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Beacons to the Blacks - 50 & 32 Mile Ultra Marathon, Marathon & Half Marathon

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Saturday 28th September 2024

Entries Open
Tuesday 12th September 2023
Entries Close
Sunday 22nd September 2024 at 18:30
Entry Fees
Ultra 50 Mile   £90.00   
32 Mile   £75.00   
Marathon   £65.00   
Half Marathon   £50.00   
Contact
Event Organiser - Ellen Wood
Phone
07497185411

Limitless Trails are very excited to be offering a 50 & 32 mile Ultra Marathon, a Marathon & Half marathon. The 50, 32 & 26 start in the Brecon Beacons and finish deep in the heart of the Black Mountains which are set in the Brecon Beacons National park. The Half Marathon is a circular route starting and finishing in Llanbedr.

This long distance challenge is one that will fulfil the elite and seasoned runner besides also offering amazing support for the less experienced trail runner, who may be looking to step up a gear and attempt a greater challenge with the knowledge that they will be receiving incredible support and checkpoints throughout the duration of the run. Support crews and supporters will be most welcome during the event.  All distances are TRACKED, GPX FILES AND MAPS will be available, Self navigation is required. Back runners will be on the route at all times.

Start/finish for the Half Marathon is Llanbedr - circular route

Start Venue: Llangynidr Hall, Cwmcrawnon Road, Llangynidr, Crickhowell NP8 1LS

Finish Venue Perth y Pia Outdoor Activity Centre, Llanbedr, Crickhowell, NP8 1SY

Participants will be transported to the start from HQ. The Marathon and the Ultras will all be starting at Llangynidr Hall time tbc
Registration will be at Llanbedr  on Friday Night from 6pm - 8pm and Saturday Morning at 5.30am - 6.30am.
Transport will be leaving the village hall Llanbedr at 6.30am approx tbc 

What you can expect from this event 

Friday evening the Team will welcome you to Race HQ at Llanbedr, camping and parking will be available. Registration and kit check will be available for an easier pre-race morning. For those unable to attend Friday please do not worry as there will also be registration available from 5.30am-6.15am Saturday morning. Transport to the start will be arranged. 

This Trail Challenge is a self- navigation experience however we will be supporting certain areas that may lead to some confusion with flags and signs. Our pledge not to use tape stands. Participants will be tracked by our team throughout the entire race. Family and friends will be able to monitor and support each and every one of you. A GPX file and a map will be provided. 

Each competitor will pass a stringent kit check during registration and at the main CP Zone on route. Mountain Rules set by the Local Mountain Rescue Team must be obeyed.

There will be incredible support on your challenge, first class Medical team and mountain medics on the route. Our aim is to ensure that your experience will inject confidence with the knowledge that  the Limitless Trail Team will do everything to make this challenge an amazing achievement and experience, whether it’s your first attempt at a 50/32 or 26/13 miler or not, hopefully it will inspire you to achieve and fulfil future goals and aspirations that you may have to push that bit further.

On route we will be supporting you with Checkpoints and Water stations,  but to go that step further we will be providing hot food where possible. Medical advice given to any runner not to continue must be followed, if not then the organisers do not accept any responsibility if the participant  continues. They do so at their own risk. We will have a team of physiotherapists on site to offer any light relief.

Support crews, friends and families are more than welcome to attend  the Eat Zones however we do ask that runners take precedent over all. Please keep noise down to a minimum due to this being a small residential area and be considerate when parking. More details will follow shortly.

During the event you will also be supported by a full mobile medical unit, support runners will be on the course at various locations if needed for vital support – both experienced within this Mountain Range.

Our Half Marathon will be held in the Black Mountains.

Cut Off Times

  • 50 miles = 24 hrs           WE WILL MAKE JUDGEMENTS ON THE DAY IF WE FEEL THAT THE SAFETY OF RUNNERS /                                              STAFF IS A RISK 
  • 26 miles = 24hrs
  • 32 miles = 24hrs  
  • Half  = no cut off times 
  • The 50 mile event will take in both highest peaks in both the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons
  • The 26 & 32 mile will take in the highest peak in the Black Mountains route tbc
  • 90% self-navigation with 90% trail 10% road (lanes) - Ability to read a compass is mandatory.
  • Any runner who assists an injured participant / or similar will gain a time reward.
  • Hot & Cold Food and drinks will be available at HQ 
  • Besides all this incredible support you will also be rewarded with our bespoke Medal, free photos, results and chip timing/tracker. Winning bespoke trophies and a few surprises thrown in.
  • Moon & Back Coffee will be at HQ throughout the event serving speciality drinks and cakes for family & friends . Fresh hot food will be available at the finish for ULTRA ONLY RUNNERS  
  • Brief route outline 50. 32 & 26
  • Starting at Llangynidr Hall,  the route takes you straight up towards Pen y Fan via Fan y Big and Cribin-  Pen y Fan the highest point in south Wales. Leaving PYF you head over Corn Du and drop down to the Storey Arms before heading back up to the ridge, following Graig Fan Du you drop down and cross the valley heading towards Pontsticill Reservoir before once again climbing to Waun Rhydd and joining the .The 32 mile Ultra - will follow both routes until they split just after Tor y Foel - crossing over the forest to continue over the reservoir side and regaining the Marathon route on to the Usk valley walk Marathon route 26 - The marathon route will head from Llangynidr onto the canal - leaving the path to start the climb to Tor Y Foel joining the 50 mile route. Here you head back to Llangynidr before crossing the valley. From Bwlch you  climb towards Mynydd Llangorse, The Dragons Back and hitting Waun Fach in the Black Mountains before your decent back to Perth y Pia .

  • ULTRA 50 HEIGHT GAIN = 10442FT
  • MARATHON HEIGHT GAIN = 5869FT
  • ULTRA 32 tbc
  • HALF MARATHON GAIN = 3935FT

Facilities

  • Camping @ TY MAWR FARM 
  • Refreshments
  • Toilets
  • Parking £5 - Parking tickets will go into a ballot - winning ticket will receive a free entry to our next event
  • Full Medical Team

What you get

  • Bespoke medal
  • Refreshments
  • Chipped timing and Tracking
  • Prizes - 1st 2nd & 3rd Male & Female, Handcrafted slate trophy designed  in Wales - totally unique to us 
  • 1st Male & Female Vet over 50
  • Full gallery of pictures 
  • Online results
  • Free celebratory hot & cold drinks along with delicious warm or cold food after the event for Ultra participants
  • All dietary requirements will be tailored for.

MANDATORY KIT

  • Waterproof Jacket and trousers
  • Race vest/pack
  • Base layer Top - Must be either synthetic or merino wool, we suggest spare socks
  • Capacity to carry 2 litres of fluid
  • Emergency Food for the duration
  • Map or gpx file downloaded
  • Fully Charged Mobile Phone + POWER PACK plus cable 
  • Hat & gloves
  • Appropriate footwear (trail shoes)
  • First aid kit - essential items 
  • Foil blanket
  • Reusable Cup
  • Head torch - ultra only - spare batteries
  • whistle  

No participant will be allowed to participate without the full kit. A full kit check will be undertaken at registration and spontaneous checks will be carried out on the event. There will be NO changes to the mandatory kit lists due to weather - the mountains are unpredictable.

Please note that we are a cup free event - please remember to bring your reusable cup

View the Event Disclaimer / Terms and Conditions.

View the Event Cancellation / Refund Policy.


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Event Location
Perth Y Pia Outdoor Activity Centre, Crickhowell, Llanbedr, NP8 1SY