Maah Daah Hey Trailrun.
The 5K at the Maah Daah Hey Trailrun is two different races joined together: a little over two nearly level kilometres, then a climb that lasts until the finish. Choosing the shortest distance of the Medora weekend means preparing for a hill finish, not a fast short-distance run.
Maah Daah Hey Trailrun 2027: Course, Route Profile & Map
The race opens without a test. For almost two and a half kilometres the elevation barely changes, and more than half of the whole course is flat. This part feels like an ordinary 5K, which is exactly what makes it dangerous.
From kilometre 2.5 the character flips. The main climb runs for just over a kilometre, averaging 5.5 percent and touching 12 at its steepest. It eases at the top without getting easy: the ground keeps rising, there is almost no descending anywhere on the course, and the finish sits nearly 80 metres above the start. No downhill run-in is waiting to carry you home.
The 5K is the smallest way into a late-July trail weekend whose distances stretch to 112 miles. It runs point to point, and it is advertised at 3.1 miles with a plus sign after the figure. Expect your watch to show a little more, and do not time your final sprint to the metre.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2.5 | 1.1 km | 5.5 % | 12 % | +58 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 Maah Daah Hey Trailrun.
Start under control
Divide the race where it divides itself: the flat opening is the run-up, the climb is the race. Run the first two kilometres briskly but still able to speak in full sentences, rather than hunting for the pace your flat 5K would give you.
Hold your rhythm
The decision falls between kilometre 2.5 and the top of the main climb. Take the first ramp by feel rather than by watch, because the pace will drop here whatever you do. Where it reaches 12 percent, a short brisk walk costs less than a running stride you cannot sustain.
Spend what is left
The trap is your own success on the level. A few seconds per kilometre gained there are repaid several times over on the hill, and with no descent after the climb there is no moment when the legs recover. Save your last acceleration for the closing section, where the ground only rises gently.
Training plan for Maah Daah Hey Trailrun: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners will be out for about 30 to 45 minutes. That is a short, hard effort close to threshold, but not an even one: the heart rate climbs late, and the greatest load arrives in the second half of the race, where a normal 5K would already be running on routine.
Train race pace
So flat top speed matters less than the ability to work uphill for another kilometre after two kilometres at race pace. Build sessions that copy that sequence: two kilometres brisk on level ground, then straight into ten to twelve minutes on a steady slope. Two or three rounds are enough, with an easy jog back to the start.
Rehearse the course
Add short hill sprints on steep ground so that the top of the climb does not surprise you, and practise switching between running and brisk walking. Many runners have never trained it and lose their rhythm doing it, even though the technique has its place on a 12 percent ramp.
Arrive fresh
Because this is a trail race, part of that work belongs on unpaved paths rather than the road. With the race in late July, the main block of hill work falls in early summer. Place your last hard hill session about ten days out, then keep the legs awake with short, quick efforts only.
Courses
Download the Maah Daah Hey Trailrun course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Maah Daah Hey Trailrun 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 Maah Daah Hey Trailrun.
How long is Maah Daah Hey Trailrun?
Maah Daah Hey Trailrun is 4.99 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 Maah Daah Hey Trailrun have?
Maah Daah Hey Trailrun has around 87 m of elevation gain over 4.99 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Maah Daah Hey Trailrun?
Maah Daah Hey Trailrun is classified as Hilly, averaging 18.9 vertical metres per kilometre. 59% of the route is flat, 31% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 6% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Maah Daah Hey Trailrun have?
The hardest climb of Maah Daah Hey Trailrun starts at kilometre 2.5, runs for 1.1 km at an average of 5.5% and gains 58 metres.
Is Maah Daah Hey Trailrun a loop course?
No, Maah Daah Hey Trailrun is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Maah Daah Hey Trailrun course?
Yes. The Maah Daah Hey Trailrun 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 Maah Daah Hey Trailrun?
Preparation for Maah Daah Hey Trailrun should account for 4.99 km, 87 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 Maah Daah Hey Trailrun?
The pacing strategy for Maah Daah Hey Trailrun should reflect 4.99 km, 87 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 Maah Daah Hey Trailrun take place?
Maah Daah Hey Trailrun takes place on July 30, 2027.
Where does Maah Daah Hey Trailrun take place?
Maah Daah Hey Trailrun takes place in Medora, United States.
Which distances does Maah Daah Hey Trailrun offer?
Maah Daah Hey Trailrun offers 6 distances — 5K: 4.99 km; 10K: 9.98 km; Half Marathon: 21.08 km; Marathon: 42.17 km; 50 mile: 90.12 km; 100 mile: 180.25 km.
How do I register for Maah Daah Hey Trailrun?
Registration runs through the organiser: experienceland.org. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
