United Kingdom · Wales
Distance
161 km
Date
Entry fee
£209
€ / km
€1.49
New date pending
This race has already occurred. A new date for next year’s edition is pending.
Beacons Way Ultra 161km: Wales's Brecon Beacons 100-Miler — Fell, Bog, and Pen-y-Fan
Beacons Way Ultra 161 km is a point-to-point trail race following the Beacons Way National Trail across the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) National Park in Wales, starting from Abergavenny on July 25, 2026. The course covers 161 km with 6,143 m of gain (38 m/km), passing the Black Mountains, Llanthony Abbey, Pen-y-Fan (highest peak in South Wales), and the Carmarthen Fans.
Distance-weighted average gradients are 9.6% uphill and 10% downhill; the biggest climb (544 m at 11.3%, km 111) and biggest descent (496 m at 11.6%, km 119) arrive back-to-back in the race's back half. Entry costs £209 (€1.49/km); Cardiff (CWL) and Bristol (BRS) are 1–2.25 hours away. Ten checkpoints offer hot food and medics; 40-hour cutoff; 250 capacity. Founded 2019 by GB Ultras; 93 finishers in 2025. Not sold out. 'Brutal but beautiful.'
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
6,143m
D+/KM
38.2m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
9.6%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-10.0%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 17.6 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 20.9 km | |
| 10–15% | 11.3 km | |
| 15–20% | 4.6 km | |
| 20%+ | 5.8 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 37.2% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 26.8% | Flat |
| 36.1% | Downhill |
Terrain
Beacons Way Ultra – 161 km 161km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 4.8 km · 544 m gain starts km 111 · avg 11.3% · max 38.4% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 7.7 km · 439 m gain starts km 71 · avg 5.7% · max 43.8% |
| 3 | 4.1 km · 436 m gain starts km 126 · avg 10.6% · max 28.2% |
Top descents
| 1 | 4.3 km · 496 m drop starts km 119 · avg -11.6% · max -31.5% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3.0 km · 443 m drop starts km 83 · avg -14.6% · max -27.4% |
| 3 | 4.1 km · 370 m drop starts km 40 · avg -9.0% · max -28.1% |
How Hard Is the Beacons Way Ultra 161km? (6,143 m, Fell Terrain, and Why the Back Half Decides the Race)
How Hard Is the Beacons Way Ultra 161km?▼
Hard by 100-mile standards, with a fell and moorland profile rather than sharp alpine climbing. The course covers 161km with 6,143m of gain (~38m/km), ranking 264 of ~390 in the DTR database by elevation density. The hardest sequence arrives in the back half: a 544m climb at km 111 followed eight kilometres later by a 496m descent — both potentially in darkness, fog, or rain.
The Beacons Way Ultra 100 Miles Route Explained
What is the route of the Beacons Way Ultra 161km?
▼
The race follows the Beacons Way National Trail point-to-point from Abergavenny, crossing the Black Mountains (including Skirrid, the Holy Mountain), Llanthony Abbey, the central Brecon Beacons including Pen-y-Fan (the highest peak in South Wales), and ending at the Carmarthen Fans.
What Beacons Way Ultra 161km Costs: Entry Fee and Registration Deadline
How much does the Beacons Way Ultra 161km cost?
▼
£209 (the earlier £199 early-bird tier is closed). AUTO €/km = €1.49. Registration closes July 18, 2026 via my.raceresult.com/320022/registration.
Getting to the Beacons Way Ultra: Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham, and the Abergavenny Start
Which airport should I use for the Beacons Way Ultra?
▼
Cardiff (CWL) and Bristol (BRS) are the closest airports at approximately 1–2.25 hours from the Abergavenny start area. Birmingham (BHX) is approximately 2–3.5 hours. A car is the easiest option; trains to Abergavenny with a connecting taxi are also viable. Accommodation in Abergavenny is limited for a summer race weekend — book early.
July 25, 2026: Beacons Way Ultra Starts in Abergavenny, Wales
When does the 2026 Beacons Way Ultra take place?
▼
July 25–26, 2026, starting from Abergavenny, Wales. The race has a 40-hour cut-off. Expect typical Brecon Beacons summer conditions: changeable weather, bog, low cloud, and wind even in late July.
Beacons Way Ultra – 161 km 161km GPX
Getting to Beacons Way Ultra – 161 km
Nearest airport
Cardiff (CWL) / Bristol (BRS) / Birmingham (BHX)
Notes
Start: ~1–2.25 hrs (CWL/BRS) / ~2–3.5 hrs (BHX); start/finish at Abergavenny Museum, Abergavenny / Public transport: trains to Abergavenny/Merthyr Tydfil + bus/taxi; car easiest / Accommodation: limited in small towns; book early (summer)
