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The Black Beacon Trail Races are 4 mountain trail events in the Black Mountains and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons).The 100 mile Black Beacon race is a gruelling out and back traverse of the both the Bannau Brycheiniog and Black Mountains and is one of the worlds toughest ultramarathons with only 7 finishers in 2023!
Participants start at the Southern tip of the national park, initially following some amazing trails through 'waterfall country', before the first climbs of Fan Llia, Fan Dringarth and Fan Fawr. From here the The Bannau and Black Mountains await and an amazing rollercoaster of 12 peaks adding on the first leg on the race before participants turn around in Hay on Wye. The same series of peaks and descents are waiting on the way back giving 100 miles and 7500 metres of ascent. This challenge should not be underestimated - it is tough and suitable for only the hardiest mountain goats!
The Black Beacon 50 mile route is another tough challenge which includes over 3750m of ascent and starts at 8am on the Saturday morning in the Market town of Hay-on-Wye. The route heads straight up Hay Bluff into the Black Mountains. A dramatic high-level ridgeline traverse over mountain summits follows before dropping down to Llangynidir and the start of the Ultra Bach race.
The 50k Ultra bach route is not an easy option either, with an epic 2400m ascent! The race starts in the small village of Llangynidr at the Northern boundary of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. The first summit is Tor Y Foel followed by a stunning climb past waterfalls to the top of Craig Y Fan Ddu and some fast ridgeline running to Pen Y Fan where the 21 mile race joins.
The 21 mile Black Beacon trail race starts its 1600m ascent with an amazing climb up the North Ridge of Cribyn where it meets the ultra race runners at the top. All routes then head down Cribyn and up 'Jacobs Ladder' to the summit of Pen Y Fan - for the 100 mile runners, it is the 2nd time they summit the highest peak in southern Britain (mile 85)!
A short run across to Corn Du is followed by a fast fun descent to the Storey Arms Centre to cross the A470. Fan Fawr follows, then Fan Llia before dropping down a long descent into Ystradfellte and the fast runnable forest trails of Waterfall Country. Here you pass under the breath-taking Sgwd Yr Eira Waterfall - another highlight of the route. A fast mile all on single track forestry trails brings you to the finish in Pontneddfechen on the southern edge of the National Park.
What your entry fee includes:
Checkpoints with hot and cold refreshments (13 for the 100, 6 for the 50 and 3 for the 50k and 21 mile races)
Finishers medal
Race buff
Physiotherapy and Emergency First Aid Cover
Mountain safety teams
Route map
GPS file
Free race photography for downloads and bragging
GPS tracker and timing from open tracking (worth £20 per person)
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Pontneddfechan Waterfalls, Angel Inn, Pontneathvaughan Road, Neath, SA11 5, United Kingdom,Glyn-Neath, Neath Port Talbot, United Kingdom, Glynneath
Tickets