Black Beacon Mountain Races
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Black Beacon Mountain Races
The Black Beacon Mountain Races are a series of mountain trail races that cross the Black Mountains and Bannau Brycheiniog National Parks from south to north. The event offers multiple race distances with significant ascent and set time limits:
- Black Beacon 100, 100 miles, +7500 m ascent, 42 hour limit
- Black Beacon 50, 50 miles, +3750 m ascent, 24 hour limit
- Black Beacon Ultra Bach, 50 km, +2200 m ascent, 14 hour limit
- Black Beacon Trail Race, 21 miles, +1200 m ascent, 12 hour limit
The 100 mile is an out and back traverse between Hay on Wye and Pontneddfechen crossing about 44 summits. The 50 mile and 50 km are south to north crossings that pass through waterfall country, forest trails, mountain summits such as Fan Llia, Fan Fawr, Corn Du and Pen y Fan, and high ridgelines with long descents to reservoirs and villages. The 21 mile trail starts in Llangynidir and follows high level ridgelines back to Hay on Wye, including the final high point at Hay Bluff.
Navigation differs by race: most shorter routes are waymarked at major junctions and require following a GPS trace and markers, while the 100 mile is unmarked for the first half and relies on the published GPS trace for the outbound leg. Compulsory kit including a backup map or GPS device is required. Checkpoint provision varies by distance, with drop bag options for longer races. Event bases and finish locations are at Cusop Hall Hay on Wye and Llangynidir village hall; parking and limited camping are available. Entry fees cover checkpoints, safety teams, medical cover, GPS files, tracking and race photography. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
