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Black Cattle Ultra Gwartheg Duon
44 mile and 33 mile ultras
Saturday 23 August 2025
Why the name?
The race starts in the Heart of the Black Mountains - and the local cattle are called Welsh Blacks. We want to celebrate the both the outstanding beauty of the area - and the local hardy breeds that cope with the Welsh Mountain Weather. The calves are so cuddleable, you'll want to take one home!
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44 mile/71k ultra
What better way to start a race than at the beautiful Llanthony Priory, nestled in the Heart of the Black Mountains. You'll spend the day travelling back to Cardiff passing the fairy tale Castell Coch near the finish. Over mountains, wooded vales and picturesque villages, this is one amazing route. It's not easy, yet very rewarding - and something you will definitely want to come back for.
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33 mile/53k ultra
​​This is not the “easy” option. Starting 11 miles into the 44 mile route, in the pretty town of Abergavenny, you will first meet the Blorenge - a very big climb to start the day. Wandering through the historic towns of Pontypool and Risca, before seeing our Machen Races venue. Finally, a traverse along the Cefn Onn ridge back to Cardiff via the iconic Castell Coch. Just like the 44 mile option, a glorious mountain ultra along an amazing route which will no doubt have you wanting to come back for more.
Race details
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Date: Saturday 23rd August
44 mile ultra start: 7:00am
Registration opens: 6:00am (at Llanthony Priory)
Registration closes: 6:45am
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33 mile ultra start: 9:00am
Registration opens: 08:00am (at Abergavenny)
Registration closes: 8:45am
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There will be a kit check at registration – no kit,
no entry.
Full kit list information can be found here.
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The venue for the finish line and race HQ is:
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Cardiff Harlequins RFC
Diamond Ground
Forest Farm Road
Whitchurch
Cardiff
CF14 7JN
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Costs
44 miles: £90
33 miles: £80
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Start line transport
As these are point to point races, we have arranged for transport to get you to the start line at either Llanthony Priory or Abergavenny.
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This is an option at additional cost for entrants - though you are welcome to make your own arrangements. This allows competitors to leave their vehicles at the finish line/race HQ for when they complete the race.
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What you get
Professionally run event with
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Professional medical team
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Professional photographer
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Tracking devices - so your friends and family can 'dot watch' your progress
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Professional timing service
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Three indoor aid stations with warm food (two for the 33 mile route)
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Further water aid stations
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The same high quality experience as our other races
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Support for female entries through SheRaces charter compliance
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Locally sourced finisher’s memento (to reduce our environmental impact)
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Awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd male and female, as well as 1st veteran male and female​
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Navigation​​​​​​​​​​​
Both courses will require self navigation.
A gpx file of the route is available here
Aid stations and refreshments
There will be three indoor aid stations for the 44 miles race, and 2 indoor stations for the 33 mile race.
The indoor stations will be at​
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Abergavenny Community Centre - 11 miles (start for 33 mile race)
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Pontypool Pontymoil Church - 23 miles (12 miles for 33 mile race)
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Machen - 34 miles (23 miles for 33 mile race)
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There will be further water points along the route approximately every 6 miles. Further details and confirmation will be provided nearer race date.​
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Kit
No kit = no race. The race is a serious undertaking in mountainous areas. Kit list can be found here
Cut-offs
Both courses will close at midnight at the the Harlequins ground. This allows a pace of 2.6mph which is similar to most popular ultras such as Lakeland 100.
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Abergavenny cut-off: 11:30 (11 miles)
Pontypool cut-off: 15:30 (23 miles)
Machen cut-off: 20:00 (34 miles)
Race finish: 24:00 (44 miles)​​
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Facilities
There are changing rooms and showers at the venue.
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There will be toilets at all the indoor aid stations
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​​​Travel
There is ample parking at the finish line/race HQ.​
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