Griffith Park Trail Marathon: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The Griffith Park Trail Marathon crosses the fire roads and singletrack of Griffith Park in the middle of Los Angeles. The marathon course is two big loops with a pass back through the start area and gathers more than 1,500 m of climbing, with the longest climb saved for the final third.
Course & Elevation
Start and finish are at the Merry-Go-Round lot in Griffith Park. The first loop runs via the Joe Klass, Bird Sanctuary and Mineral Wells aid stations. After 2.5 km the first climb of about 150 m begins, a steeper one with ramps over 20 percent follows at km 7.4, and between km 9 and 11 you run along the highest ground in the park, about 290 m above the start.
After roughly 13 miles the course passes the Merry-Go-Round, where drop bags wait, and heads into the second loop. The key section is at km 28: about 300 m of climbing in three kilometres, followed by one shorter climb before the long descent to the finish.
The running is on fire roads and singletrack, well marked with orange ribbons and signs. KH Races has run its trail series since 2010, and Griffith Park results go back to 2013. The organiser advises loading the GPX onto your watch.
Pacing Strategy
The first loop tempts you to run too fast because your legs are fresh and the return to the start runs downhill. Whatever you save there is what you have for the big climb at km 28.
That three-kilometre climb at almost ten percent average decides the race. Plan to hike parts of it and win the time back on the following descent, which demands concentration on tired quads.
Use the pass through the start to refill bottles and take food from your drop bag without lingering. The cutoffs at Mineral Wells and the Merry-Go-Round mean that running too slowly in the first loop can drop you to a shorter distance.
Training plan for Griffith Park Trail Marathon: 12-week build
Age-group runners should expect about five to nine hours. It is a long aerobic effort with many climbs, much of them hiked, and just as many descents.
The race is decided late: the longest and steepest climb comes after 28 km. So train long runs that turn hilly in the second half, and hill sessions of strong hiking for 10 to 20 minutes.
Nearly a quarter of the course descends steeply. Eccentric strength work and downhill runs on fire roads prepare the quads for that.
The start is early on a November morning. Practise fuelling yourself for hours, and load the course onto your watch as the organiser recommends.
Course Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 2.5 | 1.9 km | 8.1% | 15.9% | +158m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 7.4 | 1.6 km | 10.4% | 22.7% | +164m | Cat. 3 |
| KM 15.5 | 2.3 km | 7.5% | 15.3% | +171m | Cat. 3 |
| KM 21.0 | 0.5 km | 11.0% | 15.0% | +52m | — |
| KM 22.1 | 2.0 km | 7.8% | 15.3% | +158m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 27.8 | 3.0 km | 9.9% | 21.0% | +296m | Cat. 3 |
| KM 32.1 | 0.9 km | 7.0% | 10.3% | +63m | — |
| KM 36.8 | 0.7 km | 10.0% | 17.3% | +70m | — |
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.
Course as GPX
Download the Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Adaptive race preparation
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Griffith Park Trail 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.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Griffith Park Trail Marathon?
Griffith Park Trail Marathon is 42.2 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 Griffith Park Trail Marathon have?
Griffith Park Trail Marathon has around 1,573 m of elevation gain over 42.2 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Griffith Park Trail Marathon?
Griffith Park Trail Marathon is classified as Mountainous, averaging 37.5 vertical metres per kilometre. 9% of the route is flat, 23% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 23% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Griffith Park Trail Marathon have?
The hardest climb of Griffith Park Trail Marathon starts at kilometre 27.8, runs for 3 km at an average of 9.9% and gains 296 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Griffith Park Trail Marathon a loop course?
Yes, Griffith Park Trail Marathon is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Griffith Park Trail Marathon course?
Yes. The Griffith Park Trail Marathon 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 Griffith Park Trail Marathon?
Preparation for Griffith Park Trail Marathon should account for 42.2 km, 1,573 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 Griffith Park Trail Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Griffith Park Trail Marathon should reflect 42.2 km, 1,573 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 Griffith Park Trail Marathon take place?
Griffith Park Trail Marathon takes place on November 21, 2026.
Where does Griffith Park Trail Marathon take place?
Griffith Park Trail Marathon takes place in Los Angeles, United States.
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