The Hebden.
The Hebden is a volunteer-run winter fell race above Mytholmroyd, and the 15 miles are its classic route. Some 860 metres of ascent turn the loop into constant up and down with hardly a level stretch, so the preparation that counts is for steep climbs and equally steep descents, not for holding a steady pace.
The Hebden 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The day starts and ends at St Michael's Parish Church in Mytholmroyd: mid-January, organised by volunteers, with both distances leaving together in one mass start. The small field gets about a kilometre and a half of almost level ground to sort itself out. Then it turns serious: from km 1.7 the route gains around 165 metres in just over a kilometre and a half, with ramps above 20 percent.
After that the loop has no even rhythm for a long time. Around km 6, 10.5 and 13.5 come three more climbs of roughly 80 to 100 metres, and after each one the course hands much of that height back. Only a little over a tenth of the route is flat, and it drops steeply almost as often as it climbs steeply. From the high point at km 14.5 it falls by km 17 to nearly the level of the church.
That is where the decisive section begins. Two stages take you up by a good 250 metres, the first as long and as steep as the opening climb, only now with 17 km in your legs. Just past km 20 you reach the day's highest point at almost 380 metres. What remains is the way down: in a little over four kilometres the classic route loses nearly 290 metres and ends back at the church.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.7 | 1.7 km | 9.9 % | 22.2 % | +164 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 3.8 | 1 km | 3.5 % | 12.2 % | +35 m | — |
| km 5.9 | 1.1 km | 9.6 % | 15.8 % | +101 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 8.6 | 0.7 km | 7.3 % | 13.8 % | +48 m | — |
| km 10.5 | 1.5 km | 6.3 % | 17.6 % | +94 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 13.5 | 1 km | 8.2 % | 12.7 % | +82 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 17.1 | 1.7 km | 9.9 % | 18.7 % | +165 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 19 | 1.2 km | 8 % | 16.4 % | +92 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 The Hebden.
Start under control
Think in effort on this loop, not in kilometre splits. At around 35 metres of climbing per kilometre your watch tells you little, and on the steepest pitches a brisk walk is usually the cheaper choice than running. The most delicate part is the level ground after the start: the mass start pulls you along, and right behind it waits the first ramp. Arrive there in the red and you pay for it over the next 15 km.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between km 17 and 20. This two-stage ascent is the longest on the loop, and it comes at the end. Save strength for it, above all downhill: let the long descent after km 14.5 run away from you and you reach the foot of the most important climb on tired quads.
Spend what is left
It pays to have something left over the high point. The last four kilometres are almost all downhill and a lot of time can be made there, but only on legs that can still absorb the descent.
Training plan for The Hebden: 12-week build
Build the base
Most recreational runners are out for about three to four and a half hours on the 15 miles. The effort is aerobic but anything but even: steep climbs drive your heart rate up, and the descents between them ease your lungs while loading your quads.
Train race pace
The key is hard work late in the run. Put the climbs deliberately at the end of your long runs, so that after two to three hours you can still walk and run a three-kilometre ascent. That rehearses the section from km 17 where this race is settled.
Rehearse the course
For the climbs themselves, hill intervals of ten to 15 minutes on steep slopes work well, with strong walking as part of the technique. Downhill running matters at least as much, because the route gives back every metre it gains. Repeated descents and strength work for the quads make your legs robust for those four kilometres to the finish. Practise this away from paved paths where you can.
Arrive fresh
The Hebden is a winter race and so the build-up is a winter one too: your longest sessions fall in December, in the shortest days of the year. Schedule them early, run them outdoors and use them to test the clothing you plan to race in. You warm up going uphill and cool down going downhill, and that swing is what you need to know before race day.
Courses
Download the The Hebden course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for The Hebden 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 The Hebden.
How long is The Hebden?
The Hebden is 24.14 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 The Hebden have?
The Hebden has around 862 m of elevation gain over 24.14 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of The Hebden?
The Hebden is classified as Mountainous, averaging 35 vertical metres per kilometre. 12% of the route is flat, 25% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 20% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does The Hebden have?
The hardest climb of The Hebden starts at kilometre 17.1, runs for 1.7 km at an average of 9.9% and gains 165 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is The Hebden a loop course?
Yes, The Hebden is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the The Hebden course?
Yes. The The Hebden 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 The Hebden?
Preparation for The Hebden should account for 24.14 km, 862 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 The Hebden?
The pacing strategy for The Hebden should reflect 24.14 km, 862 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 The Hebden take place?
The Hebden takes place on January 16, 2027.
Where does The Hebden take place?
The Hebden takes place in Mytholmroyd, United Kingdom.
Which distances does The Hebden offer?
The Hebden offers 2 distances — The Hebden 15 Mile: 24.14 km; The Hebden 22 Mile: 35.41 km.
How do I register for The Hebden?
Registration runs through the organiser: thehebden.co.uk. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
