The Black Beacon trail races (formerly called the BBMT) are linear running races crossing the Brecon Beacons National Park from North to South. There are three race distances to choose from,  a 26 mile Trail Marathon starting in Brecon, a 34 mile Ultra starting in Llangynidir, and a  52 mile ultra starting at 11pm in Hay-on-wye. All races finish in Dare Valley Country Park. 

The 52 mile route - The toughest of all the races, with 4000m of ascent, starts at 11pm on the Friday night in the Market town of Hay-on-Wye at the Northern end of the Brecon Beacons range. The route heads straight up Hay Bluff into the Black Mountains and the darkness of knight. A stunning and dramatic high-level ridgeline traverse over mountains summits follows, before dropping down to Llangynidir and the start of the Ultra Bach 34 mile race. 

The 34 mile ultrabach route - Starting in the small village of Llangynidr at the Northern boundary of the Brecon Beacons National Park.  The route heads out towards the central Brecon Beacons with some excellent running. The first summit is Tor Y Foel followed by a stunning climb past waterfalls to the top of Craig Y Fan Ddu.  From here you join the Beacons Way crossing flatter ground to Fan Y Big, across the gap road, and then the steep climb up Crybyn where all routes meet. 

The 26 mile route - Starts with an amazing climb up the North Ridge of Cribyn where it meets the ultra race runners. All routes head up 'Jacobs Ladder' to the summit of Pen Y Fan, the highest peak in Southern Britain.  A short run across to Corn Du is followed by a fast fun descent to the Storey Arms Centre to cross the A470.  Fan Fawr follows, then Fan Llia before dropping down a long descent into Ystradfellte and the fast runnable forest trails of Waterfall Country.  Here you pass under the breath-taking Sgwd Yr Eira Waterfall - another highlight of the route. A fast three miles along the Celtic trail, followed by a final climb over Cefn y Llethyr Hir brings you into Dare Valley Country Park on the southern edge of the National Park. 

The 52 mile race has 4000m of ascent.

The 34 mile race has 2650m ascent.

The Trail Marathon has 2000m ascent.

For an interactive map and gps file of the provisional route please go to the link at the bottom of the page.

To download the gps click on 'actions', then 'export' and follow the onscreen prompts. 

The Black Beacon 34 and 26 mile routes are marked with a combination of running arrows, flags and tape at all major junctions or turnings. You will also receive a marked map, and gps file.  Whilst markers will be placed at the junctions, and marshals will be on the major summits, ultimately it is the participants responsibility to follow the route using a combination of the markers, map, compass and gps file.  

The Black Beacon 52 mile route is not marked for the first 18 miles and then from where it joins the 34 mile route is marked with a combination of running arrows, flags and tape at all major junctions or turnings. 

There are 7 well stocked checkpoints for the Ultra 52mile, 4 manned for the Ultra 34mile and 4 for the Trail Marathon race. They will provide refreshments, water, energy drink, sweets, biscuits, crisps, etc.  There are also 3 manned Mountain Safety Points which are on the top of the mountain passes and summits to help guide you around the course and ensure you have a good day! 

The Black Beacon 52 starts at 10pm on Friday night and has a 22 hours time limit (Saturday at 8pm). 

The Black Beacon Ultra Bach 34 mile starts at 8am on Saturday and has a 12 hour time limit (8pm). 

The Black Beacon Marathon race starts at 10am on Saturday and has a 10 hour time limit (8pm).

There are also generous cut off times! 

Dare Valley Country Park 

Aberdare 

Rhondda Cynon Taff

CF44 7RG 

For Directions and more information click here.

The event base has the following facilities; 

•        Parking for participants

•        Toilets 

•        Registration office

•        Onsite refreshments

As the routes are linear you will need to either get dropped off at the start or park your car at Dare Valley, at the finish and  catch one of the busses provided to the start of the event.  The bus will leave Dare Valley Country Park at 

2030 for the Black Beacon Ultra 52.

0630 for the ultra 35.

0830 for the 26 miler.  

If you want to catch the bus you need to select this option when you sign up. You will be able to leave a drop bag at the start that will be transported to the finish for you.

There is a compulsory kit list that must be carried. This may vary depending on the conditions. This can be viewed here. 

This is a challenging mountain route. To enter you must be in good fitness and be able to complete the distance you have registered for.   You must also be able to follow the course using a combination of the markers, map and gps. You must also be comfortable to look after yourself in a potentially hostile mountain environment.  

Friday

2000    Car park opens

2030    Coach collection for the 52mile runners from Aberdare

2130    52 mile Registration and race brief in Hay-on-Wye          

2200    Ultra 52mile race start Hay-on-Wye (rolling starts)        

Saturday

0600         Car park opens for Ultra Bach at Dare Valley

0630         Coach Collection for Ultra 34 Runners from Dare Valley

0730         Ultra Bach Registration and Race Brief Llangynidr

0800         Ultra Bach Race Start Llangynidr (rolling starts)

0800         Car park opens for Trail Marathon race at Dare Valley

0830         Coach collection for Trail Race from Dare Valley

0930         Trail Marathon Race Brief and registration in Brecon

1000         Trail Marathon Race Start in Brecon (rolling starts)

2000         All Courses Close

There are three race distances available for competitors. There is also the option of adding coach transport from the finish to the start. You can select the appropriate options when you sign up online. 

 

Ultra 52 Race only (£70)

Ultra 34 Race only (£45)

Trail Marathon Race only (£40)

Coach Transport (£10)

Event T-shirt (£7)

Event Hoodie (£25)

Checkpoints with refreshments

Event Medal

Physiotherapy and Emergency First Aid Cover

Mountain Safety Team

Route Map, Gps file, and markings

Gps Tracker

Entries open.