Pagan Trails.
The Pagan Marathon at Pagan Trails is a midwinter run across north-eastern Dartmoor, starting and finishing in Chagford and passing stone circles and pagan sites along the way. The first kilometre is already a steep wall up onto the moor, and preparing for this race means preparing for constant climbing and descending in winter conditions.
Pagan Trails 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are at Chagford Cricket and Football Club, and the loop wastes no time: straight after the gun it climbs about 200 metres in little more than a kilometre, averaging close to 18 percent. After a short dip the second big climb starts at kilometre 4, nearly three kilometres of steadier work up to the course's first high point around kilometre 7.
From there the route stays up on the moor, rolling between roughly 340 and 480 metres, and by halfway it has climbed back to the same height as in the morning. After that the loop loses height in stages, broken by short climbs. Near the end comes one last steep hump of around 100 metres before a hard descent back down into Chagford. There is almost no flat ground: uphill and downhill running are close to an even split.
Pagan Trails is built as a winter race. The course passes stone circles and pagan sites on Dartmoor, and it is held at the end of January, when the moor is in wintry condition. The organiser counts over 1,500 metres of climbing for the loop. Plan your finish time around the climbing and the ground, not around the marathon distance.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.2 | 1.2 km | 17.9 % | 41.7 % | +215 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 3.8 | 2.8 km | 6.9 % | 14.8 % | +195 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 11.3 | 1 km | 5.5 % | 11.2 % | +56 m | — |
| km 18.6 | 1.3 km | 4.6 % | 9.4 % | +59 m | — |
| km 20.2 | 1.3 km | 4 % | 7 % | +52 m | — |
| km 29 | 0.9 km | 7.5 % | 9.5 % | +67 m | — |
| km 36 | 0.7 km | 6.2 % | 12.1 % | +43 m | — |
| km 42.7 | 1.1 km | 9.9 % | 21.2 % | +111 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 Pagan Trails.
Start under control
The start is the first trap: the wall right out of the club grounds hits you on cold legs and in a field that is still bunched. Run it with the crowd instead of power-hiking and you pay for it on the long climb from kilometre 4. Hike the steepest pitches briskly, run the steadier second climb easy, and reach the moor with something in hand.
Hold your rhythm
Up top the race is decided by consistency. The rolling middle section up to the second high point at halfway tempts you to attack every rise. Keep the effort level and treat the four aid stations as fixed points for eating and drinking, so the cold does not drain your energy without you noticing.
Spend what is left
The second half is mostly downhill, and that is where your quads become the limit. Brake your way stiffly down the long descents and you will have nothing left for the last steep hump before the finish. Save something deliberately for that climb and for the hard final drop into Chagford.
Training plan for Pagan Trails: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect to be out for roughly five and a half to eight hours, depending on fitness and the ground on the day. The effort is long and aerobic but never even: a third of the course climbs, a third descends, and hardly any stretch lets you settle into a fixed rhythm.
Train race pace
The decisive sections sit at both ends. The steep opening demands strong, efficient uphill hiking; the final third asks for descending after hours on your feet and one last steep climb on tired legs. So build in hill sessions where you hike steep ramps fast rather than run them, and practise downhill running at the end of long sessions, when your quads are already loaded.
Rehearse the course
Your long runs should carry climbing and build over the weeks towards four to five hours. Move some of them onto hilly trails and practise eating to a plan there, the way you will need to between the four aid stations. End one or two of them with a steep climb and a quick descent on purpose, so the finish above Chagford is not a new experience.
Arrive fresh
Because the race is held at the end of January on wintry Dartmoor, the weather belongs in your training. Do some of your long runs in December and January in cold and wet conditions on purpose, test layered clothing, gloves and grippy shoes, and learn how much you need to eat and drink when it is cold.
Courses
Download the Pagan Trails course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Pagan Trails 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 Pagan Trails.
How long is Pagan Trails?
Pagan Trails is 42.2 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 Pagan Trails have?
Pagan Trails has around 1,217 m of elevation gain over 42.2 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Pagan Trails?
Pagan Trails is classified as Hilly, averaging 26.9 vertical metres per kilometre. 13% of the route is flat, 35% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 10% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Pagan Trails have?
The hardest climb of Pagan Trails starts at kilometre 0.2, runs for 1.2 km at an average of 17.9% and gains 215 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Pagan Trails a loop course?
Yes, Pagan Trails is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Pagan Trails course?
Yes. The Pagan Trails 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 Pagan Trails?
Preparation for Pagan Trails should account for 42.2 km, 1,217 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 Pagan Trails?
The pacing strategy for Pagan Trails should reflect 42.2 km, 1,217 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 Pagan Trails take place?
Pagan Trails takes place on January 30, 2027.
Where does Pagan Trails take place?
Pagan Trails takes place in Chagford, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Pagan Trails offer?
Pagan Trails offers 2 distances — Pagan Marathon: 42.2 km; Pagan Half Marathon: 21.1 km.
How do I register for Pagan Trails?
Registration runs through the organiser: outeredge-events.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
