LDWA South Wales The Gwyn Matthews Rhondda Rollercoaster
Sixteen or twenty-six miles of the highs and lows of the Rhondda valleys from Trehafod, lung-bursting by their own description, twelve hours, 250 places.
| Distance | Ascent | Per km |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Mile | — | — |
| 16 Mile | — | — |
Nobody has reviewed this one yet
No reviews of the Gwyn Matthews Rhondda Rollercoaster, and nothing on what people wore. Both are things no organiser publishes and every runner wants before they enter — how it actually went, and what was on your feet.
Ran it? Write the first reviewRunning it soon? Connect Strava and we will ask you about it the day you finish, so you do not have to remember to come back.
Pick your distance
12h cut-off, which needs 17:12/km
What you’re in for
Sixteen or twenty-six miles of the highs and lows of the Rhondda valleys from Trehafod village hall in mid-May — lung-bursting by the organiser's own description — with twelve hours and 250 places. Named for Gwyn Matthews of the South Wales group. An LDWA challenge event, which means walkers and runners together, a route description to navigate by rather than tape, checkpoints with food and drink, and a meal at the end. Entry is through the LDWA's own system, places are limited, and the ones in this list tend to fill early.
Terrain and trail
Steep valley sides — forest road, grassy hillside, moorland top — up one side of the Rhondda and down the other, more than once. Firm in May but never flat. A trail shoe with grip.
Memories Made Outside · our print shop
Turn your The Gwyn Matthews Rhondda Rollercoaster into a print
Upload your GPX or connect Strava and we'll print the course with your name, date and finish time. From £12.
Make your race print →Cut-offs
12 hours.
Other races near here
Full race calendar →Races from other organisers starting within 30 km of Trehafod Community Village Hall, Rhondda, nearest first.
14
Feb
2027
Caerphilly Trail 5k and 10k
Van Community Centre, Clos Guto, Caerphilly · Ridge Runners · 8 miles away
Short, hilly marked trail races over Rudry mountain near Caerphilly
MODERATE
Not open yet
£26–£30
8
May
2027
Radyr Trail Races
Cardiff Harlequins RFC, Diamond Ground, Forest Farm Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff · Ridge Runners · 9 miles away
Half and marathon from Radyr over the Garth and Castell Coch woods
HARD TO VERY HARD
Not open yet
£40–£50
9
Jul
2028
MTC Y Draig Goch
The Travelodge, Merthyr Tydfil, Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Village, CF48 1UT · Ultra Running Ltd · 9 miles away
Merthyr Tydfil to Barry, 34.8 miles.
Not open yet
28
Nov
2026
Machen Trail Races
Machen Welfare Ground, Tyn-y-Waun Road, Machen · Ridge Runners · 10 miles away
Winter trail half and marathon over Rudry Common and Machen Mountain
HARD TO VERY HARD
Not open yet
£40–£50
How to enter
Sat, 15 May 2027 · Entries open · £20–£25
Enter via SiEntries ↗Entries are handled by SiEntries, not by us. We take nothing for sending you there.
Add to your calendar · with the start time
Partner · affiliate policy
Common questions
- The Gwyn Matthews Rhondda Rollercoaster offers 2 distances: 26 Mile (41.8 km), 16 Mile (25.7 km).