Starting at Merthyr College the route ascends over the saddle on Mynedd Aberdare which runs alongside the Gethin woodlands, followed by a fast decent and crossing of the Cynon Valley and CP1.  The route then joins the waymarked Glamorgan Way trail with a climb up towards Carn y Pigwn in the stunning St Gwynno and Llanwonno forestry complex. Checkpoint 2 is by St Gwynno Church, the resting place of Welsh legendary runner Guto Nyth Brân. After the long rolling descent of Pen y Foel, the route converges again with the B2C Classic runners and a short section along the banks of the river Taff which takes you to checkpoint 3 in Pontypridd - home of another Welsh running legend and the Honky Tronk café!  Here you can stock up on food, Welsh hospitality and Tom Jones songs before heading out into the last section of the course.  With the end nearly in sight, the 'X' runners head up and over Cefn Eglwysilan before the fast drop down into the finish and the wonderful welcome at the Coleg Y Cymoedd.

As the route is linear competitors park at the finish in nantgarw and are transported by coach, to the start in Merthyr.

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, the finish line, 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;

Merthyr Tydfil College,

If you are going direct to Merthyr car parking is in one of the many pay and display car parks outside the college.

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. 

This is an extreme trail running challenge, and the route is unmarked.  There will be some additional markings provided where the route converges with the classic B2C Classic route, and some additional signs in the dense forest sections, but you must expect to be self-sufficient in terms of navigation throughout. Navigation is using the gps trace and we recommend a primary device such as gps watch or handheld unit and a backup app on the phone such as outdoor gps. 

There are 3 manned checkpoints which provide water, energy drinks, squash, sweets, biscuits, oranges, crisps.  Details of where the checkpoints are can be seen on the FAQ page.  The link is at the bottom of this page. 

Checkpoints locations can also be seen on the interactive map on map link below.

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 Merthyr.  The Taff X marathon busses leave Nantgarw Race HQ at 0830  on Sunday morning.

The time limit for the event is a generous 12 hours (10pm cut off). Only runners finishing WITHIN the time limit will be eligible for a finishers medal.

There is a compulsory kit list that must be carried which can be viewed here. 

Saturday

1700-2000 Registration in Nantgarw

Sunday

0830 Bus pick up from Nantgarw and travel to Merthyr

0830-0930 Registration in Merthyr (only available if pre-booked*)

0915 Bus arrives in Merthyr

0945 Race brief on start line in Merthyr

1000 Race starts in Merthyr

2200 Cut off time in Nantgarw

If you would like to register in Merthyr you can book this by e-mail. You will receive a pre-race email letting you know when to do this - please don't e-mail before this date as they will need to be re-sent.

Race entry, parking at Nantgarw, and GPS tracking is £45.

Optional extras:

Coach transport from Nantgarw to Merthyr £10
Technical race t-shirt £20
Race Hoodie £40

Race Buff £5

Participation in a classic event

Electronic timing

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

3 checkpoints well stocked with refreshments

Finishers medal (strictly for finishers only)

Emergency First Aid and First Responder cover

Event photos

Car parking at the finish in Cardiff

Welsh weather (hopefully)

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

Entries open on the link below.