The world’s first ultra-mountain trail world series is set to descend on Wales this year, as the brand-new One Hundred World Series visits the Black Mountains, for what promises to be one of the most challenging and exciting events of 2022.
The weekend of 27-29th of May will see the series arrive in the beautiful market town of Crickhowell, which plays host to the event and sits in the heart of the Black Mountains in the incredible Brecon Beacons National Park. Headquartered in the UK, One Hundred is the brainchild of founders’ João Andrade and Tiago Aragão and comes from their passion for conquering the trails of some of the most beautiful and challenging mountains on the planet. This year races will visit Portugal, Brazil, Wales, the United States, with a grand finale in Italy – taking athletes from all around the globe in an unforgettable journey.
As part of the build-up to the race series One Hundred will also be hosting training camps and special stage events across the continents, alongside the World Series competition.
Runners who sign-up to the event in Wales can be safe in the knowledge that some of Wales’ greatest ultra-runners will be at the helm, with Lowri Morgan taking on the role of Race Director and Rhys Jenkins that of Route Director. This perfect combination of Lowri and Rhys’ skill-sets promises to provide an engaging weekend of authentic ultra and trail races that will include live streaming, a vibrant event village, incredible 100mile and 100km race routes and supporting trail marathon and 10k races.
Lowri has a long career of competing at some of the world’s toughest ultra-races from the Arctic 6633 to the Jungle Maraton, from running the length of Wales and the peaks of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Cadair Idris and Pumlumon Fawr during her 333 Challenge to the world-famous Dragon’s Back Race here in Wales, which Lowri completed in 2019.
Looking ahead to the event Lowri said, “We are so excited to be bringing these races to Wales. One Hundred have a global vision for the series, which has an incredible prize purse of £100.000 – so I’m proud that my first foray into race directing is with such a prestigious event. The whole weekend is going to be amazing and at the heart of it all are two incredible race routes for the 100mile and 100km, which have been crafted by Rhys with incredible landscape knowledge for runners to experience all of the great mountains and vistas – and of course they will include his love for the area’s rugged beauty. I can’t wait!”
The Welsh hills will delight runners with sights of stunning waterfalls and high mountain plateaus, with the Black Mountains also holding the title of a Dark Sky Reserve for their outstanding quality of night sky, one of only five locations in the world which command the title. And for the movie enthusiasts, you may just come across the Batcave from the film The Dark Knight Rises, as it’s located at the tallest waterfall in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Rhys’ background in ultra-running is legendary. He holds the record for the fastest completion of the Wales Coast Path as he ran the 870 miles (1400km) route in 20 days 10 hours during the COVID-19 pandemic, he also completed the incredible 3 Peaks JOGLE in 2021 which involves running the UK peaks of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), whilst navigating from John O’Groats to Land’s End. Rhys is also the only Welshman ever to complete the Badwater 135 in the USA, reckoned by many to be one of the hardest foot races in the world. Perhaps the biggest underlining of Rhys’ credentials as route director is the fact that, along with wife Cerys, he runs Pegasus Running, a company producing some of the best ultra-marathon events in the UK.
Speaking about the route Rhys said, “Living and breathing the world of trail running, I’ve always had one eye on bringing a world-class 100-mile trail event to South Wales and I am genuinely excited to showcase the beguiling Black Mountains. The views and trails are some of the finest in Wales and each runner is in for a true modern-day adventure. Talking of the route, it is very testing but also rewarding. Bagging peaks such as Table Mountain, Waun Fach, Sugar Loaf and the legendary Skirrid sporting it’s very own Devil’s footprint. Dancing along the national treasures of the Beacons Way, Cambrian Way and Offa’s Dyke – each runner is in for jaw-dropping vistas over the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons.”
To sign-up for the One Hundred Black Mountains 100mile, 100km, marathon, and 10k races runners can head to the race website, where they’ll also find more information on prize funds and the weekend schedule. You can also follow One Hundred Black Mountains on social media via Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the One Hundred YouTube channel where the races will be streamed live.
