The Brecon to Cardiff Ultra, is a 70k, one way, fully marked race that winds its way from Brecon following the Taff Trail.  Now in its 11th year, it has become a regular in the ultra running calendar and is one of the classic ultra running events - having regularly sold out each year.  The race starts in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park with its dramatic mountain landscapes, passing 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

The race starts at 0800 from 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 following the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal to Talybont-on-usk. 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. The first 30k of the route is almost exclusively on footpath or Forestry Trails. From Merthyr the route follows a off road cycle path all the way to the finish. As the route is linear competitors park at the finish and be are transported, by coach, to the start in Brecon.  

The event base provides event parking, café, large indoor area for registration, the finish line, toilets, changing rooms and showers.  It is easily accessible off the A470 and one junction off the M4. There are many hotels, guest houses, cafes and restaurants in the local area.  In addition there are excellent bus and rail links to and from Cardiff.

What is included?

Bus transport from Cardiff to Brecon on Sunday morning
Electronic timing

Live GPS tracking and map for friends and family to follow from Open Tracking

Open Tracking live mapping at race finish and halfway point

Race buff

Checkpoints well stocked with refreshments

Half way drop bag transport (at the Merthyr CP)

Finishers medal (strictly for finishers only)

Emergency first aid and first responder cover

Free event photos

Free car parking at the finish in Cardiff

Welsh weather!