Pikes Peak Ultra.
The 50 Mile is the course at the Pikes Peak Ultra that keeps you up high: some 37 kilometres run above 3,000 metres, and the climb to Mt. Rosa only arrives in the final third. The preparation here is less about one mountain than about a very long working day in thin air.
Pikes Peak Ultra 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are in Bear Creek Regional Park at just under 1,900 metres. Through Cheyenne Canyon and along the Seven Bridges Trail, a first long climb takes you to around 2,400 metres before the course hands back a little over 200 metres. That was the warm-up. From km 17 two climbs follow almost without a break, more than 1,100 metres between them, and the second, at nearly seven kilometres, is the longest of the day. At km 33 you are at a little over 3,500 metres.
From there the course stays above 3,300 metres for more than 20 kilometres. Short, steep steps such as the one at km 46 break the rhythm. Underfoot much of it is crushed granite, and parts of the course use the Ring the Peak Trail.
The finale comes late: the ramps at km 56 and 58 lead up to Mt. Rosa. The second averages almost 20 percent. After that the course drops 1,200 metres in about ten kilometres and runs back to the park, interrupted by one last swell.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 4.8 | 4.1 km | 9.3 % | 12.9 % | +378 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 17.2 | 4.6 km | 11.4 % | 30.4 % | +527 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 22.7 | 7 km | 9 % | 24.6 % | +627 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 30 | 3.6 km | 6.3 % | 11.8 % | +224 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 41.8 | 2.3 km | 7.4 % | 13.2 % | +170 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 46.4 | 0.9 km | 17.1 % | 26 % | +146 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 56.5 | 1.7 km | 13.7 % | 29.5 % | +226 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 58.4 | 0.7 km | 19.7 % | 28.3 % | +128 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 Pikes Peak Ultra.
Start under control
The day has three parts: the approach to km 17, the climb to altitude up to about km 33, and the long high section with Mt. Rosa at its far end. The first 17 kilometres stay below 2,400 metres and feel comparatively easy. That is exactly where to hold yourself under what feels right, because every later climb costs more in that air than its numbers suggest.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between km 33 and 60. Almost 30 kilometres above 3,300 metres do not forgive a pace that stops you eating and drinking. Run the gentle stretches calmly enough that both still work, or you reach the ramps to Mt. Rosa on empty. Those are walking terrain anyway, and a steady walk loses little there.
Spend what is left
The trap comes afterwards. Once you are over the top the long descent feels like the reward, and letting go on that granular surface to win back time leaves you no quads for the last 15 kilometres. Small swells remain there, and they reveal what the descent has left you.
Training plan for Pikes Peak Ultra: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect 15 to 22 hours depending on your shape. The effort is almost entirely aerobic, with a lot of walking and repeated short spikes on the steep pitches. What it asks for is less running speed than the ability to work steadily through a whole day while still taking on food.
Train race pace
The key sections are the long climb from km 17, the ramps after 56 kilometres and the descent straight after them. Long runs with their vertical loaded into the final third suit this, ideally on back-to-back days so the second one starts on tired legs. Add brisk uphill hiking on slopes of 15 to 20 percent, because on Mt. Rosa a strong walk is the actual race technique.
Rehearse the course
Altitude is the condition hardest to make up for. Even the start is at almost 1,900 metres, and most of the race sits far higher. If you live at low elevation, plan days at altitude before 24 July and put in sessions above 3,000 metres there, or lower your pace expectations accordingly.
Arrive fresh
For the closing stretch, the surface matters. Practise long descents on grit or gravel with legs that are already tired, and build them up until your quads can take 1,200 metres of downhill at the end of a long day. Fuelling belongs in training too: test it in your longest sessions, at altitude if you can.
Courses
Download the Pikes Peak Ultra course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Pikes Peak Ultra 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 Pikes Peak Ultra.
How long is Pikes Peak Ultra?
Pikes Peak Ultra 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 Pikes Peak Ultra have?
Pikes Peak Ultra has around 3,290 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 Pikes Peak Ultra?
Pikes Peak Ultra is classified as Mountainous, averaging 41.4 vertical metres per kilometre. 5% of the route is flat, 26% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 22% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Pikes Peak Ultra have?
The hardest climb of Pikes Peak Ultra starts at kilometre 22.7, runs for 7 km at an average of 9% and gains 627 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Pikes Peak Ultra a loop course?
Yes, Pikes Peak Ultra is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Pikes Peak Ultra course?
Yes. The Pikes Peak Ultra 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 Pikes Peak Ultra?
Preparation for Pikes Peak Ultra should account for 80.47 km, 3,290 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 Pikes Peak Ultra?
The pacing strategy for Pikes Peak Ultra should reflect 80.47 km, 3,290 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 Pikes Peak Ultra 2027 take place?
Pikes Peak Ultra 2027 takes place on July 24, 2027.
Where does Pikes Peak Ultra 2027 take place?
Pikes Peak Ultra 2027 takes place in Colorado Springs, United States.
Which distances does Pikes Peak Ultra offer?
Pikes Peak Ultra offers 4 distances — Pikes Peak Ultra 50 Mile: 80.47 km; Pikes Peak Ultra 50K: 50 km; Pikes Peak Ultra 30K: 30 km; Pikes Peak Ultra 20K: 20 km.
How do I register for Pikes Peak Ultra?
Registration runs through the organiser: madmooseevents.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
