Larmer Tree Marathon.
The 10km at the Larmer Tree Marathon is the shortest course of the day but not the gentlest: kilometre for kilometre it climbs almost as much as the marathon. Its single lap of the Rushmore Estate starts downhill and ends with a climb back to Larmer Tree Gardens, which is exactly what you should save something for.
Larmer Tree Marathon 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are at Larmer Tree Gardens in Tollard Royal. The lap drops into the valley first, then a short, steep rise lifts your heart rate early. A rolling stretch lets the legs settle before the long climb of the race, gentle in its lower part and with much steeper ramps further up, leading to the high point just past halfway.
From there the lap hands back its height almost in one go, and the valley then runs slightly downhill for a long while. At the lowest point the final climb back to the gardens begins, the last obstacle before the line, and it frames the whole run: the height you gave away at the start has to be earned back at the end.
The course lies in the Cranborne Chase National Landscape and crosses open grassland, woodland and estate roads, among chalk valleys and tree-lined avenues. It is comprehensively marked and marshalled, and the lap has one feast station. The organiser is Relish Running Races.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.1 | 0.4 km | 8.2 % | 13.6 % | +29 m | — |
| km 1.6 | 0.3 km | 4.2 % | 5.9 % | +14 m | — |
| km 3.6 | 2.2 km | 3.7 % | 13.8 % | +80 m | — |
| km 9 | 1 km | 4.9 % | 10.1 % | +48 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 Larmer Tree Marathon.
Start under control
The opening minutes run themselves, and that is the problem: the early descent invites a pace the first rise punishes immediately. Keep it relaxed, take the ramp that follows by feel and find your rhythm in the rolling stretch, rather than letting the first hill set the terms of your day.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided on the long climb towards halfway. It is shallow enough to run throughout and steep enough near the top to knock you out of rhythm. Hold your effort, not your pace, and shorten your stride where it steepens. The descent that follows is where you gain the most time, but only if you reach the top still wanting to run.
Spend what is left
The trap sits in the valley. That long, slight downhill feels like recovery, and anyone who runs it too hard arrives at the foot of the last climb with empty thighs. Roughly a quarter of this course's total ascent is still waiting there.
Training plan for Larmer Tree Marathon: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect 55 to 80 minutes depending on your form. This is a hard sustained run with spikes rather than an even pace: the climbs keep pushing you over threshold, and between them you have to learn to recover while still running.
Train race pace
The key stimulus is the long climb. Sessions of eight to twelve minutes uphill on a steady slope, repeated two or three times with an easy jog down as recovery, mirror it well. Add a shorter, steep hill regularly so the ramps near the top do not come as a surprise.
Rehearse the course
Practise the end of the race too. Finish tempo sessions with a brisk flat or slightly downhill stretch that runs straight into a climb of a few minutes. That switch from running rhythm into a gradient is what this course tests hardest, and it can only be trained on tired legs. Just as important is getting straight back into running after a climb, rather than needing a pause at the top.
Arrive fresh
The 7 March date puts your preparation in the winter. Even so, move at least one session a week off tarmac and onto grass and woodland paths, because the lap alternates between grassland, woodland and estate roads. Changing ground asks for ankles and sure footing that the road does not train.
Courses
Download the Larmer Tree Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Larmer Tree Marathon dynamically
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Everything about Larmer Tree Marathon.
How long is Larmer Tree Marathon?
Larmer Tree Marathon is 10 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 Larmer Tree Marathon have?
Larmer Tree Marathon has around 188 m of elevation gain over 10 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Larmer Tree Marathon?
Larmer Tree Marathon is classified as Hilly, averaging 18.6 vertical metres per kilometre. 13% of the route is flat, 39% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 6% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Larmer Tree Marathon have?
The hardest climb of Larmer Tree Marathon starts at kilometre 3.6, runs for 2.2 km at an average of 3.7% and gains 80 metres. 4 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Larmer Tree Marathon a loop course?
Yes, Larmer Tree Marathon is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Larmer Tree Marathon course?
Yes. The Larmer Tree Marathon 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 Larmer Tree Marathon?
Preparation for Larmer Tree Marathon should account for 10 km, 188 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 Larmer Tree Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Larmer Tree Marathon should reflect 10 km, 188 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 Larmer Tree Marathon take place?
Larmer Tree Marathon takes place on March 7, 2027.
Where does Larmer Tree Marathon take place?
Larmer Tree Marathon takes place in Tollard Royal, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Larmer Tree Marathon offer?
Larmer Tree Marathon offers 4 distances — 10km: 10 km; Half Marathon: 21.1 km; 20 Mile: 32.19 km; Marathon: 42.2 km.
How do I register for Larmer Tree Marathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: relishrunningraces.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
