Where is the TrekFest Village?

The TrekFest Village is located at: Brecon Showground, Canal Bank, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7PL.

Is parking available at the TrekFest Village?

Parking is available free of charge for the weekend.

What public transport links are there?

Unfortunately there is no train station in Brecon itself, however if you are travelling by train you can travel to Merthyr Tydfil where are regular buses to Brecon. You can download a timetable here, and access live timings here.

What time does registration open?

Registration will be open in the evening of Friday 17 September from 5pm – 10pm and on the morning of Saturday 18 September from 7:15am – 8:15am (for 25KM trekkers only). Please note if you are taking part in the 50km route registration is available on Friday evening only.

I have entered a team for the event can we register separately on the day?

Yes – there is no problem if team members are arriving separately as everyone is required to register on an individual basis on the day of the event.

What time does the event start?

Start times for the 50km route will be from 7:00am on Saturday 18 September. The 25km route will start from 9:00am on Saturday 18 September. 

Will I be allocated a wave start time?

Wave start times are not allocated and all trekkers must attend the pre-event briefing 15 minutes before the start time for their route. Subject to final participant numbers we aim to get all participants over the start line within a 20-minute window of the planned start time.

How long will I have to complete the event?

The maximum time allowed for the 50km route is 17 hours 40 minutes and for the 25km route is 8 hours 50 minutes.

Each checkpoint will have a close time based on an average walking speed of 3km per hour plus 15 minutes allocated for rest at a checkpoint or 30 minutes for food stops. Failure to meet the checkpoint close times may result in you not being permitted to continue on the grounds of safety.

For checkpoint timings for the 25KM route click here, and for the 50KM route click here.

What time can I expect to finish the event?

This really depends on whether you are walking, running or a mixture of both. Historical finish times and course records can be found in the Checkpoint Timings documents – for the 25KM route click here, and for the 50KM route click here.

What support is there on the event?

The TrekFest event crew will be supporting and encouraging you throughout the challenge. Our event crew are enthusiastic and caring and love the outdoors! There will be an experienced team of Event Managers heading up the event crew which will be made up of qualified mountain leaders who will marshal the route including sweep walkers who follow behind the last walker. There are also checkpoint teams including first aiders and a team of crew looking after the TrekFest Village.

Will I have to walk in the dark?

25km participants will not be required to walk in the dark however participants on the 50km route are likely to trek their final steps from checkpoint 3 to the finish in the dark dependant on the speed that you complete the challenge. A head torch is marked as mandatory on the kit list for 50km participants.

Am I allowed to walk alone?

For safety reasons walking alone is not allowed during the trek. With this in mind if you enter a checkpoint on your own you will be asked to wait until another participant is ready to leave so that you can walk with them. In the event that you are last into a checkpoint then you will be able to walk with our sweep walking team who will be supporting the back of the group.

Will the route be marked or am I required to use a map?

The route will be marked with fluorescent arrows so there is no need to be able to read a map to take part in the event. A route guide which contains a map and emergency procedures is provided for you to use as reference.

What happens if I get lost?

If you do happen to get lost then don’t panic! Our Event Control number is provided on the back of the route guide and in your participant armband so you can call the event management team who will be able to direct you back onto the route or send a member of our team to assist you.

Do I have to check in at checkpoints?

To ensure that everyone is accounted for throughout the day it is essential that all participants check in at checkpoints. You will be provided with a race timing chip which you must attach to your shoe at the start of the event

What snacks and drinks are available at checkpoints?

At each checkpoint there will be a selection of snacks available such as flapjack, crisps, fruit, Haribo and other sweet treats. If you are taking part in the 50km route lunch will be available at checkpoint 2 and a hot drink at checkpoint 3. Water and cordial are available at each checkpoint to fill up your water bottles.

Are there toilets at checkpoints?

Yes – there are portaloos at every checkpoint.

What will the weather be like on the day of the event?!

Hopefully the sun will be shining and there will be a light breeze to keep you cool but in reality we have no idea what the weather will do during the event until much closer to the time. Weather in mountainous areas can be changeable and so irrespective of the forecast we ask that participants bring everything on the kit list marked as mandatory. You can access up to date and accurate information on the weather at the following locations:

http://www.mwis.org.uk/english-welsh-forecast/BB/

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/mountain-forecasts/brecon-beacons

Will roads be closed during the event?

There will be no closed roads during the event. Where possible routes are planned to avoid walking on roads however in some instances this is unachievable. We ask that all trekkers remain vigilant and follow the advice given in the briefing information provided on the day of the challenge.

What are the top 3 things I can do to be successful on TrekFest?

1) Train, train, train – There is no such thing as too much training so make sure that you have done as much as you can prior to the challenge so that you know what to expect and what your limitations are. Make sure you ease off the training in the week prior to the event.

2) Monitor food and water intake – Not eating and drinking enough is one of the few reasons that people retire from TrekFest early. You will be walking a substantial distance, burning lots of calories and using fluids that need to be replaced. Ensure that you eat well before the challenge and eat and drink regularly during it.

3) Don’t scrimp on your kit but don’t carry too much either – Make sure you have all of the kit you need well in advance of the challenge so that you can get used to trekking in it, especially your footwear. You must carry all of the mandatory items on the kit list but don’t overdo it with how much other kit you carry, there will be plenty of snacks provided on route.

Can my friends and family support me on the route?

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the area that we operate in, the surrounding roads and villages cannot cope with additional traffic and parking for participants to be able to have supporters at checkpoints and along the route. Our priority is to ensure that the local residents experience as little disruption as possible during the event weekend and therefore we politely ask that you discourage friends and family from going onto the route or attempting to visit checkpoints. Friends and family are of course welcome at our TrekFest Village where they can cheer you over the finish line.

What time can I access the TrekFest Village?

The TrekFest village is open from 5:00pm on Friday 17 September to allow those who are camping to set up tents.

What camping facilities are available?

There will be showers and toilets available near the camping area and food is available on site from our catering provider. Water points are located around the site however if water’s not your thing you can always head to the TrekFest bar on Friday evening!

Do I need to book camping?

There is no requirement to pre-book camping as we will allocate enough space in the TrekFest Village camping area to accommodate everyone.

Can I park next to my tent?

Unfortunately the camping area is for pedestrians only and you will need to carry your belongings to your pitch. We suggest packing light and/or bringing a small festival trolley, the distance from the car park to the camping area is 200m at most.

Can friends and family camp at the TrekFest Village?

Friends and family are welcome to camp at the TrekFest Village, the charge is £10 per person for the weekend.

What is the cost of camping?

Camping for participants is included as part of the challenge cost.

Please note we can only take cash payments at the TrekFest Village.

Can I bring my campervan or caravan?

Campervans are welcome at the TrekFest Village however they are not permitted into the camping area and will have to remain in the parking area. Unfortunately due to access at the site caravans and trailers including trailer tents are not permitted.

What other accommodation options are there?

If camping’s not your thing and you don’t wish to stay with us in the TrekFest Village, there are other options available locally at your own expense. Please note that the town of Brecon is likely to have limited availability at the time of the challenge so we urge you to plan well ahead and book in advance.

To get you started, here’s a few suggestions:

YHA Brecon

Duke of Wellington

Brecon Castle Hotel

The George Hotel

There are plenty of other options available including small B&Bs and bunkhouses in the surrounding area but if you want to stay close, book quickly!

What time do I need to leave the TrekFest Village by on Sunday morning?

Participants need to leave the TrekFest Village by 10:30am on Sunday 19 September.

Can my friends and family come to the event village?

Ordinarily yes – however this will be reviewed closer to the time of the event to ensure we are adhering to any guidelines or restrictions in place.

What food is available at the TrekFest Village?

Friday Night

On Friday evening a BBQ will be available, the cost of this is approximately £12 payable directly to our caterers.  We can accommodate most dietary requirements as long as we know in advance – please fill in the relevant section when registering.

Example Friday Night menu – BBQ meats, selection of salads, cake and fruit.

Saturday and Sunday Morning

Breakfast is available for you to purchase on Saturday and Sunday morning, the cost is approximately £4 for a breakfast bap and is payable directly to our caterers.

Example Breakfast Menu

Breakfast baps, porridge pots, full English breakfast, yoghurts, hot drinks.

Meals included as part of the challenge  Lunch – 50k only, all participants – meal at TrekFest Village.

Example day menu – ham, cheese, selection of salads, cold pasta, cous cous, rice, wraps, bread rolls, cake

Example evening menu – lasagne, curry, chips, selection of salads, cake.

Please note we can only take cash and contactless payments at the TrekFest Village.

What kit should I bring?

A detailed kit list is provided as a download in the Participant Area. Please ensure that you bring with you all of the items marked as mandatory on the kit list.

Do I really need everything on the kit list?

Yes you do! The kit you carry forms part of our safety procedures during the event and all items listed have been specified with your welfare in mind.

Am I allowed to wear trainers?

We highly recommend that unless you intend to run the route that you wear trekking boots which support the ankle. At a minimum we would expect that trekkers wear appropriate shoes designed for trekking. Failure to wear appropriate footwear may result in you not being allowed to participate.

What happens if I don’t bring all of the mandatory items on the kit list?

Anyone who is deemed to be inappropriately equipped for the challenge will not be permitted to take part under any circumstances. Random kit checks will take place during registration and prior to the start of the event.

Can I fill up my water bottle or hydration pack at the TrekFest Village?

Yes there are water points situated around the site at the TrekFest Village.

How much training do I need to do before the event?

How long is a piece of string?! This really depends on your current fitness and experience of completing this type of event. All participants should be aiming to achieve an average walking speed of 4 km per hour during training. A large percentage of training walks should be undertaken on hilly terrain.

Is there a training guide that can help me with my preparation?

A comprehensive training guide is available for you to download here.

I have registered on the challenge but haven’t heard anything from the Customer Care team, when should I receive further correspondence about the event?

As long as you have received your confirmation email when you registered there is no need to panic! Our Customer Care team will be in touch periodically in the build up to the challenge with any updates and you will receive Final Joining Instructions 7 – 10 days before the start of the challenge.

If you would like to speak to someone in the meantime don’t hesitate to get in touch by phoning 01244 676 454 or emailing support@trekfest.org.uk

Can I transfer to a different route?

Yes, you can transfer to a different route free of charge. Please contact support@trekfest.org.uk if you would like to transfer.

Can I create a team or add more members to an existing one?

You can create a team or add members to an existing one by visiting the Active site here. For further information, please see the Registration Platform Participant User Guide.

Can I transfer my place to someone else?

Places are transferable up until 4 weeks prior to the event. A transfer fee of £15 will be payable – please see the Registration Platform User Guide for details on how to transfer your place.  Refunds on registration fees are subject to the cancellation charges as indicated in the TrekFest booking conditions.

My personal details have changed since registration, how can I update them?

To update any of your personal details email support@trekfest.org.uk

Can I get in contact with other participants?

We would encourage all participants to join our Facebook community prior to the event at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/trekfest2021/

I forgot to order merchandise when I registered for TrekFest, can I still order a t-shirt or neck tube?

Yes – you can order TrekFest merchandise through your Active account here.

What will happen if the challenge is unable to go ahead due to COVID-19?

If due to UK or Foreign government restrictions, official advice or we have to cancel or defer your challenge because it becomes unviable to run due to safety concerns then you will be offered one of the choices below:

• We will transfer your place on to another challenge in either 2021 or 2022 – this can be the same challenge or a completely new destination. If the challenge you transfer on to has a higher registration fee, we will also waive the difference in the registration fee up to the value of £75.00.
• If at that time you are unsure of which challenge you want to transfer to, we will issue you with a Refund Credit Note. This Refund Credit Note can be used to book another challenge at a later date and, in the meantime, it is protected by ATOL/Financial Protection Insurance.

If we haven’t cancelled your challenge and you decide to cancel or defer your challenge, our standard cancellation policy will apply.

I registered as Payment Option A, when is my minimum sponsorship amount due to the charity?

80% of your minimum sponsorship amount must be received by your nominated charity no later than 6 weeks prior to the event. The remaining amount is due to them no later than 4 weeks post event.

I registered as Payment Option B, when do I need to pay my challenge balance?

The challenge balance is due no later than 6 weeks prior to the event. You will receive an invoice at around 8 weeks prior to notify you that payment is due.

Where can I find my results?

Results will be uploaded in the week following the event.

Will I get a medal and t-shirt if I don’t complete the entire TrekFest route?

Our policy is to recognise the achievements of everyone who takes part whether they have managed to walk 10km or 50km. Everyone who takes part has their own personal challenges to overcome and most will be raising money for worthwhile causes. At GAC, we know participants of TrekFest are doing something positive and this deserves a medal in its own right!