Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge.
Over its full distance the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge heads west from Corfe Castle to Bridport, passing Lulworth, Weymouth and Abbotsbury. Almost all the big climbs come before kilometre 47, so these 100 kilometres turn on how much you carry out of the hilly first half into the long, low second one.
Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The start in Corfe Castle gives you no time to settle: from kilometre 2 the path climbs for just over three kilometres to around 170 metres, close to the greatest height of the whole day. Rolling ground follows, then two more climbs back up to that height line up around the Church Knowle aid station at kilometre 26.
The hardest stretch lies between kilometres 36 and 47. Three short, steep ramps, each gaining over 100 metres at around ten to twelve percent, come in quick succession, with the path dropping a long way between them. The Lulworth aid station sits in the middle of the sequence, with the last ramp still ahead of it.
From about kilometre 50 the course changes character. For more than 40 kilometres it barely rises above 50 metres, passing Weymouth, where the half distance ends at 59 kilometres, and later Abbotsbury, with only small undulations left. The closing kilometres still have a sting: at kilometre 95 a final 87 metres of climbing arrive in under a kilometre, before the path runs down into Bridport and a finish only a few metres above the sea.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2.2 | 3.2 km | 4.6 % | 11.1 % | +148 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 13 | 1.5 km | 4.6 % | 9 % | +68 m | — |
| km 25.1 | 2.4 km | 4.6 % | 18.2 % | +111 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 28.6 | 1.6 km | 5.4 % | 9.5 % | +85 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 36.6 | 1.4 km | 9.6 % | 15 % | +134 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 40.4 | 0.9 km | 12 % | 16.6 % | +111 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 46 | 1.3 km | 11.5 % | 27.6 % | +152 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 95.4 | 0.8 km | 10.6 % | 15.9 % | +87 m | Cat. 4 |
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 Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge.
Start under control
Split the race into two different jobs. Up to kilometre 47 the task is saving strength: walk every steep ramp from its first metres, even when you feel fresh, and jog the far sides loosely rather than banking time on them. Pace is no useful measure on this part; effort is.
Hold your rhythm
The day is still not decided on the ramps but behind them. On the roughly 45 low kilometres after kilometre 50, you can only run if you spared your thighs on the steep descents before. Every hour spent running counts here, because there is little reason to walk and you still have many hours to keep moving.
Spend what is left
The biggest trap is the fresh opening: the first climb arrives so early that it is easy to take too fast, and the bill comes 40 kilometres later. Also plan firmly for the ramp at kilometre 95. If you already see yourself at the finish, it will cost you more than a few minutes.
Training plan for Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect around 12 to 18 hours depending on your level and how much you walk. That is a continuous low aerobic effort, broken by short hard spikes on the ramps of the first half. Duration and consistency build it, not speed.
Train race pace
The key lies in the sequence. Train long sessions with the climbing up front and the rest flat: several steep hills first, then one to two hours of easy running on level ground. That rehearses exactly what the course asks for after kilometre 50, which is running on pre-tired legs. Two long sessions on consecutive days bring fatigue closer to race day than a single run could safely do.
Rehearse the course
Targeted hill work belongs in the plan too. Short slopes of ten percent and steeper, walked briskly rather than run, prepare you for the three ramps between kilometres 36 and 47. The steep descents behind them load the thighs more than any climb, so build downhill stretches into strength work and runs alike, including at the end of long sessions.
Arrive fresh
The mid-May date puts your longest runs in late winter and spring. Do them on trails rather than roads, and use the longest ones to find out what you can eat and drink over many hours, because after 12 hours the stomach often decides your running speed.
Courses
Download the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge 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.
Everything about Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge.
How long is Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge?
Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge is 100 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 Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge have?
Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge has around 1,860 m of elevation gain over 100 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge?
Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge is classified as Hilly, averaging 18.6 vertical metres per kilometre. 26% of the route is flat, 32% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 6% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge have?
The hardest climb of Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge starts at kilometre 46, runs for 1.3 km at an average of 11.5% and gains 152 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge a loop course?
No, Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge course?
Yes. The Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge 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 Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge?
Preparation for Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge should account for 100 km, 1,860 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 Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge?
The pacing strategy for Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge should reflect 100 km, 1,860 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 Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge take place?
Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge takes place on May 15, 2027.
Where does Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge take place?
Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge takes place in Corfe Castle, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge offer?
Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge offers 8 distances — 100 km Full Challenge: 100 km; 76 km 3/4 Challenge: 76 km; 59 km 1st Half Challenge: 59 km; 42 km Weymouth Trail Marathon: 42 km; 34 km 2nd Quarter Challenge: 34 km; 25 km 1st Quarter Challenge: 25 km and 2 more.
How do I register for Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge?
Registration runs through the organiser: ultrachallenge.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
