Hello MTC
    I wanted to thank you for the brilliant day I had at the recent trail challenge! It was the highlight of my year I loved it and can't wait for next

     years challenge. Brilliant route friendly people and very well organised.
    See you next year

    Anna  2011

    Hi Folks,

    We thoroughly enjoyed this year's route ( did the 20 mile last year, so braved the 30 mile this year).

    Was absolutely brilliant, there was no chance of ever getting lost, even when feeling very tired and fatigued, route markings were excellent.

      The new system for checking in at each check point was great too, no need hand around soggy registration sheets, just show your number badge.

       Very grateful for the tea, coffee and biscuits they were very welcome at checkpoint 2B and 3.

      Once again thank you to all the team for your efforts you pulled off a very successful event, you should all be very proud.

      I hope that a jolly great heap of money was raised for the charities too.

      Please let me know the second registration opens for next year's challenge, I am beginning to get addicted to this and need my fix!

     Best Regards

    Tom MC   2011

      Hi Mike

     Please pass on my thanks to all of you marshals and support staff / Mountain Rescue and yourself for their hard work this year,

     as without the long hours and hard work that they put in, I'm sure that the event would not have run so well.

     Really liked the changes to the route this year with the start straight out onto the taff trail allowed the fell runners more space to get

     past the walkers with out any real fuss, even the final open moor land section did not seam so bad this year.

    Also the tags worked really well, as its always a fuss, particaulay in the rain to get paperwork presented at the checkpoints,

    so the tags really helped to get though the checkpoints quickly, well apart from the checkpoints where there were free biscuits,

    had to stop then!!!!!!!!!!!

    And the Weather was a nice mix as well. A bit of everything, only thing that knocked it a bit was coming out of the woods at the end

    where the digging had churned up the path, but it all adds to the challenge.

     I look forward to entering again next year, as I'm sure you'll have a another good one planned.

    Lyndon Thomas   2011

    Rhondda

    South Wales.

     Just a quick note to say thanks for a great event, after a real early start it was so good to see so many smiling faces at registration,

     I had been on a long personal journey with my training partner (Monty the retriever) and my patient wife, and managed to lose

     almost 8 stone in order to drag my body round in under 10hrs. Myself and the dog are fully recovered, but still trying to get the mud

     out his fur from those last few miles over that boggy ground, that was tough!!

     Thanks again and please put me on the list for 2012, my only regret was I didn't get a t shirt oh well always next year

     Kind regards

    Andrew Elley (and Monty!!)   2011

     Would love to know when 2012 registration opens.

      Also a big thank you to all who manned the checkpoints and did the organising.  It was a brilliant event.

      Kind Regards

      Matt Walker   2011

      My friend Stephen and I completed the 30 miler on Saturday for the first time. Had a great day,helped by great organisation

      and great directions. The last few miles,specially over the open moorland, were very tough but completed the walk in just under

      11 ½  hours. Came away with a few blisters but well worth it.

      Many thanks and well done to all involved.

      Hopefully see you all next year.

     Mark Evans & Stephen Broad   2011

      We loved the walk on Saturday - wonderful views and the 20-miler was just the right length.

      We'd love to do it again next year - please let me know when we can register.

      Cheers

      Kelly Allen   2011

   Hi,

    Thank you for another fantastic walk.  We decided this year to try the 20 miles, after doing 2 yrs of the 30 miles and the new start route

     was a really nice change. As never complete the 20 miles before, the view and forestry was wonderful after checkpoint 2. 

    Thanking all those marshals & those involved in making the event, we appreciate all the hard work that goes into making the event

     such a success.  See you all next year.

     Regards,

   Maria Robinson  2011

      Had a great day on Saturday, thank you for a well organised event

      Regards

     Karen Richardson  2011

        I very much enjoyed yesterday’s event and look forward to receiving details of next year’s event in due course.

       Regards

      Brian Page  2011

     Hello Mike and Cat,

     Just wanted to congratulate you on organising another superb event.

     This was my second MTC (both times I have done the 20 mile route) and I have really enjoyed it both times.

    I thought the changes made to the route this year in the first few miles were a great improvement. The organisation and marshalling were

   excellent and I really look forward to the 2012 MTC when I think an attempt on the 30 mile route is due!

   Again, thanks for another great day.

    Best regards

   Gwynne Tuthill,  2011

   Merthyr Tydfil.

      Please notify me when registration opens for 2012, awesome event, my legs haven't forgiven me yet, but I cant wait till next year.

      Thanks

     Gary Thomas   2011

      Hi;

      Just a quick note to say thank you for a great day yesturday. This was my second MTC (full route) and as last year, was well organised

     and supported, I have just about washed the mud off my boots and trousers, a Sunday morning swim soothed aching muscles,

     looking foward to next year!

     A small observation about the route change taking in the picturesque brecon canal from pencelli, I think, due to the distance from

     checkpoint 2 to checkpoint 2B, that an extra checkpoint would have been good somewhere between below the summit of bryn and pencelli,

     this might have discouraged a few people who obviously took the shortcut via carn pica down to checkpoint 2B. It was there loss as

     the new route added another dimention to the day, although navigation in bad weather across cefn y bryn can be challenging! 

     Many thanks again,

     Mike  2011

       Hi,

       I just wanted to drop you a line to say how fantastic I thought yesterdays MTC was. Me, my brother and his wife completed the

       full 30 miles in 15 hours, slower than most perhaps but we were very pleased. I thought the trail was beautiful, the organisation brilliant

       and the waymarking excellent. In fact the reliability of the waymarking was I think what made a great walk truly awesome...

       thank you very much. I will be signing up for next year, and now I have a PB to beat!

       Regards,

      Katy Taylor (walking with Chris and Jen Taylor)  2011

       P.s, the boggy moor at the end was a killer though!

     Hello Mike and Team

     Thought I'd drop you an email to say thank you for a well organised event which my friends and I thoroughly enjoyed.

     We chose to run the 30 and had trained all summer for it. The route was brilliant and tested us to the limit.

      There was a great atmosphere between participants before, during and after the event.

      Once again, thank you very much and I'll definitely see you again next year for a go at beating my debut time!

     Steve Beal   2011

     Longlevens, Gloucester  

      Hi

        just got back home after completing the full route on this years mtc and just wanted to say how much i enjoyed it and am looking

        forward to next years,there were highs and lows but what a great event and superb organisation throughout so very well done and a

        very big thankyou. all the best

     mark grygier 2011

     Loved this year. Want to do it again!

     Morgan Price  2011

    I just wanted to drop you a quick email to say thank you for yesterdays event.

    As always the route was well thought out and very well marked, which is quite something when you consider the torrential downpour

    the night before the event. There was definitely a bit of every type of terrain on offer in that route.

    All the marshals were friendly, helpful and they all ignored the fact that I looked like and smelt like a sweaty heap when I lumbered into

     each check point.

     Right now my legs ache and my back is sore, but rest assured that thanks to the wonders of only having a short attention span I shall forget

     all my aches in a couple of days time, build a mental picture of myself (however untrue) as a hill climbing God and enter again next year!

     Thanks again for all the efforts of all of your team, look forward to seeing you all again next year.

     Very best wishes,

    Matt 2011

     Dear MTC team,

     Just a short note to say thank you very much for organising this great event. What a day.....  Me and my climbing pal did the 30 mile route

     (160 & 230).  As promised on your website front page, there were mountans, ridges, forests  and waterfalls.  Also, sunshine, rain and hail.   

      Gorgeous views and great people.  We had done the 20 mile last year and duly fell in love with this challenge, doing the 30 yesterday.

     I  must congratulate you on the excellent route marking - big improvement on last year.  Also using the tags this year, better than producing

    bits of paper at each check point, especially in the wet conditions.

    Friendly helpful attendants at each checkpoint along with welcome tea/coffee at Checkpoint 2B and 3.

    We will be back next year, God willing.

   Andrew Hope-Hall  2011

      Hi,

      Many thanks for providing a very well organized MTC. The route was marked out well enough but still challenged my map reading skills,

      which are limited.

       I will be returning next year, it challenged my ability  and gave a good feeling of doing something special

      Kind regards

     Dean  2011

      Please could you let me know when registration opens for next years event, really enjoyed todays event and can't wait for next year

      all the best

     Paul 2011

     Thoroughly enjoyed myself at the weekend, although I am still hobbling around the office today (30mile route in 7½ hrs will do that!).

     Can you let me know about 2012?

     Cheers

    Andy Fuller   2011

    Please pass on my thanks to all of your staff and Marshalls who were great and without them the day would not have run.
    I loved the 30 mile route this year as promised less track and more trail which was great.
    It was also great to be treated to free hot drinks and Jaffa cakes at checkpoint 2B.
    Look forward to hearing from you in March 2011 ready to register for another great challenge.

    Lyndon Thomas
    Rhondda, South Wales  2010

    Great event this year really well organized, could you please send me notification when 2011 registration opens.

    Thanks
    Dene Moreton  2010

   Thank you very much for Saturday. The organisation was excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed the first 15 miles!

   The last 5-10 were, as promised, a challenge! But 30M is a 'personal furthest' for me and, if I ever find myself needing to cross a moor

   again in the dark I'd be grateful for blue 'sparklies' such as I crawled towards at the end!

   Please thank the marshals - all extremely supportive. And you never know - I may find the courage to do it again next year!

   And to the junior marshal who supported at the first, YHA and end checkpoints- her "good girl" comment at the YHA checkpoint

   (when I said I thought I would carry on, despite being tired) was probably the greatest incentive to complete!

   I hope she enjoyed her (very long) day too.

   Thanks again
   Fiona and David Gould   2010

   Congratulations on organising another great event. The organisation, Marshall support and trail markings were excellent again and I preferred

   this year's route.  Hope to take part next year.

   Best wishes

   Many thanks for an excellent day on Saturday!

   The route was excellent and the organisation superb - and I'd like to extend a special thanks to the marshalls and Mountain Rescue who

   were brilliant! Totally enjoyed the whole day (and night!). We were the last walkers to come in, and the Back-markers and Mountain Rescue

   who walked with us over the moor from the woods after CP3 were great - couldn't have been more caring and helpful; encouraging our

   tired legs on to the finish.

   Many thanks, and please let me know when registration opens for 2011.
   John Scarborough  2010

   Thank you very much for the well organised event yesterday. Very hard work and very enjoyable.  Keep up the great work in keeping this

   event on the go.  I shall endeavour to get fit enough to do the 30 mile route next year.
   Andrew Hall  2010

   My friend and I completed the 30 miles on Saturday and want to say thanks for a great day out – kind weather, excellent organisation and

   coffee and binkies at 2b really made the difference.

    Please put me on the list to be notified for next year. Also we stayed at the Tregenna Hotel in Merthyr Tydfil and I highly recommend it for

    your accommodation list next year. It is a little stuck in the 70s but it has a restaurant and bar on the premises (last thing we wanted to do

    was hit the town Saturday night!) and is very cheap – we only paid £25 each B&B per night for a twin with en-suite.

    Biggest plus was the bath with plentiful supply of hot water for a much needed soak. 

    All I can do is echo this - what a great day - and immaculate organisation. Just the right amount of support too. I really felt an achievement

    at the end - not only physical but mental as well. Great views. Hopefully will be back next year with more friends! Thank you.

     Enjoyed the thirty miler, well organised, route well directed, weather perfect, couldn't ask for anything better, looking forward to next year.
     Anthony Williams   2010

    I successfully completed the 2010 Brecon Beacons Mountain Trail Challenge this last Saturday. I really enjoyed it immensely and would

    like to thank all those concerned for making it such a great event.
    The organization was excellent as was the route way-marking, we never even turned the wrong way! Myself and two companions had a

    wonderful time and for us all to complete it meant even more.
    We met up and camped from Friday to Sunday at the Grawen camping ground, returning home on the Monday. This site is an excellent base

    to use as it has all the amenities that we needed.
    I would be grateful if you could note my e mail address as I wish to be informed about the 2011 Challenge as it is our intention to enter!
    Thanking you once again for a superb event,
     Keith McManus.   2010

    Just wanted to say thanks for the fantastic organisation that was in place for Saturday's event - I appreciate that there were a lot of people

   who gave up their time and made the MTC possible. 2nd time we have completed and we thoroughly enjoyed the day -

   The new parts to the route were a great addition, although I probably wouldn’t have thanked you on the way up Pen-y-fan!
   Anyway keep up the good work - I will certainly be recommending to friends who fancy the challenge.
   Many Thanks
   Charlie McGrath  2010

   It was a great day and the achievement was worth all the effort. Thanks to the organisation and efforts put in by the volunteers.

   Greatly appreciated.  Please can you send me notification when 2011 registration opens.
    Martin Matthews  2010

   The event shirts are excellent; I shall be wearing mine on many more expeditions to come. The route was very well worked out and varied

   enough to keep it very interesting for the whole run.

    Also in our opinion the hard work your team has put in really paid off, we didn’t come close to getting lost once!

   The marshals were a friendly bunch too.

    An afterthought; please keep the challenges running on Saturdays!!! Well done all and thank you!
   Tom Mc  2010

   I took part in the 30 mile route of the MTC at the weekend. I just want to tell you what a great day I had.
   It was my first MTC, so obviously doing the long route was the only way forwards!
   The route was superb, a real mixture of terrain and views.
   The course was superbly well laid out and very well marked.
   The organisation was also very professional, which for an event of that nature, with all sorts of abilities taking part and two routes to

   organise was no mean feat.
   I did the course in six hours and fifty five minutes, my legs bear the scars!
   I will certainly be back next year for more, though I may leave my clumpy boots and heavier than necessary rucksack behind next time.
   I hope that you, the organisers, had a good day, and look forward to seeing you all again next year.
   Top job, keep up the outstanding work.
   Matt  2010

   Congratulations to you and all your large team of supporters for arranging such a magnificent well marked routes, well marshalled and
   excellent hot drinks at check points 2b and 3. You even laid on the weather for us, not too hot and only a light shower of rain at about 3.30 p.m.
   Although I am 71 years old, I opted for the longer 30 mile route and expected it to take me 13 hours and to be finishing in the dark, at about

   8.30p.m. I met and chatted to several interesting people during the walk, and with the fine views along the ridge on the northern part of the walk,

   time passed very quickly and reached check point 2b by 1.30 p.m...
   The youth hostel is an ideal place for a check point with places to sit down and with both hot drinks and water available; enabled a resurgence of   

   energy for the walk over the top, again with pleasant views to the scout hut.
   Several of us arrived here at about the same time and your helper who served tea and coffee did a fine job in meeting our requirements without

   getting flustered. I left the scout hut at 4.22p.m. And with my slow plod was passed
   by many people on this last leg, but still reached the finish at 7.05 p.m. just 11 hours 40 mins since I started. I was elated.

   I would especially congratulate you on the way that you handled the huge number of us who wished to start as soon after 7a.m. as possible.

   A long queue had developed by the time I joined the queue at 7.05 am. And I was expecting a wait of possibly 45 minutes before starting,

   but with your efficient organisation was able to start only 20 minutes later at 7.25 a.m. This was a very enjoyable and rewarding event.

   THANK YOU ALL.

   Kind regards
   Peter Daniels  2010

   What a wonderful day/night on Saturday! You really are such an excellent group. Best wishes to you all, and will definitely be back next year,

   this was my first time and I am still buzzing from the experience!

   "Hi

   Please could you inform me as to when registration opens for the 2010 event..

   I took part in this years and it was the first time I have done anything on this scale..

   I was all on my lonesome, but I thoroughly enjoyed every second, even when I tweaked my hamstring on the Garwen moorland and took 

   nearly 2 hours to reach the final checkpoint !

   I can’t wait until the next one !!

   Best Regards" - Phil Jones  2009

   "thank you so much for organising thiis event, it's the first time i have done anything like this, although i am into

   walking nine miles is the most i have done, i had an amazing time. there were ten of us at
   the start but unfortunately one of our party fell and dislocated his shoulder so only eight of us finished.

   we have already said that we would like to do the thirty mile one next year, so we are looking
   forward to that. thanks once again, " - Kerry Letheren  2009

   "Dear All,         

             Another superb event! Thank you all, for your skill, dedication and goodwill in making the event such fun.

      I did the 30 mile last year, the 20 miles this year. There is not another event like it - everyone I met had a kind word and a smile on their faces,  

      walkers and officials alike.

             See you again next year!" -    Richard Humpreys. 2009

   "Hi,

    This was my first Mountain Trail Challenge, and having enjoyed the 20 mile route this year,

    I'm looking forward to doing the 30 mile route next year. I was impressed by how organised it was, with friendly efficient

    marshals, excellent route notes and markings, and an interesting and varied route. In addition, the campsite is ideal,

    with plenty of space and welcoming people running it.

    I've attached a photo of myself and my friend, who will also be back next year, in case
    you'd like to add it to the photos section of the website. See you then," - Dave Kennedy  2009

      "Really enjoyed the event last week, even if my joints didn't!

              For a first time it was excellent, great marshalling and well marked out route, even the night time was relatively

              easy to navigate with the good weather.

             I found the last stage particularly tough, the climb up was hard work and the following 3.5km of soggy bog was strength

             sapping..........wouldn't change that though, after all it was a challenge.

             Looking forward to next year's event already.........  I've already got 2 new recruits.

             Many thanks"  -  John Copeland. 2008

             " Hi,  my feet have pretty much recovered - just!

              Just thought I'd email to say thanks for organising a great event.

              Just a few points that I think could have been improved on.....

            1) water points refilled more regularly ( we had to wait for a while)

            2) more neon sticks on the night sections - after Checkpoint 7 we only

                saw 5 or 6 until the campsite.

           Cheers,

           See you next year!" - Dan Whitehead 2008

          " Dear Mountain Trail Challenge,

            Just a quick note of thanks to you all for organising such a tremendous event.

            My friend Russ and  I completed the 30 miler and loved every minute of it (even the final ascent!)

           Still wondering whether the final section through the bog and tufty grass could have been avoided,

           particularly at night, but even that bit was rewarding when you'd finished.

           The rest of the route was a glorious mix of scenery and being able to see Pen-y-Fan from

           Checkpoint 7 was a great sight. The weather was amazing , wonder how I'd feel having done it in the rain,

           thats the next challenge!!   thanks once again

           PS. Mr and Mrs Pugh were icing on the cake!" - Richard Adams 2008

        "Hi Everyone,

           Just a quick couple of lines to give you some feedback on the recent event. My friend, Andrew Rees and

           I both did the 30 miles version of the event and finished it in a little over 12.5 hours, ahead of our target

           of 14 hours and both thought it was an absolute marvelous day.

           We arrived at the event to be greeted by Marshals and ACF Personnel who were helpful,friendly in the extreme and

           provided great encouragement throughout the course of the whole event.

           Registration was simple and straightforward as was checking back in upon our return.

           The route was great, made all the better by the fantastic weather, didn't quite manage to dry up the boggy area

          above the Nueadd reservoir  though, the way marking was first class consisting of signs, glow sticks and flour which

          the slugs seemed to love once the sum had gone down.

          We met some amazing people en route and throughout the day ,a few of  who suggested that we should have started

          earlier in the morning, to me this would have reduced the  night  section for some of the quicker walkers to just

          a hour or so - not so much of a challenge in my opinion.

          Overall Fantastic, Thanks and Well Done.

          Regards" - Dorian Hughes 2008

         "Dear Organiser,

           CONGRATULATIONS on your excellent organisation of these challenge walks on 20th September 2008.

           As a participant on the 30 mile challenge, I was very impressed by your organisation of the whole event.

          I found your website particularly informative with route, kit list, advise and your 5 day weather forecast

           for the area. Also your route description which you sent out before hand was accurate

          and very useful and enabled me to walk the 17 mile challenge during daylight in wet conditions.

           The marshalling was excellent and with fine weather we all had  a super day out, and to arrive at Checkpoint 6

          and have a hot drink waiting for us together with a chocolate bar and plenty of water to top up our containers

           was wonderful, with chairs provided so that we could have a rest. THANK YOU ALL.

           Your idea of using flour as a marker of the route was a brainwave and helped on the night section from Checkpoint 7

           over the grassy swampy area.With my poor eyesight and vari focal glasses I found the night section very

           demanding and admit that I did not enjoy this part of the trail, but at 69 years young am probably too old to be

          doing this sort of thing and would be interested to know if I was the oldest to complete the 30 mile route?

           Several of us who took part would like to see an earlier start of say 8am or even 9am. This would still be a night

           section for most of us on the longer route but would enable us to at least approach the last climb in twilight.

           It would also enable you to have a latest time at Checkpoint 7 of say 9pm.

           The last walker might then be accompanied and should ensure a finish for the event of soon after 1am.

           This might enable your helpers who started at 6am on Saturday to have some rest after 19 hours.

           I must congratulate them all for the splendid job they did.

          It is an excellent challenging route and am pleased that you are doing it again next year.

         I anticipate next year walking the 17 miles route about 14 days before the event and if you want me to help you

         in a small capacity perhaps as a Marshal on the 19th September 2009.

         I would be available on the Friday 18th September as I am retired and might help with setting up the route.

         Please pass on my thanks to all your helpers including those who helped park the cars and manned Checkpoints 4 and 5

        and especially to those at Checkpoints 6 and 7. THANK YOU ALL,

          Kind Regards" - Peter Daniels 2008

       "Hi to the organisers of this years mountain trail challenge and what a challenge it was.

          I would just like to say on behalf of my 3 mates and myself who completed the 30 mile walk what a fantastic event

          it was we all really enjoyed it.

           I can quite honestly say that it was the hardest thing I've ever done but I  enjoyed the whole experience.

           It was very well organised and I (We) are very much looking forward to next years challenge. Bring it on.

          Many thanks" - Paul Hancock.  2008

           "Many thanks Cat, I have managed to get in.

             On another note, unfortunately due to me being on a different planet for at  least 72 hours after the event

            I did not get round to emailing any comments.

            But I would like to say, once my body had recovered, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

           I know a lot of people have commented on the night section, which was a bit daunting, but overall once you

           had finished 30 miles it certainly was an achievement.

           My new rucksack managed to blister my back from hip to hip. I did have to up with this from 10 miles onwards.

           But scenery, views and lots of nice people made me forget it. Well almost, until I got in the bath at 1.30am, the bed and

           breakfast heard the cries.

            Definitely will be back next year, not sure if the others would though.

           My friend Amy twisted her ankle before checkpoint 1, the mountain rescue guys were brillant.

            Thanks again and see you next year." - Elaine Hart  2008

          "I completed the 30 mile challenge walk on Saturday and would like to say many thanks for organising the walk

             and I hope that it becomes an annual event. Organising these event takes a considerable amount of time and effort.

              So well done to all concerned. Generally the walk was brillant with excellent guidance notes.

              However I do have some concerns about a number of things and would like to make the following points in the

             hope that they will may be of some use when you organise an even better walk next year.

              (i) An earlier start would be better. I have been on many challenge walks in the past and many start before 8am. 

                 A staggered start could also be considered with the 30 milers leaving first.

              (ii) Personnel at the Checkpoints invariably gave conflicting info about distance remaining.

                A very minor point as they are all volunteers who in fact did a brillant job.

              (iii) The walk from Checkpoint 6 to 7 was almost completely on the road.

                  Is there an alternative route?

              (iv) The final section after Checkpoint7 needs to be re-thought. The walk was effectively over very marshy and

                 boggy ground and in the dark, we kept sinking knee deep into the mud. If the weather had been wet this section

                  would have been even worse. This area was potentially dangerous and we encountered a number of people

                  who were struggling.

              (v) The blue light sticks were invaluable but the number used and their  positioning needs to be looked at.

                   In some areas there were plenty but in others there were very few- this was especially true for the very

                   boggy section where it was easy to stray a few feet off the path and end up in bog. I appreciate that all walkers

                  should be competent compass users in the dark it was not easy.

               (vi) If you feel that a night time component is an essential part of the

                   challenge then a different path needs to be considered for the end section.

               (vii) Finally a number of v experienced walkers agreed with us ( a group of 4) that the walk seemed a very long 30 miles. 

                  Our "sat nav" system said 34.6 miles but i accept that the new technology is not always correct.

                  But finally, once again, a million thanks to all involved in the organisation.

                  It was a brillant day" - Mike Thomas.  2008