Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run.
The Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run takes the North Downs Way across Surrey from Guildford to Redhill over the full marathon distance. Its first half lets you settle in, its steepest climbs sit beyond halfway, and those late ramps are what your preparation has to be built around.
Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The marathon runs point to point: transport takes you to the start in Guildford, and the finish is at YMCA East Surrey in Redhill. That is nearly 20 kilometres more than the 14-mile route, which begins at Ranmore Common. After a few flat kilometres the course lifts from just under 40 metres to around 130 and keeps gaining height gradually until kilometre 14. From there it rolls along at about 200 metres before dropping away after kilometre 20, almost back to the height of the start.
That low point is where the hard part begins. At kilometre 24 you gain over 130 metres in 800, the steepest stretch of the day. A long sequence of ups and downs follows, then from kilometre 30 a second big climb that only tops out around kilometre 33 at the highest point of the course. You then lose nearly 150 metres in three kilometres, the path kicks up once more just before kilometre 38, and the rest rolls into Redhill.
The organiser describes well-marked routes through undulating Surrey countryside with occasional challenging hills. Drinks and snacks are on offer at the support stops at West Hanger car park, Box Hill and The Old Pheasantry. As the name says, this is both a trek and a run, and it is open to anyone aged 18 or over.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2.3 | 1.1 km | 3.9 % | 6.5 % | +42 m | — |
| km 3.7 | 1.4 km | 6.3 % | 16 % | +86 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 5.9 | 0.6 km | 7.5 % | 12 % | +45 m | — |
| km 24 | 0.8 km | 16.5 % | 31.2 % | +132 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 26.4 | 0.5 km | 8.6 % | 21.1 % | +45 m | — |
| km 29.7 | 0.8 km | 11 % | 20.9 % | +91 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 31 | 0.5 km | 5.3 % | 9 % | +24 m | — |
| km 37.7 | 0.8 km | 8.1 % | 22.6 % | +61 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 Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run.
Start under control
The trap is in the first half. On the rolling section at around 200 metres your pace feels easy, because between kilometres 7 and 20 the course asks for very little height. Hold your road marathon pace here and the bill arrives from kilometre 24. Take even the first climb deliberately gently and use the support stops from the start, because the energy for the late ramps has to go in early.
Hold your rhythm
Your day is decided between kilometres 24 and 33. March the steepest ramp without hesitation: running those 800 metres gains next to no time and spends strength you still need twice more. The climb from kilometre 30 starts steeply and then eases, so you can find your rhythm again in its upper part.
Spend what is left
The descent after kilometre 33 is only a reward on paper. Brake down it on tired quads or let it run away from you, and nothing will be left for the ramp before kilometre 38, with the final kilometres into Redhill still rolling. Save your last push until after that point.
Training plan for Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run: 12-week build
Build the base
Mid-pack runners should expect roughly 4:30 to 6:30 hours here, and those treating it as a trek considerably longer. This is above all a long aerobic effort. Short hard spikes only arrive with the climbs of the second half, but they land on legs that are already tired.
Train race pace
That sets the main priority: push the climbing in your long runs towards the end. A session that starts flat to rolling and meets a steep hill for several repeats after two or three hours mirrors this course better than hills spread evenly throughout. Use those repeats to practise a strong uphill march, since the ramps at kilometres 24 and 38 are better walked than run.
Rehearse the course
The second weak point is the quads. The stretch from kilometre 33 to 36 is a long way down, with one more climb still to come. Build controlled downhill sections into the end of your long runs and add leg strength work, so your muscles already know this load on race day.
Arrive fresh
A date of 21 March puts your longest runs in January and February, so schedule them early and do them on paths rather than only on the road. Use them to rehearse eating and drinking on the move with the kind of drinks and snacks the stops provide. If you live nearby, the downloadable route lets you run sections of the second half in advance.
Courses
Download the Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run 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 Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run.
How long is Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run?
Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run is 42.17 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 Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run have?
Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run has around 848 m of elevation gain over 42.17 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run?
Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run is classified as Hilly, averaging 19.7 vertical metres per kilometre. 26% of the route is flat, 32% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 6% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run have?
The hardest climb of Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run starts at kilometre 24, runs for 0.8 km at an average of 16.5% and gains 132 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run a loop course?
No, Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run course?
Yes. The Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run 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 Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run?
Preparation for Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run should account for 42.17 km, 848 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 Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run?
The pacing strategy for Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run should reflect 42.17 km, 848 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 Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run take place?
Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run takes place on March 21, 2027.
Where does Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run take place?
Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run takes place in Redhill, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run offer?
Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run offers 2 distances — Marathon: 42.17 km; 14 Mile Route: 22.53 km.
How do I register for Y2Y North Downs Trek / Run?
Registration runs through the organiser: ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
