Rasus y Bannau Checkpoint Guide
This blog provides details of the checkpoint locations, supplies, cut-off times, supporter / crew guidance and drop bag details for the Rasus y Bannau.
There are 7 checkpoints on the 100km race, 5 on the 40 mile Ultra Trail and 4 on the marathon. The race checkpoint location and distances are described below. The checkpoint locations can best be seen on the interactive maps available on the main event page.
Water will be provided at all checkpoints along with a mix of snacks. As is standard in Ultras and as per your compulsory kit there will not be any plastic cups for water or hot drinks. If you would like a hot drink you must have a suitable hard plastic cup and hot drinks will not be served into soft flasks or soft cups. Larger checkpoints will provide more substantial food, details of which can be found below.
There is a drop bag available for 100km ultra distance race. Details of which can be found at the bottom of the page.
Some of the checkpoints are remote with minimal parking or restricted access and therefore there are some points on the route and checkpoints which supporters or race crew are not allowed. There are also some parking restrictions and considerations at other checkpoints. Specific details of which are provided below on the checkpoints guide.
In summary, supporters should avoid the following checkpoints;
- 100 km race CP1 and CP6.
- 40 mile race CP1 and CP2.
- Marathon race CP1.
Ultra Trail 100 km race checkpoints
1- Talybont Reservior Dam
- 12 miles / 3000ft
- No supporter / crew access across at the checkpoint. Supporters should not cross over the dam to the checkpoint as there is minimal space to turn which impedes safety and event vehicles. Instead use the small layby on the West side of the reservoir.
- Water, squash, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, fruit.
- CO Fri 2300 / 5.5hrs
2- Taf Fechen
- 20 miles / 4600ft
- Forest Car Park
- Good car parking and access for supporters / crew
- Water, squash, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, fruit, sandwiches
- CO 0200 / 8.5hrs
3- A470
- 26.5 miles / 6000ft
- Good car parking and access for supporters / crew
- Water, squash, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, fruit, sandwiches, tea, coffee
- CO 0500 / 11.5hrs
4- Blaen Llia forest car park
- 32 miles / 7700ft
- Good car parking and access for supporters / crew
- Water, squash, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, fruit, sandwiches, tea, coffee
- CO 0730 / 14 hrs
5- Glyntawe Outdoor Centre
- 39.5 miles / 8700ft
- Drop Bag access
- No supporter or crew parking access into the centre. Parking and access for supporters / crew is available at the layby further down the main road or alternatively 1 mile up the course at Crag-y-nos.
- Water, squash, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, fruit, sandwiches, tea, coffee, pasta, potatoes.
- CO 1000 / 16.5hrs
6- Crai Reservoir (A4067 layby)
- 46 miles / 11300ft
- Poor car parking and limited access for supporters / crew
- Water, squash, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, fruit, sandwiches, tea, coffee.
- CO 1500 / 21hrs
7- A470 (layby)
- 56 miles / 14100ft
- Good car parking and access for supporters / crew
- Water, squash, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, fruit, sandwiches, tea, coffee
- CO 2000 / 26.5hrs
Finish - Brecon
- Good car parking and access for supporters / crew
- CO Sat 2330 / 30hrs
Ultra Trail 40 mile race checkpoints
1- Car Park pre Cribyn
- 4 miles / 1000ft
- No supporter / crew access
- Water, squash, fruit, sweets, biscuits
2- Taf Fechen
- 12 miles / 3000ft
- Forest Car Park
- Good car parking and access for supporters / crew
- Water, squash, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, fruit, sandwiches
- CO 1300 / 5.5hrs
3- A470
- 18 miles / 4600ft
- Good car parking and access for supporters / crew
- Water, squash, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, fruit, sandwiches, tea, coffee
- CO - 1530 / 7.5hrs
4- Blaen Llia forest car park (Drop Bag)
- 25 miles / 7700ft
- Good car parking and access for supporters / crew
- Water, squash, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, fruit, sandwiches, tea, coffee
- CO 1700 / 9.5 hrs
6- A470 (layby)
- 31.5 miles / 7600ft
- Good car parking and access for supporters / crew
- Water, squash, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, fruit, sandwiches, tea, coffee
- CO Sun 2000 / 12.5hrs
Finish - Brecon
- Good car parking and access for supporters / crew
- CO Sat 2330 / 16hrs
Marathon race checkpoints
1- Car Park pre Cribyn
- 4 miles / 1000ft
- No supporter / crew access
- Water, squash, fruit, sweets, biscuits
2- Taf Fechen
- 12 miles / 3000ft
- Forest Car Park
- Water, squash, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, fruit, sandwiches
- CO 1530 / 7hrs
3- A470
- 18 miles / 4600ft
- Good car parking and access for supporters / crew
- Water, squash, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, fruit, sandwiches, tea, coffee
- CO - 1830 / 10hrs
4- Cwmgwdi Car Park
- 23 miles / 6500ft
- Good car parking and access for supporters / crew
- Water, squash, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, fruit,
- CO 2200 / 13.5hrs
Finish - Brecon
- Good car parking and access for supporters / crew
- CO 2330 / 15hrs
Please note all distances are estimates from a range of mapping software and GPS traces.
Drop Bags for the Ultra 100km
The 100km Ultra races have an an option of using a drop bag which will be taken to CP5 (40 miles) at Glyntawe. You will receive your drop bag at registration and you can only use this drop bag. Drop bags may get wet during transit, so if there is anything which you must keep dry it should be put in a waterproof plastic bag or drybag inside your drawstring drop bag.
The drop bags are pictured below and are the same standard issue drop bags that we have used at other events. You can re-use bags from previous races if it helps you to pack them before the event - just remember to clearly label them with your race number and drop bag number for the current race!
Drop bags will be handed to the race team at the race start and bag drop will be open from 30 minutes before the race starts.
All drop bags will be returned to the event HQ in in Brecon and return can be expected from 1100 on the Saturday morning.
The images below show a fully packed drop bag (left picture) with the kit that was packed into it (right picture). The spare kit includes some size 9.5 HOKA Stinson trainers, a spare winter mid-layer, spare running leggings, spare t-shirt, spare socks, K-tape, lip balm, s-caps (electrolytes), body glide (lube), blister plasters, and some additional energy gels, drink powders and wine gums for the next section of the race. Of course it is up to you to decide what to pack in your drop bag.
