The 100 mile Black Beacon race is a gruelling out and back traverse of the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains and is one of the worlds toughest ultramarathons. Participants start at the Southern tip of the national park, initially following some amazing trails through ‘waterfall country’, before the first climbs of Fan Llia, Fan Dringarth and Fan Fawr.
From here the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains await and an amazing rollercoaster of peaks – Corn Ddu, Pen Y Fan, Fan Y Big, Crybyn, Tor Y Foel, Cefn Moel, Mynydd Langorse, Mynydd Troed, Y Grib, Rhos Dirion, Twmpa, and finally Hay Bluff that will add up to 3750 metres of ascent on the first leg on the race.
The halfway point is the Market town of Hay-on wye at the Northern tip of the national park where there is a chance for a short short rest and refuel before participants turn around and head back up Hay Bluff.
The same series of peaks and descents are waiting for you as you head back to waterfall country, Pontneddfechen and the race finish after 100 miles and 7500 metres of ascent. This challenge should not be underestimated – it is tough and suitable for only the hardiest mountain goats!
However, the trails are fast and not overly technical, the navigation is relatively straight forwards and the scenery is spectacular. The only question is, do you have what it takes to make it out and back in the 38 hour time limit…

Ultra X 50 Madeira
Ultra X 50 Madeira is a single-stage ultramarathon that takes place in and around Madeira. Madeira is an autonomous Portuguese island and the largest and