Off The Tarmac Ultra Marathon 2026

The Off The Tarmac Ultra Marathon is a 30-mile trail ultra held in the Brecon Beacons. It begins and ends at the Georgetown Boys & Girls Club in Merthyr Tydfil. The race starts early and limits entries to 200 runners, creating a small field. This event is designed for runners progressing to ultra distances and those accustomed to long trail races. The mandatory kit list emphasizes the challenging hills and weather: participants must carry waterproofs, warm layers, a phone, food, basic first aid supplies, a whistle, a torch, and at least one litre of fluid. The route departs Georgetown via the Taff Trail, proceeds along paths by the River Taff, and heads north towards Beacons Reservoir. It then crosses the A470 and ascends Pen y Fan, South Wales' highest peak at 886 metres. A summit checkpoint records runners' check-in and check-out. The latter half descends Jacobs Ladder, connects with the Roman Road towards Torpantau, and utilizes forestry tracks alongside Dolygaer and Pontsticill Reservoir before returning through the Taff Fechan Nature Reserve. Five checkpoints are positioned along the course, four of which offer food and water. The race is cup-less, requiring runners to provide their own cup for drinks at checkpoints.