IT’S the birthplace of sporting and outdoor events that are equally iconic as they are wild, and Llanwrtyd Wells’ busy year of wacky and wonderful activities for 2024 kicks off in a month’s time.
The Mid Wales town has developed a reputation for organising a series of off the wall outdoor activities since 1980 under the leadership of Green Events. And the 2024 calendar kicks off next month with the Open Stone Skimming Competition on Sunday, May 26.
The event starts at around 10.30am at the Manor Adventure Centre, on the outskirts of town, with online entries available at the Green Events website, at https://www.green-events.co.uk, or on the day. Entrants must be eight years and above.
The next event is the famous Whole Earth Man v Horse Race, which takes place on Saturday, June 8, which has a full entry list already.
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Man v Horse pits runners against riders on horseback through a mix of road, trail and mountainous terrain, over 20+ miles.
The event’s origins began in Llanwrtyd’s very own Neuadd Arms when landlord Gordon Green, the founder of Green Events, overheard a discussion between two customers – with one suggesting that over a significant distance across country, man was equal to any horse. Man v Horse was born and was first run in 1980.
The event will be supported by refreshments, a bar and music.
The Drovers’ Walks will be held later that month, on June 22, when walkers will follow in the footsteps of the drovers of old who used to drive their sheep, cattle, pigs and geese across the mountains to the market towns of England.
There is a choice of a 12 or 20-mile walk through the beautiful summer countryside around Llanwrtyd. One of the checkpoints will be sited at the location of an old drovers' inn, which is re-opened for the day, serving locally brewed traditional ale and other refreshments.
August 10 is the date of the Cider Cycle, a sociable, non-competitive mountain bike ride over a marked course with the opportunity of sampling cider – and other drinks – along the route.
This route is suitable for all ability of riders with challenges for the more experienced.
Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, August 24-25, is when you see two major events coincide, beginning with the Chapel Bogathlon, a mud run crossed with a triathlon, on the Saturday.
The event this year includes a 60-yard swim first, followed by a two mile mountain bike ride and a one-mile run to finish. All three disciplines are off road and involve lots of mud and water.
The next day, the Chapel World Bog Snorkelling Championships will be held. Competitors either aim to be the fastest snorkeller over 120 yards, with no arm strokes permitted, or to win the best costume category.
The current fastest time is one minute 12.34 seconds, a world record, which was set last year. There are trophies in various categories and the event has refreshments, a bar and live music.
The Mid Wales Four Day Walking Festival will be held from September 18-21. Running since 1980, this festival attracts walkers from around the world with way-marked routes of 12 or 20 miles.
The following month, the Trailhead Get Jerky Devils Staircase ultra trail run will be held on October 5, covering around 30 miles over a very tough course.
This endurance race has a total ascent and descent of about 4,700ft, starting and finishing at the Neuadd Arms.
The race route combines a mixture of road, forest tracks, bogland, farmland and river crossings.
The Ron Skilton Memorial Half Marathon, which is held to raise both awareness and funding for MNDA, will be held on October 20 over a tough and quite hilly course.
November 16 is the Real Ale Wobble, a sociable, non-competitive mountain bike ride which of course involves the chance of sampling real ale en route. This event is suitable for all standard of riders with special sections for the more experienced.
The Real Ale Ramble, on November 23 and 24, is held annually in conjunction with the 10-day Mid Wales Beer Festival. The ramble begins from the town square and follows either of two waymarked routes of 12 or 20 miles and two guided routes of five and eight miles, with free real ales available at checkpoints.
For full details of these and other events, visit www.green-events.co.uk, email bob.g@green-events.co.uk or call 01591 610666 or 07856 357754.
Green Events is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation representing tourism and hospitality business across Mid Wales.
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