Mynyddoedd Du / Black Mountains Fell Race

Race Information

Location, timings, kit requirements and rules, route and local and other information... 

Location and timings:

• Race HQ: Llanbedr Village Hall near Crickhowell (GR SN849173) NP8 1SR; W3W ///slurred.thatched.songbird

  • Please travel sustainably if possible - there is a prize for cycling/running/walking the furthest to reach the start!

• Car parking will be signed on entry to the village - please do not park anywhere other than the designated carpark and be considerate of other road users on arrival and departure 

• Registration 10:30 - 11:45am, compulsory race briefing at 11:50am

• Start 12:00pm outside the Village Hall (early starts possible at 11:00am)

• Finish by the Church Gate (race closes at 4.45pm) - refreshments available in the village hall 

• Prize giving 3.30pm - 4.00pm in the village hall 

Kit requirements and rules:

• Full kit is required: waterproof/windproof top, waterproof/windproof legs, hat, gloves, compass, whistle, map and kit bag plus suitable footwear

• Your race number must be visible at all times and you must check-in at each checkpoint (wristbands or similar will be provided for this) 

• Over 18s only

• For further details and rules see: https://www.welshfellrunnersassociation.org.uk/en/info-for-runners 

Route and cut-offs: 

• There are 5 checkpoints (plus start and finish) - each  with a friendly marshal that must be visited in the correct order 

  • Start - Llanbedr Village Hall SO239203: 12:00pm (early start at 11:00am) 

  • Checkpoint 1 - Pen Cerrig-calch summit trig point SO217224

  • Checkpoint 2 - Pen y Gadair Fawr summit pile of stones SO229287: cut-off 14:30pm (2 1/2 hours after 12:00pm start)

  • Checkpoint 3 - Chwarel y Fan summit stones SO258294

  • Checkpoint 4 - Bal-Bach path junction pile of stones SO273267

  • Pont Cadwgan (road crossing) car park entrance SO267251: cut-off 16:00pm (4 hours after 12:00pm start) 

    • This is not a checkpoint but a marshal will be present for the cut-off time, located before the start of the climb through the forest to Crug Mawr on the proposed route

  • Checkpoint 5 - Crug Mawr summit trig point SO263226

  • Finish - Llanbedr Church Gate SO239203: cut-off 16:45pm (4 3/4 hours after 12:00pm start)

  • Between checkpoints you must obey all WFRA rules, respect the countryside code for Wales (link), not cross any SSI land, remain legal and not acquire any permissions to cross private land - i.e. you must remain on open access land and public / permissive rights of way

• There will be no course markings (no signs, flags or tape) 

• There will be no refreshments or water on route (you must be self-sufficient) 

• Cut-offs are in place for your safety:

  • Early starts are available at 11:00am to allow wider access to the event and increased safety but this must be requested on entry in advance (online - link above)

  • If you reach a cut-off after the cut-off time you may retire or we can drive you back to the race HQ

  • If you retire (leave) from the race before the finish you must inform a marshal or the race HQ Organiser, otherwise Mountain Rescue will be called out to look for you 

  • There will be a "sweeper" following the last person on the route

• View a route map and download a .gpx file here: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/23153059/black-mountains-fell-race-al-ns-er-lk-?lat=51.920897&lon=-3.145078&zoom=11.9009&style=Standard&type=2d 

Local and other information:

• Safety: a risk assessment is available on the WFRA listing (link above) and trained first-aiders will be positioned at Race HQ and in the race area

• Surplus: any "profit" will be donated to local Mountain Rescue 

• Travelling from further afield? Why not enjoy the local area for longer... 

  • The race is fully within the Black Mountains, a Dark Skies area: https://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/things-to-do/brecon-beacons-black-mountains-p1725701 

  • The Black Mountains are within the boundary of Bannau Brycheiniog Brecon Beacons National Park: https://beacons-npa.gov.uk/ 

  • Visit the local market town Abergavenny: https://www.visitabergavenny.co.uk/  / https://www.visitwales.com/destinations/south-wales/wye-valley-and-vale-usk/things-do-and-around-abergavenny 

Thank you to all our participants, supports and volunteers, Llanbedr Village Hall, local land owners and the WFRA for contributing to the continued existence and success of this incredible race!