Leamington Spa Half Marathon: Course, Elevation & Route Profile

Course & Elevation

From the start at the Pump Room Gardens, right beside the event village, the field leaves the Regency streets of the town centre heading north. Between kilometres 1 and 5 the route climbs steadily through Lillington from just over 50 to almost 100 metres, just short of Cubbington. After a small dip comes the first short ramp at kilometre 6.4, about 300 metres long, and at kilometre 8 the course reaches its high point at a little over 100 metres.

The route then heads east on quiet country roads towards Weston under Wetherley and drops to about 65 metres by kilometre 10. Through Hunningham and Offchurch it stays rolling, with long straight stretches past fields and farms. At kilometre 15 comes the second and last climb worth noting, just under 500 metres for about 17 metres of height.

From kilometre 17 the route runs gently downhill through Radford Semele back into Leamington, where the town crowds carry runners through the final kilometres. Our course profile adds up to about 180 metres of climbing in total; the organiser describes the course as predominantly flat and publishes no ascent figure. 2027 is the ninth edition, and the last five were sold out.

Pacing Strategy

The first eight kilometres climb almost the whole way, even if it never feels steep. Run them a little slower than goal pace and by feel rather than chasing the watch: time forced here is paid back twice in the second half.

Between kilometres 8 and 10 the road drops noticeably. Let yourself roll and use it to bring the pace up without working harder. Through Hunningham and Offchurch the rises are short; keep the effort steady rather than the pace.

The climb at kilometre 15 is short. After it the course drops gently through Radford Semele into town, and that is your section to speed up from kilometre 17 and win back the seconds you saved on the way up.

Training plan for Leamington Spa Half Marathon: 12-week build

Most runners take between 1:45 and 2:30 for the half. The course is not hilly, but it asks for a long, steady climb at the start and rolling ground in the middle.

Build your preparation on long runs of 16 to 20 kilometres and tempo runs at goal half-marathon pace. Plan some long runs to open with a gentle climb over several kilometres, so you learn to hold back early.

Short hill repeats of 300 to 500 metres prepare you for the two ramps at kilometres 6 and 15. Also practise picking up the pace smoothly on a gentle downhill, because the last four kilometres run downhill.

The race starts at 8 a.m. in early June. Do some sessions early in the day and plan your breakfast around it, and on a warm morning expect the temperature to rise towards the end.