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Brecon to Cardiff

10-Feb-2019 Brecon, UK (Wales)

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12 REVIEWS

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Road Race

68KM / 42Miles
1 Day - 200 Runners

DIFFICULTY Race Difficulty Beginner

Entry From £50 GBP

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It is a 42 mile, one way race that winds its way from Brecon following the River Taff. You will start in the Brecon Beacons National Park with its dramatic mountain landscapes, past crashing waterfalls and crystal clear reservoirs. As you head further south you will encounter a different landscape with reminders of Wales’s industrial heritage.

The Route

As the route is linear, there is the option of competitors parking at the finish and be transported, by coach, to the start in Brecon.

The race starts at 08:00 from Theatr Brycheiniog, Canal Wharf, Brecon.

Here you join the Taff Trail which you follow all the way to the finish. The trail makes much use of an abandoned branch of the Taff Vale Railway and the Glamorganshire Canal. These had been built in the 18th and 19th centuries to transport coal and iron ore from Merthyr Tydfil, the Cynon Valley and the Rhondda valley to the docks at Cardiff and Barry. These routes, which although disused had remained largely intact, provide a convenient path along the narrow Taff valley.

From Brecon the route heads east towards Llynfrynach and the Talybont Reservoir. Here the route climbs (not steeply – but for quite a long way) to Torpantu, from this point it is downhill all the way to the finish! Passing Pontsticill Reservoir and the Brecon Mountain Railway you arrive in Merthyr at with great view of both the Cefn Coed Viaduct and Cyfarthfa Castle. Continuing south you will pass Aberfan and the memorial before reaching Pontypridd and finally the finish line at Nantgarw.

Entry Options and Prices

There is a choice of two entry options:

1) Race with parking and coach transport (from Cardiff to Brecon) £50
2) Race Only NO TRANSPORT! £42

Checkpoints and Cut-off time

There will be a number of checkpoints supplying water, and a range of food / energy products.

There is a cut off time for the event of 12 hours. This might sound tough but that is only 3.5 mph or 17.08minutes per mile. To put it another way at this speed you'd do the first 26 miles in 7 hours 25 minutes!!

We also organise:

Event Organiser
Joe Timmins

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Beginner

Elevation: Very little change < 500 metres. Benign running terrain, not technical.

Suitable for: First ultra runners completing a marathon or doing regular long distance running in the last six months.

Intermediate

Elevation: Increase of up to 1000 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed at least one ultra distance race (or similar event) or are doing long distance running (>26 miles) regularly, with elevation shown.

Advanced

Elevation: Increase of up to 1500 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed several ultra distances or similar events, or are doing long distance running regularly, with elevation shown.

Expert

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with some challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity or heat) and or technical terrain

Suitable for: Experienced runners who have completed at least regular ultra distances in last 12 months, or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races may be subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements.

Brutal

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with very challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity, heat or at high altitude) and or technical terrain.

Suitable for: Very experienced long distance ultra runners (min 3 years’ experience) or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races is often subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Purchase of specialist kit is often recommended for these races.

Endurance - Multi-activity

Type: An ultra distance race including at least two of the following activities such as running, swimming, cycling, kayaking, skiing and climbing. It may also include different climatic conditions (eg ice, snow, humidity, cold water, mud or heat).

Suitable for: Experienced multi-skilled athletes who have trained for the different activities included in this event. Admission to these races may be subject to receipt of a recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements and any specialist equipment required such as a wetsuit, skis or a mountain bike.

Global - Virtual

Type: A virtual race which can be run at any time shown on the dates shown, on any type of terrain in any country.

Suitable for: For runners from beginners to experienced as you choose your own course and challenge based on the guidelines and options set by the virtual race organiser.

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Review Brecon to Cardiff

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Brit

01:02 04-05-18

Really enjoyed this event. It really is two events in one. First half a traditional trail race and the second half a predominately cycle pathway race. The weather was challenging in places on the trail section. You name it we had it. At half way everyone started changing their shoes and I didn't know why but I soon did. They changed out of their trail shoes into road shoes. I wish I had known in advance. Yes there was some mud and standing water but the vast majority of the second half was very much tarmac based. The organisation was great, aid stations very helpful, route was well signed but I still had a few self doubts on the way, the last aid station was in a pub serving sausage and chips. Had the sausages but not the chips. A good introduction to ultra events. Great value for money including the coach transfer. I think I would do it again and definitely a PB event.

MattDonoso

12:57 05-04-18

Well organised event, suitable for beginners or experienced runners who want to go for a fast time. The first half is great for nature lovers with a small 5%-6% incline starting at mile 6. It is long but very runnable. The second on tarmacked path goes down pretty much all the way, less fun but nice for speed. Only downside is the lack of clear directions a handful of times (ok ok, maybe I was knackered and wasn't paying enough attention), but got lost twice and had to climb over walls and fences to get back on track ahah. Great day out overall, thanks to the organizers and all the volunteers!

jameshinton

10:22 02-03-18

This event well organised and the navigation is very straight forward. Apart from needing a goggles while running through a blizzard over the Beacons, a great day out. Lots of well stocked check points, especially the sausage and chips towards the end. I would defiantly recommend this event to someone who was new to ultra, as well as runners looking for a good time over the distance, as it is all good underfoot. The canal path at the start can be a bit muddy, and you can use a drop bag to change your shoes just before half way. Another good event by the Run Walk Crawl team.

awv

09:32 27-02-17

My third ultra and my longest race to date. A very scenic route taking you along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal , the Brecon Beacons and along the River Taff. Apart from an issue with the lack of toilets at the start, the race was well organised with well stocked aid stations and well marshaled. The route follows the number 8 cycle route/Taff Trail so is already well signposted but where the route strays slightly there were adequate additional signs.

The race is suitable for both those seeking a fast time and newcomers to ultra marathons.

Nickmaccallum

08:39 16-05-16

Good experience running my first ultra. Everyone helpful and friendly, excellent marshals keeping you fuelled up and a smiling face to keep you going. I think the course is suited for a first timer like myself. Overall a great experience. Thanks to the run walk crawl team for their hard work

RebeccaJade

10:09 13-05-16

This was my first ultra marathon after only doing a few marathons before I wanted to try something new and 42 miles seemed like a nice distance to start out. It was an excellent event very well organised, when arriving at check points everyone was so happy and helpful! There was a nice little selection of sweets / cakes /biscuits and pop . The marshals was very helpful and supportive and it can't of been an easy day standing out in the bad weather! Very much appreciate all their help! The climb up from tallybont was all worth it to see such amazing views I loved it! The weather came in bad on the decent but that didn't really bother me easier to run in that than a scorching day :) I ran alone and my main concern before I left was getting lost, as I'm not very good with a compass 😂 But it was well sign posted. So it's an excellent race for a beginner like myself . Loved my shiny medal and Tshirt I was well impressed. Infact I have been looking at other run walk crawl events to do as i enjoyed it so much even though i couldn't walk for 3 days after ;) 07/05/16

DghSpanishWelsh

03:17 13-05-16

My second ultra. Enjoyed it, despite the weather. As the race progressed, did get lost a couple of times when signposting could have been clearer. Good food at the stalls, excellent shower facilities at the end and a location with plenty to eat after a long run. The route was quite lumpy, esp the first 25 miles.

Would recommend this race. Enjoyed it much more than my first ultra, which was 24hrs running laps around a 9k loop.

Mair

12:39 13-05-16

Was my last ultra...3 in 3 months challenge. Great support along the way...happy marshalls bit of a hill but then once over the beacons lots of downhills. Great fun.

Nic2110

09:41 02-06-15

This was my 1st ultra and I really enjoyed it. Most of it was very easy to navigate thankfully as my map skills are not to hot. The organisers and helpers at the checkpoints and finish were great and the facilities for showering at the end was great. I'd recommend this race to anyone that fancies the challenge of something more than a marathon.

mmedwards

07:10 02-06-15

My fifth ultra and second with the excellent @Run, Walk, Crawl team. An ideal ultra for beginners as most is relatively flat with little navigation required and stunning scenery, particularly in the first half. Checkpoints and marshals were excellent, and the shower facilities at the end were very welcome. As usual all the competitors were extremely friendly and supportive and even though I run alone, I had plenty of company and encouragement. Another good point was the technical t-shirt awarded to all finishers was the best of any race I have run, they have really made an effort.

Brecon to Cardiff

10-Feb-2019 Brecon, UK (Wales)

The Route

Entry Options and Prices