Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale.
The Trail Marathon at Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale is a marathon in name only: the loop from Hutton-le-Hole runs 29 miles, close to 47 kilometres. Eight real climbs, the steepest held back until kilometre 37, turn it into a long day that asks for mandatory kit, your own drink and a map you printed yourself as well as fit legs.
Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Almost nothing here is flat. The first long climb starts after little more than two kilometres. Two more follow at kilometres 9 and 15, each gaining over 130 metres, and every time you hand the height back on the far side. From kilometre 18 the course holds roughly the same level for about four kilometres, the calmest stretch of the day, before the up and down resumes.
The second half is the harder one. From kilometre 30 a steep climb leads to the high point of the loop, followed by a drop of more than 200 metres in just over two kilometres. Kilometre 37 then brings the toughest passage of the day, 164 metres of gain in barely more than a kilometre. After another long descent, a final climb of just under a kilometre begins at kilometre 43 before the loop closes.
The day is centred on Hutton-le-Hole Village Hall, and the race belongs to the Hardmoors 26.2 series. It is a trail race that expects self-reliance: mandatory kit applies, you carry 500 ml of drink, and there are no cups. You print your own map and route description beforehand, which makes finding your way over the 29 miles part of your preparation.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2.2 | 1.6 km | 7.2 % | 25.7 % | +117 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 8.9 | 2.5 km | 5.4 % | 10.6 % | +132 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 15.2 | 2.3 km | 6 % | 13.5 % | +141 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 21.9 | 1.3 km | 4.6 % | 11.1 % | +60 m | — |
| km 25.2 | 0.9 km | 6.6 % | 14.1 % | +61 m | — |
| km 30.2 | 1.2 km | 9.3 % | 14.6 % | +110 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 37.3 | 1.3 km | 12.6 % | 24 % | +164 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 43.1 | 0.9 km | 7.5 % | 10.1 % | +67 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 Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale.
Start under control
Divide this race by climbs, not kilometres. The three long ascents of the first 18 kilometres exist to be taken calmly: what you save there decides what is left at kilometre 37. The level stretch that follows is where steady running gains you time without a steep price.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 30 and 40. High point, biggest descent and steepest ramp sit close together there, and you arrive with 30 kilometres already in your legs. Plan the ramp as a walking section from the outset: a strong, even hike gets you up faster than running at it and stopping at the top.
Spend what is left
The trap is the descent off the high point. It invites you to win time back, yet soon afterwards the ramp asks for the very quads you spent on the way down. Run it under control. And because every sip comes from your own supply, put your drinking into the walking sections on the climbs, where it costs you least.
Training plan for Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect roughly 5:30 to 8 hours as an age-group runner. That is a long aerobic effort in constant change: intensity climbs sharply on the way up, the quads work as brakes on the way down, and walking is part of the plan. You will rarely hold a road-style steady pace here.
Train race pace
The key lies in the last 15 kilometres. You need legs that can still carry a steep climb after more than 35 kilometres and start running again at the top. The most important sessions are therefore long runs with the climbing in the final third: save the steepest hill on your route for the end. Your longest runs should reach four to five hours, which for an August race means no later than July.
Rehearse the course
Work deliberately on both sides of a hill. Strong, steep hiking is a technique of its own and deserves its own sessions, such as repeated ascents of about a kilometre. On the way down, get your legs used to the load with steep repeats, ideally late in longer runs when they are already tired.
Arrive fresh
Turn your long runs into dress rehearsals as well. Carry the mandatory kit and your drink, drink from your own supply on the move, and run at least one longer session from a printed map and route description. You will learn early what chafes and how well you can read under load.
Courses
Download the Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale dynamically
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Everything about Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale.
How long is Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale?
Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale is 46.67 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 Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale have?
Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale has around 1,142 m of elevation gain over 46.67 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale?
Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale is classified as Hilly, averaging 25.1 vertical metres per kilometre. 11% of the route is flat, 34% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 10% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale have?
The hardest climb of Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale starts at kilometre 37.3, runs for 1.3 km at an average of 12.6% and gains 164 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale a loop course?
Yes, Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale course?
Yes. The Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale 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 Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale?
Preparation for Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale should account for 46.67 km, 1,142 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 Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale?
The pacing strategy for Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale should reflect 46.67 km, 1,142 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 Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale take place?
Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale takes place on August 8, 2027.
Where does Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale take place?
Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale takes place in Hutton-le-Hole, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale offer?
Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale offers 3 distances — Trail Marathon — 29 miles: 46.67 km; Half Marathon — 16.5 miles: 26.55 km; 10K — 8.3 miles: 13.36 km.
How do I register for Hardmoors 26.2: Farndale?
Registration runs through the organiser: hardmoors110.org.uk. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
