Beast of Bryn 2025
17 August 2025
Beast of Bryn 2025 (Bwystfil Y Bryn)
We are delighted to be hosting the Beast of Bryn 2025 (Bwystfil Y Bryn)
BRAG (Bryn Residents Action Group) first established this race in 2011 and quickly grew in size and reputation. It was put on hold for a few years then re-started in 2022 as the Covid-19 restrictions eased. At this point, the management of the event was outsourced to Run Afan but in 2024, this was brought back in-house and is now fully managed by BRAG.
The event is held under UK Athletics rules with the registration number to be defined soon.
We have two distances to choose from – approximately 6.5 miles (10.5km) or 10.5 miles (17km) with total climbs of approximately 288 or 556 Meters. The route passes through the mountains of Afan Forest Park, with stunning views throughout.
- Short Race 6.5 miles affiliated £27
- Short Race 6.5 miles unaffiliated £29
- Long Race 10.5 Miles Affiliated £37
- Long Race 10.5 Miles Unaffiliated £39
Open to new and seasoned runners. Set yourself a challenge for 2025!
Online entries will remain open until 23:59 Friday the 25th July. This is to allow time for numbers to be printed and mailed to your registration address.
ARE YOU READY FOR THE CHALLENGE?
WITH THIS RACE YOU'LL GET:
- - AN AWESOME RACE EXPERIENCE
- - RACE PACKS MAILED TO YOU (NO QUEUINGFOR BIBS ON THE DAY)
- - FULLY MARKED AND MARSHALLED ROUTE
- - BESPOKE FINISHER MEDAL
- - FINISHERS T-SHIRT
- - PRIZES FOR THE TOP 3 MALE & FEMALE WINNERS FOR BOTH RACES
- - ELECTRONIC CHIP TIMING
- - EVENT FACILITIES & TOILETS
- - FULLY TRAINED MEDICS
- - BAG DROP
- - FREE MARSHALLED PARKING (for about the first 200 cars)
EVENT SCHEDULE:
- - HELP DESK OPENS - 8:00 AM
- - START OF MINI BEAST 9:00 AM (ONE-MILE FUN RUN)
- - START OF THE BEAST: 10:00 AM (10.5 mile run)
- - SECOND START 10:15 (6.5 mile run)
- - POST RUN ENTERTAINMENT
- - AWARDS CEREMONY: 13:00 PM
Mini Beast one-mile fun run
We will also provide a one-mile fun run for the younger element who are too young to run the Beast. For details on this Mini Beast race, see the registration site here.
DIRECTIONS:
Head for Bryn Rugby & Social Club, Hillgrove, Bryn, Port Talbot, SA13 2RR and follow our Signs. Please park where available and head to the event field.
AFFILIATED ATHLETIC CLUB ENTRIES, NOTE: Club entries are for affiliated athletic clubs only.
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Thanks also to all of the runners who are again supporting this event having entered this race in past years. You are about to take part in a challenging race through the beautiful Welsh valleys. For this year, the routes have been changed to eliminate any road crossings.
The BRAG committee, organising this event, charity number 1158947, will ensure all profits from this event will go to local community organisations and causes supported by this charity.
Parking
BRAG will provide some free marshalled parking for about 200 vehicles.
There is some parking in and around the village. However, attendees are encouraged to car share or use other transport where they can, as space is limited. Please be considerate of the residents when parking in the village.
Registration
All entrants must be 18 yrs. or older.
All registration will be done online and Race numbers will be posted to your registered address before the race so long as the online entry is completed before 23:59 on 25th of Jul. If for any reason you will not be at your registered address before the race, please let the race organisers know as soon as possible. For online entries made after this time, runners will need to collect their number on the day and T-shirt size can not be guaranteed.
Race bibs will have the race number, name and the requested t-shirt size on them.
Online entries will remain open until 23:59 Friday the 2nd Aug or when the race-entry limit is reached whichever is the sooner. There will be no new entries after this date and numbers will have to be collected on the day for late entries.
Finisher's T-shirts will be handed out after crossing the finish line on race day.
Participants should proceed to the relevant t-shirt desk, identified when entered and shown on the race bib.
There will be a help desk to handle any inquiries you may have on the day.
Toilets
There will be toilets available around the starting area. Disabled toilets will be available at the Community Centre.
There are also toilets in the changing rooms and community centre.
Male showers will be available in the changing room and a Female shower in the community centre.
Other Facilities
There will be snacks and refreshments in the Community Centre and the Rugby Club.
Pre-race Briefing
A pre-race briefing will be emailed to all participants before race day.
Race Start
The race will start in the playing field.
The 10.5-mile race will start at 10:00 a.m. It has been the tradition for this race for a local celebrity to start the race, which was Stephen Kinnock, a keen runner himself and Aberavon MP, last year. A suitable celebrity will be chosen for 2025. The local charity celebrity, Captain Beany, will also be running the race under the number 57. The 6.5-mile Race will start at 10:15.
Marshalling and First Aid
First Aid will be under the control of the Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, who will ensure that any issues that occur during your run will be dealt with professionally.
Water Stations
There will be one water station on the short run and two on the long run. In our quest to become plastic-free, we ask that you run with a reusable cup or bottle. Due to hygiene concerns, we do not provide feed at the water stations, please take your energy supplements with you.
Finish Area
Sharon Leech, our Race Announcer, will welcome you across the finish line.
Once you cross the finishing line you will receive the Beast of Bryn Race finishers t-shirt, a bottle of water and a runners medal. Please ensure you join the correct queue relevant to the t-shirt size indicated on your race number bib.
There will also be a first aid station located in this area.
Prize list
All prizes will be awarded to both the qualifying Male and Female. The prizes will be a Trophy for each winner plus prize money as detailed below.
For the long race, the prizes will include 1st £70, 2nd £35, 3rd £20.
For the short race, the prizes will include 1st £50, 2nd £25, 3rd £15
Post-Race Entertainment
Will take place in the Rugby Club
Environment
The Race Organisers, BRAG, are passionate about protecting the wonderful environment that this race is set in. To help prevent the introduction of invasive non-native species and diseases to the area, we strongly advise runners to arrive with clean trainers and a clean kit to prevent the transfer from other areas where you have run.
We also encourage the prevention of litter and ask runners to use the bins provided close by the marshalling stations to dispose of any litter generated on the run.
Taking Part
We are pleased that you have chosen to take part in this great race but remind you to note the terms and conditions you have signed up to, especially on items such as running responsibly e.g. leaving adequate space and only overtaking when safe to do so. We also ask that you act on the other safety-related aspects of the terms and conditions.
Further Beast of Bryn Race Information and History
You can find out more about this year's race by clicking on Bwystfil y Bryn in the header of this page or to learn more about past races and the area by visiting our website at https://brynporttalbot.wordpress.com/ you can also access all our social media channels from either site.
If you have run the race in the past or simply want to know more about past races there is lots of information and photographs on the website.
Accommodation
Depending on your needs, we’ve come up with a mixture of local accommodations that should meet most requirements:
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Bryn Bettws Lodge and Log Cabins
Based at Gyfylchi in the Afan Forest located in the South Wales Valleys. We have become the first choice for Mountain Biking short breaks, Educational School and College Visits & Stag & Hen Parties. This is not surprising when you consider our destination in the world-renowned Mountain Biking haven and paradise in the Afan Valley. See the website for full details https://brynbettws.com/
Address: Bryn Bettws, Gyfylchi Farm, Pontrhydyfen, Port Talbot. South Wales. SA12 9SP
Phone: 01639 644037, 01639 642040 or Mobile 07772031093
Email: enquiries@brynbettws.com
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L & A Outdoor Centre Cabins, Goytre
Address: Goytre, Port Talbot SA13 2YP Phone: 01639 885509
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The Brit London Row Cwmavon Port Talbot SA12 9AH. email: thebritwales@gmail.com.
http://thebrit.wales/accommodation/
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DEPOT ROAD
New Methodist Church, Depot Road, Cwmavon. SA12 9DF
Offers contemporary 5-star accommodation in the stunning Afan Valley, South Wales.
For all enquiries, including making a booking, please use any of the contact methods below. We look forward to hearing from you.
MOBILE: 07974 437885 EMAIL: depotrd@mail.com
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Blanco's Hotel & Restaurant Green Park, Port Talbot, SA12 6NT
Tel: 01639 864500 Fax: 01639 896516 E-Mail: info@blancoshotel.co.uk
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Best Western Aberavon Beach Hotel
Port Talbot, South Wales. SA12 6QP
For enquiries or to make a reservation please call 0844 387 6086*
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Premier Inn Port Talbot
Bagle Brook, Baglan Road, Baglan, Port Talbot SA12 8ES
Phone: 0871 527 8896
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Windways Neuadd Afan
Afan Rd, Duffryn Rhondda, Port Talbot SA13 3HF Phone: 07973 615893
http://www.windways.co.uk/
PERFECT HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION! 11 beds, 5 bedrooms, detached house, off-road parking for 5 cars, free Wi-Fi.
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The Ambassador Hotel, Neath
A 20-minute drive from Cwmavon
www.ambassador-hotel-neath.co.uk
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The Towers Hotel & Spa, Swansea
A 20-minute drive from Cwmavon
www.thetowersswanseabay.com
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BRYN TEG HOUSE
Address: 9 Craig-Y-Fan Terrace, Cymmer, Port Talbot SA13 3LN Phone: 01639 851820 www.brynteghouse.com
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Afan Valley Views
Afan Road, Dyffryn Rhondda, Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot, SA13 3ET. Phone: 07795 23421962 Valley Views comprises of 2 self-contained apartments, sleeping 4 or 5.
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Explore the area. If you want to make a weekend of it, there are plenty of activities and attractions for all ages and abilities in Afan Forest Park and Neath Port Talbot. For more information, please visit: www.visitnpt.co.uk
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Red Rock Wild Camping
Graig Goch Farm, Port Talbot SA13 2TN. Phone: 07795 432176.
Red Rock Wild Camping – or Graig Goch in Welsh – is situated in Margam, Port Talbot, just 5 minutes off the M4, junction 38 (30 minutes from Cardiff or Swansea).
With woodland to the South, hills to the North and Margam Country Park to the West, the site is situated in quiet, secluded and stunning scenery.
Web site: https://www.redrockcamping.co.uk/
KIND REGARDS,
The BRAG Race Committee
| Entry | Opens | Closes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Race 10.5 Miles Affiliated | 30-Sep-2024 | 15-Aug-2025 | £37.00 |
| Long Race 10.5 Miles Unaffiliated | 30-Sep-2024 | 15-Aug-2025 | £39.00 |
| Short Race 6.5 miles affiliated | 30-Sep-2024 | 15-Aug-2025 | £27.00 |
| Short Race 6.5 miles unaffiliated | 30-Sep-2024 | 15-Aug-2025 | £29.00 |
Port Talbot
SA13 2RR
Registration open from: 08:00:00
Organiser: Bryn Residents Action Group (brag)
Race Director:Paul Bulmer
Tel:7757016572
Email:info@beastofbryn.com
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