A 100km of the Brecon Beacons National Park in horrendous conditions of high winds on the peaks and driving rain all day and night. A great experience all the same. Navigation and weather slowed me down. This trail race is very different to the trails and races I am used to in Asia. There are no markings whatsoever, so it is up to you to navigate using the GPX. Presumably this also enables people who know the trails and the area very well to merely shortcut to the checkpoints, but it is not highly competitive so I assume this isn't an issue.
The weather created some potentially very hazardous situations with high winds, darkness and precipices. The rain blowing sideways into your face made it very difficult to see, exacerbating navigation issues. I am not sure anyone expected those conditions in the middle of summer - even for Wales!
Checkpoints were manned by volunteers who were either super helpful and supportive, or ambivalent and inexperienced. But you find this everywhere. I really appreciated having a crew (of my Mum and son!) who braved the conditions and drove to most checkpoints to meet me. Checkpoint 6 was almost being blown away itself, so arriving there after 80km of cold and dark stumbling to be able to sit in the car for a few minutes to try and warm up was a blessing and a curse, as I immediately started to stiffen cramp up. But that warm soup was an elixir!
I arrived to the finish line at 2am in 4th place, to not a soul around (other than my darling Mum!). Much like my previous 100km effort in Borneo Ultra Trail, but this time some 8 hours faster :-)
Thanks to GBUltras for the event, and to all the volunteers sticking it out in horrible weather. Congrats to all the finishers and podium runners. Just getting to the line is a major achievement.
Негізгі бет Beacons way 100km trail race, Brecon Beacons NP, Wales 2023
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