Outlands.
The 25K at Outlands runs from Peninsula Campground in Pilot Hill out into the Folsom Lake backcountry and back the same way. There is no long climb; short waves on single-track and double-wide trail keep the legs working instead, so preparation centres on a running rhythm that survives every change of terrain.
Outlands 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The first four kilometres are close to level, then the trail lifts over just under a kilometre to the first hump, which at around 190 metres already reaches the highest ground of the course. It drops back to the starting level, and until the turnaround at halfway quiet stretches alternate with short ramps. The steepest stands near kilometre 13 and touches a little over eleven percent for a moment.
The way back is not simply the way out in reverse. The hump now arrives at kilometre 19 from its steeper side: just under 900 metres with one pitch of almost 15 percent, the hardest passage of the day. Beyond the crest around five kilometres remain, downhill first and then flat, to the campground.
The running alternates between single-track and double-wide trail, with start and finish in the same place. Because out and back share the route, you meet oncoming runners around the turnaround, and on the narrow sections that takes room. Two aid stations offer water, hydration mix, snacks and warm food.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 4 | 1 km | 5 % | 9.2 % | +48 m | — |
| km 8.1 | 0.3 km | 4.7 % | 7.2 % | +14 m | — |
| km 11.6 | 0.5 km | 6.6 % | 10.6 % | +30 m | — |
| km 12.9 | 0.7 km | 5.9 % | 11.6 % | +38 m | — |
| km 15 | 0.3 km | 3.3 % | 5.8 % | +10 m | — |
| km 18.8 | 0.9 km | 5.8 % | 14.8 % | +51 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 Outlands.
Start under control
No climb here lasts longer than a short kilometre, so the 25K is run on rhythm rather than on hills. About a third of the course rises gently, a third falls gently, and very little is truly steep. Hold your effort even and let the pace move with the waves instead of forcing every ramp to a fixed split.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided from kilometre 19. Arrive with enough in reserve for the steep side of the hump and you can genuinely run the last five kilometres. Arrive empty and the run-in costs you more time than the hill itself.
Spend what is left
The trap sits in the opening. The flat first kilometres and the gentle rise at kilometre 4 feel harmless and invite a pace you will miss later, because the same hill is noticeably steeper from the other side. Walk the short spike on the way back without guilt: you recover those few seconds beyond the crest.
Training plan for Outlands: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners are out for roughly 2:30 to 3:30 hours over this distance. Most of that is aerobic work, broken by short harder moments in every wave: your heart rate climbs within a few hundred metres and has to settle on the next descent without you dropping out of a run.
Train race pace
So train recovery on the move. Hilly runs with climbs of three to six minutes, controlled on the way up and quick but loose on the way down, match the race better than a steady road run. Once a week, put a few steep surges at the end of a long run, because that is exactly the state in which kilometre 19 meets you.
Rehearse the course
The long run should grow to a little over two hours by April and happen on trail wherever you can. Single-track asks for short steps and alert eyes, the wider trail then allows pace again, and that switch needs practice. Also plan runs out and back over the same hilly route, so you feel how differently a harmless hill reads from the opposite direction. Anyone who only knows pavement pays for it in the ankles and in lost rhythm.
Arrive fresh
Two aid stations are not many for two and a half hours or more. Test in training what you will carry yourself and whether your stomach accepts solid food on the run, rather than relying on the tables on race day.
Courses
Download the Outlands course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Outlands 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 Outlands.
How long is Outlands?
Outlands is 25 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 Outlands have?
Outlands has around 386 m of elevation gain over 25 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Outlands?
Outlands is classified as Rolling, averaging 15.2 vertical metres per kilometre. 28% of the route is flat, 32% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 4% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Outlands have?
The hardest climb of Outlands starts at kilometre 18.8, runs for 0.9 km at an average of 5.8% and gains 51 metres. 6 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Outlands a loop course?
Yes, Outlands is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Outlands course?
Yes. The Outlands 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 Outlands?
Preparation for Outlands should account for 25 km, 386 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 Outlands?
The pacing strategy for Outlands should reflect 25 km, 386 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 Outlands take place?
Outlands takes place on April 17, 2027.
Where does Outlands take place?
Outlands takes place in Pilot Hill, United States.
Which distances does Outlands offer?
Outlands offers 3 distances — 25K: 25 km; 50K: 50 km; 50 Mile: 80.47 km.
How do I register for Outlands?
Registration runs through the organiser: badluckrunclub.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
