Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon.
The Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon runs castle to castle: it starts at Bamburgh Castle and finishes 100 miles later at Edinburgh Castle. The time limit is 48 hours, and the real preparation is less about climbing than about staying on your feet through one night, possibly two.
Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The course is a single line heading north, not a loop. The first quarter follows the coast and stays almost entirely below 50 metres. Between kilometres 47 and 80 comes the only section with real relief: a cluster of short, steep ramps, the longest just over two kilometres, lifts you to the high point of the route at around 200 metres. After that the ground drops away again, and the whole second half is a long, gently undulating ribbon with barely a rise worth the name.
Only in the last five kilometres does the route rise once more, with two climbs carrying you up into Edinburgh before you reach the castle. Over the full distance that adds up to just over 1,300 metres of ascent, modest for 160 kilometres.
The route is fully waymarked and supported. If it changes, the arrows and signs on the ground take precedence over any file you downloaded beforehand. Registration is on Friday, the start is at seven on Saturday morning, and the last finishers reach Edinburgh on Monday morning.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 47.1 | 0.7 km | 9.1 % | 11.9 % | +64 m | — |
| km 60.6 | 1 km | 6.2 % | 8.4 % | +59 m | — |
| km 62.3 | 1.1 km | 9.3 % | 12.9 % | +97 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 64.7 | 0.7 km | 9.5 % | 16.1 % | +62 m | — |
| km 67.7 | 2.1 km | 4.3 % | 9.2 % | +91 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 76.9 | 0.9 km | 4.4 % | 9.1 % | +38 m | — |
| km 155.9 | 0.7 km | 7 % | 14.5 % | +45 m | — |
| km 159.4 | 1.2 km | 4.4 % | 5.9 % | +54 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 Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon.
Start under control
The flat ground of the first 45 kilometres invites you to run it like a marathon, and that is the trap. The ramps from kilometre 47 arrive while the day is still young, and anyone who pushed the coast takes them on tired legs. Build in walking breaks from the start, even where you could run.
Hold your rhythm
The hills between kilometres 60 and 70 reach 16 percent, steep enough that walking is faster than a laboured jog. Walk them and save your running for what follows.
Spend what is left
The race is decided in the long, flat second half, where most runners meet the night. There are no climbs to set a rhythm, and the monotony tempts you into long stops at the aid points. A fixed run-walk pattern keeps you moving until the final climb into Edinburgh.
Training plan for Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon: 12-week build
Build the base
Depending on your pace you will be out for roughly 28 to 45 hours, which for many means running through at least one night. The effort is steady and aerobic almost throughout, with anaerobic spikes only on the short ramps in the middle and at the end. What limits you is less your legs than fuelling, sleep deprivation and the ability to keep moving after 20 hours.
Train race pace
The core of the preparation is long sessions on flat, mixed ground, with back-to-back long runs on weekends. Practise the run-walk pattern you will use on race day, and train brisk walking as a pace in its own right.
Rehearse the course
For the steep hills around kilometre 60 and the climb into Edinburgh, short steep hill repeats are enough, ideally at the end of a long session so you know them on tired legs.
Arrive fresh
At least one run should go through the night, with a head torch and the food you plan to use on course in July. That shows you how your stomach and your head behave after midnight before it matters on the road to Edinburgh.
Courses
Download the Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon 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 Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon.
How long is Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon?
Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon 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 Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon have?
Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon has around 1,335 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 Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon?
Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon is classified as Rolling, averaging 8.3 vertical metres per kilometre. 57% of the route is flat, 21% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 2% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon have?
The hardest climb of Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon starts at kilometre 62.3, runs for 1.1 km at an average of 9.3% and gains 97 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon a loop course?
No, Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon course?
Yes. The Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon 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 Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon?
Preparation for Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon should account for 160.93 km, 1,335 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 Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon?
The pacing strategy for Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon should reflect 160.93 km, 1,335 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 Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon take place?
Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon takes place on July 3, 2027.
Where does Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon take place?
Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon takes place in Bamburgh, United Kingdom.
How do I register for Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: ratrace.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
