Fan y Big y Pen y Fan y Big Race
A special route for 2025, combining the Fan y Big and Pen y Fan race routes into one, with 18.75 miles and over 6000 feet of ascent.
If you would like to enter or watch the race, this should tell you everything you need to know. If you have any more questions, please contact us.
Results on Racetek website, and results and a report on this website.
Date & Time
Saturday 5th July 2025
Start 11:00
There will be an early start at 10:30 for slower runners. Early starters have adjusted cut-off times - see below.
You must declare as an early starter in advance - click the link in a Fabian 4 email to view your entry details, then in the Competitor Details section click Edit, amend your Class to ‘Early Start 10.30’, then click Save.
Distance
30.4 kilometres or 18.75 miles
Ascent
1834 metres or 6017 feet
WFRA classification
"AL". Experience required; local knowledge advantageous; navigational skills required. Note there are cut-off times at checkpoints - see below - please ensure you can achieve these cut-off times if you want to enter this race.
WFRA race assessment matrix.
Risk Assessment.
Location
Llanfrynach, near Brecon. Location in Bing Maps.
Race start and finish are in the same place, SO 07137 25767.
Parking
In another field here between the village and the race start/finish. It's the same field as is used for the Brecon AC Llanfrynach 3-4-5 series. To maintain our good relationship with the local community, please do not park in the village.
From Llanfrynach village take the road signed "C antref 1 1/4", and the parking is on the left after about 100 metres. The race start/finish field is another 100m.
Charges (designed to encourage car sharing, and passed on to the farmer):
£0 per car with 3 or more runners.
£1 per car with 2 runners.
£2 per car with only one runner.
CASH ONLY!
Registration
Registration is in the Village Hall. Registration involves collecting the correct wristband from the registration desk.
Pre-entered runners register 09:30-10:45.
Early starters must have registered by 10:15, in order to start at 10:30.
Entry fee
£18 online in advance.
Sorry no entry on the day.
Junior races
These are on the same day at the Pen y Fan Race location Cwm Llwch! find out more
How to enter
Enter online via Fabian 4 Entry closes 12:00 noon Friday 4th July. Sorry no entry on the day.
Entries limited to 150.
In line with WFRA Safety Guidelines, we will refuse entry at any time (before or after registration) to any competitors who, in our opinion, do not have the appropriate kit/ equipment, experience or navigational skills required to complete the race safely and in a reasonable time.
Championship Status
N/a.
Kit requirement
Full windproof body cover, map, compass & whistle. Please make sure you have all items with you or prepare to be disqualified. Please read our safety guidelines.
No dogs.
The use of music/sound equipment that restricts hearing, and the playing of music audible to others, is prohibited.
Code of conduct
Competitors are required to abide by the WFRA Code of Conduct
Age limit
Over 18 on race day
Records
New route, so there are no records.
Prize categories
M: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 1st V40, 1st V50, 1st V60, 1st V70
F: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 1st V40, 1st V50, 1st V60, 1st V70
Special prizes
1st Male club team (3 runners)
1st Female club team (3 runners)
1st Local (a local prize, for local people - please look and behave like a local in order to claim this prize)
Organizers
Crispin Flower & Naomi Law
Race route
There are ten checkpoints on the route (including the finish), as follows, noting that three of checkpoint locations are visited twice:
- Bwlch y Ddwyallt summit SO 05466 20355
- Fan y Big summit (1) SO 03647 20650
- Cribyn summit SO 02387 21313
- Pen y Fan summit (1) SO 01204 21580
- Pen y Fan Race start/finish location (1) SO 00551 23660
- Cwm Llwch car park SO 00628 24497
- Pen y Fan Race start/finish location (2) SO 00551 23660
- Pen y Fan summit (2) SO 01204 21580
- Fan y Big summit (2) SO 03647 20650
- Finish (race field) SO 07137 25767
Route map and see interactive map below.
GPX: Fan_y_Big_y_Pen_y_Fan_y_Big_Race.gpx
Cut-off times
1 hour 30 minutes at checkpoint 1 - competitors not making this cut-off will be retired from the race and may return to the start by the ascent route. For main starters this cut-off time is 12:30. For early starters this cut-off is 12:00 (i.e. it's still 90 minutes).
3 hours 15 minutes at Cwm Llwch car park - competitors not making this cut-off will be retired from the race and should return to the start by road (lifts may be available). For main starters this cut-off time is 14:15. For early starters this cut-off is 14:00 (i.e. 3 hours 30 minutes).
6 hours for the whole race - the finish will close at 17:00pm. For early starters this cut-off is also 17:00 (i.e. 6 hours 30 minutes).
Refreshments
Water and some food will be available at the Cwm Llwch car park checkpoint, and at the finish.
Route