Brecon to Cardiff Xtreme & Taff Xtreme Marathon

The Brecon to Cardiff Xtreme is an arduous winter ultra-marathon that spans 75 kilometers, connecting the historic town of Brecon with the bustling city of Cardiff. Now in its 13th year, this challenging race features a grueling ascent of approximately 2800 meters over 11 major peaks, making it ideal for seasoned mountain runners seeking an intense winter trail experience.
The event begins at the canal basin in Brecon and immediately challenges participants with steep climbs up Pen Y Fan, Crybin, and Fan Y Big. The route then descends via a historic Roman road to Neuadd Reservoir before another climb leads to Twyn Mwyalchod trig point. A long descent follows towards Pontsticilli Reservoir where runners reach the second checkpoint.
As the race progresses beyond this point, participants enter the Taff Xtreme Marathon section starting at Merthyr and covering the valleys overlooking the Taff River with an additional 1300 meters of ascent. The terrain becomes more varied, offering both challenging ascents and exhilarating descents through stunning Welsh landscapes like St Gwynno and Llanwonno forestry complex.
The latter stages take runners along the banks of the river Taff to Pontypridd's Honky Tronk café for a momentary respite before pushing on towards Cardiff. The race concludes with ascents over Cefn Eglwysilan and Mynedd Meio, leading into an exhilarating final descent through Coleg Y Cymoedd.
Participants will enjoy well-stocked checkpoints along the way, complete with refreshments and drop bag transport at Merthyr for Xtreme runners. The event base offers ample parking, indoor registration facilities, toilets, changing rooms, showers, and free live tracking via Open Tracking. Additionally, there is optional bus transportation from Cardiff to Brecon on Sunday morning and from Cardiff to Merthyr (£10) for the Taff Xtreme Marathon.
The race attracts a dedicated community of runners who appreciate its unique blend of winter conditions, rugged terrain, and picturesque vistas. With limited spots available each year due to high demand, this event is not just about crossing the finish line but experiencing an unforgettable adventure through Wales' iconic landscape.