Black Beacon Mountain Races

Four big mountain challenges across the Black Mountains and Bannau Brycheiniog — fast trails, huge climbs, waterfall country, ridgelines and iconic summits. 🏔️🔥
Choose your distance: 100 miles, 50 miles, 50km Ultra Bach, or 21 miles North Trail.

From Hay‑on‑Wye to Pontneddfechan and Llangynidir, these routes deliver everything: rolling plateaus, steep ascents, forest singletrack, Pen y Fan, Corn Du, Crybyn, long ridge runs and dramatic descents. The scenery is spectacular, the navigation straightforward, and the support top‑class with well‑stocked checkpoints and mountain safety teams. 🌄✨

The 100‑mile out‑and‑back is a true test — 44 summits, night navigation and a full traverse of the national park. The 50‑mile and 50km routes offer fast, runnable mountain terrain with big climbs and huge views. The 21‑mile trail race gives a shorter but equally stunning ridgeline journey back to Hay‑on‑Wye.

Whether you’re chasing a buckle, a PB, or your first mountain ultra, Black Beacon is built for unforgettable days in the hills.

Entry Options

Black Beacon 100 Mile
Black Beacon 50 Mile
Black Beacon South 50km
Black Beacon North Trail Race

Refunds, Credits, Transfers, Substitutions

Refunds

  • You may Refund yourself the entry cost less 25% until 30/05/2026.
  • You may Refund yourself the entry cost less 50% until 30/08/2026.
  • Click here for more info on Refunds.

Credits

  • You may exchange your entry for a Credit at a cost of £0.00 until 30/05/2026.
  • You may exchange your entry for a Credit at a cost of 25% of your ticket price until 30/08/2026.
  • You may exchange your entry for a Credit at a cost of 50% of your ticket price until 30/09/2026.
  • You may exchange your entry for a Credit at a cost of 75% of your ticket price until 16/10/2026.
  • You will have 12 months (from the date of the event) to spend your credit. You may also use your credit to enter someone else.
  • Click here for more info on Credits.

Ticket Transfers

Ticket Substitutions

You can manage your entries from the My Entries page.

Organiser Updates (2)

Black Beacon pre-race email 2

sent by Run Walk Crawl on 27/10/2026 at 15:58
Not long until we are all headed into the mountains ready for some adventure!

The weather is slowly improving, but it will be very cold and conditions underfoot will be testing - as always you'll need all of the compulsory kit, there will be no allowances and you'll need all of it to be allowed on the course.

GPS Links
The GPS files have been updated following a few minor changes as mentioned in the previous email.  Make sure you download yours from the website or using one of these links:

100 part 1 - Black Beacon 100miles Part 1 (2026). Mapometer.com running route #5666991
100 part 2 - Black Beacon 100miles Part 2 (2026). Mapometer.com running route #5666992
50 Mile - Black Beacon 50miles (2026). Mapometer.com running route #5666981
50k - Black Beacon 50km (2026). Mapometer.com running route #5666982

Remember to delete any previous ones from your device just in case.  Also make sure you have downloaded it to your device and you know how to access it BEFORE race day!  If you're not sure how YouTube or AI will often give you the answer. We strongly recommend having the GPS both on your watch to follow and also on your phone as a backup. 

Parking
The area around the finish in Hay on Wye has had significant rainfall over the last week.  We will have some matting down to make getting in and out easier and to protect the farmers field.  However, we would suggest, where possible, to use one of the town car parks just to be on the safe side especially if you are on the trail race where you will be done within the day!  

If you are using the event field in Hay on Wye for camping / parking on Friday, follow the parking signs to the field and then you can pay in the hall when you register, and you will be given a ticket to display in your car window.  If you are parking on Saturday morning there will be a marshal to collect payment.  Please note payment for parking / camping at the event HQ should be in cash.  Please park considerately; all proceeds go to the farmer. 

The car parks around Llangynidir are fine as they are all tarmac, please remember to pay £5 in the honesty box in the car park opposite the hall.  The parking at the pub has a pay and display machine.

Tracking
The tracking links for the races are shown below.  Please note that Open Tracking are updating the route (last year's is currently shown).  Friends and family can track you on these links when the trackers go live.  The page also has a countdown to the start of the race, if you want to add to the excitement / terror.

https://live.opentracking.co.uk/26blackbeacontrail/

We look forward to seeing you at the weekend for a fantastic adventure in the mountains!

Team Run Walk Crawl



Black Beacon - Pre Race Email

sent by Run Walk Crawl on 22/10/2026 at 19:57

We hope you are looking forwards to the Black Beacon Mountain Races. This email contains links to important race information to help you prepare.  There will be additional emails as we get closer to the event.   

In this email you can find: 

1.Event Timetable 

2.Event Base and Finish Locations 

3.Registrations & Race Starts 

4.Car Parking and Camping 

5.Bus Collection Points 

6.Compulsory Kit - All races 

7.Drop Bags (100 Mile & 50 Mile only) 

8.Checkpoints, Cut offs and Crew Information 

9.Navigation 

10.GPS files and GPS Tracking 

  

1. Event Timetable 
 
Friday 
1000 Event base car park & camping opens - 100 mile competitors, (Hay on Wye Town car parks are open before this time). 
1230-1330 100 mile registration in Hay on Wye 
1345 100 mile race brief 
1400 100 mile start 
1600-2200 Car park and camping opens for all other competitors in Hay on Wye 
1800-2000 Registration for all remaining races in Hay on Wye 
 
Saturday 
0515 Event base car park reopens at Hay on Wye,  
(Town car parks are open before this time). 
 
50 mile race timings 
0545 Coach pick up for 50 mile runners from Hay on Wye 
0630-0730 50 mile registration at race start – Pontneddfechan 
0745 50 mile race brief 
0800 50 mile race start 
 
50k race timings 
0630 Llangynidir hall opens for 50k runners 
0645 Coach pick up for 50k runners from Llangynidir 
0745-0830 50k registration at race start – Pontneddfechan 
0845 50k race brief 
0900 50k race start 

Trail race timings 
0915 Coach pick up for trail race runners from Hay on Wye 
1000-1045 Trail race registration at race start – Llangynidir 
1045 Trail race brief 
1100 Trail race start 

 
2300 Course cut off for the 50k race in Llangynidir (14 hrs) and course cut off  
for the Trail race in Hay on Wye (12 hrs). 
 
Sunday 
0800 Course cut off for the 50 mile race (24hrs) and 100 mile race (42hrs). 
1000 Event base and camping field close 

2. Event Base and Finish Locations 

Please note there are different event bases & finishes depending on your race: 

The event base and finish line for the 100 mile, 50 mile and Trail Races is: 

Cusop Hall,  
Hay on Wye, 
HR3 5RW 

The event base and finish line for the 50k Ultra Bach is at,  

Llangynidir village hall, 
Cwmcrawnon Road, 
Llangynidir 
NP8 1LS 

3. Registrations & Race Starts 

There are different registration options depending on which race you are doing. Please ensure you attend the correct registration for your event. 

Registration for the 100 mile race 

Registration for the 100 mile race is at Cusop Hall, Hay on Wye, HR3 5RW on Friday between 1230-1330.  This is also the start location. 

Kit check, bib collection and tracker fitting are all at registration. 

Registration for the 50 mile & 50 km race 

There are two registration options available for the 50 mile & 50k races 

  • Friday 1800-2000 at Cusop Hall, Hay on Wye, HR3 5RW.  This is for kit check, bib collection and drop bag collection (50 mile only). All trackers will be fitted Saturday morning at the race start. 

  • Saturday morning at the race start in Pontneddfechan Village Hall, SA11 5NB between 0630-0730 for the 50 mile race and between 0745-0830 for the 50k race.  This will include kit check, bib collection, drop bag collection (50 mile only) and tracker fitting.  Drop bags for the 50 mile race will be handed into the race team by the race start line (details on drop bags can be found below).  

You do not need to attend both the Friday and the Saturday morning registration, just one!  However, if possible, please register on the Friday evening which will allow us more time in the morning. Please remember all trackers will be fitted at the race starts.  

Registration for the Trail race 

  • Friday 1800-2000 at Cusop Hall, Hay on Wye, HR3 5RW.  This is for kit check and bib collection. Trackers will be fitted Saturday morning at the race start. 

  • Saturday morning between 1000 - 1045 at the race start in Llangynidir Village Hall.  This includes kit check, bib collection and tracker fitting.  

You do not need to attend both the Friday and the Saturday morning registration, just one!  However, if possible please register on the Friday evening which will allow us more time in the morning. 

Race Starts  

The 100 mile race start is at 1400 on Friday at Cusop Hall, Hay-on-Wye. 
The 50 mile race start is at 0800 on Saturday at Pontneddfechan Village Hall. 
The 50K race start is at 0900 on Saturday at Pontneddfechan Village Hall. 
The Trail race start is at 1100 on Saturday at Llangynidir Village Hall. 

4. Car Parking and Camping 

There are different options available for car parking and camping so please scroll down to the relevant information for your race.  

Car Parking & Camping for the 100 mile, 50 mile and Trail Race at Hay on Wye 
Event parking for cars and small camper vans (VW Transporter / Ford custom size) is in the field next to the event HQ outside Cusop Hall, Hay-on-Wye, HR3 5RW.  Larger campers and motorhomes should park in the Oxford Road car park (HR3 5EQ) which is a short walk from the hall.  Camping is also available in the car parking field. 

The car park field opens from 1000 on Friday, parking is £5 for cars, £10 for camper vans and £10 for camping.  Please bring cash to pay for your parking and camping.  Please note camp fires are not allowed.  Camping must be booked in advance. If you are planning on camping please email admin@runwalkcrawl.co.uk with the night(s) you are expecting to camp.  Payment can be made on the day. 

Oxford Road car park is open 24 hours a day and is payable via app or cash / card at the machines.  Overnight parking is allowed. 

Parking in the residential areas around the hall is expressly forbidden.  Any participant found parking in these areas will be disqualified.  Please only use either of the two listed car parks above. 

Parking & Camping for the Ultra Bach 50 Km Race at Llangynidir 

Event parking for cars is in the car park opposite the event base outside Llangynidir Village Hall.  This is for cars only and the community have requested that cars parked here make a donation of £5 (cash) at the donation box in the car park.  Spaces in the car park are unmarked, so please park considerately.  If this car park is full, or if you have a van / campervan / motorhome you can park in the Coach and Horses pub car park.  This is a short walk from the hall.  You can pay at the pay and display machine and overnight parking is available for £10, payable at the bar in the pub.  The pub will be open from 8am, if you arrive before this time you can pay on your return. 

Parking for the 50 Mile & 50K Starts at Pontneddfechan 

Most runners will park at the race finishes and catch the coach to the start. If you are being driven to the start of the race at Pontneddfechan there are parking options available there.   

Parking on the day is limited at the village hall and is only available for drop offs.  Additional parking is available at Dinas Rock car park a short walk away. 

5. Bus Collection Points 

50 mile and Trail race coach collection is at the bus stop outside Cusop Village Hall. 

50k race coach collection is outside Llangynidir Village Hall. 
 
We still have some spaces on the coaches if you did not book them when you entered you can do so by emailing admin@runwalkcrawl.co.uk with your name, and race distance.  THIS MUST BE DONE BY MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY 26th OCTOBER.  We will then advise you how to make payment for the coach. 

6. Compulsory Kit - All races 

There is a list of items that you must have with you at all points during the race.  They cannot be left with supporters or left in a drop bag (unless they are replaced with a similar item eg: exchanging a wet base layer for a dry one).  This is a winter race over extreme terrain and these are important safety items.  The kit list is the minimum required but in most cases and especially if the weather forecasts is particularly poor (wet, windy or cold) you will want more layers.  Last year was, as anyone who did will tell you, horrendous and most people used every bit of their kit and their advisory kit.   Additionally, if you are in a race that travels through the night then you will want additional layers to ensure you can keep yourself warm if you slow down or become injured and need rescue.  You will not be allowed to participate unless you have ALL items. 

The compulsory kit list can be viewed here: Trail and Ultra Running in Wales 

We recommend ensuring you have suitable waterproof jackets and don't rely on the really light weight ones which are only designed to meet compulsory kit lists for summer races. If conditions are similar to 2025 – a more robust walking or mountaineering style waterproof would be the best option. We also recommend bringing suitable waterproof and warm gloves so you can still use your hands if wet and cold. 

Please note, your waterproofs must have taped seams.  This is a line of tape on the inside of your jacket / trousers running along the joins in the fabric.  Waterproof jackets & trousers that do not have this will not pass kit check. 

Upper body layers 

The kit list includes both, 

  • An upper body long sleeve synthetic layer with a minimum weight of 300g AND  

  • a standard long sleeve upper body base layer.  

These are emergency base layers and mid-layers and must be unworn at the start. For example, if you start in leggings or an upper body base layer you must carry a second set for emergency use. If you start in a mid-layer you must carry a spare for emergency use.  

The 300g long sleeve synthetic mid layer should be a single garment weighing 300g or more. The best option is a PrimaLoft jacket, or alternatively a thick warm fleece. This is for emergency use if you become injured, retire or are caught in inhospitable weather. The 300g weight is in a male medium so if you are using a size small top it can be less than 300g but the male medium equivalent must be greater than 300g. Please remember the 300g is the absolute minimum required and many will carry a heavier layer. If conditions are like 2025 then we would strongly recommend carrying a more substantial layer or better still an additional warm layer or jacket. 

If in doubt – pack more, nobody ever retires due to carrying additional layers, but plenty do if they don’t!  The best test for your kit would be to put it all on in torrential rain, wet, windy and cold storm conditions and stand still outside for 20-30 minutes! Then consider that in the mountains the temperature will be considerably lower and when you are tired you won’t be able to warm up as quickly. 

7. Drop Bags (100 Mile & 50 Mile only) 

There are drop bags available for the 100 mile and 50 mile runners which will be available at the Llangynidir checkpoint for both distances and also at the Pontneddfechen turn around checkpoint for the 100milers. In summary, 

  • 100 mile runners have 2 drop bags available at 3 points in the race.  These are: 
    - Drop bag A - Llangynidir Village Hall CP 3 (way out) & CP 11 (way back) 
    - Drop bag B - Pontneddfechan Village Hall CP 7 (halfway)  

  • 50 mile runners have one drop bag available at: 
    - Llangynidir village hall CP 4 

For the 100mile runners Drop bag A (available at Llangynidir) can be your own larger bag with a maximum size of 40 litres.  Drop bags will be provided for 50 mile runners and as well as drop bag B on the 100 mile route (available at Pontneddfechen). These are standard size 5l bags measuring 44 x 33cm.

Drop bags will be handed into the event team at the race starts. They will be returned to Hay on Wye from 2000 on Saturday evening.  Where possible we may be able to return early finisher bags sooner or you may be able to collect them from Llangynidir when you finish, but please ensure you ring ahead to the race directors to ensure your bag is not in transition.  Please make sure you take yours with you after the race as postage for retuning drop bags can be expensive and is payable by the participant. 

8. Checkpoints, Cut-off Times, Supporter and Race Crews 

Checkpoint locations, supplies, cut-off times and supporter / crew guidance can be found on the Black Beacon Checkpoint Guide which is available on our website blog at the link below.  

9. Navigation and route changes  

The best way to follow the route is using a GPS watch with the route on it, and most runners will choose this option. In wet, misty, or ‘claggy’ conditions smart phone screens can become difficult or impossible to use.  Smart phone mapping software is an excellent back up source, but you should ensure the phone is kept dry in a suitable case or plastic bag, and you have something at hand to dry the screen if necessary. Of course there will be some experienced runners who prefer map and compass, and if this is your chosen method we recommend bringing a suitable waterproof and extra tough map of the area.  

100 mile race 

The 100 mile route is largely unmarked for the first 50 miles but then will be marked for the return leg as detailed in the section below.  You must be able to follow the published route using the GPS trace.  For a competent navigator the route is very simple to follow and follows obvious lines, mountain trails and footpaths.  You will be required to carry an emergency map or back up GPS device as part of the compulsory kit list.  Whilst there will be safety teams and marshals around the course, ultimately, it is the participants responsibility to follow the published route using a combination of the GPS trace, markers and map and compass. 

50 mile, 50k Ultra Bach and Trail race 

The 50 mile, 50 km and trail races are marked at major junctions with running arrows, illuminous tape or flags. You will need to follow the route using a combination of the GPS trace and markings.  Whilst there will be marking, safety teams and marshals around the course, ultimately it is the participants responsibility to follow the published route using a combination of the GPS trace, markers and map and compass.  

Route Adjustments 

There is a route change from last years route around the A470 checkpoint, Fan Fawr and Corn Du. The A470 checkpoint is now at the National Trust Pont ar Daf Car Park (the Pen y Fan path with the toilets) which provides us with better facilities and more space than the layby used in previous years.  As a result, and to help ensure all routes are at the required distance the route has been adjusted either side of the checkpoint. Please check the map on the website especially if you have reccied the route or taken part previously.  Please also ensure you download the final GPS trace from the website (see below). 

10. GPS file and GPS Tracking 

Final GPS Route 

The final GPS will be published early next week following some final last minute course checks over the weekend. Once ready we will send an email out with a link to it.  

GPS Tracker Links 

The GPS tracker link will be sent out 1-2 days before the event when the live tracks are ready.  It will also be posted to our social media pages. 

Further information 

If you have any questions that are not covered by this email - there are the answers to a lot of common questions on both the event page and the race FAQ page.  

Until then, keep calm and continue your preparations and we look forward to welcoming you to the mountains of Wales. 

Team Run Walk Crawl