JDRF's Brecon Beacons Challenge

Why book with Charity Challenge

Charity Challenge is one of the UK's leading challenge events company with over 18 years experience of delivering world-class fundraising events.

On this expedition you will receive:

• The very best trek leaders to support you every step of the way.
• Training advice and support
• An industry-leading safety programme
• A truly unforgettable experience!

Grading

The JDRF Brecon Beacons Challenge is graded as tough.

This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind. It will be a long day of trekking around the mountains on undulating terrain so training is essential.

Clothing and equipment

Equipment of good quality and durability could make the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one. For this challenge, waterproof and well-worn in boots or trail shoes will be indispensable. The terrain is uneven and can be very rough, so it is vital that you use either boots or trail shoes with good grip. Sports trainers are not suitable.

Once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our partners The Outdoor Shop, Outdoor Hire and Cotswold Outdoor.

Training

The JDRF Brecon Beacons Challenge is a long, sustained event of up to 12 hours and covering uneven terrain with ssections of ascents and descents. Therefore it requires a good level of fitness.

The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, walking along similar terrain. However, if you do not have the luxury of living near the great outdoors, then the gym or running/walking in your local area are good places to start. Most training should be part of an ongoing lifestyle, but if this is not the case then you should begin training 4-6 months prior to the challenge and gradually build up. Remember to use the clothes, equipment and especially the shoes that you will be wearing on the challenge in order to get them worn in.

The more you exercise before the challenge, the more you will get out of it.

Money

During the challenge there are limited opportunities to spend any money. We would advise you should need no more than £20 (GBP) excluding your travel cost.

Insurance

We don’t offer insurance for our UK trips, as any medical emergencies would naturally be covered through the NHS. If you wish, you could look into your own policy that covers cancellation for travel within the UK.

Climate

As you know, the weather in the UK can be highly unpredictable and at times erratic, so being prepared is the key! Although the early summer months of should be, in general, warmer, sunnier and more stable in terms of the weather conditions, we all know that this isn’t always the case. Please check the weather forecasts up to ensure that you bring clothing suitable for warm sunny walking weather and also sudden wind and downpours should they occur.

Terrain

This challenge is based within the mountainous range of the Brecon Beacons National park, and the difficulty of this trek should not be underestimated as it includes one long day of trekking, with a surprising number of gradual ascents and descents. The route is on good paths and quiet country roads, but it's the variation of terrain that makes this challenge a unique and fun experience.

Accommodation

No accommodation is provided for this challenge. We would like to encourage all participants whenever possible to book a few extra nights in the local area to fully enjoy their challenge and to put money back into the local communities.

Food & drink

We encourage you to eat a healthy breakfast before arriving to register for the event. Lunch will be available in the form of a packed lunch. We recommend that you bring some of your own snacks to ensure that you can keep your energy levels up throughout the trek.

The drinking of alcohol the night before the challenge is strongly discouraged for your own health and safety during this tough challenge.

Toilets

There will be toilet facilities both at the start and end of the trek; however during the challenge such facilities will be limited to the great outdoors!

Safety

Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of our participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up Challenge Safe, one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. Challenge Safe formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the challenge activity itself. Your welfare is absolutely paramount!

Here are a couple of important points that you should be aware of:

• The terrain on the challenge is often rocky and in wet conditions can be extremely slippery. Please make sure that your shoes have good grip. Trainers are not appropriate as they lack grip.
• The weather can change in the course of the day. Please make sure you carry an additional warm layer, waterproof jacket.
• This event includes short sections along country roads. Please take care along these sections and keep to the sides of the roads in single file.
• This is a long distance, endurance event. Ensure that you eat lots throughout the day and keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of fluids.