This route was created by Ed Gwynne-Harris: "The reason I wanted to create this round was to try and encourage ultra runners to come to the Brecon Beacons National Park, which is where I grew up and an area I feel is underappreciated and underrepresented in the ultra running world. I am creating a film with The North Face about the FKT which will be released at film festivals throughout 2021 & 2022. Rounds are very prominent in the UK (Bob Graham, Paddy Buckley & Charlie Ramsey) and I believe the Brecon Beacons National Park should have a round of this kind which is why I have created this route. I hope that the film and the difficulty of the challenge will create the desired attention to encourage people to one of the most beautiful spots in the UK (I might be biased)."
Film here ($6.99 to view)
The Gwynne-Harris Round is a running challenge in the Brecon Beacons National Park which traverses 32 summits and starts and finishes at the small building on the west side of Talybont Reservoir Dam (51.876154,-3.303561). The round is around 75 miles long and has a challenging 22,000 ft of vertical gain. It takes in elements of the Beacons Way, the Cambrian Way and the South Wales Traverse.
- Tor y Foel
- Mynydd Llangynidr
- Cefn yr Ystrad
- Allt Lwyd
- Allt Forgan
- Craig y Fan Ddu
- Twyn Mwyalchod
- Craig Gwaun Taf [Duwynt]
- Bryn Du
- Fan Fawr
- Fan Dringarth
- Fan Llia
- Carreg Cadno
- Disgwylfa
- Garreg Las
- Carreg yr Ogof
- Bannau Sir Gaer (Picws Du)
- Fan Foel
- Fan Brycheiniog
- Fan Hir
- Cefn Cul (Waun Leuci)
- Fan Gyhirych
- Fan Nedd
- Fan Frynych
- Rhos Dringarth (Craig Cerrig-gleisiad)
- Y Gyrn
- Corn Du
- Pen y Fan
- Cribyn
- Fan Y Big
- Waun Rydd
- Twyn Du
Comments
Regional Editor: Superb double-achievement, Ed! Congratulations for creating the round in what I agree is an excellent National Park. And well done for setting a tough time to beat. Looking forward to seeing future attempts on here. Â
Thanks, Mike!
I plan to do this over the weekend of Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd May 2022, here is my tracking link:Â https://track.trail.live/event/elizabeth-gatherer-3
Congratulations Lizzie, outstanding feat of endurance and navigation!Â
Thank you Mike!
Hi,
I will be attempting this round starting at 4am Friday 16th June 2023.
Looking forward to this epic challenge.Â
Here is my tracking link
https://track.trail.live/event/simon-malley
Thanks,Â
Simon
Editor's note:
Simon Malley recorded the third known time on this route over 16-17 June 2023. Supported, he completed the Gwynne Harris Round in 28 hrs 20 mins 9 s. You can see his run on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/9280320131
Here's Simon's report:
Wow, what an epic but incredibly tough route. My aim was to complete in under 24hrs. I had my Dad providing support points at most of the road crossings enabling me to restock my water and food. The predicted forecast was wrong and by around 10am it became clear that the heat of the sun was going to be my biggest challenge. It was around 30oc for most of the afternoon and by around 3pm I arrived at one of my support points feeling quite unwell.Â
I thought I was going to have to pull out as it was clear I was suffering with heat exhaustion, and hadn't been able to eat anything for most of the afternoon so had zero energy. Thankfully, a 20 minute sleep in the shade and a little food gave me enough enthusiasm to carry on. I was joined by a friend Sean, at around 9pm/84km to help me through to the finish. My planned timing being out of the window meant I had to run throughout the night hitting the assent of corn du at around 4am. The last 18km seemed to last forever but knowing I was on the home stretch kept me going until I finally arrived back at the reservoir.Â
Nowhere near the time I had hoped for but very proud none the less for completing it and being the 3rd ever person to do so.