Switching it up for 2024

Eagled-eyed fell-runners will spot that we've switched the races around for 2024, with Pen y Fan on the Saturday, and Fan y Big on the Sunday. And, in 2024 the Fan y Big race will be in the opposite direction from previous years, i.e. clockwise instead of anti-clockwise. Having Pen y Fan first is actually reverting to the original pattern from 2008 to 2016; in 2017 we moved Fan y Big to the Saturday to coincide with the Llanfrynach Village Fete. But since Covid times that relationship no... read more
 

New organisers for Fan y Big Horseshoe 2023

Having successfully organised the Fan y Big Horseshoe Race five times since 2017, Emma Bayliss has had to pass on the baton for 2023. And since we've always been involved behind the scenes, Naomi and I have stepped in for this year, and we'll see how it goes. It's not as much work as it used to be, now we're using Fabian 4 for entries and timing, but there's still plenty to do, so we're very open to offers for future years!

Photos from Fan y Big 2008-9

I just found some photos from the Fan y Big Horseshoe from 2008 and 2009, enjoy!

2016 pre-race information

Weather and Kit @ Pen y Fan The forecast is mixed, with a good chance of rain, high winds on the high ground, and severely reduced visibility on the hill. Or it might be a sunny spell, but we all must plan for the worst. Therefore we will be requiring full kit at Pen y Fan, that is: Bumbag or rucksack Full windproof body cover (i.e. jacket and long trousers) Compass Map of the route (can be picked up at registration) Whistle For the up-to-date mountain weather forecast... read more
 

Article about the Brecon Fans Races in Mens Fitness

One of our competitors at Pen y Fan and Fan y Big last year - Damian Hall - is a journalist. He's had a piece about the races published in Men's Fitness magazine, and kindly sent us a link:

http://www.mensfitness.co.uk/races-events/4370/is-fell-running-britains-most-extreme-sport

First entry received for 2015 races

Woohoo, it's Chris Chambers of Eastleigh Running Club going for the Pen y Fan and Fan y Big double.

Online entries open for 2015

First the good news... the online entry system is now open for 2015. It could be that perfect Christmas gift for the one you love!? Now the bad news... we've increased prices by £1 for each race, so that we can pay the farmers for parking out of the entry fees we receive. OK not such bad news really, as we collected money for parking anyway at Fan y Big, so including it in the entry fee will save that particular hassle. Overall, because there are more runners than cars, we will collect a little ... read more
 

Fan y Big 2014 photos from the finish

Here are some photos I took at the finish, but it’s not quite all runners as I had to toddle off to do the results before everyone came in.

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Fan y Big 2012 - blood, sweat and mud

Just back from the race – another classic. Pete Ryder and Harry Matthews led the way in a battle from start to finish. Harry took a flyer on the descent, injuring significant proportions of himself and eating quite a bit of mud, but bravely kept it together and even took the lead for while until the final sprint finish. We couldn’t separate them at the tape, so it was 1st prize shared, with a time of 1:16 or so. Conditions were very heavy underfoot so times were generally down. I hobbled ... read more