Ultra parking:

Parking for the Ultra is at the main visitor's centre in Dare Valley park. This is signposted (with council signs) from the town centre and can be reached up Monk Street, before turning right onto Highland Place. Follow the road into the park until you see signs to guide you to parking.
 
Trail Marathon parking:

Parking for the marathon race is at the North Lake car park off of Bwllfa Road CF44 8UH. This is reached from either Hiwaun Road (if you are coming from the North) or Cemetery Road (if you are coming from the South). Turning onto Cwmdare Road, before branching right onto Bwlfa Road.

Start Locations 

The Celtic Ultra and Marathon both start at Dare Valley park, right outside race HQ. 

The ultra starts at 0800
The marathon starts at 0900

Registration

Registration is at the following times at the event HQ in Dare Valley Park. Please note you can only register at these times as there are too many runners to register all at once.  Please do not try and register before your allotted time as you will be turned away.

Ultra Registration – 0630 - 0730

Marathon Registration – 0730 - 0830

There will be a kit check at registration, please make sure you come to registration with all your kit. At registration you will receive your race number with timing chip, emergency map & race buff. Pins will be available for your race number.

Please ensure you write your name, contact numbers and any medical information on the back of the number. If you pre-ordered a race t-shirt you can collect this at registration or after the race.

GPS Tracking

Trackers will be given out after registration; you will need your race number and race vest / backpack to collect yours. Live tracking will be available on the day, a link will be shared in the days leading up to the race.
 
Compulsory Kit

This is a winter race, and conditions can be harsh, therefore the compulsory kit which you are required to carry is very important. It is also worth highlighting that if you are running as a group or with friends and will be going slower than your usual pace, it is worth putting in an extra mid layer to help keep you warm. 

Please note that anyone who turns up without the kit will not receive a race number and will not be able to race. Anyone found to be running without kit will be disqualified - without exception. 

The kit on the list is required for all races and can be found at the following link:

Trail and Ultra Running in Wales (runwalkcrawl.co.uk) 

If you require some of the kit our event partners 'Up and Under' in Canton, Cardiff have a wide range of excellent running kit.  Up and Under. Running

GPS Device

Please remember you must carry 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.

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 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 at the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mabfbazF_8. 

PLEASE NOTE - If rain is forecast you should have a waterproof case / bag for your phone as the screen will not work in wet conditions. This means navigation and phoning could be impossible.

Cupless

To minimise plastic usage the race is ‘cupless’.  This means that there will be no cups at any checkpoints and you will have to supply your own cup (or use one of your water bottles) to take on drinks at the checkpoints. 

Footwear

For this event we would recommend footwear suitable for forest trails and some mud! Depending on the weather then some parts could be very wet and slippery, especially the final decent into Dare Valley park.

Post Race

If you are travelling a long way after the race please consider staying over locally and please do not drive when tired.

We recommend leaving a small kit bag at the finish line (in the registration room) with a warm jacket and change of clothes. The main medical issue we see in all our winter races is competitors finishing the race then sitting down and becoming hypothermic. Clothes wet from sweat or rain and a sudden drop in core temperature from stopping exercise means you can quickly become hypothermic and end up in one of our arctic sleeping bags. The best way to avoid this is to immediately change once you finish.  You should remove all wet / damp clothes and put on warm and dry layers and a hat as quickly as possible. Secure storage will be available at the race HQ for your finish line bags.

Competitors

Entrants must be in a fit and healthy condition to be able to complete the distance within the given time periods and cut-off times. You will be required to carry the compulsory kit list, including food and water for duration of the event. You should ensure you have performed the appropriate training and be able to competently look after yourself in the mountain / outdoor environment.
 
Checkpoint Locations and Approximate Distances

Ultramarathon Checkpoints

CP1 Llwest-wen 3.2miles / 700ft

CP2 Rhigos 6.5milers / 1380ft

CP3 Glyncorrwg 12miles / 1750ft

CP4 Resolven 20miles / 2800ft (cut off 1330)

CP5 Bryn Llydan 23.5miles / 4000ft (cut off 1500)

CP6 Rhigos 28miles / 4700ft (cut off 1630)

CP7 Llwest-wen 31miles / 4800ft (cut off 1730)

(distance in miles / ascent in feet)

Trail Marathon Checkpoints

CP1 Llwest-wen 3.2miles / 700ft

CP2 Rhigos 6.5milers / 1380ft

CP3 Glyncorrwg 12miles / 1750ft

CP4 Bryn Llydan 16.5miles / 2800ft (cut off 1500)

CP5 Rhigos 21miles / 3400ft (cut off 1630)

CP6 Llwest-wen 24miles / 3500ft (cut off 1730)

(distance in miles / ascent in feet)

Checkpoint Supplies   

Water will be at each checkpoint. As is standard in trail races and as per your compulsory kit you will be required to fill up your water bottle. There will not be any plastic cups for water, and you must bring your own or use your water bottle. Please note: as in previous years CP1 and 7 on the ultra, CP1 and 6 on the marathon are remote checkpoints acting as a safety point in order to check runners out and in on the course and will have basic supplies (sweets and some water). 
 

At all other checkpoints you can expect a mixture of energy drink, squash, sweets, biscuits, oranges, crisps and sandwiches. If you would like anything else to eat, or if you have specific dietary requirements, then we advise that you carry it with you.
 
Please note, checkpoints are there to safely record your progress around the course and provide assistance to runners as necessary. Energy products provided are there to support and supplement your own in race nutrition strategy. You should ensure you have sufficient high energy food / drink available for your intended time on the course.

Cut-off Points  

There are several cut off points on the course shown above. If you do not make it to these checkpoints within the time limits, you will be timed out. If you are timed out from the course you will be unable to continue, please accept this is for your safety and that of other runners as our first aiders, safety team and marshals must move along the course. For the avoidance of doubt: medals will only be awarded to competitors who finish the course they started in the time allocated for that course.

Navigation 

The route will be marked with a combination of running arrows, orange reflective tape and running flags at each turning or junction. Keep your eyes peeled for markings especially at junctions and turnings along the route. You will be provided with a basic map that shows the route which is intended for use in emergency purposes or if you lose the route. 
 
In addition, you should keep an eye on your gps trace which will also help ensure you stay on track.  If in doubt, stop and check your gps or map or wait for another runner. If you have lost the route retrace your steps to the last marker, or call the RWC number on the map and we will guide you back onto it. Phone signal is mixed throughout the route so you may need to retrace your steps to the last sign or an area of signal and sometimes an internet call is best. 

If you do become disorientated, cannot find a marker and you are not in phone signal, use your compass to continue in the same direction. It is easy to spend time walking in circles and get further disorientated. Alternatively, you can use your whistle - 6 short blasts then repeat every minute until help arrives (the same signals can be performed with your torch). Stay on a visible and obvious track one that a vehicle can use rather than a single-track path - we have safety teams in vehicles who will be driving around the forests. Ensure you keep warm, eat some food and we will come and find you.

Final Route and GPS File 

Please ensure you download the latest and current gps route. The route is different to previous years so do not try to follow a previous version of the route. The routes on the website are up to date, current and can be downloaded from the Mapometer site. They are available on the links at the bottom of the event website page and can also be found by clicking on the link below: 

Ultra route

Marathon route

Please note there have been some reported problems for iPhone users viewing the map.  If this is the case, please try a PC / tablet or different browser.

Route Considerations    

Please be very cautious when crossing or running on roads and always follow the highway code. It is your responsibility to cross all roads safely and sensibly. 

For all races, there is a major and busy road to cross at the top of the Rhigos. This is crossed twice by the Ultra and Marathon runners just after CP2 and before CP6 (ultra) and CP5 (marathon). Please cross with caution. It is your responsibility to stop, look and make sure it is safe to cross! 

Please also be vigilant of illegal motorbikes and 4x4 vehicles which are sometimes on the route. Please give way to them and move to the side. Also be aware of mountain bikers, including fast moving electric bikes. 

Race Retirements  

If you have to retire on the day, please make your way to the nearest checkpoint.  Please do not retire or leave the course without informing a race official and texting your name and race number to the race directors (the phone number is found on the map extracts).

General Considerations

The forests where the race is held can be a hostile environment. You should be comfortable in this environment and be able to make appropriate decisions to keep yourself safe. This includes following the advertised route and markings, carrying and using appropriate kit, and fuelling and hydrating at the appropriate rate.
 
Please do not put yourself, other competitors, or the race team, in unnecessary danger.
 
Please always follow the countryside code: Always close gates behind you, be careful around livestock, take any litter with you (there will be bins at each checkpoint).

On entering the event you are accepting that you are capable and self-sufficient, and understand the extreme nature of the event. Please ensure you have read the section on self-sufficiency on our T&C's website page available at the following link: Trail and Ultra Running in Wales (runwalkcrawl.co.uk)   

Further Questions

The Run Walk Crawl Community Facebook page is an excellent place to get advice on things like nutrition, terrain, footwear and kit from other experienced participants. The FAQ page on the website is available at the following link: Trail and Ultra Running in Wales (runwalkcrawl.co.uk).

We look forward to seeing you soon and welcoming you to South Wales. 

The Run Walk Crawl Team