Pen y Fan Race
A quote from Keith Anderson, holder of the "unbeatable" record from 1992:
It is a great course and I never forget the feeling of flying I got on that descent
If you would like to enter, or just come along to watch the race, this should tell you everything you need to know. If you have any more questions, please contact us.
Date & Time
This year it's gone large - no Pen y Fan race but check out the Fan y Big y Pen y Fan y Big Race instead, or come back in 2026!
But there are the usual junior races - find out more here.
Saturday 5th July 2025
Start 12:00 noon.
Location
Cwm Llwch car park (SO 006 245) near Brecon. NB the race start is another 15 minutes walk up the valley.
See interactive maps below.
Printable maps showing directions from Brecon: Map1 Map2
Parking
There is plenty of parking space in the areas to the left and right of the track after the gate at the end of the tarmac road. Please do not drive beyond the large boulder on right-hand side of the track.
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 in a tent near the parking area.
Pre-entered runners collect wristband 10:30-11:40.
No entry on the day.
Entry fee
£8 in advance.
Junior races: find out more
How to enter
Enter online via Fabian 4 - you will be able to select whether you want to enter Pen y Fan, Fan y Big, or both. Entry closes 8am on the morning of the race, Saturday 6th July.
Entries limited to 150. No entry on the day at the venue.
In line with WFRA Safety Guidelines, we will refuse entry at any time (before or after registration) to any competitor who, in our opinion, does not have the appropriate kit, equipment, experience or navigational skills required to complete the race safely and in a reasonable time.
Distance & Ascent
5.8 kilometres or 3.5 miles
588 metres or 1,930 feet
Classification
"AS". Experience required; local knowledge advantageous; navigational skills required. There is a cut-off time of 60 minutes at the summit of Pen y Fan - competitors not making this cut-off will be retired from the race.
Championship Status
tbc.
Kit requirement
Full windproof body cover (i.e. jacket and trousers), map, compass & whistle. Requirements may be relaxed on the day depending on weather conditions. Please make sure you have all items with you, or prepare to be disqualified and embarrassed! 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 https://sites.google.com/site/welshfra/policies/code-of-conduct
Age limit
15 or over on 31/12/2025. Younger runners please see the Junior Races page.
Records
M: 30.00 Keith Anderson 1992
F: 38.15 P.Calder/C.Crofts 1990/92
Prize categories
Male: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 1st V40, 1st V50, 1st V60, 1st V70, 1st V80
Female: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 1st V40, 1st V50, 1st V60, 1st V70, 1st V80
Special prizes
1st Male over both Brecon Fans races (decided on position, then fastest time of positions are equal)
1st Female over both Brecon Fans races (decided on position, then fastest time of positions are equal)
£300 for setting new M/F records
1st local (strict rules apply, but we are not sure what they are)
1st male club team (3 runners)
1st female club team (3 runners)
Organizers
Naomi Law and Crispin Flower (07984 807186)
Race route
See interactive maps below
Route map (new window) - printable route map suitable for carrying in your bumbag
GPX: Pen_y_Fan_Race.gpx
Route description (including description of bad weather route)
Route video (WMV) (12MB file)
Route with waymarkers shown on an interactive Ordnance Survey map
Cut-off times
There is a cut-off time of 60 minutes at the summit of Pen y Fan - competitors not making this cut-off will be retired from the race.
We will close the finish timing after 90 minutes, i.e. at 13:30.
Recce
12.00 Saturday 14th June from the car parking area at Cwm Llwch. Bring suitable outdoor gear and refreshments for 2 hours in the hills.
Route in Google Maps
Route profile
