FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Due to the length and nature of the routes, our events are unsupported. This means that there will be no aid stations or road signage on the course. Your crew will be responsible for navigating the course for you as well as providing you with nutrition as and when required.
They will navigate the course for you. You may have downloaded the GPX files but crew can advise or pre-warn you of things GPX files can’t eg. potholes, traffic jams, sheep on the road (yes, this happens quite frequently in Wales!) etc.
You’re not limited to aid stations and personal supplies. Your crew will provide you with nutrition as and when required, provided you communicate well. Eat and drink whatever and whenever you want! If you fancy pie and chips at mile 98.3… go ahead!
They will provide morale support and much much more… Think of your crew (but don’t treat them) as your personal servants for 3 days. Sound good???
A spare bike may only be used if the primary bike has a mechanical failure to such an extent that it cannot be used. You are not allowed to switch bikes to gain an advantage. If you have the option of more than one type of bike we recommend that you study (and if possible, recce) the bike routes to help you determine which one will be your primary bike. Please refer to our Course Routes page.
Water temperature in Lake Bala on race day has previously between 12 and 17 degrees C. Wetsuits are mandatory. Many past participants have worn base layers, neoprene hats, gloves (non-webbed) and booties. You may be in the water for longer than you expect. Remember, it is easier to remove layers rather than add them.
No. However, you are permitted to exit the water as many times as you like. Any time spent outside the water will be included in your swim time.
No. The swim stage is organised such that you will not require a support boat. However, other than safety, the swim stage is unsupported. You will be able to take on nutrition at regular intervals at the jetty area (where you will be able to stand). Please refer to our Course Routes page.
Toilets and showers are available at Lake Bala approx. 150m from the transition area. Only toilets are available at Race HQ (unless you are a resident of Swallow Falls Hotel).
Yes. Parking at Race HQ is pay and display, unless you are a resident of Swallow Falls Hotel. Parking at Lake Bala is pay and display.
No. However, Swallow Falls Hotel is our race HQ and is the location of the start and finish of all 3 days, with the exception of the swim on Day 1. You may therefore find it convenient to stay there to reduce travelling time. Swallow Falls is located 2 miles outside of Betws-y-Coed. It offers private rooms and dormitory accommodation and is geared towards travellers on a budget. There is also a pub that serves food.
If you have other preferences there are plenty of alternative accommodation options a short drive away.
Here are some great websites which will help make your visit to Snowdonia a real treat. Visit http://www.visitwales.com/ and http://www.visitsnowdonia.info/ for accommodation, restaurants and other tourist information.
Betws-y-Coed is predominantly a village geared towards tourists to Snowdonia. However, you will be able to find most things you need. There are a handful of pubs and restaurants, a service station, and a couple of convenience supermarkets. The nearest bike shop is in Llanrwst, 5 miles away. However, our event bike mechanic will be able to fix most bike issues.
As anywhere in the UK, the weather can be very unpredictable. This is even more true in Snowdonia, so you should be prepared to race in all weathers. Temperatures in the early mornings and over the mountain passes can be surprisingly low for the time of year and visibility can be poor. In case of poor conditions, bike lights are mandatory. High-vis clothing and running lights are also recommended.
Every athlete has their own preferences so it is impossible to advise what you should eat. Remember, since the race is unsupported, you are not limited to aid stations and personal supplies – you choose what and when to eat. Take into account that you are racing for three long consecutive days. Decide what you might like to eat, bring the supplies and let your support crew do the rest.
No. Our events are unsupported which means you must make your own way around the course using the GPX files and the road books provided. These will both be emailed to you four weeks before the race. There are a couple of short sections on the run route where support vehicles are not permitted and these will be marshalled.
Athletes and support crews must read our on-line Health and Safety presentation. In addition, there will be short briefings prior to the start of each day, which must also be attended by the athlete(s) and at least one crew member.
The cut off for the swim is in place for safety reasons; therefore if you haven’t finished by 1pm you will be pulled from the water. If you do not meet the cut off for the bike or run stages you may continue the stage unofficially, however you may be requested to leave the course if the race director deems it necessary. You may also continue the race unofficially the following day. We will not provide safety cover on the water or on the road after the cut off times. Only competitors who meet the cut off for each day will be eligible for a finisher’s award.
The course records for UMUK staged between 2011 and 2016 are:
Records | Male | Female |
Entire Course | Edd Charlton-Weedy 23:56:47 (2014) | Yasuko Miyazaki 28:01:42 (2012) |
Swim | Lefteris Paraskeuas 2:26:47 (2013) | Yasuko Miyazaki 3:10:18 (2012) |
Day 1 Bike | Mark Stenning 4:39:04 (2011) | Tracey McQuair 5:31:01 (2011) |
Day 2 Bike | Mark Stenning 8:15:53 (2011) | Tracey McQuair 10:19:08 (2011) |
Run | Mark Stenning 6:44:40 (2011) | Yasuko Miyazaki 8:37:47 (2012) |
In 2018 all routes were altered (we didn’t think they were tough enough!). In 2021, our winners Alvaro De La Camara and Penny Butterfield set new course records of: 26 hours, 25 minutes and 10 seconds and 30 hours, 49 minutes and 46 seconds respectively.
Records | Male | Female |
Entire Course | Alvaro De La Camara 26:25:10 (2021) | Penny Butterfield 30:49:46 (2021) |
Swim | Alvaro De La Camara 2:59:00 (2021) | Penny Butterfield 3:19:00 (2021) |
Day 1 Bike + transition | Matthew Dyke 5:15:46 (2018) | Penny Butterfield 6:13:46 (2021) |
Day 2 Bike | Jon Warren 9:31:17 (2021) | Penny Butterfield 11:04:37 (2021) |
Run | Jon Warren 7:49:08 (2021) | Penny Butterfield 10:12:23 (2021) |
In 2019 we added two new events: UMUK 355 and UMUK Team Relay. UMUK 355 – particularly – was taken by storm! Our winners Rob Demetriou and Andrea Gellan set new course records of: 17 hours, 06 minutes and 46 seconds and 23 hours, 38 minutes and 40 seconds respectively.
Records | Male | Female |
Entire Course | Rob Demetriou 17:06:46 (2019) | Andrea Gellan 23:38:40 (2019) |
Swim | Rob Demetriou 1:52:55 (2019) | Andrea Gellan 1:59:00 (2019) |
Day 1 Bike + transition | Rob Demetriou 3:36:25 (2019) | Jacky Camos 5:00:01 (2019) |
Day 2 Bike | Rob Demetriou 6:35:18 (2019) | Jacky Camos 8:53:47 (2019) |
Run | Rob Demetriou 5:02:08 (2019) | Andrea Gellan 7:19:00 (2019) |
In 2021 Team Barlow Bashes West set a new team course record of: 25 hours, 07 minutes and 02 second.
Records | Team Relay | |
Entire Course | Barlow Bashes West 25:07:02 (2021) | |
Swim | Barlow Bashes West 3:13:00 (2021) | |
Day 1 Bike + transition | Barlow Bashes West 4:47:25 (2021) | |
Day 2 Bike | Barlow Bashes West 9:05:09 (2021) | |
Run | Barlow Bashes West 8:01:28 (2021) |
Question not answered here?
You can find most information regarding the race in our Rules and Guidelines
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact us.
Racing Quest (UK) Limited
Registered in England and Wales No: 10959675
Registered Address: 17 Chaffinch Walk, Cambridge CB23 6BD.
Copyright © 2018 | Powered by SUMMIT