Conditions for the race were pretty bad. Some constant heavy rain for a week prior and the damage had already been done. Past Barry it was pretty much mud all the way with some added waterlogged fields and stream crossings, shin high just for fun.
Registration was open a day earlier at Up and Under in Canton, so if you were fairly local and could make that it took the whole stress out of the morning of the race. Kit check was also completed at registration.
The start of the Ultra takes place at Penarth Pier and the pier was opened by the race organisers that allowed runners to stay warm and more importantly dry. Facilities here were good with a number of toilets available inside and outside on the pier.
The race brief covered everything you needed to know and you were issued with a card to stamp at 2 locations at Barry Island to prevent any short cuts.
Support for the route was fantastic especially where the CPs were located and through Barry Island where there was a Park Run happening.
The route was very coastal from Barry onwards and even though the race organisers described the route as flat, it was far from it...many up and downs ‘coastal style’ and three pebbled beaches required crossing, adding a certain degree of difficulty to the course...throw into the equation the mud and waterlogged fields and you have yourself some demanding sections to deal with along Route. The route was well marked out to prevent any confusion and the coastal path was fairly easy to follow away from the tac signs, only once did I take a wrong turn down to a beach to then take the challenging 40 steps back up after I realised I took a wrong turn at a track junction...
The aid stations were fantastic with a great range on the usual ultra snacks including sweets, coke and crisps.
The t shirt and medal were good quality that rounded off a good but if not demanding race.
I would recommend this to others in the future.