On the 27th July 2024, Ben Cairney, Senior Developer for Pervade, took on the ultimate endurance challenge: The Beacons Way Ultra 100 Miles. This race, renowned for its gruelling nature, marked the longest and most challenging run Ben has ever attempted.

The Beacons Way Ultra isn’t for the faint-hearted. This 100 mile (160km) race featured 20,000ft (6,143 metres) of elevation and required runners to navigate some of the highest and roughest terrain in the country. Starting at 6am on the Saturday from the historic ruins of Abergavenny Castle, participants followed the scenic yet demanding Beacons Way National Trail. The route showcased the breathtaking views of the region, including iconic mountains such as Pen y Fan and the Carmarthen Fans.

Recognising the immense challenge ahead, Ben had a dedicated support team to help him through the hardest sections of the race. From mile 45 onwards, pacers were allowed to join the runners, providing much needed encouragement and assistance. Pervade’s Support Manager, Andy Whitbread, joined Ben on Saturday evening helping him through the darkness and making sure to keep him on track. In the morning, Pervade CTO, Jonathan Davies, took over from Andy, bringing fresh energy and support to Ben. In the afternoon, as Ben approached the final stretch, his partner Carla took over from Jon, providing him with a much needed boost to push him to the finish.

More than a third of the participants didn’t finish the race, making Ben’s achievement all the more remarkable. He completed the race in an impressive 37 hours and 24 minutes, earning the gold ‘Beacons Way Ultra 100’ Buckle. Congratulations to Ben for completing this and we look forward to supporting him in his next challenge!