Event Details
- Date: Tuesday 23rd July 2024
- Format: Long
- Map: Carreg Goch [New Area]
- Organising Club: Swansea Bay Orienteering Club (SBOC)
Overview
Rising to 558m this extensive area is wild and remote and showcases the best that the Bannau Brycheiniog terrain offers. It will be a real adventure, especially if we get a misty day.
Unique compared to the other open areas are the sections of runnable bare rock.
Officials
- Organiser: Niall Reynolds (SBOC)
- Planner: Marcus Pinker (FVO)
- Controller: Ben Mitchell (SBOC) and Charles Daniel (BOK)
- Map Maker: Ben Mitchell
Arena Location
- Craig Y Nos Country park
- w3w: ///intersect.library.pickup
- OS Grid: SN842153
- GPS: 51.824318, -3.681261
Parking
Bussing to the event:
- Parking for all competitors will be at Defynnog on the A4067, just south of Sennybridge. It is 10 miles from Brecon. NGR SN923281 and Post Code LD3 8RY, What3words ///pickle.producers.hostels, Google Maps.
- It will be a short 5 min walk from the car park entrance to a layby for bus pickup and drop off. Marshalls will supervise the crossing for you, please follow their instructions.
- The journey to the drop off is about 20 minutes with the first buses leaving as soon as they are full. We have six coaches who will take just under the hour to return to the car park pick up so subsequent buses will be leaving about every 10 minutes.
- We also have a specific bus for transporting dogs (with their owners!) to the arena. This will leave the car park pick up on the hour and, if space, other competitors can use it to get to the arena.
- The drop off point is next to the Country Park with a short 400m easy walk to the arena.
Bussing back from the event:
- The first buses back to the car park will be at 14.00 and will pick up at the same place you were dropped off. They will travel in a southerly direction before turning around and returning north to the car parking drop off. They will continue north into Sennybridge so they can turn and return to the lay-by on the southbound side of the road. Similarly, the dog bus will operate on an hourly schedule too.
- We are hoping the Hungry Hut van will be stationed in the car park to provide nourishment before you set off back to your accommodation.
Event Layout
Arena
- Facilities, toilets, string course, catering, and traders available.
Start
Details tbc
- There will be two separate starts, one close to the arena and another a 2.2km walk with 200m climb. Allow at least 35 minutes. The route crosses the A4067 and you will need to follow marshals instructions.
Note: There will be a -4-minute call up. Control descriptions available on the lanes.
Finish
Details tbc
Terrain
Extensive hilly area of open limestone terrain. A bit of everything - Shakeholes, boulder fields, crags, bare rock and some marshy areas. Boulders can be quite distinct on the plateaus.
Runnability is generally good but there are many stony sections to contend with.
Safety
- Due to the elevated (580m) and remote nature of the area, whistles will be compulsory and checked before you run.
- If weather is inclement, cagoules will be needed, so please bring them to the event.
- Be aware that there are sheep and other walkers on the hills, so please treat both with respect and avoid if possible.
- All courses will pass close to or through a water point which will be provided in view of the long-distance nature of the event.
Map Sample
Mapping in progress…
Post-race recommendations
Local Caves: Dan-yr-Ogof Explore the depths
Local Waterfalls: Waterfall Country - Take a plunge
Local Thrill: Zipworld - Get a birds-eye view
Cer a’r goll yn Garreg Goch