Brecon Beast Mountain Marathon 2002
We, that is Chris J, Matt Webb, Andrew, Dan Holland and myself arrived at
a campsite above Brecon on saturday evening where the preparations for the
Brecon Beast were well underway. This 100km mountain marathon was a new
one, and one that had been keenly anticipated for a while. After setting
up camp, digging into the pasta that was provided we wound up down the the
Boar's Head for a refreshing ale or two before the traditional kebab house
visit and bed...
The next morning dawned bright and sunny with no wind. Perfect. Last
minute fettling was done before the 9am start, and then we were off. We
had a police escort out of Brecon and a pace van for the first 3 or 4
miles until they let us go and play on the tracks that opened up from
there. That was the last any of us saw of Andrew until we'd finished! The
course started with a long climb that took around 1.25 hours around Sarn
Helen with the reward of a fast-paced downhill into (evetually) some
forestry. A bit of road bashing (country lanes only) followed until we
passed the 60km cut off and then set off up 'the gap' between Pen-y-fan
and Fan-y-big. A fairly arduous climb ensued followed by another superb
descent, some more forestry and a very fast section of fireroad/country
lanes back into the finish.
A great event, superbly organised, and one I would recommend for next
year. Unlucky to Chris with his puncture and well done to everyone who
took part.
Photos can be found here and the results here
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