Rasus y Bannau (The Beacon Races) are a series of epic long-distance trail challenges starting and finishing in Brecon, following circular routes through the heart of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.

Choose your distance:

• 100K Ultra – 65 miles / 104 km | +5,100m ascent
• 75K Ultra Trail – 46.5 miles / 75.5 km | +3,500m ascent
• Marathon – 26.5 miles / 43 km | +2,000m ascent

All three races start at the Theatre in Brecon town centre, climbing directly onto the north ridge of Cribyn.  From here, runners head east to Fan y Big, before following a fast ridgeline traverse towards Carn Pica.

At this point, the Marathon route turns towards Blaen y Glyn and Torpantau, while the Ultra runners descend to Talybont Reservoir before climbing Tor y Foel.  A runnable section leads through the Blaen y Glyn waterfalls, then up onto Craig y Fan Ddu, where the Cambrian Way and Beacons Way meet.

From Torpantau, all routes head through the Taf Fechan Forest, crossing the old dam into the valley and climbing onto the ridgeline of Cefn Cul and Craig Gwaun Taf, before dropping to Pont ar Daf (CP3).  Here the courses split again: the Marathon climbs to Corn Du and Pen y Fan, before descending directly into Brecon for the finish.

The Ultra routes swing west following the classic lines over Fan Fawr and Fan Llia before dropping to Blaen Llia (CP4).  The 75K Ultra heads north towards Craig Cerrig Gleisiad National Nature Reserve, while the 100K Ultra pushes further west on the Beacons Way into the Black Mountain (Carmarthen Fan), topping out on Fan Brycheiniog.

The 100K finally turns east for the rollercoaster traverse across a series of summits including Fan Gyhirych and Fan Nedd, before rejoining the 75K course above Craig Cerrig Gleisiad.  A long descent follows the Beacons Way back across the A470 to CP9 (100K) / CP6 (75K).

The final leg takes all ultra runners to the summit of Pen y Fan – where, depending on your timing, you may catch a sunrise or sunset – before a fast, glorious descent of the north ridge back into Brecon for the finish.

The event base registration and start and finish locations are at;

Theatr Brycheiniog,

Canal Wharf,

Brecon,

Powys

LD3 7EW

Car parking is in one of the many pay and display car parks outside the Theatre and more details are available here.

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 route is marked at major junctions with running arrows and you must also be able to follow the published route using the gps trace.  For a competent ultra runner the route is very simple to follow using gps alone and typically follows obvious mountain trails and footpaths on well established paths and mountain trails. Whilst there will be safety teams and marshals around the course, ultimately it is the participants responsibility to follow the published gps route using a combination of the marker and gps trace.

There are 9 checkpoints for the Rasus y Bannau 100km, 6 for the Ultra and 4 for the Rasus y Bannau marathon.  They will provide refreshments, water, energy drink, sweets, biscuits, crisps, sandwiches, noodles, soup and more substantial food.  

There is a drop bag available for the runners on the 100km and Ultra which will be available at CP5 (at approximately 50km).

Checkpoint locations are provide on the FAQ page (Q17) and can also be seen on the interactive maps on mapometer (links at the bottom of the page). 

The Rasus y Bannau 100 km race starts at 0730 on Saturday and has a 24 hour time limit (Sunday 0730).

The Rasus y Bannau 75 km mile race starts at 0730 on Saturday and has a 24 hour time limit (Sunday 0730). 

The Rasus y Bannau Marathon starts at 0830 on Saturday and has a generous 15 hour time limit (Saturday at 2330).

A list of local accommodation providers can be found at the following link.

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

These are challenging mountain races, and all participants must:

• Be in good physical fitness and capable of completing the distance they have entered.
• Be able to navigate the course using a combination of GPS trace, route signage, and map.
• Be prepared to look after themselves in a potentially hostile mountain environment and in extreme weather.
• For the ultra-distance races, be comfortable running in the mountains at night.
  
  

0600-0700   Registration in Brecon for the 100km and 75km runners only

0715             Race brief for both Ultra race runners

0730             Race start for 100km and 75km runners

0700-0800   Registration in Brecon for the marathon runners

0815             Race brief for the marathon runners

0830             Marathon starts

2330             Marathon course closes

0730              All ultra distance courses close

There are 3 race distances available for competitors and you can select the appropriate options when you sign up online.

 

Rasus y Bannau 100km ultra (£99)

Rasus y Bannau 75km ultra race (£79)

Rasus y Bannau Marathon race (£50)

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

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

Custom RyB race hoodie (£40)

RWC race buff (£5)

Checkpoints with refreshments

Finishers medal

Emergency first aid cover and mountain safety teams

GPS file

Route marking at junctions

1 drop bag for the ultra and 100km race at the 50km checkpoint

Free race photography for downloads and bragging

GPS tracking from open tracking and timing for all runners

Please consult the race FAQs for greater details on the event.

All entry is on the SiEntries system at the following link.