A classic A to B 'grassroots' fell race taking in three major peaks in the South Wales Black Mountains.
15.8 miles / 4500 feet ascent
25.4 km / 1372 metres ascent
AL (category "A" Long).
Classifications: ER (experience required) / LK (local knowledge advantageous) / NS (navigational skills required)
Full Kit Requirements as per FRA ruling: waterproof whole body cover (with taped seams and integrated attached hood), hat, gloves, map of the route, compass, whistle and emergency food. Any changes to this will be announced at registration. Otherwise please assume full kit. The end of March can be a very changeable time of year for weather - spring sunshine or snow - and often both on the same day!
Date and time
12 noon, Saturday 31st March 2018
Venue
Please note - this is an 'A to B' race. The registration is at the finish. You then need to get to the start which will take you about 25 minutes by vehicle.
The start is at Llanbedr village NP8 1SR; the finish and registration before the start is at the Rugby Club in Blaenavon NP4 9HR.
Llanbedr village is tiny and the start which is on the road in the centre of the village is obvious.
Please use these postcodes to locate the start and registration/finish. The google map on this site isn't quite accurate.
You will need to arrange transport/ cadge a lift to and from start/finish. It works out! If you don't have a lift, arrive at registration in good time to find one! If you have spare car places please ask if anyone needs a lift.
Championship status
The 2018 race is a Welsh Championship counter.
How to enter
Entries on the day only £12.00 (includes shower and refreshments and Fabian4 timing).
Contact
For more information contact Ruth Pickvance, preferably by email: ruth@element-active.co.uk
Tel: 07507 189904
Registration
Registration is at Blaenavon Rugby Club, NP4 9HR, and opens at 09.30 am (closes at 11.15am).
Parking
Adjacent large (free) car park just below the Rugby Club.
Facilities
After the race, there are showers and refreshments at Blaenavon Rugby Club.
Course
15.8 miles / 4500 feet ascent
25.4 km / 1372 metres ascent
AL (category "A" Long).
Classifications: ER (experience required) / LK (local knowledge advantageous) / NS (navigational skills required)
Please note - there will be a cut-off time of 3.15 hours in Llanfoist. If you are not through in 3.15 hours here you will be asked to retire.
Checkpoints
Start: 240203 - Llanbedr Village (start)
1: 262227 - Crug Mawr
2: 257213 - Stile off open fell
3: 253189 - Path junction
4: 273188 - Summit Sugar Loaf
5: 286133 - Llanfoist drink station
6: 270119 - Summit of Blorenge
7: 257088 - Finish. Blaenavon Rugby Club
Please note - when crossing the valley between Crug Mawr Stile off Open Fell (CP2) and The Sugar Loaf path junction (CP3) you must follow the indicated route - see map below. You are welcome to choose your route other than on this section of the race.
Records
James McQueen (1999) 1:59:01
Menna Angharad (1996) 2:19:03
Results
See this post for results from previous years (up to 2017). Results from 2018 are here.
Prizes
1/2/3 Male & Female.
1st 040/1st 050/1st 060/1st 070 Male & Female.
Teams of three. 1st Male & Female.
Please note - if you win a prize in more than one category - you get both prizes.
Prize giving
3:30 pm
What's in a name?
"Blaenavon" or "Blaenafon"!? Race registration and the finish are in the town named "Blaenavon" on Ordnance Survey maps, at the club that calls itself the "Blaenavon Rugby & Social Club", so we have used that spelling in directions and route details. But the Welsh language spelling of the name is "Blaenafon", and this race has (so far as we can tell) always been named the "Llanbedr to Blaenafon Fell Race", so we have used this spelling for the race name on this website. Another reason for including both spellings on this page is to help people find the race details in search engines.
Accommodation
Airbnb: Search: Abergavenny; Crickhowell; Fforest Coal Pit; Bwlch; Blaenavon [All close to the race area].
Abergavenny Tourist Information: http://www.visitabergavenny.co.uk/places-to-stay/
Star Bunkhouse: http://www.starbunkhouse.com
Brecon Beacons Tourism
Stay somewhere green
Please Note: Please look carefully at this map which shows a part of the race route in RED and an illegal shortcut route in green. It is illegal because it passes over private land which has neither a PRoW nor is it Open Access land. Any runner taking this tempting shortcut will be disqualified.
