Cymoedd Sir Fynwy returned in 2026 following the successful inaugural event in 2024, once again showcasing the challenging beauty of the Black Mountains and the UNESCO World Heritage Site above Blaenavon. Building on the foundations of the first event, the South Wales LDWA Group were delighted to host the second edition, welcoming entrants back to a route that had already earned a reputation for being both demanding and rewarding.

As with the original concept, Cymoedd Sir Fynwy remains rooted in the union of two historic South Wales 100 routes; the 2014 Valleys 100 and the 2020 “hundred that never was,” Y 100 Sir Fynwy. The terrain is as unforgiving as ever—our land is lumpy—and the route once again proved to be a true test of endurance for all who took part.

Planning for the 2026 event began well in advance, with a dedicated organising team working hard to build on lessons learned from 2024. Their efforts paid off in what was a smoothly run and highly successful event. Conditions on the day were near perfect for walking, with fine weather, a light breeze and dry ground underfoot—arguably the best conditions we could have hoped for.

Abergavenny once again served as Walk HQ, sitting at the heart of the now familiar figure-of-eight route. The psychological and physical challenge of returning to Abergavenny after completing the demanding first loop through the Black Mountains remained a defining feature of the event. However, in contrast to 2024, we were pleased to see fewer retirements at this 30-mile stage, suggesting that entrants were better prepared for what lay ahead.

Entry commitment was also encouraging, with only an 8.7% no-show rate on the day, reflecting the growing reputation and appeal of the event within the long-distance walking community. The use of trackers, first introduced following earlier experiences, once again proved invaluable on the 50-mile event. Control was able to monitor entrants’ progress throughout, particularly during the night section, and were on hand to quickly assist anyone who strayed off route. This added layer of safety and reassurance continues to be an important feature of the event.

As ever, the event relied heavily on the incredible support of volunteers. The South Wales LDWA Group once again demonstrated its strength in depth, providing enthusiastic marshals across the course. Their warmth and encouragement were noted and appreciated by entrants throughout. The welcoming atmosphere at checkpoints remains a hallmark of this event and something we are immensely proud of.

We are also grateful to all those who supported the event behind the scenes, helping to ensure that everything ran efficiently and that entrants could focus on their challenge. In addition, we would like to thank those entrants who took the time to complete the post-event online survey. Their feedback is invaluable, and we will use it to continue improving and developing the event in future years.

Congratulations go to all those who completed their chosen distance in 2026. With kinder conditions but an equally demanding route, finishers still had to dig deep to achieve their goals, and it was inspiring to witness so many personal successes. Commiserations to those who did not complete their distance this time—Cymoedd Sir Fynwy remains a formidable challenge, but we hope to see many return in future editions to take it on once more.

Following another successful year, Cymoedd Sir Fynwy we hope that the event can return in two years’ time.

Results
The results for the three events can be viewed on the LDWA website and a PDF document .

Event	Entrants	No shows	Starters	Finishers	Retired
50 miles	150	15 (10%)	135	106 (78.5%)	29
30 miles	66	7 (10.6%)	59	54 (91.5 %)	5
20 miles	36	0	36	34 (94.4%)	2
Total	252	22 (8.7%)	230	194 (84.3%)	36

Volunteers
The marshals who made Cymoedd Sir Fynwy possible are:

Tony Alcock	Mike Batt	Jess Bent	Jo Christensen
Andrew Clabon	Celeste Crabbe	Matthew Daer	Nia Davies
Judith Fox	Kathryn Gordon	Rod Hollands	Jane Hopcraft
Gerry Jackson	Gill Jones	Sian Knight	Jamie Lewis
Cheryl Llewellyn	Norma Lloyd	Paul Mills	Gill Morgan
David Morgan	Simon Pickering	Angela Pippard	Rhys Pippard
Andrew Roberts	John Roberts	Richard Rosser	Enrique Santafe
Andy Thorpe	Janet Thorpe	Dave Webster	Sue Webster
Matt Wheeler	Ang Williams	Sian Williams	Jason Winney
Heather Woodford	Hugh Woodford

Feedback from entrants 

Many thanks to you and your team of volunteers for yesterday, it was a great route with good checkpoints and perfect weather.

I just wanted to say a big thank you to you and all the other volunteers for a wonderful event.
Superbly organised and a wonderful route – in particular the 30 mile loop with the ridge between Llanthony and Longtown being a highlight. The slag heap/mining area was surreal and an area I would never see otherwise.
The nav on the second loop in the dark was tricky (I was using GPX) but that added to the challenge. And from my point of view, it’s great that the LDWA is putting on more challenging events.
Many thanks again to you and all the other volunteers. It is really appreciated.

Huge thanks again for another fab event. My second year doing it.

Amazing event! Thank you to you and all the volunteers for providing and supporting such a truly memorable day (and night!).

Thanks to you Dave and all your helpers for putting on an excellent event. Your volunteers deserve a medal.

Very much enjoyed the 50-mile challenge. I wasn’t sure if I would undertake the night section and I am so pleased I did. Next birthday I’ll be 70 and I just needed a challenge like this as it’s too easy to think you’re past it! The conditions underfoot up and on from Blorenge were quite something with rocky paths, boggy sections and remoteness. It’s a privilege to do this with my daughter and son-in-law. I loved it, a brilliant challenge (although completely knackered now). Thank you all for planning, putting on and marshalling the event. The organisation was second to none.

Tough event – wasn’t any easier the second time round. Had completely forgotten (blocked out) some of the climbs. Testing event with special views (made possible by great weather) on the 30-mile loop. Thank you for organising it, for all the tasty food on the way round & to all the marshal’s (especially those on that bleak outdoor checkpoint on the 2nd loop.

It was a tough 50 with wonderful views. You couldn’t have asked for better weather to do a walk. The CPs and marshals were great especially liked the choices of food at Longtown VH. The second loop with bonus miles in the dark was character building.

Thank you for putting on such a fabulous event (including arranging for perfect weather)! Not sure I’ll be finding stairs fun for a few days.

Many, many thanks to all the volunteers and organisers who gave up their time & energy to make this event possible. 2 years ago we started but abandoned it at the 30m point so we were determined to complete this year. And super pleased we did. Tough going? Yes but a great route and well worth the effort! Thanks SWLWDA

Thank you David for organising such an epic event. Yourself and all the volunteers are incredible.

Thank you everyone. I had such a brilliant day. The food, weather, route, views and marshals were absolutely perfect!

Thanks to all the marshals over the weekend, a lot of hard work and time goes into organising a 50. Toughest walk on the LDWA calendar in my opinion!!! Absolutely jiggered at the end but elated to have completed this classic event.

A massive thank you and well done to all the organisers and marshal at the Cymoedd Sir Fynwy event, what a fantastic day out in South Wales.

The marshals were fantastic in encouraging us at the checkpoints and giving well needed advice on the section in front fantastic weather as well.

A wonderful challenging event in a beautiful part of our country. Many thanks to South Wales LDWA.

Thank you so much to the organisers and volunteers and other walkers yesterday during the Cymoedd Sir Fynwy. My first outing with the LDWA and I was blown away by the organisation, the generosity, kindness and the sandwiches.
I’m no stranger to walking distances but coming back from a broken ankle I definitely bit off more than I could chew yesterday and dipped out at CP2 who patiently waited for me to hobble down off the ridge well after it closed.
I’ll be back!!!!

It was my first LDWA event and I can’t praise it highly enough. Absolutely loved it and the volunteers and food stops were perfect! All that hard work was worth it. Look forward to next year! Thank you South Wales LDWA.

Just want to say a huge thank you for this weekend’s event.

Thank you to you and all your team for a superb event on Saturday.
I know how much hard work organising such an event is, and as always South Wales made it look easy. We were truly spoilt at checkpoints. Even the weather was perfect.

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for all you did to make Saturday such an amazing experience. This was my first ever hilly ultra run (I only did my first flat one in November last year) and such a good experience. Everyone was so friendly, the variation of food at checkpoints was so thoughtful and the route was incredible. I was especially touched that folk had shared home baking at the end.

A humongous thank you to the fabulous LDWA – South Wales Group for the most challenging LDWA event I’ve done to date. To paraphrase David, you guys really do put the ‘challenge’ into Challenge Event in the biggest way possible! Loved every single second of it, meeting and chatting to so many new folk and old familiars along the way, running sections with some amazing and very accomplished lads in the evening and getting the loveliest surprise and the biggest hug from the incredible Roderick at the final CP in Cwmavon.
Every single wonderful person I interacted with made the whole experience one I’ll not forget; superstars every one of you.
When can we go again?????

A huge thank you Dave to you and your team – Cymoedd Sir Fynwy was a brilliant event.
I’m super chuffed we conquered it……and I’m utterly surprised I wasn’t in bits afterwards!!!