Trail and Ultra Running in Wales

Black Beacon Mountain Races Compulsory Kit 2026

If you have kit questions or would like to purchase kit please contact our event partners at Up and Under Outdoor, Cowbridge Rd, Cardiff who are very experienced and will offer excellent advice.

Compulsory Kit for all races are as follows;

• Rucksack or suitable means to carry kit

• Waterproof jacket (with taped seams) suitable for the conditions

• Waterproof trousers (with taped seams) suitable for the conditions

• Upper body long sleeve synthetic layer with a minimum weight of 300g *

• Upper body long sleeve base later (must be long sleeve so arm warmers are not acceptable as the spare layer but you may use them as part of your starting layers) *

• Lower body base layer or leggings (must be full length so calf guards and 3/4 trousers are not acceptable as the spare layer but you may use them as your starting layer) *

• Plastic bags or dry bag to keep your spare base layers and synthetic mid-layer dry

• Warm hat

• Gloves which are warm and waterproof - this may be one set which is warm and waterproof or a warm glove and a waterproof over glove.

• Head torch with spare batteries.

• Spare emergency torch (emergency petzl elite, bindi or similar is acceptable. Mobile phone or watch lights are not)

• Whistle (Note: the SOS signal is 6 short blasts on the whistle repeated every minute until help arrives. The same signal can be performed with torch flashes)

• Compass (a 'real' compass is required for all Black Beacon events as it is a mountain race and if you are lost on the side of a mountain, in the dark and the clagg is down, then we can use it to help talk you back onto the route)

• Appropriate mountain running footwear with adequate grip for slippery conditions

• Foil bivvy bag (It must be a bag - a blanket is NOT accepted)

• Small first aid kit to include: blister plasters, sterile dressing and bandage or tape.

• Mobile phone that is kept charged and dry (put it in a waterproof bag such as a plastic sandwich bag)

• Emergency map (provided)

• Water bottle 1 litre minimum e.g. 2 x 500ml (1.5 - 2 litres is recommended for the main Central Brecon Beacons range on the long leg between the A470 CP and Talybont CP)

• Solid plastic cup suitable for hot drinks (in the interest of safety for our marshals and runners hot drinks will not be served into soft cups or soft flasks)

• Appropriate food and energy products for your expected time for the event

• Small red light attached to the back of your pack which you turn on during the night

• Emergency cash or card

• GPS device with the route on it. (This may be a watch, GPS handheld unit or mobile phone app). The device must have sufficient battery life to last for the total duration of the event- and spare batteries or power bank to charge the device are required suitable for the specific device. Please ensure you are able to use it and have tested it in a variety of conditions - including wet and windy.

• Open tracking GPS tracker (supplied)

*Base layers and mid-layers must be unworn at the start. For example, if you start in leggings or an upper body base layer you must carry a second set for emergency use. If you start in a mid-layer you must carry a spare for emergency use. Please note that for 2026 races onwards you are required to carry a synthetic mid-layer which is a single garment weighing 300g or more AND a long sleeve base-layer. The 300g weight is in a male medium so if you are using size small top it can be less than 300g but the male medium equivalent must be greater than 300g.

Your finish bag should contain a warm finishers jacket.

Any kit placed inside a drop bag should be inside a plastic bag or dry bag to keep the kit dry during transport.

Please also do not put any breakables in your drop bag.

Advisory Kit/Optional Kit

• Hydration tablets or similar

• Additional warm layers to keep you warm for the duration of the event

• Sunglasses, sun hat, sun cream

• Ski goggles if bad weather