Beacons to the Blacks

50 & 32 Mile Ultra Marathon, Marathon &

Half Marathon

Sat 28th September 2024

Distance 7.5 Miles/12 KM 13.6 Miles/22 KM 26.2 Miles/42 KM 50 Miles/80 KM

Distance

13.1 Miles/ 21 km

26.2 Miles/ 42 km

32 miles / 51km 50Miles/ 80 km

Elevation 12 KM = 2220FT Half Marathon = 3935FT Marathon = 5869FT 50 Mile = 10442FT

Elevation

Half Marathon 2738 ft
Marathon 5869 ft

32 Mile 7103 ft

50 Mile 10442 ft

Cut Off Times 12 KM = No Cut Off Half Mara = No Cut Off 26 miles = 12 hrs 50 miles = 24 hrs

Cut Off Times

24 HRS

Cut Off

Self Navigation

Self

Navigation

We are very excited to bring this spectacular event to you! A 50 & 32 Mile Ultra Marathon & Marathon. The 50 & 32 Mile Ultra and Marathon start at Llangynidr in the beautiful Brecon Beacons and finishing deep in the heart of the Black Mountains.

The Half Marathon will start and finish at Llanbedr Hall NP8 1SR-

START TIMES WILL BE CONFIRMED VIA EMAIL - SUNDAY BEFORE THE EVENT

This long-distance challenge is one that will fulfil the elite and seasoned runner whilst also offering amazing support for the less experienced trail runner. With well-stocked checkpoints and our amazing support team, you will be safe in the knowledge that you’ll be well looked after whilst throughout the duration of your time with us. Support crews and supporters will be most welcome during the event

ALL participants will tracked and must be attached to your pack and kept on for the entirety of the event.


Start Venue (50 & 32 Mile Ultra and Marathon)

Llangynidr Village Hall, Cwmcrawnon Road, Llangynidr, Crickhowell NP8 1LS

What to Expect

Friday evening the Team will welcome you to Race HQ – 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 6 am-6:45 am Saturday morning. Race briefing will be at confirmed by email. Transport to the start will be arranged. 

This Trail Challenge is self-navigation, so exceptional knowledge of how to use a map and a compass is compulsory and will be checked at kit check. We will be supporting certain areas that may lead to some confusion with flags and signs, but please do not rely on these. Our pledge not to use tape stands. Participants on the 50-Mile Ultra and Marathon will be tracked by our team throughout the entire race. Family and friends will be able to monitor and support you along your race.

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

There will be incredible support on your challenge, a 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. 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 Check Points and water stations. Some of these Checkpoints will also have hot food. 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 - you do so at your 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 and assist runners at checkpoints. No outside help is allowed at any other points on the course. We ask that runners take president overall – please do not gather around checkpoints. Give our runners a clear path in and out. This is a small residential area so please keep the noise down to a minimum and be considerate when parking. More details will follow in the final event email.

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 – all are well experienced within this Mountain Range.

DROP BAG option for 50 mile @ Parkwood CP - bags can be left at HQ for other distances

Cut Off Times

ALL DISTANCES HAVE A 24 HRS CUT OFF

UNLESS WE MAKE A JUDGEMENT PRIOR OR DURING THE EVENT ON SAFETY GROUNDS

CANI CROSS - WE EXPECT YOU TO MAKE A RESPONSIBLE DECISION PRIOR TO ANY EVENT DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS

  • Self-navigation with 90% trail 10% road (lanes)

  • Any runner who assists an injured participant / or similar will gain a time reward.

Brief Route Outline

50 ,32 Mile Ultra and Marathon: Starting at Llangynidr 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 Marathon route. The 32 mile Ultra and Marathon route will head from Llangynidr up to the reservoir before joining the 50-mile route near Tor y Foel. Taking the Beacons Way you head towards Llangynidr before crossing to climb Mynydd Llangorse, The Dragons Back and hitting Waun Fach in the Black Mountains before your descent back to the village hall in Llanbedr.


HALF MARATHON

Leaving the hall - you will head up towards Perth Y Pia and head towards the ridge leading to Pen Allt Mawr & Mynydd Llysiau. Leaving the ridge and descending down the fast section onto McNamara’s Pass. A right turn near the bottom of the pass will allow some gentle trail towards the short forest section Park Wood. Leaving the trail onto open land, following the route down to the bridge and CP 1. From here you climb up through two fields to pick up the trail heading back towards the Table Mountain. A few cheeky climbs before a fast finish down past the bunk house and back into the village of Llanbedr.

  • ULTRA 50 HEIGHT GAIN = 10442FT

  • ULTRA 32 HEIGHT GAIN = 7103FT

  • MARATHON HEIGHT GAIN = 5869FT

  • HALF MARATHON = 2738FT

Facilities

Camping
Refreshments
Toilets
Parking £5 - Parking tickets will go into a ballot - winning ticket will receive a free entry to ANY of our events
Full Medical Team

What You Get

  • Bespoke medal

  • Chipped timing and Tracking

  • Prizes - 1st 2nd & 3rd Male & Female, trophy designed in Wales - totally unique to us

  • 1st Male & Female Vet over 50

  • Parking tickets will go into a ballot - winning ticket will receive a free entry to any of our events

  • Four refuel zones plus water stations - full support from our amazing staff  - first aid 

  • Full gallery of pictures 

  • Online results

  • REFRESHMENTS FOR ALL FINISHERS

  • HOT FOOD FOR ULTRA RUNNERS

  • SPORTS MASSAGE - FREE FOR ULTRAS - £15 PER SESSION

  • Moon & Back Coffee will be at HQ throughout the event serving speciality drinks and cakes for family & friends .

MANDATORY KIT

  • Waterproof Jacket and trousers

  • Race vest/pack

  • Baselayer Top

  • Capacity to carry 2 litre of fluid

  • Emergency Food for the duration

  • Map or gpx file downloaded

  • Fully Charged Mobile Phone + power pack with cable - longer distance only

  • Hat & gloves

  • Appropriate footwear (trail shoes)

  • First aid kit - essential items 

  • Foil blanket

  • Reusable Cup

  • Head torch & whistle + spare batteries (Ultra distances only)

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.

CAMPING

We have a field with toilets within walking distance of HQ for basic camping. No need to book, we’ll share details on the pre-race email.

Anyone looking for a bit more luxury may want to consider our friends at Pyscodlyn Camping and Caravan site very close to Abergavenny and Crickhowell. Booking essential:

https://pyscodlyn.sb.anytimebooking.eu/place_booking/#forward

For an alternative, rustic farm camp close to Crickhowell, and right below Table Mountain, consider Ty Mawr Camping Field in Llanbedr, Powys. Call Donna on 01873 810606.

POST-RACE RECOVERY SAUNA AND ICE BATH!

To soothe those aching limbs and speed up your recovery, why not consider our friends at Cwmdu Contrast Fire and Ice? Check out their website to book this great experience in a wonderful natural setting, right on our doorstep:

https://cwmdu-contrast.square.site/

£90 50 Mile Ultra

£75 32 Mile Ultra

£65 Marathon

£50 Half Marathon