The Brecon to Cardiff Ultra is a 43-mile, fully marked, point-to-point race following the Taff River from the heart of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park to the outskirts of the Welsh capital.  Now in its 12th year, this race has become a true classic of the UK ultra running calendar, selling out year after year.

The journey begins amid the dramatic mountains, waterfalls, and reservoirs of the Brecon Beacons, before heading south into a changing landscape shaped by Wales’s rich industrial heritage – a race that blends wild beauty with history every step of the way.

A classic mountain-to-city ultra and one of Wales’s must-do running adventures.

The race begins at 08:00 in Brecon, joining the Taff Trail, which you will follow almost all the way to the finish. Much of the route makes use of an abandoned branch of the Taff Vale Railway and the Glamorganshire Canal – once vital transport routes for coal and iron from Merthyr Tydfil and the Rhondda to the ports of Cardiff and Barry.  Though long disused, these paths remain intact, offering a perfect running trail through the narrow Taff Valley.

From Brecon, the course heads east along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal to Talybont-on-Usk, before climbing gradually to Torpantau – the high point of the route.  From here, it’s (almost) all downhill all the way to the finish.

You’ll pass the tranquil Pontsticill Reservoir and the Brecon Mountain Railway, before descending into Merthyr Tydfil, where sweeping views reveal both the Cefn Coed Viaduct and Cyfarthfa Castle. South of Merthyr, the route passes Aberfan and memorial before the final push to the finish line at Nantgarw.

The first 30 km: almost entirely on footpaths and forestry trails.  From Merthyr onwards: the route follows an off-road cycle path, mostly tarmac, all the way to the finish.  A drop bag station at Merthyr allows runners to switch from trail to road shoes if they wish.

As a linear race, competitors park at the finish in Nantgarw and are transported by coach to the start in Brecon.

The event base, registration and race finish is at Coleg Y Cymoedd at the following location: 

Coleg y Cymoedd

Heol Cronchendy

Parc Nantgarw

Nantgarw

CF15 7QX 

The event base provides event parking, café, large indoor area for registration and finish, toilets, changing rooms and showers.  It is easily accessible off the A470 and one junction off the M4.  There are many hotels, guest houses, cafes and restaurants in the local area.  In addition there are excellent bus and rail links to and from Cardiff.

The event start is at the canal basin;

Theatr Brycheiniog,

Canal Wharf,

Brecon,

Powys

LD3 7EW

If you are going direct to Brecon car parking is in one of the many pay and display car parks outside the Theatre and more details are available here.

An interactive map and gps file is available at the link at the bottom of the page.

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

The route is well-marked using a combination of:

• Running arrows
• Orange marking tape
• Flags at all major junctions

The course mainly follows the Taff Trail cycle path, which is signposted throughout. In fact, it’s possible to navigate the entire race using the official Taff Trail markers alone – but we add additional signage to make the route even clearer.

All competitors must carry a device with the GPS route loaded – this could be a running watch, a mobile phone app, or a handheld GPS unit.  You will also be provided with a basic marked map, to help you relocate the course should you miss a sign.

There are 6 manned checkpoints along the route, each stocked with:

•  Water & energy drinks
•  Squash
•  Sweets & biscuits
•  Sandwiches
•  Fruit
•  Crisps

The halfway checkpoint (CP4) is indoors at Merthyr College, town centre – the perfect spot to meet friends and family.  Here you’ll also have access to your drop bag, giving you a chance to refuel, change kit, and get set for the final 20 miles.   Full checkpoint locations can be found on the FAQ page (link at the bottom of this page).

As the route is linear you will park your car at Cardiff (Nantgarw) race HQ / registration and catch one of the busses included in your entry fee to the start of the event in Brecon.  The busses leave Nantgarw Race HQ at 0600 on Sunday morning.

The time limit for the event is 14 hours (10pm). 

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

Saturday

1600-1900 Registration in Nantgarw

Sunday

0530-0550 Emergency registration in Nantgarw 

0600 Bus pick up from Nantgarw and travel to Brecon

0700-0715 Registration in Brecon (only available if pre-booked*)

0710 Bus arrives in Brecon

0730 Race brief in Theatre

0800 Race start from Brecon

2200 Cut off time Nantgarw

*if you would like to register in Brecon you can book this by e-mail after you receive the event notes two weeks before the event date. Please don't e-mail requesting to register in Brecon before this date as they will need to be re-sent.

Race entry, parking, coach transport and GPS tracking £80.

Optional extras:

Custom unisex tech B2C race t-shirt (£20)

Custom female fit tech B2C race t-shirt (£20)

Custom B2C race hoodie (£40)

RWC race buff (£5)

Participation in a classic event

Electronic timing 

Live GPS tracking and map for friends and family to follow from Open Tracking

Marked course

6 checkpoints

Half way drop bag transport 

Finishers medal (strictly for finishers only)

Emergency first aid cover

Event photos and on-course banter from Tosh Simpkin

Car parking at the finish in Cardiff

Bus transport from Cardiff to Brecon on Sunday morning

Welsh weather

Please note: in order to keep entry fees down, support local businesses and inline with what our regular runners prefer there is no meal provide at the finish and instead competitors have a choice of purchasing food and drinks in the onsite cafe at the college or numerous local restaurants and fast food outlets.

Entries open on the link below.