Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races.
Pick the long course at the Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races and the marathon in the name turns into 28 miles, a little over 45 kilometres. The crux comes late: the hardest climb of the day only starts after 29 kilometres, and your preparation has to aim at exactly that moment.
Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are at Huntcliff Secondary School in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, so the big loop brings you back to where it began. An entry limit of 330 keeps the event small, and it is held in early February. The opening already sets the pattern for the day: within a little over two kilometres the course drops almost to sea level, climbs back above 90 metres and dives right down again by kilometre 8.
Then the climbs grow longer. Two ramps in quick succession lift you to around 160 metres by kilometre 11, and at kilometre 14 peaks of 19 percent haul you out of the next dip. From kilometre 19 the longest climb stretches for almost three kilometres at a moderate gradient, and from kilometre 24 the next one reaches around 260 metres.
The heart of the race begins at kilometre 29: just over a kilometre averaging 16 percent, peaking at 26 percent, which delivers you to around 300 metres, the high point of the loop. The course stays up there, rolling, until kilometre 36, then falls for almost five kilometres. One last short climb at kilometre 41 stands between you and the way back to the school.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 8.1 | 1 km | 7.2 % | 18.4 % | +70 m | — |
| km 9.5 | 1.1 km | 9.2 % | 16.2 % | +101 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 13.9 | 1.3 km | 8.4 % | 19.1 % | +109 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 18.8 | 3 km | 4.2 % | 11.9 % | +124 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 24.2 | 1.6 km | 7.6 % | 17.8 % | +124 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 29.2 | 1 km | 16.4 % | 26 % | +168 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 33.3 | 0.9 km | 4.8 % | 6.3 % | +41 m | — |
| km 41.1 | 0.7 km | 6.5 % | 10.3 % | +44 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: Saltburn Trail Races.
Start under control
Almost the whole distance is either climbing or falling, so no rhythm ever settles in for you to hold. Run this by effort rather than by the watch: walk the ramps up to kilometre 15 wherever they reach double figures, and stay relaxed on the descents between them without trying to bank time.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 29 and 36. Nearly everyone hikes the steep climb, so choose a stride you can turn straight back into a run at the top. The rolling kilometres along the high ground are worth more time than any metre on the ramp, but only if your legs can still run there.
Spend what is left
The biggest trap is the early downhills. Hammering them in the first 30 kilometres costs you twice: first on the steep climb, then on the long drop from kilometre 36, where tired quads brake every stride.
Training plan for Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners should expect to be out for roughly five and a half to eight hours. That makes this a long aerobic effort punctuated by many short, hard spikes, because almost every climb is followed straight away by the next descent and flat recovery is rare.
Train race pace
What decides the race is what you still have left after 29 kilometres. Build your longest runs so that the hardest climb comes right at the end: three to four hours over hilly ground, and only then the steepest ramp you can find nearby. Use it to practise brisk uphill walking and running off the top, until the switch happens without a pause.
Rehearse the course
Downhill resilience matters just as much. Nearly half the course falls, and the final kilometres ask for quads that already have a thousand metres of climbing behind them. A weekly session of repeated descents at a controlled pace, plus strength work with lunges and step-ups, toughens them up. Two hill sessions a week are enough if the long run is hilly as well.
Arrive fresh
With the race in early February, your key long runs land in December and January. Fix them in the calendar early so the volume does not vanish over the holidays, and use the longest ones to test what you can still eat and drink after several hours on your feet.
Courses
Download the Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races.
How long is Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races?
Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races is 45.06 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: Saltburn Trail Races have?
Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races has around 1,129 m of elevation gain over 45.06 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races?
Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races is classified as Hilly, averaging 24.8 vertical metres per kilometre. 14% of the route is flat, 31% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 10% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races have?
The hardest climb of Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races starts at kilometre 29.2, runs for 1 km at an average of 16.4% and gains 168 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races a loop course?
Yes, Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races course?
Yes. The Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races 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: Saltburn Trail Races?
Preparation for Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races should account for 45.06 km, 1,129 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: Saltburn Trail Races?
The pacing strategy for Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races should reflect 45.06 km, 1,129 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: Saltburn Trail Races take place?
Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races takes place on February 7, 2027.
Where does Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races take place?
Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races takes place in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races offer?
Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races offers 3 distances — Full Trail Marathon — 28 miles: 45.06 km; Half Marathon — 14.5 miles: 23.34 km; 10K — 7.5 miles: 12.07 km.
How do I register for Hardmoors 26.2: Saltburn Trail Races?
Registration runs through the organiser: hardmoors110.org.uk. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
