Warwick Half Marathon: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The Warwick Half Marathon starts and finishes at Warwick Racecourse and runs on fully closed roads through the Warwickshire countryside in late January. The first half climbs gradually, the second gives the height back, and the last two kilometres trend gently downhill to the line.
Course & Elevation
From the event village at the racecourse on the edge of Warwick the route heads out onto quiet country roads. The first five kilometres stay at around 50 to 65 m and only ripple; after that a long, shallow climb sets in and carries on for about six kilometres to just over 110 m. The steepest part is short: roughly half a kilometre at about 3 % just after km 10.8, right before the highest point of the loop.
Between km 11 and 15 the course stays high and rolls with short counter-rises before stepping back down. From about km 18.5 the road falls almost continuously back to the racecourse, so the finish runs noticeably quicker than the middle. In total there are around 200 m of ascent, spread over many small undulations rather than one hill.
The race is held in late January on tarmac, with water at roughly miles 3.5, 6.5 and 10. Because of the road closures there is a three-hour time limit, and the event village at the racecourse, with its grandstand facilities, serves as start, finish and warm-up area.
Pacing Strategy
The first five kilometres are the flattest part of the race and invite a fast start. Run them at or just above goal pace on purpose, because the long climb follows and every second spent early comes back expensively.
Between km 5 and 11 the rest of the race is decided. Keep the effort steady and let the pace slip a little on the climb; on the rolling high section up to km 15 you can settle back into rhythm.
The biggest trap is the finish: the last two to three kilometres fall noticeably, and anyone arriving with reserves gains a lot of time there. Anyone who overdid the climb loses exactly the bonus the descent offers.
Training plan for Warwick Half Marathon: 12-week build
For most age-group runners the Warwick Half Marathon takes between about 1:30 and 2:30. It is a steady aerobic effort just below threshold, unevenly distributed by the long, shallow climb in the middle and the fast finish.
The race is decided on the six-kilometre climb between km 5 and 11. Build in tempo runs on rolling roads where you hold the effort rather than the pace, and long runs of 16 to 20 km with a hilly middle section.
The downhill finish rewards runners who can still run fast and relaxed downhill when tired. Put a few kilometres at race pace on gently falling roads at the end of long runs, and practise a quick, tidy cadence.
With the race in late January, most of the build falls in December and January. Plan for cold, wind and short days, train in the kit you intend to race in, and rehearse warming up in low temperatures.
Course Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 10.8 | 0.5 km | 3.2% | 6.6% | +15m | — |
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.
Course as GPX
Download the Half Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Adaptive race preparation
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Warwick Half Marathon Presented by Moore & Tibbits 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.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Warwick Half Marathon?
Warwick Half Marathon is 21.1 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 Warwick Half Marathon have?
Warwick Half Marathon has around 199 m of elevation gain over 21.1 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Warwick Half Marathon?
Warwick Half Marathon is classified as Rolling, averaging 9.4 vertical metres per kilometre. 35% of the route is flat, 34% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 0% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Warwick Half Marathon have?
The hardest climb of Warwick Half Marathon starts at kilometre 10.8, runs for 0.5 km at an average of 3.2% and gains 15 metres.
Is Warwick Half Marathon a loop course?
Yes, Warwick Half Marathon is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Warwick Half Marathon course?
Yes. The Warwick Half Marathon 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 Warwick Half Marathon?
Preparation for Warwick Half Marathon should account for 21.1 km, 199 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 Warwick Half Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Warwick Half Marathon should reflect 21.1 km, 199 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 Warwick Half Marathon Presented by Moore & Tibbits take place?
Warwick Half Marathon Presented by Moore & Tibbits takes place on January 31, 2027.
Where does Warwick Half Marathon Presented by Moore & Tibbits take place?
Warwick Half Marathon Presented by Moore & Tibbits takes place in Warwick, United Kingdom.
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