Brecon to Cardiff Xtreme

Brecon to Cardiff Xtreme and Taff Xtreme Marathon

The event on 14 February 2027 offers mountain trail races across South Wales with long climbs, remote terrain and required navigation skills. Distances offered include:

• 47.5 miles with 11 summits and about 2,680 m of ascent
• 26.2 miles from Merthyr to Cardiff with about 1,300 m of ascent

The Xtreme route starts at the canal basin in Brecon and crosses the Brecon Beacons, summiting Pen y Fan, Cribyn and Fan y Big, then descends via the Roman Road to Lower Neuadd Reservoir. The course passes Twyn Mwyalchod trig, Pontsticill, Merthyr Tydfil (halfway indoor aid station and drop bag access), the saddle of Mynydd Aberdare, the Cynon Valley, the Glamorgan Way and the St Gwynno and Llanwonno Forests, before rejoining the classic route near Pontypridd and finishing at Coleg y Cymoedd.

The route is unmarked and navigation uses a GPS trace. Organisers advise a primary GPS device and a phone backup app. There are six manned checkpoints on the Xtreme and three on the marathon, supplying water, sports drinks, squash, sweets, biscuits, oranges and crisps. Runners must carry a compulsory kit list.

The event base, registration and finish are at Coleg y Cymoedd, which provides parking, a cafe, indoor registration, toilets and changing rooms and is accessible from the A470 with nearby rail and bus links. The Xtreme includes coach transfer from the finish to the start; the marathon offers optional coach transport. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.