Do you have what it takes to conquer the challenging Get Jerky Devil’s Staircase Ultra Trail Race this weekend?
The race, which covers around 31 miles with a total ascent and descent of about 4,700ft, takes place on Saturday, September 16 and entries will be accepted on the day.
Postponed on April 1 when heavy rain made a river crossing along the route dangerous, the race starts and finishes at the Neuadd Arms in the centre of Llanwrtyd Wells.
Reputedly the smallest town in Britain, Llanwrtyd Wells is home to some of the world’s most wacky and wonderful outdoor activities.
Held for the first time last year, following a delay caused by the pandemic, the Get Jerky Devil’s Staircase Ultra Trail Race is designed to test endurance and stamina.
The route combines a mixture of tarmacadam road, forest tracks, bogland, farmland, river crossings and the hellishly steep 25% ascent of the iconic Devil’s Staircase.
Local landmarks along the route include St David’s Church which dates to the 12th century, an old drovers road to the Abergwesyn Valley, the Devil’s Staircase, Soar y Mynydd Church, built in around 1822 and claimed to be the remotest chapel in Wales and Llyn Brianne Dam.
The course will be marshalled and waymarked with water points and two feed stations providing cold and hot drinks, bananas, biscuits and sweets. Waiting at the finish will be Welsh cawl and a vegetarian alternative.
Each runner will receive a unique devil medal and there will be prizes for the first three male and female runners. The entry fee is £45 and commemorative technical t-shirts, in a variety of sizes, can be ordered at time of entry for an additional £15.
The race is sponsored by Welshpool-based Get Jerky snacks manufacturer Trailhead Fine Foods, whose executive chairman Arwyn Watkins, OBE, was brought up in the shadow of the Devil’s Staircase and his family still farms there.
The award-winning Get Jerky snacks are made from Welsh Beef and venison jerky. Gluten free and available in eight flavours – three of which are Great Taste award-winners – Get Jerky is a healthy, high protein snack for all ages, which provides an energy boost when you need it, especially when playing sports.
Trailhead Fine Foods also the headline sponsor of the Get Jerky Rally North Wales based in Welshpool and sponsors junior playing strips for COBRA Rugby Club, based in Meifod.
The company supports sports and events for young people and adults that benefit the Mid Wales tourism economy and encourage a healthy lifestyle, teamwork, leadership, competition and discipline.
Llanwrtyd Wells has developed a reputation for organising a series of off the wall outdoor activities since 1980 under the leadership of Green Events.
Thousands of visitors enjoy annual events such as the World Bog Snorkelling Championship, Whole Earth Man versus Horse race and the World Mountain Bike Chariot Racing Championship.
The other events planned for the rest of this year include an International Four Day Walking Festival from September 20-23, the Ron Skilton Memorial Half Marathon to raise funds for research into MND on October 22, the Real Ale Wobble, a non-competitive event for mountainbikers through local forestry and other trails, on November 18, the Real Ale Ramble, comprising gentle walks through the surrounding countryside, on November 25 and 26 and the Mari Lwyd New Year Walk on December 31.
Green Events is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation representing around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.
