ORGANISERS of a devilishly difficult endurance race in Powys are appealing for more entries for this year’s event, in order to secure its future.
First held in 2020, the Get Jerky Devil's Staircase Ultra Trail Race is a 31.5-mile race centring on the iconic Devil’s Staircase near the town of Llanwrtyd Wells.
With its maximum gradient of 20.1 per cent the road – an old drover's track stretching for about 20 miles between the small hamlet of Abergwesyn and the town of Tregaron in the Cambrian Mountains – has been described as “inhumane”.
Meanwhile, with a total ascent and descent of 5,200 feet, the race itself is described as “hellish” and is due to take place this year on Saturday, October 5.
However, with less than 2 months to go before runners take to the start line, organisers and sponsors of the race have been left fearing for its future, due to entry numbers.
“We are now only a couple of months away from the event on the 5th October,” read a post on the Devil's Staircase Ultra Trail Race Facebook page on August 11.
“We are the sponsors of this event and Green Events (in) Llanwrtyd Wells are the organisers.
“If the last 2 weeks of the 2024 summer Olympics Games has given you the inspiration to enter this challenge of endurance running then please do not hesitate to reach out to the organisers, located at the event starting point, the Neuadd Arms Hotel.
“I do not underestimate the challenge that an event like this presents. not only for the athletes but also for the organisers.
“The biggest challenge for the organisers is to secure enough athletes to make the event financially viable.
“To secure the future of this event please consider entering. We are committed to support the event but without sufficient entries I fear that there will not be an event to support.”
Most of the race is off road with some short road sections including the “hellish” ascent (25 per cent). The route will be on a mixture of tarmac road, forest tracks and farmland.
The race will test endurance and stamina but will reward the runner with a fantastic views of the Cambrian Mountains and Powys countryside, as well as a lasting, memorable experience.
The course will be marshalled and waymarked with water points and two feed stations providing cold and hot drinks, bananas, cakes and sweets. At the finish there will be Welsh cawl and a vegetarian alternative on offer.
Each runner will receive a unique devil medal and there will be prizes for the first three male and female runners.
The race will start in the centre of Llanwrtyd at 9am and finish in the same place.
Entry is £45 and can be purchased at https://www.getjerky.wales/devils-staircase-ultra-trail-race/. Alternatively, contact Green Events on 01591 610236, visit green-events.co.uk or the Facebook page.
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