Llanbedr to Blaenavon Fell Race - 29.03.25

LLANBEDR TO BLAENAVON FELL RACE 

A fell running classic that's been going for over 40 years.

The race starts in Powys in the village of Llanbedr with the first checkpoint on the summit of Crug Mawr.

A steep off piste descent takes you into Monmouthshire, where you quickly find yourself climbing the western ridge to the top of Pen y Fâl (Sugar Loaf). 

You're then treated to a speedy time trial off the hill and through Abergavenny, leaving you with the small task of getting up the face of the Blorenge! 

Once you've left part of your soul somewhere between Llanfoist and the trig point, there's a bog hopping few kilometres into Torfaen through the ex-coal mining landscape and deceiving streets of Blaenavon to the finish. 

3 Countys

3 Summits 

23-26km

1,300m - 1,500m 

After a 2:35:27 finish in the sub-zero snow storms of 2024, I was hoping to go sub 2:30 this year. 

Conditions were excellent, albeit a little windy on the tops. Everything was going according to plan until the descent off the Loaf where I started feeling rough. 

Thankfully, after half hour of feeling rubbish, I pulled it back together for the final push to the finish. 

I didn't get the sub 2:30 I was aiming for, but I'm confident that with a couple of tweaks in fuelling, it'll be in the bag next time.  

Despite the time, I'm seeing big gains in overall performance thanks to coach Bethan ahead of my A goals for the year.

Massive thanks to Ruth and all of the volunteers from Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau for keeping this classic alive!

And thanks to support team Mahoney and Bethan for coming out to support. 

As always, it was awesome to spend the day with all the other weirdos who love running in the mountains for fun. 

Mynydd Du winning the male and female team prizes

11th Overall 

2:35:40 

@bethan_logan

@nicmahoney89

@ruth.pickvance

@elementactiveuk