Black Mountains Trail Running Challenge
Set at the wonderful Perth-y-Pia Outdoor Activity Centre, Llanbedr, Wales, we are in the perfect place for trail running and our challenge will not let you down. Offering distances from 14K to the 50K Ultra Marathon there is a distance for everyone.
Sat 20 Jun 2020
800
Competitor Limit
Perth-y-Pia Outdoor Activity Centre
Llanbedr
Wales
NP8 1SY
Event Stats
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![Trail Events Co]()
14K
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![Trail Events Co]()
Half
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![Trail Events Co]()
Marathon
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Ultra
Distance
14.6 KM
9.1 Miles
Total Elevation
846 Meters
2776 Feet
Elevation Chart (Click Me!)
Entry Fee
£ 30
Difficulty: Moderate
Registration: 9:30 am
Briefing: 10:15 am
Start Time: 10:30 am
Cut Off Time: 5:30 pm
Distance
23 KM
14.3 Miles
Total Elevation
1083 Meters
3553 Feet
Elevation Chart (Click Me!)
Entry Fee
£ 42
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Registration: 8:30 am
Briefing: 9:15 am
Start Time: 9:30 am
Cut Off Time: 5:30 pm
Distance
44.5 KM
27.7 Miles
Total Elevation
1960 Meters
6430 Feet
Elevation Chart (Click Me!)
Entry Fee
£ 55
Difficulty: Strenuous
Registration: 7:30 am
Briefing: 8:15 am
Start Time: 8:30 am
Cut Off Time: 5:30 pm
Distance
50.4 KM
31.3 Miles
Total Elevation
2140 Meters
7021 Feet
Elevation Chart (Click Me!)
Entry Fee
£ 62
Difficulty: Strenuous
Registration: 6:30 am
Briefing: 7:15 am
Start Time: 7:30 am
Cut Off Time: 5:30 pm
Set at the wonderful Perth-y-Pia Outdoor Activity Centre, Llanbedr, Wales, we are in the perfect place for trail running and our challenge will not let you down. Offering distances from 14K to the 50K Ultra Marathon there is a distance for everyone.
This is going to be one of our hardest and most scenic trail running challenge in Wales, depending on your distance you will be running high in the Black Mountains with breathtaking views all around.
If you are going to run a trail race this year then the Black Mountains Trail Running Challenge has to be the event to choose. This is the first year of this event, so enter now and join us from the beginning of our adventures here in the Black Mountains.
The Route
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…
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
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.
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.
Checkpoint Info
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.
Kit List
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 - To Be Printed From Our Website
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 - To Be Printed From Our Website
- Emergency Food
- Hat
- Gloves
- First Aid Kit
Marathon 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
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
Ultra Advised Kit
- Reusable Cup
Parking
Parking is available in the HQ field at Perth-y-Pia, NP8 1SY.
Sign posts and flags will also be out on show to guide you into Perth-y-Pia.
There is ample parking on site.
Cost for parking – £5 per vehicle all day parking. CASH ONLY
Number & Timing Chip
Numbers and timing chip's are to be collected on the day of the event at registration.
Please make a note of your registration time for the distance you selected and make sure you arrive giving yourself enough time to register.
Please also make a note of your briefing time and ensure you attend the briefing.
Both the number and the timing chip have to be worn at all times during the event.
You also have the chance to rent GPS tracking units, which enable your friends and family to track you all the way around the course.
Signage
We use a number of signs during our events. Arrow markers are on a hi-viz reflective red with white arrow to mark the direction to be taken.
We also use striped tape, these are placed after any split to reassure you that you are on the correct trail. We also use them along long stretches where no turn off is required or directional arrows needed.
We advise runners to bring a map of the route with them on event day in case of emergencies. You can download the map and print it and you can download GPX files to your device.
What You Get
- Trail Events Co large bespoke finishers medal
- Trophies for first three male and female runners in each distance
- Energy refreshments at the checkpoints and finish line
- Experienced medical cover – Medics (Mobile)
- Friendly, personal assistants, advice and support
- Fully Signed Course
- Chip Timing
- Also on offer:
- Technical Running T-shirt (£10)
- GPS tracking units (available at £20 per day for hire)
Camping
Camping available at the Black Mountains event - Near the start line.
Fresh Water tap and Portaloos onsite.
No Electrical hookups available.
No disposable barbecues or fire pits allowed.
To reserve a camping spot please write to [email protected] with your arrival time & tent size/camper van information included.
Cost £7 per person per night
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