Brecon to Cardiff Winter- FAQs
1)-Do I need to carry all the compulsory kit?
YES. You must carry or wear all the compulsory kit.
2)-I am in a team, do all team members need to carry all the compulsory kit?
YES all team members must carry the whole kit. This includes all of it... first aid kit, map, compass…all of it!
3)-Will there be a kit check?
Yes. You will be required to show a number of random items at an undisclosed location on the course.
All podium finishers will also be kit checked at the end.
4)-How hard is the navigation?
The route will be fully marked with a combination of running arrows, flags, tape, and the very good Taff Trail signs. You also receive a map with the route marked on it and there is a GPS file on the webpage which you can download.
5)- When will entries close?
Two weeks before the event or when if the event sells out.
6)- What are the entry limits?
500 entrants for the Ultra
7)- Is there a reserve list?
NO - There is no reserve list for the event. Once the entry limits have been reached there are no extra spaces available.
8)- Can I enter & pay on the day?
No, you must register using the online registration system at sientries system.
9)-I can’t do the event, can I have a refund or transfer to a different race?
As per our terms and conditions 'If competitors withdraw prior to the event, the following costs are incurred'
5 months before the event, 75% of entry fee will be refunded OR you can transfer the remaining cost (75% of entry fee) off a different event.
2 months before the event, 50% of entry fee will be refunded OR you can transfer the remaining cost (50% of entry fee) to a different race.
1 month before the event, no Refunds or Transfers to another race are available .
You can transfer your place to another participant until two weeks prior to the race day.
10)- I can’t race can I transfer my entry to a friend?
As per our terms and conditions. You can transfer your place up until 2 weeks before the event. After this date there is strictly no transfers available.
11)-Will I receive a medal for completing the event?
Yes you will receive a medal when you finish the challenge? For the avoidance of doubt, medals will only be awarded to participants who complete the full course within the allocated time limit of 12 hours.
12)- Can I walk the challenge?
Yes the race is open to runners and walkers that can maintain the pace to reach the cut off times.
There is a cut off time for the event of 12 hours. This might sound tough but that is only 3.5 mph or 17.08 minutes per mile. To put it another way at this speed you'd do the first 26 miles in 7 hours 25 minutes!!
13)- Are there cut off times and what happens if I miss the cut off times?
here are cut off times at various checkpoints.
If you miss the cut off times, then you will be retired from the event.
See Question 17 for Checkpoint information and cut off times.
14)- What is the terrain like and what type of trainers should I wear?
The first 30k is a mixture of canal footpath and forestry trails. The second half of the race is on cycle track tarmac so a road trainer would be best. A trail trainer would be best for the first half and a road trainer for the second half. Our recommended approach would be to start the race in Trail trainers, then change into road shoes at Merthyr Tydfil checkpoint where your drop bag would be waiting.
15)-What times do the buses leave and how do they work?
You park at the finish and the bus takes you to the start. You then run back to the finish. This is so that when you have finished your car is their ready for you.
PLEASE NOTE there is no transport provided from the finish after the race. Competitors will be expected to make their own way from the end of the race, or be picked up by friends / supporters. The coach leaves from Nantgarw for Brecon at 0615 please be at the car park with your race kit and ready to leave before this time.
Coach Transport is included for all participants.
16)- When will final event details be sent out?
All final event details will be sent out to the e-mail address you registered with 1 week before the event date.
All other information is found on the event webpage or in the FAQs above.
If you have not received the details please check your junk e-mail folders, and check your e-mail address you registered with is correct. If you still haven't received then then please e-mail or contact us.
We will also post the event details on the website, and facebook page one week before the event.
17)- Where are the Checkpoints and what is available?
The checkpoints will provide water to fill your bottles and a mixture of sweet and savoury treats. If you would like anything else to eat then we advise that you carry it with you. The checkpoints are at at the following distances.
Note the Cut Off Time is in brackets (race time / time of day)
1. 7 miles (2 hours/1000) Water, sweets, biscuits, bars, energy drink
2. 16 miles (4.5 hours/1230) Water, biscuits, crisps, fruit, energy drink, tea / coffee
3. 24.5 miles (7 hours/1500) Drop bags available here. Water, sweets, biscuits, crisps, fruit, energy drink
4. 30 miles (8.5 hours/1645) Water, sweets, biscuits, bars, fruit, energy drink
5. 37 miles (10.5 hours/1830) Water, sweets, biscuits, crisps, tea / coffee, sausage & chips
6. Finish (12 hours/2000)
Water will be at each checkpoint. As is standard in Ultras and as per your compulsory kit you will be required to fill up your water bottle. There will not be plastic cups for water.
A list of what will be at each checkpoint will be sent out with the final details. You can expect a mixture of energy drink, squash, sweets, biscuits, oranges, and crisps.
18)- Is there a drop bag facility?
Yes-We will transport one shoe (drop) bag from the start to the Merthyr Checkpoint at approximately 23miles, and then onwards to the finish. This should be a maximum size of a standard plastic shopping carrier bag (less than 10litres) or a shoe box size. You should be able to fit one change of shoes, maybe a change of t-shirt and socks and some energy products in. There is a maximum weight limit of 5kg. Ideally it should be waterproof and should not contain any valuable or breakable items. Most people would put a change of footwear in this drop bag, so you can run the second half of the course in road trainers.
Please note drop bags will be weighed and measured before being loaded onto the Van. In the interest of fairness and in consideration to our marshals, any bags to heavy or large will not be taken. You will have to carry them back!
19)- The GPS file does not open?
To access a gps file you will first need to save the relevant file to your computer. To do this right click on the download and choose 'save as' and save it to your computer. In order to view / use the file it will have to be imported onto a device that allows you to view & use it. Please Note-If you open the file on your computer it will appear blank / full of gibberish! It can only be viewed by importing it onto a gps device (eg Garmin Fenix, Suunto Ambit etc) or by viewing it using a computer program that will access the information.
20)- What time is registration?
There is a choice of two registration times:-
Registration is on Saturday afternoon from 1700-2000, and on Sunday at 0530-0600 at the following location,
aspire fitness
Coleg y Cymoedd
Heol Cronchendy
Parc Nantgarw
Nantgarw
CF15 7QX
Please Note all registration will be in Nantgarw at the above address and there is NO registration in Brecon unless you have pre-booked this by e-mail! Details of booking registration in Brecon will be sent out with the pre-event instructions- you will then be required to e-mail us with a booking reference. If you would like to register in Brecon you can book this by e-mail after you receive the event notes at the start of February. Please don't e-mail requesting to register in Brecon before this date as they will need to be re-sent in February.