100K: 101 km.
How do I register for Granite Peaks Ultras 2027?
Registration runs through the organiser: granitepeaksultras.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
