Brecon to Cardiff Classic
The Brecon to Cardiff Ultra is a one-way, fully marked 70k race that follows the Taff Trail from Brecon to Nantgarw. Now in its 13th year, the event uses a linear route so competitors leave vehicles at the finish and are transported by coach to the start.
The route begins in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and passes waterfalls, reservoirs and sections of canal tow path. Runners follow the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal to Talybont on Usk, climb to Torpantu and then descend toward the finish. The course passes Pontsticill Reservoir, the Brecon Mountain Railway, Merthyr with views of Cefn Coed Viaduct and Cyfarthfa Castle, Aberfan and its memorial, Pontypridd and finishes at Nantgarw. The first 30k is mainly footpath and forestry trails and from Merthyr the route follows an off road cycle path to the finish. Parts of the trail make use of former Taff Vale Railway and Glamorganshire Canal corridors.
The event base at Coleg y Cymoedd provides parking, a café, an indoor registration area, toilets, changing rooms and showers. Entry includes bus transport from Cardiff to Brecon on race morning, electronic timing, live GPS tracking and mapping, well stocked checkpoints, halfway drop bag transport at Merthyr CP, a finishers medal for finishers only, first aid cover, free event photos and free car parking at the finish. The location is accessible from the A470 and is one junction from the M4 and there are local hotels and public transport links to Cardiff. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
What is included?
- Bus transport from Cardiff to Brecon on Sunday morning
- Electronic timing
- Live GPS tracking and map for friends and family to follow from Open Tracking
- Open Tracking live mapping at race finish and halfway point
- Checkpoints well stocked with refreshments
- Half way drop bag transport (at the Merthyr CP)
- Finishers medal (strictly for finishers only)
- Emergency first aid and first responder cover
- Free event photos
- Free car parking at the finish in Cardiff
- Welsh weather!