A tough scenic Half Marathon through the Afan Forest from Bryn Betws lodge.

Although clearly stated in pre race information, it's worth noting that there is a charge for parking even though other events starting from the same point do not charge. The car parks were full when I arrived so I was sent down a side road to park which I wasn't charged for.

Registration on the day was quick and easy and the organiser was on hand to help with any queries and was handing out a few free Hoka visors.

Quite long queues for limited amount of toliets but not more so than other events.

The race starts with 2K uphill before a long downhill section which turns off onto a narrow trail path which loops back to the first hill. Once you hit around 7K then the new few kilmeters are relatively flat or downhill until you reach what the organisers nicknamed 'the wall' at around 17-18K. A really tough steep incline that keeps on going for around 2-3K before a fast downhill finish for the final kilometer.

The mile markers on the course seemed a little out but I think that's to be expected in trail races which it's expected to have a little bit of leeway and normally overcompensate to ensure the distance is 'at least 13.1 miles'.

Water stations available but didn't see any gels available at the first one which I thought had been stated on the website but I may have just missed them.

Overall, a well organised race and a great challenging course with almost 2000 feet of elevation.