Welsh Black Mountains Trail Running Challenge

14.6 km - 846 Meters / 2776 Feet total elevation.

The route will take you on a short but vicious climb onto the Table Mountain where you will have some amazing views across the Brecon Beacons, The Sugar Loaf and LLangattock Caves.

You will follow the trail before descending onto a short lane section which will lead you into a beautiful valley. Following this stunning but harsh climb you will eventually reach the ridge leading to Crug Mawr which you will follow – a fast section with magnificent views in every direction will lead you back down Blaen yr Henbant.

The Beacons way will help you to find your path crossing streams and running through woods, retracing your steps to reach the Table Mountain. Your climb will be rewarded with a fast finish on this strenuous but rewarding route…

23 km - 1083 Meters / 3553 Feet total elevation.

The route will take up on a short but vicious climb onto the Table Mountain where you will have some amazing views across the Brecon Beacons, The Sugar Loaf and LLangattock Caves.

The trails will then lead you up through a tranquil valley to summit the mountain ridge of PenTwyn Glas – you will continue on this ridge until you descend into you a fast section known locally as the famous McNamara’s Pass. Leaving the base of the valley, you will follow an ancient wall where you will run through a forest. Leaving the forest trails, you then cross streams and fields whilst climbing once again to retrace earlier steps to the trails.

Your final climb is the Table Mountain, where you may encounter herds of wild Shetland ponies, but keep a look out for the Red kites and Buzzards that live here which shouldn’t be missed, then rejoice in the knowledge of a fast but steep descent to the finish

44.5 km - 1960 Meters / 5430 Feet total elevation.

The route will take you on a short but vicious climb onto the Table Mountain where you will have some amazing views across the Brecon Beacons, The Sugar Loaf and LLangattock Caves.

The trail will then lead you up through a tranquil valley to summit the mountain ridge of Pen Twyn Glas – descending once again you will run through beautiful forests before you start the steady climb through a valley known locally as McNamara’s Pass.
You will then follow the trails to Summit Waun Fach the highest peak in the Black Mountains.

If you are lucky you may experience Gliders flying amongst the Red Kites and Buzzards of Wales. Steeped in history with ancient Castles alongside more incredible views across this beautiful land you will continue to scale the ridge, you then descend to a valley hosting the stunning Grwyne Fawr Reservoir with its hidden Bothy.

The ancient forests of Mynydd Du are to be explored before you again summit another finger of the Black Mountains. More spectacular views await before you descend once into another valley of streams, wild flowers and wildlife. Awaiting you at the final checkpoint is a natural plunge pool set in a beautiful meadow…for only the brave but what better way of cooling down.

Your final few miles is on a short lane section but you will finally meet the path of the Beacons Way, again a final climb on these beautiful trials lead you to a fast-downhill path to the finish.

50.4 km - 2140 Meters / 7021 Feet total elevation.

The route will take you on a short but vicious climb onto the Table Mountain where you will have some amazing views across the Brecon Beacons, The Sugar Loaf and LLangattock Caves.

The trails will then lead you up through a tranquil valley to summit the mountain ridge of Pen Twyn Glas – descending once again you will run through beautiful forests before you start the steady climb through a valley known locally as McNamara’s Pass. You will then follow the trails to Summit Waun Fach the highest peak in the Black Mountains.

If you are lucky you may experience Gliders flying amongst the Red Kites and Buzzards of Wales. Steeped in history with ancient Castles alongside more incredible views across this beautiful land. Continuing to scale the ridge, you then descend into a valley hosting the stunning Grwyne Fawr Reservoir with its hidden Bothy.

The ancient forests of Mynydd Du are to be explored before you once again summit another finger of the Black Mountains. Following the ridge, you will encounter Crug Mawr & Blaen yr Henbant hosting more spectacular views before you descend once again into a valley of streams, wild flowers and wildlife.

Finally, you then encounter the paths of the Beacons Way before your last climb up to Summit the Table Mountain in readiness for a fast but steep decent that will bring you to the finish.

14K MANDATORY KIT

• Fully Charged Mobile Phone
• Race Directors Contact Number (supplied on the day)
• 500ml Water Carrier - Full From The Start

14K ADVISED KIT

• Reusable Cup
• Waterproof Jacket (Taped Seams)
• Map

HALF MANDATORY KIT

• Fully Charged Mobile Phone
• Race Directors Contact Number (supplied on the day)
• 500ml Water Carrier - Full From The Start
• Waterproof Jacket (Taped Seams)
• Foil Blanket

HALF ADVISED KIT

• Reusable Cup
• Compass
• Whistle
• Map
• Emergency Food
• Hat
• Gloves
• First Aid Kit

MARATHON/ULTRA MANDATORY KIT

• Fully Charged Mobile Phone
• Race Directors Contact Number (supplied on the day)
• 500ml Water Carrier - Full From The Start
• Waterproof Jacket (Taped Seams)
• Waterproof Trousers (Taped Seams)
• Map - To Be Printed From Our Website
• Compass
• Foil Blanket
• Whistle
• Head Torch
• Emergency Food
• Hat
• Gloves
• Base Layer
• First Aid Kit

MARATHON ADVISED KIT

• Reusable Cup

At our checkpoints you will find water, squash, coke, electrolytes, sweets, crisps, nuts, chocolate, bananas and other carby bits on the marathon and ultra checkpoints. We are trying to reduce the use of plastic so we ask runners to bring reusable cups for coke and squash.