The Ridgeway Chase.
The Ridgeway Chase covers the first 60 kilometres of the Ridgeway National Trail, from Ivinghoe Beacon through the Chilterns and North Wessex Downs to a campsite near Wallingford. Its steepest ground comes after kilometre 50, which is what your preparation should be built around: climbing on tired legs.
The Ridgeway Chase 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
This is a one-way journey with no lap and no way back: the start is at Ivinghoe Beacon, the finish at Ridgeway View Campsite near Wallingford. Along the way the trail moves between ridgeline views, beech woods and chalk grassland, with Coombe Hill, Whiteleaf Hill, Chinnor Hill, the River Thames and Grim's Ditch all part of the route. Orange arrows mark the whole course, and the race is held alongside the longer Ridgeway Challenge.
The finish sits a good 130 metres below the start, yet the climbing adds up to almost 1,100 metres, as the trail rises nearly as much as it falls. As far as Wendover at kilometre 17.6 the two climbs stay moderate. Right after it comes the longest of the day, just over two kilometres at more than five percent. At kilometre 25.7 there is a short kilometre at almost nine percent, and soon after that another rise. After that it rolls and falls for a long way, past Aston Rowant.
The race is settled late. Between kilometres 49 and 54.5 three climbs come in quick succession. The middle one is the steepest ground of the day, a ramp of barely half a kilometre averaging around 15 percent. Shortly after the third you reach Nuffield, leaving a little over five kilometres to the campsite.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 6.9 | 1.5 km | 5.1 % | 11.5 % | +73 m | — |
| km 10.2 | 1.1 km | 3.2 % | 8.9 % | +34 m | — |
| km 18.3 | 2.2 km | 5.6 % | 11.3 % | +123 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 25.7 | 1 km | 8.9 % | 16.4 % | +87 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 31.1 | 1.5 km | 4.8 % | 16.3 % | +73 m | — |
| km 48.9 | 1.1 km | 7.2 % | 18.8 % | +77 m | — |
| km 51.5 | 0.5 km | 15.1 % | 25.8 % | +68 m | — |
| km 53.6 | 0.9 km | 5.3 % | 14.9 % | +49 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 The Ridgeway Chase.
Start under control
Just under 40 percent of the course climbs, just over 40 descends and only a fifth is flat. There is no steady pace to settle into, so run by effort instead: stay relaxed on the moderate climbs, walk everything steep with purpose, and let the descents roll without pushing them.
Hold your rhythm
The trap is in the middle. Between kilometres 33 and 49 the ground rolls and falls for a long way, and after the hard work beyond Wendover it feels like free time. Banking minutes here is paid for with the same thighs that still have to climb at the end. Keep this stretch deliberately calm, eat and drink regularly, and do not treat Aston Rowant as a target in itself.
Spend what is left
Your race starts at kilometre 49. Take the ramp around kilometre 51.5 without pride: running it saves almost nothing and costs a lot. Once the third climb is behind you and Nuffield is reached, all that matters is running the last few kilometres home.
Training plan for The Ridgeway Chase: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group athletes can expect to be out for around six to nine hours. That is mainly a long aerobic effort, broken again and again by short hard spikes on the steep pitches. The base for it comes from volume rather than speed: long runs over hills will do more for you than fast kilometres on the flat.
Train race pace
Since the race is decided in its last eleven kilometres, your climbing belongs at the end of your long runs. Put the hills in the final hour, or finish a steady run with a set of short, steep repeats. Practise power hiking on purpose: on a 15 percent ramp seven hours in, it is your actual race gait.
Rehearse the course
Almost 1,230 metres of descent will reach your thighs even though the gradient is seldom steep. So build longer downhill stretches into your runs, and add strength work for legs and hips through winter and spring, so that the rolling middle section does not drain you before kilometre 49.
Arrive fresh
A late May date puts your longest sessions in spring. Do them on woodland tracks and grassy paths rather than tarmac, and use them to test food, drink and kit over many hours. If you live within reach, run the section from Aston Rowant to Nuffield in training, ideally after a few hours on your feet.
Courses
Download the The Ridgeway Chase course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for The Ridgeway Chase dynamically
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Everything about The Ridgeway Chase.
How long is The Ridgeway Chase?
The Ridgeway Chase is 60 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 Ridgeway Chase have?
The Ridgeway Chase has around 1,098 m of elevation gain over 60 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of The Ridgeway Chase?
The Ridgeway Chase is classified as Hilly, averaging 18.3 vertical metres per kilometre. 20% of the route is flat, 33% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 6% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does The Ridgeway Chase have?
The hardest climb of The Ridgeway Chase starts at kilometre 18.3, runs for 2.2 km at an average of 5.6% and gains 123 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is The Ridgeway Chase a loop course?
No, The Ridgeway Chase is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the The Ridgeway Chase course?
Yes. The The Ridgeway Chase 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 Ridgeway Chase?
Preparation for The Ridgeway Chase should account for 60 km, 1,098 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 Ridgeway Chase?
The pacing strategy for The Ridgeway Chase should reflect 60 km, 1,098 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 Ridgeway Chase take place?
The Ridgeway Chase takes place on May 29, 2027.
Where does The Ridgeway Chase take place?
The Ridgeway Chase takes place in Brill, United Kingdom.
How do I register for The Ridgeway Chase?
Registration runs through the organiser: runawayracing.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
