HOWL Trail
HOWL Trail is a trail running event using the final sections of the 141-mile Heart of Wales Line route that runs from Llanelli, Powys to Craven Arms, Shropshire. The event offers three race distances and finishes at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms.
Distances:
- 50 miles
- 26 miles
- 16 miles
Each distance has a separate registration location. Baggage can be dropped at registration and will be transported to the finish line at the Discovery Centre. Parking is available at the finish; a £5 parking charge applies to support the Discovery Centre.
Course support and checkpoints differ by distance. The 50-mile race has two manned checkpoints at Llanbister Rd railway halt (about 15 miles) and Bucknell Primary School (about 19 miles). The 26-mile race has one manned checkpoint at Bucknell (about 8 miles). The 16-mile race has no manned checkpoints along the route.
Age limits are specified by course: HOWL50 and HOWL26 are for ages 18 to 98, HOWL16 is for ages 17 to 98; the overall event minimum age is 16. The organiser publishes estimated durations for walking and running on each course. Train services link Craven Arms with the start locations for those who wish to travel by rail.
Entries open 1 June 2026 and close 22 May 2027. Entry fees are stated per distance. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
HOWL50 (Llandrindod Wells)
This 50 mile route will appeal to runners and walkers that are either looking for a great introduction to ultra distance events or athletes that are already established ultra runners, and are looking to test themselves on a relatively fast hilly course. With an estimated walk time of 12-24 hours and run time of 8 - 15 hours, this promises to be an adventure worth remembering.
Registration for this distance will be at the Lakeside Cafe, Princes Ave, Llandrindod Wells LD1 5HU. Registration will take place between 0730 - 0830, with the race brief at 0845 and race start at 0900.
Parking is available at the finish line at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, School Road, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 9RS. The Discovery Centre is a charity, and as such cars parked here will be charged £5, all of which will go to support the Centre.
The Heart Of Wales Line train leaves from Craven Arms Station at 0622, so if you are catching the train from here to the start we suggest arriving at the Discovery Centre by 0545, parking and then walking the half mile (15 mins) to the train station at Station Crescent, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 9RR.
The 0622 train arrives at Llandrindod Wells at 0727 (65 mins) and is then a further 0.2 miles (6 mins) walk to the Albert Hall. Alternatively you are welcome to make your own arrangements to get to the registration / start point.
There will be a baggage drop at the registration point. Your baggage will be transported to the finish line at the Discovery Centre after you have started your race.
Checkpoints: there will be two manned checkpoints between Llandrindod Wells and Craven Arms. CP1 at Llanbister Rd railway halt (15 miles) and CP2 in Bucknell Primary School (19 miles) leaving a final 16-mile leg to the finish.