The Black Beacon Mountain races are epic long distance running races crossing the Brecon Beacons National Park from North to South. There are 4 race distances to choose from; a 21 mile mountain trail race starting in Brecon, a 32 mile (50k) mountain trail race (UltraBach) starting in Llangynidir, a 50 mile mountain ultramarathon starting at 11pm on Friday night in Hay-on-wye AND a 100 mile mountain ultramarathon. All races finish in Pontneddfechen at the Southern edge of the Brecon Beacons National park.

The Route
The 100 mile Black Beacon race is a gruelling out and back traverse of the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains and is one of the worlds toughest ultramarathons. Participants start at the Southern tip of the national park, initially following some amazing trails through ‘waterfall country’, before gaining Fan Llia and conquering the amazing rollercoaster of mountains which transverse the Brecon Beacons and Black mountains. The first half of the race culminates in the Market town of Hay-on wye at the Northern tip of the national park, before participants turn around and retrace their steps back across to waterfall country, Pontneddfechen and the race finish. This challenge should not be underestimated – it is tough, there is a lot of ‘vert’ (7,500m) and it is only suitable for the hardiest mountain goats! However, the trails are fast and not overly technical, the navigation is relatively straight forwards and the scenery is spectacular.

The Black Beacon 50 mile route is another tough challenge which includes over 3750m of ascent and starts at 10pm on the Friday night in the Market town of Hay-on-Wye at the Northern end of the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains range. The route heads straight up Hay Bluff into the Black Mountains and the darkness of night. A dramatic high-level ridgeline traverse over mountain summits follows, set against the backdrop of stars and the lights of the small villages before dropping down to Llangynidir and the start of the Ultra Bach race.

The 32 mile Ultra bach route is not an easy option either, with 2400m ascent! The race starts in the small village of Llangynidr at the Northern boundary of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The route heads out (and over) the central Brecon Beacons with some excellent ridgetop running. The first summit is Tor Y Foel followed by a stunning climb past waterfalls to the top of Craig Y Fan Ddu. For the 50 mile runners you will be rewarded with breath taking views as the sun rises over the mountains. However, the main Beacons range now lies in wait with the climbs of Fan Y Big, Crybyn and Pen Y Fan in quick succession!