Well, the SIRONA poses its own set of logistical challenges as well as the 100-mile challenge itself. On Friday, we’ve gotta travel 3 hours to get on the bus from the finish line. Then, we have another 2.5-hour journey back up north to Barmouth – the starting line and where our hotel is. The joys of a big point-to-point ultra.
Not only is this gonna be boring as hell, but it’s gonna really fuck up the days prep before any ultramarathon, let alone a 100 mile ultra. It’s gonna be far from relaxing. Eating’s gonna be an issue as we won’t really be able to eat proper food. It’s gonna have to be pre-made, cold slop that we’re gonna have to force down ourselves to ensure we’re ready for event day. Everything about this is less than ideal, but it is what it is I suppose.
Not as enthused about the SIRONA as ones prior, especially being keto, so it’s not like I can buy something easily. However, that said, after the SIRONA, assuming I finish it, I woulda cumulated 920 miles with Pegasus – only 80 miles left until the coveted 1000-mile buckle, which is, at the moment, the only real motivator ahead of the SIRONA. If this event turns out to be a chore, I may reconsider 2026’s DIRONA based on location and logistics and just opt for a couple of events to achieve the 1000 miles. Ever since the original Pegasus event, the VOGUM, back in 2018, I’ve taken part in pretty much every new event (except the 200 milers) and completed the SLAM in 2022, so was always gonna have a bash at this one.
Being honest as a week out and I aint really feeling it for this one. Just. Faff. Lots of it.
Anyway, I had to scope out the SIRONA route, the checkpoint times and locations so consider this the SIRONA 2025 route companion I guess.
Since this route goes trough a few seaside towns, there’s opportunity for pick-me-ups at some shops, so I’ve listed them and their mile markers here:
8.5 MILES – Llwyngwril – shop before and after the bridge over the river (7:30 opens)
CHECKPOINT 1 Tywyn 16 miles (Co-Op in centre)
20.5 miles – shop inbetween Aberdyfi and Penhelyg
CHECKPOINT 2 Macdonald Plas Talgarth Resort 27 miles
32.25 miles – Machynlleth – Texaco garage
32.5 miles – Machynlleth – the Royal House – proper food
42.5 miles – Cletwr – all day breakfast / ploughmans
CHECKPOINT 3 Neuadd Llanfach Hall 43 miles
47 – 48 miles – Borth – shops
CHECKPOINT 4 (SLEEP STATION) Aberystwyth 53 miles shops
Mile 64 – Texaco garage & shop
CHECKPOINT 5 Llanrhystud Memorial Hall 65 miles
66.5 miles – Llansantffraid (shops?)
69.5 miles – Aberarth (shops?)
CHECKPOINT 6 Aberaeron Royal British Legion 73 miles
Mile 77 – New Quay
CHECKPOINT 7 Urdd Gobaith Cymru Llangrannog 83 miles
Mile 89.25 – Tresaith (shops?)
CHECKPOINT 8 Aberporth Village Hall 90 miles
Mile 100 – Gwbert (shops?)
FINISH LINE Cardigan 102 miles
Probably post shit on Insta if you wanna follow there.
Finally, thanks, as always, for reading.
