Moab Red Hot Ultra.
At the Moab Red Hot Ultra, the 50 Mile is the only distance that runs its big circuit twice: whatever cost you effort on the first lap is waiting again on the second. With close to 2,100 metres of climbing on jeep trails and singletrack northwest of Moab, patience in the early hours becomes the real subject of your preparation.
Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are at the Seven Mile parking area on Highway 191 north of Moab. A connecting stretch crosses a first hump of just over 100 metres and heads out into the country west of Arches National Park. There the big circuit begins; you run it twice before the same connector brings you home over that hump one last time.
Each lap has two centres of gravity. First a climb drags on for almost two and a half kilometres, a shorter, steeper piece adds to it, and at just over 1,700 metres you reach the high point of the race. A long descent follows, and then, in the back part of the lap, comes the steepest section: more than a kilometre at double-digit gradients, which on the second pass arrives inside the final third of the race.
Underfoot it alternates between jeep trails and singletrack, with rim trails and their views on top. Only about an eighth of the distance is truly flat; the rest is up or down. This is a cup-less event, so a reusable cup is part of your kit, and since you run the circuit twice, it pays to study where the aid stations sit before you start.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.6 | 1.6 km | 6.3 % | 11.6 % | +103 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 14.5 | 2.5 km | 6.2 % | 13.3 % | +153 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 29.7 | 2.4 km | 5.6 % | 10.1 % | +131 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 34.1 | 1.3 km | 11.6 % | 18.4 % | +151 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 49.9 | 2.5 km | 6.2 % | 13.4 % | +153 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 65.2 | 2.4 km | 5.6 % | 10.4 % | +131 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 69.5 | 1.8 km | 10.4 % | 18.7 % | +190 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 81.4 | 1.5 km | 5.6 % | 12 % | +83 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 Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027.
Start under control
Two identical laps give you an honest yardstick: run the first so that you could repeat it at a similar effort. This ground never allows an even pace, so steer by feel, hike the steep pieces from the very start and let the long descents roll easily.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided on the steep climb of the second lap. If you can still march up it steadily and start running again right at the top, the hardest work is done: all that really stands between you and the finish is the hump on the way home, though after this many hours it costs more than it did in the morning.
Spend what is left
The trap sits on the first lap, specifically on the long descent from the high point. On fresh legs it feels like free time, yet those same quads still have to carry you down more than 1,000 metres afterwards. Pound it now and you pay on the second pass, when runnable ground gets walked.
Training plan for Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners should expect roughly 11 to 15 hours. That is a sustained aerobic effort defined less by spikes than by constant change: hiking up, running down under control, and rarely a long stretch in one rhythm.
Train race pace
The decisive hours come late. The steep climb in the final third asks for a brisk hike on tired legs, and you can train exactly that: put the steepest ramps at the end of long runs rather than the start, and practise the switch from marching back to running. Sessions that repeat a single hilly loop several times are especially useful, because they copy the race format and show whether your pace holds on the last lap.
Rehearse the course
Since the course is hardly ever level, downhill running on tired legs belongs in the plan, not just ascent. Block weekends with two long sessions back to back prepare the legs for that second lap. A late-February race date puts this volume in the winter months, so schedule your longest runs early and have alternatives ready for days when hilly ground is out of reach.
Arrive fresh
Rehearse race-day logistics as well: jeep trail and singletrack still demand clean footwork ten hours in, and your cup should be within easy reach without any fumbling. Eating across a whole day needs testing beforehand too, so the second lap does not fail on an empty stomach.
Courses
Download the Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Moab Red Hot Ultra dynamically
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Everything about Moab Red Hot Ultra.
How long is Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027?
Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 is 80.47 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 Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 have?
Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 has around 2,093 m of elevation gain over 80.47 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027?
Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 is classified as Hilly, averaging 24.3 vertical metres per kilometre. 13% of the route is flat, 32% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 9% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 have?
The hardest climb of Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 starts at kilometre 69.5, runs for 1.8 km at an average of 10.4% and gains 190 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 a loop course?
Yes, Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 course?
Yes. The Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 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 Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027?
Preparation for Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 should account for 80.47 km, 2,093 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 Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027?
The pacing strategy for Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 should reflect 80.47 km, 2,093 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 Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 take place?
Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 takes place on February 27, 2027.
Where does Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 take place?
Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 takes place in Moab, United States.
Which distances does Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 offer?
Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027 offers 4 distances — 50 Mile: 80.47 km; 50K: 50 km; 30K: 30 km; 15K: 15 km.
How do I register for Moab Red Hot Ultra 2027?
Registration runs through the organiser: madmooseevents.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
