YES, you must carry all the compulsory kit. No exceptions.

YES all team members must carry the whole kit. This includes all of it... first aid kit, map, compass…all of it!

Yes. You will be required to show a number of random items from your kit at registration.  You may also be required to show them at the end of the race.  If there are any on course kit checks, you will be notified in the race briefing,  

In terms of navigation, we would rate it as easy to follow for a competent navigator.  It is a self-navigation event, meaning that it is your responsibility to try and follow the course.  There will not be endless markers to show the route as we want to keep the route as natural as possible.  Route finding is part of the challenge of the event!  Over 90% of the route follows the coast and the paths are very well marked by Coastal Path signs.  It is possible to navigate the route completely using these signs however, you will be provided with a marked map and route explanations to help you find your way around the course.  There is also a route guide you can download and a GPS file to use on your watch or GPS navigation device.  We will also add markers around more difficult sections or to areas in and out of certain checkpoints. 

Two weeks before or earlier if the event sells out. 

150 for the Gower Ultra 50 

150 for the Gower Ultra Bach

150 for the Gower Trail Race

Yes. If you attempt to sign up after the event has sold out you will be added to a reserve list and if spaces become available you will be offered a place. No money is taken from your account until you have confirmed and registered that place with our online registration system.

No you must register using the online registration system at sientries system before the cut off date (see question 5).

 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 refund is available. No transfer to another race is possible.

 

As per our terms and conditions. Entries cannot be substituted (ie: you cannot ‘give’ your place to someone else if you are unable to attend the race). 

Yes you will receive a medal for successfully completing the full distance you were entered for.  You won't however, be able to get a medal for partial completion of any route.  So, for example, if you do 34 miles of the 50 course and have to withdraw you will not be able to get the 34 mile medal.

Yes the race is open to runners and walkers that can maintain the pace to reach the cut off times.

There are cut off times at various checkpoints.

If you miss the cut off times, then you will be retired from the event. 

To complete the route by 2230 you must hit the following cut-off times:-

Ultra 50 CP 2 Llhanrhidian (17miles) by 1115

Ultra CP4 /2 - Rhossilli (27.5/9.5 miles) by 1430 (1330 recommended for Ultra Bach Runners)

CP5, 3 & 1-  Port Eynon (34/16/7miles) by 1630

CP6, 4 & 2 Oxwich - (38/20/11miles) by 1745

CP7, 5 & 3 -Three Cliffs (42/24/15miles) by 1915

CP8, 6 & 4- Southgate (45/27/18miles) by 2045

 

For Ultra 50 participants should note that the first half of the course is much quicker with easier and flatter terrain than the second half of the course. Therefore, you should aim to make it around the first half quickly. Please note the cut off time at CP2 where you receive your drop bag requires a speed of approximately 4mph!

It is also vital that you do not pace yourself to arrive at checkpoints just before the cut-off time, because this strategy rarely works. For example, if you arrive in Port Eynon at 1630 it is unlikely you will be able to increase the speed to arrive at Oxwich bay by 1745! 

These times have been refined and tested over 9 years of running the event and are based of a lot of data. 

The terrain is mixed/light trail. This means it combines grassy trails, hard rock trails, tarmac trails, sand.

The best type of trainer for the whole Gower route would be a grippy trail trainer which is comfortable for tarmac sections. These are commonly referred to as ‘citytrail’, ‘light trail’ or ‘hybrid’ trainers.

The first 17 miles of the Gower Ultra 50 route is hard trail/bike path and so would suit a more cushioned road shoe. We are providing a 'shoe' drop bag facility which will take 1 pair of shoes to CP 2 at Llhanrhidian (17 miles) so you can change into a more aggressive trail trainer from there.  Please see No. 18 for more details.

 

Road shoes are not suitable past LLanmadoc (CP2), from here a grippy shoe is necessary. 

If there is a lot of rain in the preceding days then a more aggressive trail trainer with better grip would be best.

 

For the Ultra Bach and Trail route a trail or fell shoe would be suitable for the whole course. A road shoe would be unsuitable for some of the more technical, grassy or muddy sections especially on the descents near cliffs! 

  

All final event details will be sent out to the e-mail address you registered with approximately 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.

The checkpoint locations and provisions are listed below. 

 

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. If you would like a hot drink (tea/coffee) you must have a solid non-foldable plastic cup. Hot drinks will not be served in lightweight non-solid cups.

Energy drink is High Five energy source, sandwiches are jam, peanut butter or chocolate spread. If you want anything else you should bring it with you or buy it from a shop or café on route - please remember that you should be 'self-sufficient' between checkpoints and therefore should also be carrying additional personal energy supplies of your personal choice.

• CP1 Dunvant (7miles) - Cycle Path 4 - Fruit, biscuits, crisps, sweets, water, squash, energy drink.
• CP2 Llhanrhidian (17miles) - Village Hall - SHOE BAGS AVAILABLE HERE- Fruit, biscuits, crisps, sweets, energy bars, sandwiches, water, squash, energy drink, tea/coffee.
• CP3 & 1- Broughton (23/5miles) - Caravan Park on WCP - Fruit, biscuits, crisps, sweets, energy bars, water, squash, energy drink.
• CP4 & 2- Rhosslli (27.5/9.5miles) - Car Park by National Trust Building - Fruit, biscuits, crisps, sweets, energy bars, sandwiches, rice pudding, water, squash, energy drink, tea/coffee.
• CP5, 3 & 1- Port Eynon (34/16/7miles) - Village Hall - Fruit, biscuits, crisps, sweets, energy bars, hot dogs, soup, bread role, water, squash, energy drink, tea/coffee.
• CP6, 4 & 2 Oxwich - (38/20/11miles) - Car Park on WCP - Fruit, biscuits, crisps, sweets, energy bars, water, squash, energy drink.
• CP7, 5 & 3 -Three Cliffs (42/25/15miles) - Campsite- Fruit, biscuits, crisps, sweets, energy bars, sandwiches, water, squash, energy drink, tea/coffee.
• CP8, 6 & 4- Southgate (45/28/19miles) - Car Park on WCP - Fruit, biscuits, crisps, sweets, energy bars, water, squash, energy drink.

In addition there are numerous coffee shops, snack bars along the route which you can make use of if you wish!

 

Please see Q 21 for details of where spectators can meet you.

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.

Yes Drop bags (Or more appropriately a shoe bag) are available at CP2 Llhanrhidian for the Ultra 50 runners. We recommend using a road/light trail trainer to here then changing into a more aggressive trainer for the remainder.  You will be provided with a bag at registration, please note they are 440mm long and 330mm wide. This is a good size for 1 pair of shoes plus some race nutrition. These bags will be collected at the start of the race.

 

There is no drop bag facilities for the Ultra Bach or Trail Race.

 

Car parking is in the many pay and display car parks around the mumbles.  The closest is at Bracelet Bay.  Please do not part on the road and streets around the cricket club.

The Gower Ultra 50 has 1750m ascent

The Gower Ultra Bach has 1450m ascent

The Gower Trail Race has 1050m ascent 

Spectators

One of the great things about the route is that there are many stunning locations for your family & friends to see the course and we encourage spectators along the route to give you (and all the other runners) plenty of support.  However, the Gower is essentially only a small number of narrow roads and parking can be limited.  Below is a list of checkpoint locations and which ones spectators are allowed to and which we ask them to avoid.  Following the checkpoint details we have created a list of the best spectator points.  

We would therefore ask that spectators stick to the following guidelines as they provide the least disruption to the local communities, the best parking spaces and provide the best views!  The spectator points are listed in the order they are run by competitors so it is easy for supporters to follow you all the way around the course.  Please note you may have to pay for parking at some locations and if the weather / surf is good then the car parks and the roads to them can get quite busy.  Please remind all supporters to drive sensibly whilst following you.

CHECKPOINTS & SPECTATORS

CP1 Gowerton (8.5miles) - PLEASE NO SPECTATORS - this is a residential street with no parking, you can see the runners along the mumbles or at Gowerton- both sides have plenty of shops, cafes, and parking.

CP2 Llhanrhidian (17 miles) - Village Hall - NO SPECTATORS IN THE CHECKPOINT PLEASE-there is lots of space in the village near the church and on the Marsh Road (but please watch out for runners!)

Weobley Castle (Start of the Ultra Bach) PLEASE NO SPECTATORS AT THE START.  A better place to catch the runners is in Llanmadoc village.

CP3 & 1- Broughton (23/5miles) - STRICTLY NO SPECTATORS IN THE CHECKPOINT OR CARAVAN PARK PLEASE!  Please avoid the checkpoint as it is on Private property and there is no access here for supporters. Instead supporters should head to either Llanmaodoc village or Rhossili.

CP4 Rhossili (27.5/9.5miles)- Car Park by National Trust Building. SPECTATORS WELCOME BUT PLEASE  REMEMBER TO PAY AND DISPLAY! The checkpoint for Ultra 50 and Ultra Bach runners is in the Causeway Café. The Coffee shop will be open for spectators and will be selling coffee and ice cream. The Pub will also be open from around 1130am. 

CP5, 3 & 1- Port Eynon (34/16/7miles) - Village Hall- NO SPECTATORS IN THE CHECKPOINT PLEASE-there is lots of parking space in the village car parks and at the beaches near by. 

CP6, 4 & 2 Oxwich - (38/20/11miles) - this is an excellent location for supporters. Oxwich bay has a huge car park, coffee shop, toilets and has access onto the beach. 

CP7, 5 & 3 Three Cliffs (42/24miles) - NO SPECTATORS IN THE CHECKPOINT PLEASE. This is a private campsite which is closed. There is parking nearby at Parkmill where you can then walk down to three cliffs bay via the coast path. There is also much better parking facilities at the Oxwich bay and Southgate checkpoints.

CP8, 6 & 4- Southgate (45/28/19miles) - Car Park- SPECTATORS WELCOME BUT PLEASE PAY AND DISPLAY! 

 

There is a car park (Whitford Beach - SA3 1DE) but the village is very small and runners will be through here quickly.

Park at Hill End car park (SA3 1JD - there is a parking fee).  A short walk through the dunes brings you out onto Rhossili Bay with stunning views and a lovely beach to spend some time learning to surf or building sandcastles if you're looking to while away a few hours. 

 

Park at Rhossili car park (SA3 1PR - there is a parking fee).  Runners will come up directly from the beach so supporters can either watch from the top of the climb or make their way to towards Rhossili Point.  There is ample parking here, cafes and a toilet block so it's a good place to base yourself as all 3 races pass through / start from here.  **Please note**  Runners will follow the coast before the lookout station so any supporters heading to the point should be aware of this!

 

Port Eynon Bay 

Park at beach car park (SA3 1NN - there is a parking fee).  A sheltered bay with a long sandy beach only a short drive from Rhossili.  The small village can get busy in good weather but has a good ship shop which may influence your decision to visit!

 

Park at beach car park (SA3 1LS - there is a parking fee).  This bay has great views towards Three Cliffs, ample car parking, a couple of snack bars, a nice hotel / restaurant and even a Michelin Star restaurant at the Beach House!   Enough to satisfy the most demanding supporter.  The beach is sandy, wide and gently sloping to clear water.  Great if you're a supporter with young children to entertain and a potential nightmare if you're a runner!

 

These 2 bays are very close together so supporters should choose one as they won't make to the other before the runners!  Both have ample parking (parking fees apply) and both are popular surfing spots, so if there is a good swell parking may be limited.  Caswell Bay car park is at SA3 3BN and Langland Bay car park is at SA3 4SQ.

The Mumbles is located on the South-East corner of the Gower.  The runners on the 50 will go through here first thing.  However, if you're not following them around the course the Mumbles is a great place to locate yourself for the day.  There is plenty of parking, restaurants, playgrounds, mini golf, castles, beaches to occupy you and no visit to the Mumbles is complete without a visit to Verdis ice cream parlour...