MTC Y Draig Goch

The Route

The MTC Y Draig Goch is a 34.8-mile (approximately 35-mile) ultra run. The route starts at the Travelodge in Merthyr Tydfil and follows National Cycle Route 8 all the way to Cardiff. The course then continues to the finish line at Marco's Cafe on Barry Island.

Race Details

The event takes place on 19 April 2026. Entry is limited to 20 participants for this race, with an additional 20 spaces for those taking part in the larger MTC CYMRUN multi-day challenge, bringing the maximum total to 40. It is a quadrennial event, meaning it is held once every four years; the next one after 2026 is scheduled for 2030.

It is also Day 6 of the six-day MTC CYMRUN endurance challenge across Wales. The route features three checkpoints at Cilfynydd, Taff's Wells, and the Taff Embankment. Organisers enforce a minimum average pace requirement of 4 mph; participants who fall below this speed may be withdrawn.

Logistics and Rules

Participants must carry a mandatory kit list, which includes a backpack, head torch with spare batteries, route maps (provided before the event), a compass or GPS device, a whistle, a mobile phone, an emergency food pack, and a basic first aid kit. The race is cup-free, meaning runners must bring their own reusable cup for refreshments at checkpoints. Checkpoint food typically includes items like malt loaf, sandwiches, sweets, squash, cola, and water.

All finishers receive a Y Draig Goch medal, and trophies are awarded to the male and female champions. An optional upgraded entry includes an official race t-shirt and a hi-viz jacket. Entry fees are non-refundable, though a deferral option to the following year is available for a fee if requested at least four weeks before the event date. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.