Winter X.
The 10 km at Winter X is the event's north leg raced as a distance of its own: out and back from Meonstoke in the Meon Valley without a single steep metre. On 28 December it is the shortest way into this mid-winter challenge, open to walkers as well as runners, and preparing for it is about even pace rather than climbing.
Winter X 2026: Course, Route Profile & Map
Start and finish are at Meon Hall in Meonstoke, and like every distance at Winter X this one has no mass start: people set off in staggered starts, with no more than 300 across all routes. You run on well-trodden public trails with some road sections around the Meon Valley. You share this leg with every other distance: the same paths carry people who have up to three more legs ahead of them that day; yours is done after this one.
The first three kilometres rise so gently that they hardly register as a climb. At kilometre 3 comes the only noticeable hill, half a kilometre that lifts you to around 100 metres above sea level. It stays gently rolling up there until kilometre 6, then the path drops a little over 20 metres quickly and runs almost level back towards Meonstoke. A small wave in the last kilometre is all that remains after that.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 3 | 0.5 km | 4.7 % | 6.6 % | +23 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 Winter X.
Start under control
A little over 40 percent of this course is flat and none of it is steep, so your rhythm decides the day, not the terrain. Keep the first three kilometres deliberately controlled: their slight rise costs more than it feels like, and after a staggered start no pack sets your pace.
Hold your rhythm
The real test sits between kilometres 3 and 6. The short climb is not followed by recovery but by a rolling stretch where pace sags without you noticing. Keep the pressure even here and save any acceleration for the part after kilometre 6, when the path slopes gently down almost all the way.
Spend what is left
The trap is at the end. After the short drop the job feels done, but the last three kilometres are close to level and give nothing back. Overdo the descent and you will feel it at the latest on the small wave before the finish.
Training plan for Winter X: 12-week build
Build the base
Runners should expect around 55 to 80 minutes, walkers roughly two to two and a half hours. Run, this is a continuous, fairly brisk aerobic effort with no hard spikes: no climb forces you out of your rhythm, so you have to hold it yourself from start to finish.
Train race pace
That sets the emphasis. Brisk steady runs of 30 to 40 minutes prepare you for this demand better than hill intervals, and one longer easy run a week covering the full duration gives you the base for it. Place the tempo work in the second half of a run, because this course asks for the acceleration only after kilometre 6.
Rehearse the course
The route alternates between trail and road, so train that way: one route with both surfaces shows you whether your shoes work on each and how you keep your rhythm through the change. A single half-kilometre hill per session is plenty to stop the only climb being a surprise.
Arrive fresh
The date shapes the build too. 28 December falls three days after Christmas and in the middle of winter, so do your last hard session before the holidays and only keep the legs loose afterwards. Do your longer December sessions outdoors, so you know your clothing for a winter day before you stand at the start.
Courses
Download the Winter X course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Winter X 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 Winter X.
How long is Winter X?
Winter X is 10.12 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 Winter X have?
Winter X has around 88 m of elevation gain over 10.12 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Winter X?
Winter X is classified as Rolling, averaging 8.7 vertical metres per kilometre. 43% of the route is flat, 28% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 0% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Winter X have?
The hardest climb of Winter X starts at kilometre 3, runs for 0.5 km at an average of 4.7% and gains 23 metres.
Is Winter X a loop course?
Yes, Winter X is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Winter X course?
Yes. The Winter X 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 Winter X?
Preparation for Winter X should account for 10.12 km, 88 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 Winter X?
The pacing strategy for Winter X should reflect 10.12 km, 88 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 Winter X take place?
Winter X takes place on December 28, 2026.
Where does Winter X take place?
Winter X takes place in Meonstoke, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Winter X offer?
Winter X offers 4 distances — 10 km: 10.12 km; 30 km: 32.1 km; 50 km: 52.1 km; 70 km: 73.3 km.
How do I register for Winter X?
Registration runs through the organiser: chalk-and-mud-trail-running.co.uk. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
