OTT Ultra Marathon
Merthyr Tydfil, United Kingdom • 1 Nov 2025
Event overview
The OTT Ultra is a 30-mile trail ultra held in the Brecon Beacons with the start and finish in Merthyr Tydfil. The event date is Saturday 1st November 2025. Entry is restricted to adults aged 18 or older. Entry fees are £60 for affiliated/UKA members and £62 for non-members. The field is limited (200 entries) and the race is chip timed. The event is organised with marked course and aid stations.
Course, checkpoints and kit
The route follows the Taff Trail and trails alongside the River Taff, passes the Beacons Reservoir, crosses the A470 and climbs to the summit of Pen y Fan (886 m). The route includes a descent via Jacob's Ladder, the Roman Road to Torpantau, forestry tracks by Dolygaer and Pontsticill Reservoir, and a return through Taff Fechan Nature Reserve. Total elevation gain is about 3,750 ft (1,143 m).
There are five checkpoints: Cwm Cadlen Road crossing (6 miles), Pont yr Daf car park (13 miles), a check-in/check-out only point at the Pen y Fan summit, Torpantau Train Station (about 19.5 miles) and Ffynnondwyn on the Taff Trail (26 miles). A 6-hour cutoff applies at checkpoint 3 (around 19.5 miles), which requires an average pace of about 20 minutes per mile. Compulsory kit includes a charged mobile phone, minimum 1 litre hydration, foil blanket or bivi bag, 400 kcal emergency rations, basic first aid, head torch, whistle, waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layer, hat and gloves, and a bag or rucksack. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.