Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton).
The Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) links two YMCAs by 60 kilometres of off-road trail, from Redhill to YMCA Brighton, 200 metres from the pier. You can run it or walk it on footpaths and bridleways through Sussex, and the hardest job comes late: past kilometre 48, Ditchling Beacon stands between you and the coast.
Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The first eleven kilometres from the YMCA in Redhill are almost level, and only then does the ground start to lift gradually. Between kilometres 18 and 27 comes a rolling stretch with two noticeable ramps, the second of which, from kilometre 25, is steeper than its length suggests. After that the course drops clearly and stays on low ground until just before kilometre 49, with short undulations that disturb your rhythm but never last.
Then comes Ditchling Beacon. From kilometre 48.7 you gain a good 140 metres in little more than a kilometre and soon reach the highest point of the day. No other climb comes close. The route stays high and rolling for several kilometres, with one last rise at kilometre 55, before the closing section takes you down about 140 metres into Brighton.
This is a journey across country rather than a lap: footpaths and bridleways through quiet, rural Sussex, ending at YMCA Brighton just 200 metres from the pier. Four support stops carry you there, among them Worth Way, Ardingly, Wivelsfield and Ditchling Beacon. The route is still a draft and may change, so treat the kilometre marks as a guide until the final course is sent out before the event.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 18.5 | 1.1 km | 4.9 % | 8.5 % | +52 m | — |
| km 20.9 | 0.3 km | 6.6 % | 10 % | +21 m | — |
| km 25.3 | 0.9 km | 7.2 % | 11.4 % | +65 m | — |
| km 29.9 | 0.6 km | 4 % | 8.6 % | +23 m | — |
| km 35.4 | 0.6 km | 3.9 % | 5.9 % | +23 m | — |
| km 41.1 | 0.5 km | 6.2 % | 11 % | +28 m | — |
| km 48.7 | 1.3 km | 11.1 % | 21.7 % | +144 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 55.1 | 0.7 km | 6.2 % | 8.6 % | +42 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 Ultra (Redhill to Brighton).
Start under control
Over 60 kilometres with around 800 metres of climbing, the problem is not the total but how it is spread. Until kilometre 48 almost nothing forces you to walk, and that is exactly what tempts you to take the level opening too fast. Hold a pace there that feels nearly too easy, and walk the ramps at kilometres 18 and 25 early rather than running them.
Hold your rhythm
The day is decided on Ditchling Beacon. At an average of about eleven percent after more than 48 kilometres, nearly everyone walks here, so plan it as a walking section with long, strong strides and aim to settle straight back into your rhythm at the top.
Spend what is left
The trap comes afterwards. The coast feels close, but from the high point to the finish there are still about ten kilometres, and the long descent at the end gets expensive on empty thighs. Divide your energy from stop to stop rather than by total distance, so that you still have legs for the way down into Brighton.
Training plan for Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton): 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners should expect about 6:30 to 9:30 hours, and walkers twelve hours or more. The effort is almost entirely steady and aerobic: the short undulations in the middle only interrupt it, and only Ditchling Beacon asks for real strength on a hill. Your endurance base matters more here than any speed session.
Train race pace
The key moment comes at the end of a long day: steeply uphill after more than 48 kilometres, then downhill on tired legs. You can reproduce that by loading the back end of your longest sessions. Save a short, steep hill for the final hour, power up it several times and run back down with control. Strong uphill walking belongs in the plan as much as running does, because that is where you spend the hardest minutes of the day.
Rehearse the course
Train on the surface of the event as well. Footpaths and bridleways ask for a different stride from tarmac, so the long sessions belong off-road rather than on the street. Since the course runs point to point, a long run from A to B is worth doing too: it shows you what it feels like when there is no option to turn around.
Arrive fresh
The date of 24 July puts your longest sessions in early summer. Use them to find out what you can eat and drink over that many hours, and train with exactly the kit that will carry you from stop to stop on the day. Once the final route arrives, check whether the order of the climbs has changed.
Courses
Download the Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) 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 Ultra (Redhill to Brighton).
How long is Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton)?
Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) 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 Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) have?
Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) has around 805 m of elevation gain over 60 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton)?
Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) is classified as Rolling, averaging 13.4 vertical metres per kilometre. 31% of the route is flat, 30% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 3% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) have?
The hardest climb of Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) starts at kilometre 48.7, runs for 1.3 km at an average of 11.1% and gains 144 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) a loop course?
No, Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) course?
Yes. The Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) 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 Ultra (Redhill to Brighton)?
Preparation for Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) should account for 60 km, 805 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 Ultra (Redhill to Brighton)?
The pacing strategy for Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) should reflect 60 km, 805 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 Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) take place?
Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) takes place on July 24, 2027.
Where does Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) take place?
Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) takes place in Redhill, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) offer?
Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton) offers 2 distances — Y2Y Ultra 60km: 60 km; Y2Y Marathon: 42.16 km.
How do I register for Y2Y Ultra (Redhill to Brighton)?
Registration runs through the organiser: ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
