Nord Trail Race.
At the Nord Trail Race in Gdańsk, Nord 10 is the shortest of five distances and it splits cleanly in two: up to kilometre 6 you climb hard twice into the Trójmiejski Park Krajobrazowy, and after that nearly everything runs downhill. Good preparation means training exactly that switch from climbing to running fast.
Nord Trail Race 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The course sets off at around 20 metres above sea level and stays almost level for the first kilometre. Then comes the longest climb of the day: about 80 metres of gain over a little more than a kilometre and a half, moderate on average but above 15 percent at its steepest. A short drop gives back some 30 metres before the second ramp starts at kilometre 3.6, shorter and steeper than the first. One last gentle rise carries you to the high point just under 150 metres at kilometre 5.6.
From there the character of the course turns over. For a little more than three kilometres the trail falls only slightly and runs freely, then from about kilometre 9 it drops some 65 metres in under a kilometre before the finale flattens out.
The shape is a short loop on a shared stem: the last three kilometres or so are the first ones in reverse, so the opening climb comes back as a descent. That stretch also belongs to Nord 68 and Nord 90, which begin and end on it. The race runs on the paths of the Trójmiejski Park Krajobrazowy, which the organisers know as runners themselves, and Nord 10 is the shortest way to get to know this ground in a race.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.1 | 1.5 km | 5.4 % | 16.8 % | +82 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 3.6 | 0.7 km | 6.9 % | 14.5 % | +47 m | — |
| km 4.6 | 0.5 km | 3.3 % | 5.8 % | +17 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 Nord Trail Race.
Start under control
Almost all the climbing sits before kilometre 6, so ration your effort there and convert it into speed in the second half. Take the first climb so that you are not gasping at the top. The steepest metres can be walked briskly at no real cost, because they are short.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between the second ramp and the start of the long downhill. Arrive on the high point with legs left and the next three kilometres run at a speed that repays the minutes lost climbing several times over. Overdo the ramp at kilometre 3.6 and you will be jogging exactly where the ground hands out free pace.
Spend what is left
The trap comes right at the start: the flat first kilometre tempts you to go with the field, and the long climb begins immediately afterwards. The steep section from kilometre 9 needs control too. Brake hard there and your quads are spent for the flat finale, so keep the steps short and quick.
Training plan for Nord Trail Race: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect roughly an hour to an hour and a half, depending on your form. The effort comes in two halves: in the first the short, steep ramps push you over threshold again and again, and in the second you hold a high pace on gently falling trail without ever really recovering. Your heart rate stays up from start to finish while your legs do two very different jobs.
Train race pace
The key moments are the climb after the first kilometre and the transition from the high point into running downhill. So add hill intervals of five to eight minutes and follow them straight away with ten minutes at a brisk pace on flat or slightly falling ground. That rehearses the second half of the race better than any pure hill session.
Rehearse the course
Downhill technique matters as well, particularly for the steep section near the end: once or twice a week, a few short, controlled descents on trail train quick feet and toughen the quads. If you come from the road, move at least one steady run a week onto unpaved paths, because they ask different things of your ankles and your rhythm.
Arrive fresh
With the race on 15 May, the build falls in March and April. Hill and tempo sessions belong in those weeks, and a test run over ten hilly kilometres about three weeks out shows how much you can afford to spend on the second climb.
Courses
Download the Nord Trail Race course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Nord Trail Race 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 Nord Trail Race.
How long is Nord Trail Race?
Nord Trail Race 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 Nord Trail Race have?
Nord Trail Race has around 184 m of elevation gain over 10 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Nord Trail Race?
Nord Trail Race is classified as Rolling, averaging 16.8 vertical metres per kilometre. 29% of the route is flat, 31% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 6% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Nord Trail Race have?
The hardest climb of Nord Trail Race starts at kilometre 1.1, runs for 1.5 km at an average of 5.4% and gains 82 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 3 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Nord Trail Race a loop course?
Yes, Nord Trail Race is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Nord Trail Race course?
Yes. The Nord Trail Race 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 Nord Trail Race?
Preparation for Nord Trail Race should account for 10 km, 184 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 Nord Trail Race?
The pacing strategy for Nord Trail Race should reflect 10 km, 184 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 Nord Trail Race take place?
Nord Trail Race takes place on May 15, 2027.
Where does Nord Trail Race take place?
Nord Trail Race takes place in Gdańsk, Poland.
Which distances does Nord Trail Race offer?
Nord Trail Race offers 5 distances — Nord 10: 10 km; Nord 20: 20 km; Nord 43: 43 km; Nord 68: 68 km; Nord 90: 90 km.
How do I register for Nord Trail Race?
Registration runs through the organiser: nordtrailrace.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
