Brecon to Cardiff Ultra
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Event overview
The Brecon to Cardiff Ultra is a 43-mile point-to-point race that follows the River Taff from the Brecon Beacons National Park to Nantgarw, on the outskirts of Cardiff. The event uses a fully marked route and has a 14-hour time limit. There are six manned checkpoints along the course stocked with water, energy drinks, squash, sweets and biscuits, sandwiches, fruit and crisps. Competitors must carry a device with the GPS route loaded and are given a basic marked map to help relocate the course if required. A compulsory kit list applies and may vary with conditions.
Course and logistics
The route largely follows the Taff Trail and makes use of old transport corridors, including an abandoned branch of the Taff Vale Railway and the Glamorganshire Canal. From Brecon the course passes the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, climbs to Torpantau, then descends past Pontsticill Reservoir and Merthyr Tydfil before reaching Nantgarw. The first 30 km are almost entirely on footpaths and forestry trails; from Merthyr onwards the route follows an off-road cycle path, mostly tarmac. A halfway drop bag station at Merthyr allows kit changes.
Competitors park at the finish location at Coleg y Cymoedd, Parc Nantgarw (CF15 7QX) and are transported by coach to the start. Registration, parking, indoor facilities, toilets, changing rooms and a cafe are available at the event base. The entry fee for the race, parking, coach transport and GPS tracking is £80. No finish meal is provided; food is available at the onsite cafe and nearby businesses. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
