Rasus y Bannau

Rasus y Bannau

Rasus y Bannau comprises three long distance mountain trail running races that start and finish in Brecon and follow circular routes through the Bannau Brycheiniog Brecon Beacons National Park. The courses follow ridgelines, established mountain trails and footpaths and use a combination of route markings and a published GPS trace for navigation.

Choose from these distances:

• 100Km Ultra: 64 miles / 104 km / +5,100m ascent
• 40 mile Ultra: 40 miles / 65 km / +2,850m ascent
• Marathon: 26.5 miles / 65 km / +2,000m ascent

All races leave Brecon and climb onto the north ridge of Cribyn, then head east to Fan y Big and along a ridgeline towards Carn Pica. The Marathon and 40 mile routes turn toward Blaen y Glyn and Torpantau. The 100 km route descends to Talybont Reservoir and climbs Tor y Foel, then follows sections that include the Blaen y Glyn waterfall complex and Craig y Fan Ddu.

From Torpantau the routes pass through Taf Fechan Forest, cross an old dam, climb Cefn Cul and Craig Gwaun Taf, then drop to Pont ar Daf where the Marathon climbs Corn Du and Pen y Fan before returning to Brecon. Ultra routes continue west across Fan Fawr and Fan Llia with the 100 km extending into the Black Mountain and later rejoining the 40 mile line above Craig Cerrig Gleisiad. Ultra runners reach the summit of Pen y Fan before descending to the finish in Brecon.

There are checkpoints along each course: seven for the 100 km, five for the 40 mile race and four for the marathon. Checkpoints provide water, refreshments and a range of foods. A drop bag is available for 100 km runners at CP5 Glyntawe. A compulsory kit list must be carried and participants are expected to be able to navigate with GPS and look after themselves in mountain conditions. Entry fees include checkpoints, finishers medal, GPS tracking, mountain safety cover, electronic timing, route markings and race photography. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.