The Beacons Ultra
Event summary
46ish miles in the Brecon Beacons, COVID saw the cancellation of the 2020 edition of the Beacons Ultra, but this event is back in action.
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Looks like tickets for this event aren’t available, here are some similar events you can book today:
Your organiser
We love the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains. 10 years of history behind the Beacons Ultra has led to the creation of the Beacons Trail Marathon, the Beacons 50 and the Beacons 100. Our water is cold, our routes are rugged and the weather just does what it wants!
Volunteer
How to enter
What's included:
Entry fee includes:-
* Exclusive and much cherished Race T Shirt for all starters
* Exclusive medal for all finishers
* Prizes from our Race Sponsors in excess of £1,000 to top 3 finishers in both Men’s and Women’s race, and also top team.
* Spot prizes.
* Personalised Race Number.
* Paramedic support throughout the event from TrailMed
* Manned checkpoints along the route with the friendliest Marshalls you will find anywhere. Hot food on the finish line!
* Oh, and some of the most wonderful scenery you will find anywhere in the UK, provided it isn’t tipping down with rain or that you aren’t too shattered to appreciate it.
Registration for both the Beacons Trail Marathon and Beacons Ultra will take place on Friday night between 16.00pm and 20.30pm at the Likeys Shop in Brecon (LD3 7LH) and on Saturday at Race HQ (Henderson Hall) between 05.30am and 07.00am for the Beacons Ultra and between 08:00am and 09:30 for the Beacons Trail Marathon.
Ultramarathon
Run 46mi
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What people think
Frequently asked questions
road shoes?
Although the event is possible in ‘normal’ trainers it should be understood that the majority of the event is off-road. Having said this; a large proportion of the off-road is ‘hard pack’ trail although there will be some sections (namely ‘The Gap”) that is rocky and a couple of miles after this muddy sections will be encountered on the footpaths that take you down to Pencelli. You might therefore sensibly want to consider trail shoes.2.… read moreWill my feet get wet?
Highly probable! Remember this is Wales in winter, so a ‘bit of damp’ is highly likely. There are options (Goretex trainers or Sealskinz socks etc) that you might want to consider, however this is probably only going to delay the inevitable – so just accept that your feet at some stage are likely to get wet!3. Will I need an amazing,… read morereally expensive head torch?
In short; “No” …… BUT…. you will definitely require a head torch as part of the compulsory equipment and unless you really are a whippet you will almost certainly use it (remember it will get dark about 16:45pm on the day of the race) and so if there is a piece of kit that is worth investing a little extra money in; then this could be it! Remember to have fresh batteries and also spare batteries with you – these are also part of the compulsory kit list, so don’t turn up without either!4.… read moreRunning Events in the United Kingdom
Running Events in the United Kingdom
Route description
Route description
The route for the Beacons Ultra is a very varied one that will test competitor’s strengths and weaknesses, flat land specialists will love the canal bits whilst the mountain goats will prefer the 'gap', and then of course there's all the 'in between' bits.
The event take place in the heart of the Brecon Beacons starting and finishing in the delightful village of Talybont-on-Usk. From the start at Race HQ you follow the picturesque Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal toward Llangyndir. The tow path to Llangynidr is probably the flattest 3 miles you will find in Wales! The route then splits from the canal at the canal locks and heads up the Beacons way for about a mile before detouring off to take in the much appreciated trek up and over Tor y Foel before descending down into Talybont forest. Here it picks up the old coal route where originally the tramway and later on the railway brought coal from ‘over the other side’ to be loaded on to the barges for dispatch to Newport. A steady climb continues towards Torpantau before dropping slightly and entering the Taf Fechan Forest. The forest trail then starts to change into open hill and follows what the locals call the ‘Gap Road’.
The highest point of the route is 600 meters above sea level at the ‘Gap’ itself.
After all that height gain there is quite a bit of descending along one of the Brecon Beacons ‘classic’ routes, down to the canal at Pencelli and back to Race HQ at Talybont-on-Usk where you can rest/restock before departing for your 2nd loop (note the cutoff for starting the 2nd loop is 14.30pm)
2 B4558, Talybont-on-Usk, Brecon LD3 7YJ, UK
Get directionsCAR PARKING
The event car park will be at Talybont Farm which is 5 min walk from Race HQ (Henderson Hall), the £5 fee includes safe and secure off street parking and use of the showers after the race.
On race day there will be NO parking at Race HQ (Henderson Hall) and we do ask that you use the official car park and don’t park on the streets adjacent to Henderson Hall, illegally parked cars will be ticketed by the local traffic warden who lives in the village.
COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT
*Rucksack
*Fully charged Mobile Phone
*Means of hydration – ability to carry an absolute minimum of 500ml of fluid
*Cup/Mug/Bottle – No cups will be provided at checkpoints
*Enough food (no shops on route!)
*Full waterproof cover (trousers and top)
*Hat
*Gloves
*Fleece (or similar warm upper body layer)
*Survival/Space Blanket
*Basic first aid kit including antiseptic
*Head torch
*Spare batteries for above
*Compass
*Whistle
*Watch
*Map
It must be emphasised that there will be random spot kit checks before, during and on completion of the race. You must have all of the above on you at all times.
Please also understand that the above is the bare minimum and many individuals may wish to add their own kit requirements to that outlined above. This is especially relevant if the weather conditions are harsh.(i.e…. the temperature in 2008 dropped to -8 at night).
Ultramarathon
Interested in volunteering at this event?
Organisers are always looking for an extra pair of hands and there are plenty of roles to fill!
Complete this short form and the organiser will be in touch.
By submitting, you’re accepting that we’ll pass your details onto the event organiser. We won’t pass your details onto anyone else.
Route description
Route description
The route for the Beacons Ultra is a very varied one that will test competitor’s strengths and weaknesses, flat land specialists will love the canal bits whilst the mountain goats will prefer the 'gap', and then of course there's all the 'in between' bits.
The event take place in the heart of the Brecon Beacons starting and finishing in the delightful village of Talybont-on-Usk. From the start at Race HQ you follow the picturesque Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal toward Llangyndir. The tow path to Llangynidr is probably the flattest 3 miles you will find in Wales! The route then splits from the canal at the canal locks and heads up the Beacons way for about a mile before detouring off to take in the much appreciated trek up and over Tor y Foel before descending down into Talybont forest. Here it picks up the old coal route where originally the tramway and later on the railway brought coal from ‘over the other side’ to be loaded on to the barges for dispatch to Newport. A steady climb continues towards Torpantau before dropping slightly and entering the Taf Fechan Forest. The forest trail then starts to change into open hill and follows what the locals call the ‘Gap Road’.
The highest point of the route is 600 meters above sea level at the ‘Gap’ itself.
After all that height gain there is quite a bit of descending along one of the Brecon Beacons ‘classic’ routes, down to the canal at Pencelli and back to Race HQ at Talybont-on-Usk where you can rest/restock before departing for your 2nd loop (note the cutoff for starting the 2nd loop is 14.30pm)
2 B4558, Talybont-on-Usk, Brecon LD3 7YJ, UK
Get directionsCAR PARKING
The event car park will be at Talybont Farm which is 5 min walk from Race HQ (Henderson Hall), the £5 fee includes safe and secure off street parking and use of the showers after the race.
On race day there will be NO parking at Race HQ (Henderson Hall) and we do ask that you use the official car park and don’t park on the streets adjacent to Henderson Hall, illegally parked cars will be ticketed by the local traffic warden who lives in the village.
COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT
*Rucksack
*Fully charged Mobile Phone
*Means of hydration – ability to carry an absolute minimum of 500ml of fluid
*Cup/Mug/Bottle – No cups will be provided at checkpoints
*Enough food (no shops on route!)
*Full waterproof cover (trousers and top)
*Hat
*Gloves
*Fleece (or similar warm upper body layer)
*Survival/Space Blanket
*Basic first aid kit including antiseptic
*Head torch
*Spare batteries for above
*Compass
*Whistle
*Watch
*Map
It must be emphasised that there will be random spot kit checks before, during and on completion of the race. You must have all of the above on you at all times.
Please also understand that the above is the bare minimum and many individuals may wish to add their own kit requirements to that outlined above. This is especially relevant if the weather conditions are harsh.(i.e…. the temperature in 2008 dropped to -8 at night).
Ultramarathon
Interested in volunteering at this event?
Organisers are always looking for an extra pair of hands and there are plenty of roles to fill!
Complete this short form and the organiser will be in touch.
By submitting, you’re accepting that we’ll pass your details onto the event organiser. We won’t pass your details onto anyone else.