United Kingdom · Wales
Beacons Way Ultra
Distance
161 km
Date
July 25, 2026
Entry fee
209 GBP
€ / km
€1.49
Wales in full: big Brecon climbs, wild weather, and a long point-to-point that rewards stubborn legs.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
6143m
D+/KM
38.16m/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
Route Profile
Analysed 2026-05-01Terrain breakdown
Terrain
Climbs
Top climbs
4.8 km · 544 m gain
starts km 111 · avg 11.3% · max 38.4%
7.7 km · 439 m gain
starts km 71 · avg 5.7% · max 43.8%
4.1 km · 436 m gain
starts km 126 · avg 10.6% · max 28.2%
Top descents
4.3 km · 496 m drop
starts km 119 · avg -11.6% · max -31.5%
3.0 km · 443 m drop
starts km 83 · avg -14.6% · max -27.4%
4.0 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)
Q: How hard is the Beacons Way Ultra 161km? | A: 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.
Course Profile — Point-to-Point Along the Beacons Way: Black Mountains, Llanthony Abbey, Pen-y-Fan, and the Carmarthen Fans
Q: What is the route of the Beacons Way Ultra 161km? | A: 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.
£209 for a GB Ultras 100-Miler: 10 Checkpoints, Hot Food, and Medics at Every Station
Q: How much does the Beacons Way Ultra 161km cost? | A: £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
Q: Which airport should I use for the Beacons Way Ultra? | A: 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.
Race files
Logistics
Nearest airport
Cardiff (CWL) / Bristol (BRS) / Birmingham (BHX)
Notes
Start: ~1–2.25 hrs (CWL/BRS) or ~2–3.5 hrs (BHX) to Brecon / Abergavenny area (route depends; TODO: verify start/finish) / Public transport: trains to Abergavenny/Merthyr Tydfil + bus/taxi; car easiest / Accommodation: limited in small towns; book early (summer)
