The Brecon to Cardiff Xtreme, is the mountain running version of our classic Brecon to Cardiff ultramarathon which is now in its 13th year. The route is a 48 mile linear race over 11 peaks and high points between Brecon and Cardiff. This is a tough winter ultra marathon with approximately 2680 meters of ascent and is only suitable for those with excellent winter mountain running skills, experience and fitness. The event sold out in both 2024 and 2025 and places are limited.
Starting at the canal basin in Brecon the Xtreme heads through the old town then straight to the top of Pen Y Fan - the highest peak in South Britain. This is followed by steep climbs up Cribyn and Fan Y Big, before a fast descent down the Roman road takes you to lower Neuadd reservoir. Another short but steep climb reaches the Twyn Mwyalchod trig point, and is followed by a long descent into the 'bog of doom', towards Pontsticilli. Here the Xtreme and Classic B2C routes briefly converge with some faster forestry running over more rolling hills, before gaining the halfway checkpoint in Merthyr College.
Now clear of the national park, the Classic B2C course rolls gently downhill to the finish, but the Xtreme still has approximately half the elevation to conquer! From the halfway checkpoint it is up again, over the saddle on Mynedd Aberdare which runs alongside the Gethin woodlands, followed by a fast descent and crossing of the Cynon Valley. The route then joins the waymarked Glamorgan Way trail with a steep climb up towards Carn y Pigwn in the stunning St Gwynno and Llanwonno forestry complex leading to checkpoint 5 is by St Gwynno Church, the resting place of Welsh legendary runner Guto Nyth Brân. After the long rolling descent of Pen y Foel, the route converges again with the B2C Classic runners and a short section along the banks of the river Taff which takes you to the final checkpoint - Pontypridd home of the another Welsh running legend and the Honky Tronk café! Here you can stock up on food, Welsh hospitality and Tom Jones songs before heading out into the last section of the course. With the end nearly in sight, the Xtreme runners head up and over Cefn Eglwysilan before the fast drop down into the finish and the wonderful welcome at the Coleg Y Cymoedd.
As the route is linear competitors park at the finish and are transported by coach, to the start in Brecon. Coach transports is included with the entry fee.
Race Day Schedule
Saturday
1700-2000 Registration in Nantgarw
Sunday
0530 Bus pick up from Nantgarw and travel to Brecon
0615-0630 Registration in Brecon (only available if pre-booked*)
0620 Bus arrives in Brecon
0650 Race brief at Theatre
0700 Race start from Brecon
2200 Cut off time in Nantgarw
*Please note there is no registration on Sunday morning in Nantgarw.
If you would like to register in Brecon you can book this by e-mail. You will receive a pre-race email letting you know when to do this - please don't e-mail before this date as they will need to be re-sent.
Compulsory Kit
- Rucksack or suitable means to carry kit
- Waterproof jacket (with taped seams)
- Waterproof trousers (with taped seams)
- Upper body long sleeve thermal mid layer (warm) top minimum weight 300g or 2 lighter tops totalling over 300g*
- Lower body base layer or running leggings
- Warm hat or buff
- Head torch
- Gloves
- Whistle
- Compass (a watch or phone compass is acceptable)
- Appropriate trail running footwear with adequate grip for slippery off road conditions
- Foil survival blanket or foil bivy bag
- Small first aid kit to include: blister plasters, sterile dressing and bandage or tape
- Mobile phone
- Emergency map (provided)
- Water bottle 500ml minimum and/or cup for drinks at checkpoints
- Appropriate food / energy products for your expected time for the event
- A device with the GPS route on it** (This may be a phone app, gps watch, or handheld gps unit). The device must have sufficient battery life to last the event.
- Open tracking GPS Tracker (provided)
- Advisory / Optional Kit
- Thermal and or fleece top (in addition to compulsory long sleeve top)
- Lower body base layer or trousers
- Hydration tablets or similar
- Money
- Ice spikes / running crampons
- Running poles
- Sunglasses
- Sun cream
- Additional food or energy products specific to your taste.
Notes
*You must carry either two additional standard Base layers (combined weight >300g) or a thicker synthetic mid-layer such as fleece or primaloft top with a minimum weight of 300g. This is additional to what you start the race in.
**Many runners will already have a gps watch that displays the route. If you don't own a gps watch, the simplest way to have the gps file available to view is to use a phone app. There are several phone apps available, and we recommend the OutDoors GPS app from ordnance survey. This app gives you a map and gps dot which identifies your location, and you can download the route onto it. It is really useful if you mistakenly miss a sign or come off the route or if you intend on recceing some of the course. A short tutorial explaining how to use and download the route onto the outdoor gps app is available here
Checkpoints & Drop Bags
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Navigation
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Travel & Accomodation
Car - If you are coming by car, Nantgarw is easy to reach by following the M4 West into Wales. Leave the M4 at Junction 32 to follow the A470. Leave the A470 following signs to 'Treforest Industrial Estate'. To College is directly ahead. Parking is in several large car parks around the college and is included in the race fee.
Train – The closest train staion is Treforest.
From here is is a short walk to the event HQ, signposted from the station. Trins run on a Sunday, but you can plan your journey using the Trainline website: Trainline
Staying in Cardiff / the local area
As you would expect for a capital city there are many places to stay – Air B&B, hostels, B&Bs and hotels. The choice is yours! These are all then a short drive / taxi ride to the start. However, you may appreciate one that is close to the finish so you can stagger just a short distance before you rest. The closest hotels to the finish are:
Travelodge Carephilly
At the top of the hill overlooking Nantgarw
1 Beddau Way, Caerphilly CF83 2AX
08719846364
Website
Travelodge M4
One junction along the M4 from where you leave for the A470
Moto Service Area, M4 Motorway, Cardiff CF72 8SA
08719846226
Website
Village Hotel
Around 5 miles away just off the A470 / M4 junction
29 Pendwyallt Road, Cardiff, CF14 7EF
0292 1671120
Website
Premier Inn Caerphilly (Crossways)
In Caerphilly, a short drive from the finish
Crossways Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3NL
03337773974
Website
Premier Inn Caerphilly (Corbetts Lane)
Also in Caerphilly and surprisingly close to the other Premier Inn
Corbetts Ln, Pwllypant, Llanbradach, Caerphilly CF83 3HX
03337773973
Website
Supporter Information
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FAQs
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Cancellations, Transfers & Terms
Cancellations
If competitors withdraw prior to the event, the following costs are incurred:
5 months before the event, 75% of entry fee will be refunded OR you can transfer the remaining cost (75% of entry fee) off a different event.
2 months before the event, 50% of entry fee will be refunded OR you can transfer the remaining cost (50% of entry fee) to a different race.
Your deferral or refund will be processed within 30 days of initial e-mail.
1 month before the event, no refunds or Transfers to another race are available.
Ttransfers
You can transfer your place to another participant until two weeks prior to the race day, but you must contact us first and follow the instructions we provide. Any transfers without our consent will not be honoured.
General Terms
Please do not enter any event unless you agree to take full responsibility for your own health, fitness and well-being whilst out on the route and agree to our terms and conditions.
For distance races you must be able to navigate the route and have experience / intend to gain experience of night navigation (if required).
Competitors must read carefully all of the information provided on the Run Walk Crawl website, including kit lists, route details and safety information.
Competitors should not take part in the event if they are knowingly under prepared, have an undisclosed medical condition or current medical illness (eg: chest infection) or any other condition which may compromise their safety.
All details provided by competitors must be accurate at time of entry. Any changes to personal or medical details must be notified to the event organisers by email. before the start of the race.
If you are unable to attend the race please let the organisers know only via e-mail. Please note Facebook messenger or calling via telephone are not an accepted method of cancelling or deferring entry.
Your deferral or refund will be processed within 30 days of initial e-mail.
Competitors must follow the rules and regulations of the event as outlined by the organising team.
If the organisers are forced to cancel the event for any reason, a new date will be established and all entries will be carried forwards. If no alternative date is available, all entries will be carried forwards to the next year.
Entrants should always act in a manner which ensures minimal impact upon the environment, event route and local inhabitants. These include but are not limited to:
Leaving no litter
Closing gates
Acting responsibly around livestock
Being quiet when travelling through villages at night
Keeping to marked paths
Any entrant not acting in this manner, either during or before the event, will be disqualified and their entry fee will not be refunded.
Officials also reserve the right to withdraw a participant from the event if they deem that it is unsafe for them to continue.
Self-sufficiency
All our events are self-sufficient which means participants complete the course carrying compulsory kit, following the route (details below), and being responsible for themselves and there safety. This is standard practice in these types of ultra-running, trail running, walking and fell running events. The organisers will provide additional safety cover, aid stations / checkpoints, to help you complete the challenge.
Participants must be aware of and look out for traffic and road crossings, general members of the public, other path or road users, as well as livestock, dogs and bikes. It is your responsibility to keep yourself safe whilst following the route. You must pay reasonable attention to your safety on the paths, mountains, cliff edges and roads. You must give way to other path users and keep to single file when paths are narrow, busy or when instructed to by marshals.
Marshals will be on the course at checkpoints, and generally around the start areas. In addition there will be a first aid and safety team monitoring the course. There will not be marshals every couple of hundred meters on the course. Some sections of the courses may be exposed and you could not see another person on it! This is one of the great reasons to do this type of event. However, if you are NOT completely confident with this style of event you should not enter!
Abuse of marshals is unacceptable. Any participant guilty of this will be immediately withdrwan from the race.
You should be familiar with the serious disabling consequences of hypothermia, dehydration and heat exhaustion and act appropriately during the race. You should also take appropriate action to avoid getting into the above situations which increases the risk of the above occurring.
You must take note of the length and severity of the race and local weather forecast for the day and judge their capabilities accordingly. If the weather forecast is particularly bad then you should add additional kit (for example warmer clothing) based on your ability. Remember the compulsory kit is just the minimum required! You may need more.
Take reasonable care not to create hazards that may cause harm to other people and support anyone in need of assistance, even if it means abandoning their race.
By entering the event you are agreeing to take responsibility for your actions and that you are competent to participate in such an event.
Checkpoints and Cut-Offs
You must report to each checkpoint and ensure your race number is recorded by the marshal.
All checkpoints have a strictly enforced cut-off. The cut-offs have been determined by the organizers to allow you to complete the event in the allotted time. They are there to ensure the safety of all participants and marshals. They are necessary so our resources especially first aiders and safety marshals are able to be in the correct positions for competitors. Any participant that has not departed the Check Point by the cut-off time will be retired from the event.
Retirements & Repatriation
The support team and organizers will be doing everything we can to get every competitor to the finish line. If participants need to retire at any other location (other than a checkpoint) it is critical that they communicate this to the Race Director urgently as per the emergency instruction printed on the map.
Unless it is a major emergency you should make yourself comfortable using your safety kit and find shelter. If you are safe and not a major medical emergency then you may have to wait some time before a marshal can pick you up. We would strongly advise competitors to carry sufficient money so that they could get a taxi just in case.
Compulsory Kit
Having the right kit could be essential for yours or other competitor’s safety during the event. We have also made certain undertakings on behalf of the competitors to landowners and authorities about what safety kit competitors will be carrying. There will be kit checks during the event and at the finish line. There will be random kit checks for many competitors. The leading runners can expect a kit check at the end of the race! Competitors found to be missing mandatory items can expect to be disqualified from the event. If you have any questions about the acceptability of your kit please do not hesitate to contact us.
You agree to carry sufficient kit, e.g. body and leg cover which gives protection from the effects of wind chill and, rain and safety equipment, (including food and drink) throughout the race to be able to provide protection from hypothermia, or dehydration and heat in the worst foreseeable weather conditions during the race, noting that rescue could take a long time.
Factors including weather and terrain mean that these style of races takes place in a hazardous environment. Competitors must have appropriate experience in the conditions that may be encountered so that they can manage their own safety.
The Race Organisers have a duty of care to competitors in their race, however competitors must accept that race monitoring arrangements, e.g. marshals and checkpoint recording are primarily designed to ensure ‘fair competition’ and must not be considered a ‘safety net’. A competitor enters a race on the understanding that they are responsible for their own safety. The competitor must obey all instructions from the organisers and officials but must equip and conduct themselves as though they were unsupported for the duration of the race.
Once registered you are ‘in’ the race. If you retire from the race you must text or phone the race number printed on the map, and let the next checkpoint know. This is a check to ensure everyone is safe at the end of the event. If you fail to do this you will be held responsible for us contacting mountain rescue and the police as a missing person and be liable for any charges!
Participants must not drop litter and must deposit litter in bins provided at the checkpoints and finish. Anyone caught dropping litter will instantly be disqualified.