Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra.
The Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra joins Marsden and Ilkley in one line across the South Pennines, passing all six Stanza Stones on the way. Around 2,000 metres of climbing is not really the issue: what this race asks is whether, after 60 kilometres of moorland and valley drops, you can still hike steeply and run downhill.
Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The start is at Marsden Cricket Club and there is no warm-up in the terrain: the path climbs 163 metres straight away, then after a short drop the next climb, of nearly 200 metres, begins at kilometre 4. From there the course stays on high moorland for a long way, mostly between 370 and 465 metres, before falling steeply to Mytholmroyd. Right behind the checkpoint in the valley stands the hardest ramp of the day: 276 metres of climbing in under two kilometres from kilometre 28.
A second moorland ridge at around 400 metres leads down to Haworth, and a short, steep pitch from kilometre 46 takes you back out. The course then loses a good 200 metres to Bingley and carries on almost level at about 100 metres. From kilometre 62 it turns serious again: nearly 200 metres back up to height, then almost 180 more from kilometre 72, before a long descent into Ilkley.
The day alternates between moor and valley: Stoodley Pike, stretches of the Pennine Way, the six Stanza Stones, the village of Haworth, Ilkley Moor. Up high, rain, mist, puddles and becks set the terms; down low are the towns. Six checkpoints provide food and water, with hot food indoors at Mytholmroyd, Haworth and Bingley. The finish is at Curly Hill Scout Camp in Ilkley.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.1 | 1.7 km | 9.6 % | 23.8 % | +163 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 4 | 2.7 km | 7.2 % | 18.1 % | +195 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 11.4 | 1.1 km | 6 % | 9.2 % | +67 m | — |
| km 27.9 | 1.9 km | 14.7 % | 30.2 % | +276 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 42 | 1.1 km | 6.3 % | 13.6 % | +71 m | — |
| km 45.7 | 0.8 km | 11.8 % | 22.4 % | +94 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 62.2 | 2.9 km | 6.9 % | 20.7 % | +196 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 72.2 | 2.2 km | 8.1 % | 21.9 % | +177 m | Cat. 3 |
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 Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra.
Start under control
The first five kilometres hold two climbs, and if you run them with the field you pay for it much later. Walk them, however fresh your legs feel, and use the high moor afterwards for calm, even running. Nearly 44 percent of the course falls, so the question is less your endurance than how your quads take it.
Hold your rhythm
The first trap is Mytholmroyd. The steep drop into the valley invites you to let go, it ends in a warm room with hot food, and the steepest climb of the race starts immediately behind it. Do not run that descent for time, keep the stop short, and take the ramp at a step you can hold without standing still. Fix your stop times for Haworth and Bingley too, or the warm checkpoints will cost more than any hill.
Spend what is left
The race is decided after Bingley. The level kilometres there feel easy, but they are the wrong place to chase time: the last checkpoint is a good 16 kilometres and one climb away, and the next climb starts right there. If you can still run after that, the long descent into Ilkley gains you time instead of costing it.
Training plan for Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group athletes should expect roughly 12 to 17 hours. Most of that is easy aerobic work, broken by short, hard climbs at a hiking pace. The load comes less from speed than from switching between climbing and braking for an entire day.
Train race pace
Two places should shape your training. The ramp out of Mytholmroyd asks you to climb steeply on quads that have just been worked: practise climbs of 15 to 20 minutes at a strong hike, ideally straight after quick downhill running. The two climbs from kilometre 62 ask much the same, only after eight hours or more. So put the vertical of your long runs in their second half, and build towards sessions of five to seven hours on hilly ground.
Rehearse the course
Downhill running is no side issue here. Regular work on long and also steep descents makes your legs robust enough to run the last drop into Ilkley rather than limp down it. Practise eating hot food in training as well, because behind Mytholmroyd and Haworth the next climb starts almost at once, and your stomach has to cope with that.
Arrive fresh
Even in June, expect rain, mist, puddles and becks on the moor. Train on wet, uneven paths, go out on purpose in bad weather, and test shoes, socks and clothing over many hours with wet feet. That way you learn before race day what really works on the high stretches between checkpoints.
Courses
Download the Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra.
How long is Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra?
Stanza Stones 50 Mile 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 Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra have?
Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra has around 1,977 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 Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra?
Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra is classified as Hilly, averaging 24.1 vertical metres per kilometre. 20% of the route is flat, 26% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 10% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra have?
The hardest climb of Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra starts at kilometre 27.9, runs for 1.9 km at an average of 14.7% and gains 276 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra a loop course?
No, Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra course?
Yes. The Stanza Stones 50 Mile 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 Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra?
Preparation for Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra should account for 80.47 km, 1,977 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 Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra?
The pacing strategy for Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra should reflect 80.47 km, 1,977 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 Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra take place?
Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra takes place on June 5, 2027.
Where does Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra take place?
Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra takes place in Ilkley, United Kingdom.
How do I register for Stanza Stones 50 Mile Ultra?
Registration runs through the organiser: craggrunner.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
