Sleepwalker '08 winners back at Henderson Hall

This is the discussion page for all things relating to the Sleepwalker Night Race. Whether you are a veteran of previous Sleepwalker Night Races, or considering giving it a go for the first time, you are very welcome.

The Sleepwalker is a challenging NIGHT RACE, run under the rules of the Trail Running Association, and supported by UK Athletics. It was first run in 2007 after almost a year’s planning by Duncan Clark of North Ridge Adventure, in its first year crossing the notorious ‘Windy Gap’ (Bwlch ar y Fan) between Fan y Big and the Crybin, next to Pen y Fan, the highest peak of the Brecon Beacons.

Due to the mass of events during summer months, it was decided to move the Sleepwalker back in the calendar in order to retain its exclusive appeal and to ensure that everyone who wanted to would have a relatively race free calendar. This of course brought about some additional difficulties due to the weather, and when Peter Howell, the leader of Central Beacons Mountain Rescue heard that Duncan wanted to put it back a whole month later even than the OMM (previously the KIMM or Karrimor International Mountain Marathon) there ensued yet another round of risk assessment. In the end, Peter agreed to endorse the route on behalf of the Mountain Rescue after Duncan had replotted the route, completely changing the second half to remove the potentially hazardous pass crossing which could have presented a major problem in icy conditions.This proved to be a wise move, as in 2008 the temperature at the start line was -1C and down to about -5C on the route.

The route starts in Talybont on Usk, at the Henderson Hall and climbs up the Talybont Valley, heading towards the Barrage at Neuath Reservoir. Now, instead of swinging North over the mountains, it crosses the dam and heads down-valley, through the woods towards the Pontsticill reservoir where it swings back towards Talybont via a steep climb and the crux of the whole route - an exposed traverse over high hill and moor at about 1600′ of altitude.

This isn’t an event for complete beginners, but nor do you have to be superhuman to complete it in the 5 hour time limit. The main things are good basic fitness, appropriate clothing and shoes, and decent map reading ability - and if anyone needs help with any of these, of course we are always willing to help - that’s our business after all!

As we build this resource you will see additional pages to cover special topics, and I hope you may feel like posting some stuff of your own. If anyone has any articles or material they would like to see published I’d be happy to upload suitable content, so just send it over!

Happy running,

Duncan