The Gower Coastal Trail Races are three long distance events following the Wales Coastal Path around the Gower Peninsula.  

The Gower Ultra 50 race is a complete 50 mile circumnavigation of the stunning Gower peninsula.   

The Gower Ultra Bach (Little) follows the final 34 miles of Coast line from the small settlement of Llandimore to the Mumbles. 

The Gower Trail Race follows the final 23 miles of the Gower Ultra route from Rhossili to Mumbles.

The Ultra 50 route starts on the Mumbles Cricket Club with a short run out to the dramatic cliffs overlooking Limeslade Bay, before dropping down to the Mumbles Pier and following the fast flat coastal path for approximately 2 miles around Swansea Bay.  From here the route  leaves the coastal path and heads inland, passing through Clyne Woods, before dropping down onto an old railway line cycle track which takes you to the North coast of the Gower.  When it reaches Gowerton it regains the Coastal Path and follows the Loughor Estuary to Llhanrhidian and the start of the coastal trails.  It is here the Gower Ultra 50 and Gower Ultra Bach join together and the terrain starts to become more challenging as the hard paths are replaced with trail, rolling cliff tops, dunes and beach side coves.  A long run across Rhossili Bay is followed by a steep climb to the cliff tops where runners are rewarded with fantastic views over the bay and the Worms Head.  This is where the Trail runners join the route and all routes head East along the rugged Southern coast of the Gower.  The route heads out along the cliff tops, before descents and climbs in and out of beautiful bays that include Port Eynon, Oxwich, Three Cliffs, Caswell and Langland until reaching Rams Tor and completing your adventure

A 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 mainly follows the marked Wales Coast Path.  Where you leave the Coast Path and at any particularly tricky sections there will be additional running arrows or flags.  You must navigate the route using a combination of the GPS, Wales Coast Path signs and map with instructions.   

Whilst the route is self-navigation it is very well marked with Wales Coast Path Signs, so as long as you follow the clifftop and sign posts it is very simple to follow.  Over 90% of the route follows the coast and many people navigate the route completely using these signs.  However, most runners will primarily use the GPS on a watch or phone app.  We aim to facilitate easy navigation of the route and add extra signage/marshals at any potential trouble spots.  Ultimately it is the runners responsibility to follow the advertised route using the gps trace.

If your time for 50 miles is over 12 hours then it also worth getting experience of running / navigating in the dark as you will probably be doing the last 1 or 2 checkpoints in the dark!

There will be a number of manned checkpoints which we will provide refreshments, usually water, energy drinks, tea & coffee, sweets, biscuits, crisps, fruit, soup etc.  Please see question 17 on the FAQs for a full list of checkpoint provisions. The checkpoints are at:  

 

CP1- Dunvant (7miles)- Layby on Cyclepath 

CP2- Llhanrhidian (16.5 miles)- Indoor Village Hall - SHOE BAGS AVALIABLE HERE (Ultra 50)

CP3/1- Broughton (23/5miles)- Private caravan site  

CP4/2- Rhosslli (27.5/9.5miles)- Large Tent in Car Park by National Trust Building.  

CP5/3/1- Port Eynon (34/16/6miles)- Indoor in Village Hall  

CP6/4/2- Oxwich Bay - (38/20/10miles) Large Tent in Car Park 

CP7/5/3 -Three Cliffs (42/24/14miles) - Campsite  

CP8/6/4- Southgate (46/28/18miles)- Large Tent in Car Park

Bus transport from the finish to the start is available for the Ultra Bach and Trail runners.  The Busses will collect from the mumbles Cricket Club at 0800 for the Ultra Bach and at 0930 for the Trail Race Runners.  You are welcome to be dropped off at the race starts, but please note there is no parking available at the Ultra Bach start.  This is a working farm and the lane is very narrow so we therefore recommend you are dropped off at the top of the lane and walk down.  More information on what checkpoints spectators can access will be provided at the event notes. 

Spectators and parking for the Trail Race is ample in the Rhossili Pay and Display Car park, so spectators are very welcome. 

If you want to catch the bus you need to select this option when you sign up.  

All courses close at 2230 and the overall time limits are as follows. 

-Gower Ultra 50 has a 15.5 hours time limit 

-Gower Ultra Bach has a 13 hours time limit

-Gower Trail Race has a 11.5 hours time limit

There is a compulsory kit list that must be carried.  All items must be carried - regardless of the forecast.  This can be viewed here. 

Friday 

1800-2100 Registration for all races at Mumbles Cricket Club.  Please note GPS trackers will be fitted on Saturday at Mumbles Cricket Club.  There is no tracker fitting at the race starts.

Saturday 

Ultra 50  

-0600-0630 Registration for Ultra 50 Runners at Mumbles Cricket Club

-0600-0630 GPS Tracker fitting in Mumbles Cricket Club 

-0640 Race Brief for Gower 50 Runners in Mumbles Cricket Club 

-0700 Gower Ultra 50 Start at Mumbles Cricket Club 

Ultra Bach 

-0715-0745 Registration for Ultra Bach Runners at Mumbles Cricket Club 

-0715-0745 GPS Tracker fitting in Mumbles Cricket Club 

-0800 Coach collection for Ultra Bach Runners and drop to Weobley Castle 

-0915 Race Brief for Gower Ultra Bach Runners at Weobley Castle 

-0930 Gower Ultra Bach Start from Weobley Castle 

Trail Race 

-0830-0915- Registration for Trail Race Runners at Mumbles Cricket Club

-0830-0915 GPS Tracker fitting in Mumbles Cricket Club

-0930 Coach collection for Trail Race Runners and drop to Rhossili 

-1045 Race Brief for Trail Race Runners at Rhossili

-1100 Gower Trail Race Start from Rhossili

Access and Accommodation  

The Start locations provides easy transport links. The mumbles is 1 hour from from Cardiff, 35 minutes from Llanelli, 1 hour 40 minutes from Bristol and 20 minutes from the M4. 

There are many hotels, campsites and bunkhouses around Swansea and the Mumbles and further afield on the Gower Peninsula itself. Furthermore, it is a great event to bring the family, and supporters to with numerous easily accessed beaches, numerous (and exceptional) cafes and ice-cream parlours, great leisure facilities and excellent bars and restaurants. 

£85 for the Gower Ultra 50  

£55 for the Gower Ultra Bach (race only)

£42 for the Gower Trail Race (race only)

£10 for Coach to start (Limited places so book when you sign up to guarantee a space!)

£35 Race hoody

£15 Technical race t-shirt

Entry into an established and professionally run event 

Well stocked checkpoints - 8 for the Ultra 50, 6 for the Ultra Bach, and 4 for the Trail Race 

Changing facilities, toilets and showers at the event base

Free race photography

Event buff

Event medal

Social afterparty where the bar will be open at the Mumbles Cricket Club!

Post race soup and a roll

Physiotherapy and first aid cover

Electronic timing

Drop bag provided along transportation to and from Llhanrhidian for the Ultra 50. 

GPS Tracking for all competitors so friends and family (and the event safety team) can monitor your progress around the course