Moray Way 100.
The Moray Way 100 is one great circuit: from Grant Park in Forres, 100 miles take you along the Moray coast, through Speyside and back to the same spot on the Dava Way. Most of it is runnable, and that shapes the preparation, because you need to keep running for a very long time, not merely stay on your feet.
Moray Way 100 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Three trails carry this race: the Moray Coastal Trail, the Speyside Way and the Dava Way. Together they form one continuous line that starts at Grant Park in Forres and ends there too. You finish exactly where you set off, having crossed the Moray coast and Speyside in between.
For around 55 km the route stays just above sea level, rarely higher than 25 metres. Then it heads towards Speyside and the land takes on some shape: the first height comes around km 58, then between km 64 and km 68 you gain about 200 metres in one go. A long middle section follows at 80 to 160 metres, until the next climb from km 98 lifts you more than 100 metres.
The final third sits highest. From roughly km 123 to km 140 the course holds at 250 to almost 300 metres, then runs almost steadily down to Forres over the last 25 km. The drop is most noticeable between km 148 and km 157, before the circuit closes at Grant Park.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 58.5 | 0.9 km | 9 % | 23.2 % | +79 m | — |
| km 64 | 0.9 km | 8 % | 25.2 % | +74 m | — |
| km 67.1 | 0.5 km | 20.7 % | 41.7 % | +104 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 100.6 | 1 km | 18.6 % | 39.3 % | +191 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 102.3 | 1.5 km | 7.2 % | 24.5 % | +110 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 108.2 | 1.4 km | 7.4 % | 21.5 % | +99 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 116.6 | 0.9 km | 7.9 % | 23.7 % | +69 m | — |
| km 139.5 | 1.2 km | 7.4 % | 29.2 % | +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 Moray Way 100.
Start under control
The opening is the biggest temptation of the day. No climb slows you on the flat coastal stretch, and on fresh legs almost any pace feels harmless. Run those first 55 km as though another 110 lay ahead, because they do. Whatever minutes you bank here, you hand back with interest in the second half.
Hold your rhythm
The race is settled between km 98 and km 140. This is the highest part of the circuit, and it is where runners split from walkers. Since the ground stays mostly runnable, every kilometre spent walking costs real time. Walk the short steep pieces around km 67 and km 100 without guilt, and run everything between them.
Spend what is left
The second trap is the way home. The long descent to Forres looks like a gift, but it lands on thighs with well over 100 km in them. Let it roll rather than braking or pushing, and save your last effort for the flat kilometres back to Grant Park.
Training plan for Moray Way 100: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect 20 to 30 hours on course, with the time limit at 30 hours. This is pure low-intensity endurance: hard efforts barely feature, but anyone who cannot hold a steady, easy running pace for many hours ends up walking early. Aerobic volume is therefore the core of the preparation, and eating on the move belongs in every long session.
Train race pace
The decisive phase starts after 100 km, and that is the state you need to practise. Long runs on back-to-back days show you how easy running feels on tired legs and when you find your rhythm again. Finish some long sessions with stretches where you deliberately run instead of walk. With the race in late June, those weeks fall in spring.
Rehearse the course
The course asks for two things that are easily neglected. The 55 flat coastal kilometres need calm flat running as a session in its own right, not just hills. The long descent to Forres needs legs that tolerate downhill work under fatigue, so add strength work and downhill running at the end of long runs. Brisk walking on steep ramps completes the picture.
Arrive fresh
If you use the full time limit, you will run through the night. Train in the dark with a head torch and continuous fuelling at least once. The route is subject to change, so load the latest route file onto your watch shortly before the race rather than the one you planned with in spring.
Courses
Download the Moray Way 100 course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Moray Way 100 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 Moray Way 100.
How long is Moray Way 100?
Moray Way 100 is 160.93 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 Moray Way 100 have?
Moray Way 100 has around 4,379 m of elevation gain over 160.93 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Moray Way 100?
Moray Way 100 is classified as Hilly, averaging 26.4 vertical metres per kilometre. 18% of the route is flat, 31% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 11% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Moray Way 100 have?
The hardest climb of Moray Way 100 starts at kilometre 100.6, runs for 1 km at an average of 18.6% and gains 191 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Moray Way 100 a loop course?
Yes, Moray Way 100 is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Moray Way 100 course?
Yes. The Moray Way 100 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 Moray Way 100?
Preparation for Moray Way 100 should account for 160.93 km, 4,379 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 Moray Way 100?
The pacing strategy for Moray Way 100 should reflect 160.93 km, 4,379 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 Moray Way 100 2027 take place?
Moray Way 100 2027 takes place on June 26, 2027.
Where does Moray Way 100 2027 take place?
Moray Way 100 2027 takes place in Forres, United Kingdom.
How do I register for Moray Way 100?
Registration runs through the organiser: moraywayultras.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
