Beast of Bryn 2026 (Bwystfil Y Bryn)

We are delighted to be hosting the Beast of Bryn 2026 (Bwystfil Y Bryn)

BRAG (Bryn Residents Action Group) established this race in 2011 and it quickly grew in size and reputation. Much of the history of the race can be found on the BRAG website. The management of the race was outsourced for a few years, but since 2024 has been fully managed by BRAG.

The event is held under UK Athletics rules with the registration number TR-25-13.

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 10.5-mile route can also be part of the Welsh Athletics Masters Championship for affiliated runners.

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 10:00 on Monday, the 3rd August. This is to allow time for numbers to be printed and mailed to your registration address.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE CHALLENGE?

6.5 MILER ROUTE  

10.5 MILER ROUTE  

WITH THIS RACE YOU'LL GET:

• - AN AWESOME RACE EXPERIENCE  
• - RACE PACKS MAILED TO YOU (NO QUEUING FOR 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.

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 possible, as space is limited. Please be considerate of the residents when parking in the village.

Registration

All entrants must be 18 years 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 10:00 on the 3rd of August. 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 include the race number, name, and the requested t-shirt size.

Online entries will remain open until 10:00 Monday, the 10th of August, or until the race-entry limit is reached, whichever comes first. 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. 

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 the 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 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 a local celebrity to start the race. A suitable celebrity will be chosen for 2026. 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, which will ensure that any issues that occur during your run are 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. For hygiene reasons, we do not provide food 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, water and a runner's medal.

There will also be a first-aid station in this area.

Chip Timing will finish at 13:00.

Prize list

All prizes will be awarded to both the qualifying Male and Female. The prizes will include a Trophy for each 1st-place 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 in which this race is set. 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 places where they have run.

We also encourage litter prevention and ask runners to use the bins provided near the marshalling stations to dispose of any litter generated during the run.

Taking Part

We are pleased that you have chosen to take part in this great race, but we 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 before or want to learn more about past races, there is a lot 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