This was my first ultra and I'm so glad it was. Pre race briefing is detailed and very helpful which helped ease any anxiety over running that distance. 

I had never been to South Wales before, and was blown away by the views. It really helped make the time tick by as I was running. 

The course is an out and back with very well stocked aid stations. Marshals were incredibly friendly, helpful and encouraging. While it is a trail race, the support from locals was brilliant. Families who were on their sunday walks/bike rides cheered runners as they passed. 

Incredible value for money. You pay far more for city half and fully marathons, and you get a far better experience at St Illytds. The views are breathtaking, the medal is huge and it's an amazing day out. 

The course is hilly but well marked if you pay attention. 

I think the real highlight of the race was the people. I had never been to a race before where at the finish line there were picnic tables of cakes, runners coming out to cheer on others and enjoying drink. 

I never thought I'd run an ultra before, and I'm so glad I chose St Illtyds. I'd do it again in a heartbeat and it has spoiled all other races for me. I don't know how it can be topped as an experience. 

This was my first ultra and it was amazing.

The registration process was easy and the race information was sent via email ensuring we knew everything we needed to.

We collected our race numbers on the morning of the race and we were able to leave our bags in the clubhouse.

The course was beautiful, we ran through woods, fields, paths and road. The course was undulating, as the weather was dry road trainers were more than suitable, however, if the course was wet I would recommend trail trainers.

The checkpoints were absolutely fantastic, very well stocked with sweets, fruit, sausage rolls, peanuts and so many different drinks, coke, juice, water.....this is how all checkpoints should be and we were well and truly spoilt.

It was a brilliant day, the medal was fantastic and the t-shirt is very special to me - a huge achievement.

If this race was nearer to where I live I would do it in a heartbeat.

Tori and Nathan certainly know how to host an amazing event....thank you ♥️

This was my first ultra and one suggested by others from the racecheck community and I was not disappointed at all. 

Everything was managed superbly from the initial booking to the race itself. Lots of feed stations that were very well stocked with a range of sweets and savoury and plenty of flat cola on offer.

Easy to follow the route a lovely picturesque course. I ran as part of a team and we did fantastic swearing our way around the course. The scenery was stunning and seriously one to consider for those wanting to try an ultra for the first time.

The race concept is relatively simple, start next to Burry Port harbour just outside Llanelli, pick up the St Illtyd’s way just outside town and follow it for 25km. Turn around at half way and retrace your steps. Simple. The first/last 5km is super flat along a cycle path, the 40km in between however has 1200m of climbing, plenty to punish those who run the first half too fast.

The route has some road sections (maybe 30% road) but the rest of the route is footpaths across fields and through woods. Nothing technical but not always the easier surface to run on across fields of long grass or mud trampled by horses and now in a hard, break your ankle state. But rarely flat apart from that 5km at the start and finish.

The route is marked as the St Illtyd’s signs aren’t all that reliable, but only with tape tied to gates/hedges. Mostly this was ok and the organisers said they had increased the marking from last year. But haven’t seen that a few people got lost last year I went armed with the GPS file on my watch, not needed most the time but certainly useful on a few occasions. Even with the increased marking I think there would be opportunity to get lost, maybe not for long but definitely go off course. Potentially even more so if you’re at the back end of the field and finishing at dusk. The best races I’ve ever done in terms of course marking are those run by Cotswold Running, definitely the benchmark and impossible to get lost with loads of signs and even the wrong routes marked to warn you to turn around.

My training had gone well so I went in confident but also apprehensive, it’s been some time since I ran a marathon (2 years) and even longer since my last ultra (5 years) and therefore wasn’t sure how I’d feel going that long again. The plan was to keep the first half controlled, focus on my fuelling and then see if I could push on in the 2nd half. Hard when the start of the race is so flat and everyone is rushing past you as the adrenaline courses around their bodies.

The start at Burry Port Harbour was stunning with the blue sky overhead and the sun already warming up as I collected my number at 8am. I hate that time between collecting your number and the race starting, full of nervous energy and wondering if you should go and have ANOTHER poo just in case. Kit faffed with, decision taken to start in short sleeves and it was time to line up.

The first hour of the race passed quickly, I focused on keeping the pace easy, walking the hills and latching onto a number of different groups for company while they moved at the same speed as me. After the first 5km there is some steady climbing up onto the hills overlooking Burry Port and some great single track through woods. Progress was a little stop start as we moved along single track but things soon spread out and I found a group of 3 runners who were moving at a good pace so I stuck with them. There are some stunning views at this point down to Burry Port Harbour and on a day like we had across the see to the Gower.

This carried on until half way, the pace was a touch slow at times but I figured that was fine, it had got quite warm so a little easy was a good thing. At halfway they stopped for a bit at the aid station, I’m not a big fan of dawdling at aid stations preferring to get in and out quickly and eat on the move. Feeling good I pushed on and ran most of the second half on my own.

Psychologically heading back to the start made a real difference, you knew what lay ahead and could prepare for it. Running past people heading for the turn around point was also fun, nice to exchange some cheery ‘well done’ and ‘doing great’ greetings as we passed each other. Always a friendly, supportive vibe at ultra’s isn’t there? Plus having seen how far ahead the other runners were it gave me something to aim for and keep me moving.

So would I recommend the St Illtyd’s ultra? Absolutely, the marking can definitely be improved but otherwise it’s a great race. The checkpoints were well stocked and organised, the organisers very friendly and relaxed which is then reflected in the competitors. The route is challenging due to the elevation but definitely suitable for someone taking the first step up from the marathon distance. It’s also great value with an excellent medal (important) and race t-shirt. Plus free parking at the start/finish which makes race logistics very easy.

This was my first ultra and I had a wales of a time! It came a month after my first marathon and I enjoyed this experience ten times more.

The course is hard, 32 miles and 1000m of climbing, but it is achieveable and there is great support from the volunteers and marshals.The aid stations are well stocked and the communication before hand is very good. A nice touch at the end is the race organisers handing out medals personally.

The support on course from the other runners, locals and local cattle is brilliant. The course is beautiful, especially the part throught the bluebell woods. The only negative to the race would be a short section on a busy road, but that comes with the teritory of the type of event and looking back, it coincided with when when i was struggling the most during the race. I soon perked up and enjoyed myself again!

For the price, the race is well worth it for a first ultra especially as accomodation in the local area is pretty resonable. Most importantly, it's not put me off doing another ultra, although i do worry i may have been spolit with this experience! Regardless, I'll be back to do this race another time.

Now the dust has well and truly settled its time for a review.

This race is truly awesome. Yes, its 32 miles over a bloody big hill so, buyer beware. That much should be obvious.

The atmosphere is truly amazing, the support from fellow runners and aid stations awesome. The views beautiful. The race organiser hands every single finisher their medal personally. What a lovely touch. To finish and say I am an ultra runner is a truly incredible thing.

Accomodation near the evnt is easy, the registration relaxed and effecient. Dissapointingly my pack wasnt checked despite quite strict warnings about lack of compliance. 

If you have a watcdh that gives you navigation - fantastic! if notm the tape is okay to follow but easily missed.

The cvourse is tough. Its hilly. Proper hilly! the decents hurt as much as the accents. We were lucky with the weather but it could go either way. 

At the end of the day this is a truly amazing event and not one to be missed. 

It's flat for 3 miles, then it's hilly for 26 miles, then it's flat for the last 3.

A really friendly low key ultra in a stunning part of Wales. Through gorgeous bluebell woods up into the Welsh hillsides above Burry Port, this is fantastic value for money.

The organisers know what makes a good race as they are runners themselves and it shows the food at the CPs.

As a first ultra it would be a test but one you could do as the cut off is generous. Experienced runners will enjoy the challenge of the trails.

A race I would happily do again one day.