The Hardmoors 30.
The Hardmoors 30 runs to 31 miles despite its name, and it is settled late. This January loop at Robin Hood's Bay spreads its ascent unevenly: the tightest run of climbs only arrives after km 33. Preparing for it means preparing for a final third that asks more than anything before it.
The Hardmoors 30 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The opening kilometres rise only gently, then km 4.4 brings the longest climb of the day. It runs for 2.3 km up to the highest point of the course, around 250 metres. From there the ground falls slowly for about 16 km, broken only by small rises. The low point of roughly ten metres comes at km 23. The stretch on to km 33 stays rolling and barely gets above 60 metres.
The heart of the race lies between km 33 and km 42. Five climbs come in close succession, none much over a kilometre long, yet together they add about 260 metres of ascent. The course first reaches a little over 80 metres, drops back to 40, then works upwards in steps to about 170 metres. The last two ramps at km 40 and km 41 are the shortest and on average the steepest. The second touches around 20 percent.
After that the way falls for about six kilometres, before a last rise of nearly 50 metres close to the finish closes the loop where it began. The Hardmoors 30 is a small event, and 9 January puts its race day at the very start of the year: you bring your form to the line out of the winter, not out of a season of racing.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 4.4 | 2.3 km | 7 % | 17.3 % | +161 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 23.9 | 0.9 km | 3.3 % | 6.8 % | +31 m | — |
| km 33.4 | 1.2 km | 5.9 % | 15.8 % | +70 m | — |
| km 35.7 | 0.6 km | 5.7 % | 12.4 % | +34 m | — |
| km 37 | 1.2 km | 6.1 % | 12.9 % | +74 m | — |
| km 40 | 0.5 km | 8.5 % | 17.1 % | +41 m | — |
| km 41.5 | 0.4 km | 10.4 % | 20.8 % | +41 m | — |
| km 49.4 | 0.7 km | 7.2 % | 12 % | +49 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 The Hardmoors 30.
Start under control
The plan for this race revolves around the kilometres after halfway. Take the early climb at km 4.4 patiently and walk its steep sections calmly: it may be the longest, but it sits more than 40 km from the finish, and minutes banked here are worth nothing later.
Hold your rhythm
The real trap comes straight after it. On the roughly 16 km of falling ground from the high point your legs speed up almost by themselves, the watch looks wonderful, and every one of those strides brakes the thighs a little more. Keep the effort deliberately low there, even when the pace would give more, and treat the rolling section to km 33 the same way.
Spend what is left
The race is decided on the five climbs up to km 42. Divide them by effort, not speed, and walk the two steep ramps briskly rather than forcing them at a run. If you can still jog at the top, the long descent towards the finish is where the most time comes back, and a small reserve belongs to the final rise.
Training plan for The Hardmoors 30: 12-week build
Build the base
For most recreational runners this loop means roughly five to eight hours on the move. Most of that is steady aerobic work, since around 40 percent of the course falls and only a third rises. The short, hard spikes nearly all sit in the final third, exactly when reserves are running low.
Train race pace
That sets the main building block: long runs with their climbs at the back end. Put the hilly loop into the second half of the session, with several short ramps in a row, and practise switching between a brisk walk and a jog. One or two weekly sessions of hill intervals lasting two to five minutes prepare your legs further for the five climbs between km 33 and km 42.
Rehearse the course
The second block is controlled downhill running. The long, gentle descent of the first half tires the thighs before you notice, and they still have to run on the last kilometres. Long downhill stretches in your training runs and strength work for the thighs, such as lunges and squats, build that durability.
Arrive fresh
A 9 January race date puts the longest runs in December and so right in the middle of the holidays. Fix them in the calendar early, schedule the last really long run about three weeks before the race and cut the volume after it, so that the festive days do not decide your preparation.
Courses
Download the The Hardmoors 30 course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for The Hardmoors 30 dynamically
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Everything about The Hardmoors 30.
How long is The Hardmoors 30?
The Hardmoors 30 is 49.89 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 The Hardmoors 30 have?
The Hardmoors 30 has around 812 m of elevation gain over 49.89 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of The Hardmoors 30?
The Hardmoors 30 is classified as Rolling, averaging 16.2 vertical metres per kilometre. 25% of the route is flat, 27% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 6% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does The Hardmoors 30 have?
The hardest climb of The Hardmoors 30 starts at kilometre 4.4, runs for 2.3 km at an average of 7% and gains 161 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is The Hardmoors 30 a loop course?
Yes, The Hardmoors 30 is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the The Hardmoors 30 course?
Yes. The The Hardmoors 30 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 The Hardmoors 30?
Preparation for The Hardmoors 30 should account for 49.89 km, 812 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 The Hardmoors 30?
The pacing strategy for The Hardmoors 30 should reflect 49.89 km, 812 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 The Hardmoors 30 take place?
The Hardmoors 30 takes place on January 9, 2027.
Where does The Hardmoors 30 take place?
The Hardmoors 30 takes place in Robin Hood's Bay, United Kingdom.
How do I register for The Hardmoors 30?
Registration runs through the organiser: hardmoors110.org.uk. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
