Brecon to Cardiff Classic

Brecon to Cardiff Ultra : Brecon Beacons to Nantgarw

The Brecon to Cardiff Ultra is a 43 mile, fully marked point to point race that follows the Taff River and the Taff Trail from the Bannau Brycheiniog Brecon Beacons National Park to the Nantgarw area on the outskirts of Cardiff. The event is in its 13th year and is organised as a linear route with coach transport from the finish to the start.

The route moves from upland country through waterfalls, reservoirs and mountain scenery into a valley shaped by Wales’s industrial past. Runners pass Pontsticill Reservoir, the Brecon Mountain Railway, Merthyr Tydfil town features including the Cefn Coed Viaduct and Cyfarthfa Castle, the Aberfan memorial area, and finish at Coleg y Cymoedd in Nantgarw.

Surface and navigation details are provided: the first 30 km are mainly footpaths and forestry trails, and from Merthyr the route follows an off road cycle path, largely tarmac. The course uses former railway and canal corridors and is waymarked with running arrows, orange tape and flags; Taff Trail signposts are also used. Competitors must carry a device with the GPS route loaded and will be given a basic marked map. A drop bag station and indoor halfway checkpoint are located at Merthyr, allowing kit and shoe changes.

Logistics note: the event base, registration and finish is at Coleg y Cymoedd, which provides parking, a cafe, indoor registration area, toilets, changing rooms and showers. A compulsory kit list applies and the event has a 14 hour time limit. Entry fee information and what is included are published by the organiser. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.