Penrice Castle, dating back to Norman times, is our basecamp hub – and it’s a ‘figure of 8’ route for the ‘Full’ 100km challenge, made up of 50km west & east loops – taking in the golden beaches & dramatic cliffs, salt-marsh & sand dunes, and ancient woodlands inland. With a 75km option, two fabulous 50km ‘Half’ challenges, a Trail Marathon, and 25km & 10km basecamp loop options also. There’s camping options across the weekend for you & your supporters, with a bar & entertainment – it’s a highlight of the summer!
A magnificent challenge – setting out from Penrice Castle basecamp with a range of camping options. It’s a figure of 8 route – heading on a clockwise west loop first, heading down to Oxwich Bay and joining the stunning the Wales Coast Path. You’ll be stopping every ~12.5 km for refreshments & whatever support you need – and we head inland, join the elevated Gower Way, with a main halfway stop back at Penrice Castle basecamp. Another 50 km on the east loop – along the coast past Mumbles Head, inland up to Gowerton – and then a final push back to basecamp where a massive welcome awaits!
100 km & ~2200 metres
Every 10-15km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more.
As your challenge starts & finishes at Penrice Castle, you can either park here all weekend, or be dropped off & picked up.
Penrice Castle basecamp – Fri & Sat
There’s the ULTRA MARCH® category for walkers aiming to do 100 km in less than 24 hours (or 50 km in under 12 hrs). 8.30am start.
For 2026, there’s ULTRA TRAILBLAZERZ® for faster, competitive, runners with an eye on the clock and a ‘time goal’ of sub 14 hrs (male) & 15 hrs (female) for 100km on this Challenge. 6.45 am start.
Ultra Challenge® 50 km and 100 km events are fully ITRA-certified and officially recognised as UTMB Index races. 4 ITRA points available.
Day 1 – West Loop – 50 km & ~1200 metres
Day 2 – East Loop – 50 km & ~1000 metres
Day 1 – Sat 18 July
Day 2 – Sun 19 July
Every 10 – 15km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more.
As your challenge starts & finishes at Penrice Castle, you can either park here all weekend, or be dropped off & picked up.
Penrice Castle basecamp – Friday.
Penrice Castle basecamp – Saturday
4 available (2 for each day – tbc)
The popular 2 Day Full 100 km Challenge breaks down the route into its two ‘halves’ of ~50 km on Saturday & Sunday, both starting & finishing at our basecamp at Penrice Castle. You’ll get to experience the route in daylight, as well as the opportunity to get some welcome rest & sleep overnight. Camp with us at our fully supported basecamp on the Saturday night, with hot food, showers & more – or book a local hotel / B&B if tenting it just isn’t your thing!
Step up from your normal 50 km distance – this maybe perfect! Setting out from Penrice Castle it’s on a 25 km west loop down to Oxwich Bay & joins the stunning Wales Coast Path. The route then heads north and inland, joining the elevated Gower Way and back to the basecamp. After a picnic lunch its out onto the 50 km east loop along the coast, around to Mumbles Head and along past the ‘Mumbles’ sand & mud. Then inland up to Gowerton – back down to the Gower Way, and a final push back to basecamp where noisy welcome and medal awaits!
75 km & ~1550 metres
Every 10-15km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more.
As your challenge starts & finishes at Penrice Castle, you can either park here all weekend, or be dropped off & picked up.
See ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details
Penrice Castle basecamp – Fri night
Penrice Castle basecamp – Sat night
Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details
50 km & ~1200 metres
Every 10 – 15km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more.
As your challenge starts & finishes at Penrice Castle, you can either park here all weekend, or be dropped off & picked up.
See ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details
Penrice Castle basecamp – Friday
Penrice Castle basecamp – Saturday
There’s the ULTRA MARCH® category for walkers aiming to do 100 km in less than 24 hours (or 50 km in under 12 hrs). 8.30am start.
For 2026, there’s ULTRA TRAILBLAZERZ® for faster, competitive, runners with an eye on the clock and a ‘time goal’ of sub 6 hrs (male) & 6.5 hrs (female) for 50km+ on this Challenge. 6.45 start.
Ultra Challenge® 50 km and 100 km events are fully ITRA-certified and officially recognised as UTMB Index races. 2 ITRA points available.
A perfect ‘Half’ challenge as a 50 km – setting out from Penrice Castle basecamp, where we have a range of camping options and hospitality. It heads out on a clockwise west loop down to Oxwich Bay & its nature reserve, joining the stunning the Wales Coast Path and along to Rhossili for a picnic lunch. Up along the bay, with its sand dunes, and across to Landimore Marsh, before dropping down south inland and joining the elevated Gower Way, with a final push back to the basecamp finish line at Penrice Castle.
A great option if you want to join someone on the Full Challenge on Saturday evening to finish with them, or just set off with most others on Saturday morning OR early Sunday morning on your own fantastic challenge! It’s 50 km on the east loop – along the coast past Bantam Bay, Caswell Bay, and around to Mumbles Head and along past the ‘Mumbles’ sand & mud. Then inland past Clyne Wood up to Gowerton – back down to the Gower Way, and a final push back to basecamp where noisy welcome and medal awaits!
50 km & ~1000 metres
Every 10-15 km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more.
As your challenge starts & finishes at Penrice Castle, you can either park here all weekend, or be dropped off & picked up.
See ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details
Penrice Castle basecamp – Friday night
Penrice Castle basecamp – Saturday night
Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details
2 available (tbc)
42 km & ~900 metres
Every 10-15km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more.
As your challenge starts & finishes at Penrice Castle, you can either park here all weekend, or be dropped off & picked up.
See ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details
Penrice Castle basecamp – Friday night
Penrice Castle basecamp – Saturday night
Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details
If a marathon is your classic distance – this is a great one! Setting out from Penrice Castle basecamp, where we have a range of camping options and hospitality. It heads out on a clockwise west loop down to Oxwich Bay & its nature reserve, joining the stunning the Wales Coast Path and along to Rhossili for a picnic lunch. We then cut inland, head back east and join the elevated Gower Way, with a final push back down to the basecamp finish line at Penrice Castle.
A perfect Saturday ‘entry’ challenge as a 25 km – setting out from Penrice Castle basecamp, where we have a range of camping options and hospitality. It heads out on a clockwise west loop down to Oxwich Bay & its nature reserve, joining the stunning Wales Coast Path. The route then heads north and inland, joining the elevated Gower Way with fantastic views, with a final push back to the basecamp finish line at Penrice Castle for a medal and a picnic lunch.
25 km & ~550 metres
Every 10-15km under marquees with support – toilets, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more.
As your challenge starts & finishes at Penrice Castle, you can either park here all weekend, or be dropped off & picked up.
See ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details
Penrice Castle basecamp – Friday night
Penrice Castle basecamp – Saturday night
Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details
10 km & ~250 metres
Snacks & drinks at start.
As your challenge starts & finishes at Penrice Castle, you can either park here all weekend, or be dropped off & picked up.
See ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details
Penrice Castle basecamp – Friday night
Penrice Castle basecamp – Saturday night
Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details
A perfect Saturday 10K for all ages, and maybe for those supporting others on the longer distance challenges – setting out from Penrice Castle basecamp, where we have a range of camping options and hospitality. It heads out on a clockwise 10 km loop down towards Oxwich Bay and then back to the basecamp finish line at Penrice Castle for a medal and a picnic lunch.
