Beacons Way 2024 – Race Report

Date: Saturday 27th July 2024

Official miles: 102 miles 

Strava says: 107.53 miles

Elevation: 20,154 ft /  6,143 m

Strava says: 21,762 ft /  6,633 m

Weather: hot and dry

Start: Abergavenny Castle

Finish: Llangadog RFC

Route type: Point to point

Conditions: dry and hard underfoot

Website link: Beacons Way 100 miles by GB Ultras

Describe the route in three words: stunning clear views

Beacons Way 100 – Race Report

Bannau Brycheiniog Is definitely my favourite place to run in the whole wide world so obviously the Beacons Way 100 mile is going to be right at the top of my list of favourite races.

And what a fab weekend I had doing this incredible race. I went into this race knowing I was perhaps the least race fit I’ve ever been so decided to try out a couple of new things rather than focus on a finish position or time.

1. Be super speedy through checkpoints (i.e less than 10 minutes rather than my usual 40+ minutes!)
2. See if I could move up a gear on the easy runnable bits rather than stick to auto cruise.

I succeeded with these goals certainly the first 75% of the race! I somehow managed to pull third lady out the bag and got 17th overall out of a field of 84. In fact, the difference between my moving time and elapsed time last year was 5 hours 40 minutes, this year the difference was just 3 hours 3 minutes so I really succeeded in cutting down my checkpoint faffing time.

2023 saw me get a new ladies course record, I knew that it would get blown to pieces when I saw super speedy Sanna Duthie on the starting list and I could not be more delighted for her as I know she was eager to beat her 2022 time so massive well done to her! She absolutely obliterated my time taking over 3 hours off it in a solid time of 27h 21m 39s.

Race morning certainly had a different vibe to last year, the weather was forecast to be warm and dry rather than the biblical rain and wind of 2023.

Knowing I was not race fit meant that I had mentally prepared myself for a slower run and would have more time to admire the views which were non-existent last year.

The first climb on the Beacons Way is Skirrid, my most loved mountain for sentimental reasons.

Something that REALLY made me smile on this part of the route was the amount of event crew who greeted me by name. That was a very nice feeling indeed, made me all all warm and fuzzy inside.

It felt like checkpoints 1 (7:26am) and 2 were done and dusted in no time at all. I grabbed a few cheese sandwiches at CP2 9:19am but didn’t stop. I saw Francis out on his run when I was coming down towards Crickhowell, always nice to see a friendly face! I had decided that I would practice being super speedy through checkpoints on this race as I often enjoy them a bit too much and can waste hours at them!

Checkpoint 3 at Crickhowell 11:51am I was delighted to say I was in and out in 7 minutes! Not bad as this was a ‘big’ stop for me as I needed bladder refills, comfort break and proper food. The dreaded fern section after Crickhowell was a hot slog and I was dipping my hat and buff in to streams to cool down at every opportunity.

Checkpoint 4 at Bwlch 3:07pm was upon me in no time. I changed my socks here, had some toast and turned it around pretty quick again (with the help of Francis as super crew). Onwards to Talybont checkpoint 5 where I met a captain of a super yacht (also in the race!) on the Taff trail. A Pot Noodle and I was in and out in around 10 minutes having arrived at 6pm.

Jacobs Ladder was a hot slow climb, RD Wayne was at the top, he wanted everyone to pose for a photo. I actually was a bit miffed that I had to stop for this as I was in my flow but actually, he takes a great photo so it was worth it! Down the M25 to checkpoint 6 Storey Arms 8:23pm where I had a surprise visit from Francis. All in all, so far so good!

Going into the night I ran a lot with Toby and Roger, it was nice to have some company. A memorable moment and proof of how no conversation with another runner on an ultra is off limits, was when I told Roger I needed to stop for a pee. He ran on ahead and I squatted down without first checking and when I caught back up with Roger I informed him that my sudden unusual gait was to do with the fact I had a nettle sting right up my bum hole!

The section to Sarn Helen went really well, certainly a lot easier than when I did it for Wild Horse! I switched my head torch on well before the checkpoint at Sarn Helen, last year I was well out of Sarn Helen before I switched it on so I knew I was massively behind last year’s time arriving at 10:26pm (9:30pm last year), but it is what I expected. I saw Francis again at the caving club checkpoint, had a shoe and sock change before heading out on to the big climb at Fan Hir. I shared a mile or two with Lee Arundell, a really nice guy who was being met by his coach who was going to pace him at the church before the climb.

The climb up Fan Hir was brilliant, we’d done the low level route last year due to the dangerous weather conditions therefore it was the first time I had done this climb, I loved it so much and soon left the fading voices of Lee and his coach behind. This stretch was by far the best bit of the race for me, it was a stunning starry night, the weather was cooler and all in all it was a beautiful night. The sun had risen well before I got into checkpoint 9 Llanddeusant 4:53am where I met Guto.

Roger and Toby wanted to stick with Guto and I. The climb out of Llanddeusant was not good. I was grumpy, uncomfortable and not talkative. I also felt guilty, I was 30 minutes behind where I thought I’d be so Guto had already had a long wait for me at Llanddeusant. We’d never met before, he’s a good friend of my friend Kev and I also felt bad as Kev had probably told him I was bubbly and talkative, I was far from that right now. After a while I decided that the reason for my mood was that I actually needed a number two. Now it was time to inform someone I had only just met that I needed a poo stop. I found a lovely rock to hold onto and relieve myself and then my mood picked up a lot. I was so happy to have Guto from Llanddeusant, over the rocky area and through the bog towards the quarry, I have always struggled with the nav on this section. I think Roger and Toby were grateful too.

Guto initially was going to leave me at checkpoint 10 Mountain Quarry 8:52am but he kindly offered to stick with me until the end. I really needed his company as I was deflating massively in the heat. Those last 24 miles with him were hard work I was so grateful to have his company. 

We stopped not long after Carreg Cennen Castle as I had a stone in my shoe and Guto got me to pose at the bench marking the end / start of the Beacon’s Way for a photo.

The finish line this year was at the rugby club and I shed a tear crossing the line (at 1:49pm), I think they were tears of relief as I had found it tough going in the heat. But overall I had had a brilliant weekend out on the hills!

Huge, huge thanks to Francis on crew and Guto pacing / navving me on the last 24 miles. I really am so lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life.

What’s in the snack pack?

4 bars

500 calories emergency food

Sugar coated stemmed ginger

Caffeine chews

2x 500ml bladders water – with Sis

Gloves

Warm hat

Inov 8 Trailshell waterproof jacket

Long sleeved spare layer

Sunglasses

Suncream

Vasaline

Spare hair band

Safety pins

Compeed, plasters, surgical tape, spare socks

Harrier Helvellyn Carbon Z-Poles and quiver

Silva head torch

Back up hard torch –  Petzl e+lite

Whistle

Life Systems survival bag

Harvey’s Brecon Beacons West and Brecon Beacons East maps

Compass

OMM Halo waterproof trousers

OMM ultra flexi cup

Salomon Bonatti waterproof over mittens

Fully charged mobile phone

Portable charger & Garmin cable

Drop bag 1 – Talybont

Ginger, bars, gloves, shoes, Stance socks, buff, leggings, knickers, Montane long sleeve top, short sleeve tee shirt, sports bra, plastic bag (for wet stuff), newspaper (to put in trainers).

Drop bag 2 – Llanddeusant Village Hall

Bars, gloves, hat, shoes, Stance socks, buff, leggings, knickers, Montane long sleeve top, short sleeve tee shirt, vest, sports bra, foot stuff (gauze, tape, Vaseline), plastic bag (for wet stuff), newspaper (to put in trainers).

Crew bag with Francis

Windproof jacket]Waterproof jacket

Waterproof socks x2

Rain cap

Shorts

Waterproof trousers x2

Hat

Gloves x2

Sudocreme

Talcum powder

2x leggings/pants/tee/long sleeve

1x vest

4x socks

Arm sleeves

What I wore: Saucony Peregrine 12 ST, Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar, buff, Sweaty Betty power leggings, Stance socks, tee shirt, Dirty Girl gaiters, Salomon Adv Skin 12 running vest.

Lead up: Having completed the Wild Horse 200 towards the end of May, I was certainly not race ready for this and had not done much training, in fact, I didn’t do any training! The time between Wild Horse and Beacons Way was spent on a lovely week holiday to the Azores, a few Blaze boot camp sessions, a handful of social runs and a lovely 13 mile day out on the Beacons Way course.

Morning preparations: I stayed at Fran’s house the night before the race and actually for once had a pretty decent sleep, I normally have a sleepless night before a race. Porridge with oat milk, mashed banana and berries for breakfast and then the short drive to Abergavenny to park up by the castle. I must have covered a mile or two before the start as I kept going back and forward to the car to do various faffing activities!

Summary This is certainly one of my favourite races and although I found this year a lot tougher than last year due to  my lack of fitness and the hot weather conditions, I still enjoyed it immensely. I think last year the enjoyment came from feeling so strong, fit and in control throughout, as well as the massive sense of adventure and achievement conquering the weather conditions. This year the enjoyment came because the fabulous sunny weather meant that the views were outstanding throughout, the slower pace meant that I could enjoy the scenery even more. The overnight section was certainly the best overnight run I have ever had, the night sky and terrain along with cooler, drier conditions meant for an epic experience.

Lessons learned Being more efficient through checkpoints on this race was a big deal for me. It was also fun pushing myself to run faster on the sections that allowed for that. I also learned that enjoyment takes many forms, and I’m pleased to say that I discovered a way to still enjoy a race that I did so well at last year, and not feel disappointed to a lesser performant this year.

Results

Chip time: 31hr 49m 08s

Overall: 17/84

Lady: 3/10

Beacons Way 100 mile 2024 – click here for results

Strava link: click here

GB Ultras Media Crew:

• Joel Jameson Photography 
• Tosh Simpkin 
• Evan Davies Photos