Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse.
The Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse carries the marathon distance in its name, but its long course measures 29 miles, close to 47 kilometres. Not until kilometre 21 does the loop from the Sutton Bank Visitor Centre show what it is about: three big climbs, the last of them on the way home. Preparing for it means preparing for the second half.
Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are at the Sutton Bank Visitor Centre near Thirsk in North Yorkshire, at about 300 metres. The first six kilometres undulate around that level before a climb of just over two kilometres takes you onto the highest ground of the day. You stay up there between 350 and 390 metres until around kilometre 13, then give back almost 250 metres by kilometre 20.
The core of the race starts at kilometre 21: two kilometres averaging nearly ten percent, with ramps to 17, lifting you almost 200 metres. After the next long descent, the second big climb arrives at kilometre 29 with 137 metres over 1.6 kilometres. The loop then falls to its lowest point at kilometre 37, a little over 80 metres above sea level. Ten kilometres remain from there, climbing almost without pause from kilometre 39 and costing more than 200 metres back to the finish.
The race belongs to the Hardmoors 26.2 series and runs through moorland. It is a small, amateur event with clear rules: mandatory kit, 500 ml of drink carried on you, no cups. You print your own map and route description.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2.8 | 0.6 km | 3.7 % | 5.6 % | +21 m | — |
| km 6.2 | 2.2 km | 3.9 % | 9.9 % | +85 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 14.8 | 0.5 km | 4.8 % | 5.4 % | +22 m | — |
| km 20.2 | 0.4 km | 6.3 % | 9.5 % | +25 m | — |
| km 21 | 2 km | 9.6 % | 16.9 % | +195 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 29.2 | 1.6 km | 8.5 % | 16.1 % | +137 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 40.8 | 1.7 km | 5.7 % | 13.9 % | +95 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 42.6 | 0.5 km | 4.8 % | 7.2 % | +24 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: White Horse.
Start under control
The first 20 kilometres are the kindest of the day: rolling ground, one longer climb at kilometre 6, then the long way down. That is exactly where the trap sits. Bank time on this descent and you reach the foot of the hardest section on tired quads. Run it so that kilometre 20 feels too easy.
Hold your rhythm
For most runners the climb at kilometre 21 is a hike. Switch early to a brisk, even stride instead of forcing the first steep metres, and only start running again at the top once your breathing has settled. The same applies at kilometre 29, except that your legs now have two long descents in them.
Spend what is left
The race is decided from kilometre 37. With the lowest point of the loop behind you, the entire way back up to the visitor centre still lies ahead, and being able to run rather than only walk here gains more time than anywhere else. So drink regularly from the start from what you carry: a mistake from the first half shows up on this run home at the latest.
Training plan for Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse: 12-week build
Build the base
Mid-pack runners are out for five to seven hours. This is above all a long aerobic effort, but not a steady one: the steep climbs drive your heart rate up even at a walk, and the descents between them work the legs rather than rest them.
Train race pace
The phases that decide the race come late: the one-two between kilometres 21 and 31 and the return to 300 metres from kilometre 39. Both demand strong climbing after hours on your feet. In between you need quads that can absorb several kilometres of braking downhill without taking it out of the next ascent.
Rehearse the course
So put the elevation of your long runs towards the end and finish them on a climb whenever you can. Practise brisk uphill hiking on gradients of 10 to 15 percent as a session of its own, because that is how you will spend much of the hours that matter here. Longer descents belong in the plan regularly, so race day is not the first time your muscles brake for this long.
Arrive fresh
A race date in early May puts the longest sessions in late winter and early spring. Run them in the kit you will wear on the day, including 500 ml of drink, so weight and fit hold no surprises. Work through the printed route description beforehand too, and take map and text on long runs: finding your way confidently five hours in is a skill you can practise.
Courses
Download the Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse.
How long is Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse?
Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse 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: White Horse have?
Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse has around 908 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: White Horse?
Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse is classified as Hilly, averaging 19.9 vertical metres per kilometre. 16% of the route is flat, 36% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 5% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse have?
The hardest climb of Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse starts at kilometre 21, runs for 2 km at an average of 9.6% and gains 195 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse a loop course?
Yes, Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse course?
Yes. The Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse 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: White Horse?
Preparation for Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse should account for 46.67 km, 908 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: White Horse?
The pacing strategy for Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse should reflect 46.67 km, 908 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: White Horse take place?
Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse takes place on May 9, 2027.
Where does Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse take place?
Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse takes place in Thirsk, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse offer?
Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse offers 3 distances — Trail Marathon — 29 miles: 46.67 km; Half Marathon — 16.5 miles: 26.55 km; 10K — 7 miles: 11.27 km.
How do I register for Hardmoors 26.2: White Horse?
Registration runs through the organiser: hardmoors110.org.uk. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
