Firelighter takes place on 04 September 2026.

Entries open on 1st October 2025

The latest date you can sign up is midnight on 1st July 2026, or when all places are sold if sooner. We recommend signing up as soon as possible to secure your place before then.

No, we close both races for new sign-ups at midnight on 1st July 2026.

Yes, both the Ring O’ Fire and Firelighter races are limited to 150 runners each.

Yes, a waiting list opens as soon as we reach 150 sign-ups for each race. Places are then offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ring O’ Fire 130

• £255 Early Bird (First 50 bookings before 31st December 2025)
• £275 Returning Runners (Previous Ring O’ Fire participants)
• £295 Standard Fee
• Charity Places: Pay £100 registration fee, raise at least £600. Charity covers entry fee upon completion. Details on Charity Runner page.

Firelighter 50

• £105 Early Bird (First 50 bookings before 31st December 2025)
• £120 Returning Runners (Previous Firelighter participants)
• £135 Standard Fee
• Charity Places: Pay £50 registration fee, raise at least £300. Charity covers entry fee upon completion. Details on Charity Runner page.

Yes, a partial refund of 50% is available until 1st July 2026. It is your responsibility to arrange a refund by logging into your registered account. No refunds are available after this date. Please note that charity registration fees are non-refundable.

Yes, deferment to next year’s race is available until 1st July 2026. It is your responsibility to arrange a deferment by logging into your registered account.

Please note that you can only defer once to the following year’s race. After that, the deferral will expire.

Yes, transfer to a substitute runner is available until 1st August 2026. It is your responsibility to arrange a transfer by logging into your registered account. No transfers can be made after this date.

Please note that T-shirt orders cannot be amended after 1st July 2026. If you transfer after this date, you will receive whatever size/sex the original runner requested or a charitable donation instead of a T-shirt if that was their choice.

Charity entries are not transferable.

Yes, transfer to the Firelighter is available until 1st August 2026. All transfers are subject to a £25 admin fee, payable at the time of transfer. Please email team@ringofire.co.uk to arrange the transfer, and we’ll also handle any refund that is due. Note that T-shirt orders cannot be amended after 1st July 2026.

Yes, transfer to the Ring O’ Fire is available until 1st August 2026. All transfers are subject to a £25 admin fee, payable at the time of transfer. Please email team@ringofire.co.uk to arrange the transfer. We’ll also request any additional entry fee that is due. Note that T-shirt orders cannot be amended after 1st July 2026.

Pregnancy Refund Policy

Policy: The race entry fee is refundable in the event of a pregnancy.

Pregnancy Refund Process

Process:

• Send your pregnancy refund request to team@ringofire.co.uk before the race start date.
• Attach written confirmation of your pregnancy, signed by your doctor or registered midwife, or a copy of an appointment letter from the hospital (obstetrics and/or midwife) addressed to you. This should be submitted within 30 days after the race start date. Feel free to redact any personal details such as your NHS number.
• Once reviewed and approved, we will process a full refund to the card you used for payment.

While many runners have support crews, friends, and family to assist them, we also offer an early morning bus service from Moelfre to the race start at Breakwater Park, Holyhead. This allows you to leave your car in Moelfre so it is there when you finish the race.

There is an additional charge of £15 for this bus service, and you can book a spot when signing up. The buses depart Moelfre at 6am on Friday, 04th September, providing ample time to reach Holyhead for the race start. More details will be provided closer to the event date.

Yes, this year we are offering a limited number of charity places in both our races. We have partnered with seven leading charities: Bowel Cancer UK, the Stroke Association, the Afghan Sports Trust, Petals Charity, St David’s Hospice, Size of Wales, and Frontline Children. Please see our Run for Charity page for more details.

The 130-mile distance and relentless nature of this non-stop endurance race make Ring O’ Fire one of the most demanding ultra marathons in the British Isles. Are you ready to face the fire, conquer the coast, and forge unforgettable memories?

The nearly 50-mile distance of this challenge offers a glimpse into what it takes to tackle the full Ring O’ Fire 130, while also navigating the most demanding technical sections of the northwest coastal path. The Firelighter is a formidable race and should not be underestimated.

To take on the Ring O’ Fire, you must be ready for a challenge that pushes beyond the limits of most. Self-sufficiency, the ability to look after yourself, and making sound judgment calls are crucial. Checkpoints can be more than 20 miles apart, and the terrain is tough. Weather conditions can change rapidly, and you will spend many hours running through the night, sometimes in cold, wet, and windy conditions.

If you’re unsure about your ability to tackle the full Ring O’ Fire, we recommend starting with the Firelighter. This nearly 50-mile race offers a taste of the challenge while navigating the most demanding technical sections of the northwest coastal path. It’s a formidable race in its own right and a great way to gauge your readiness for the full Ring O’ Fire.

Ring O’ Fire: Runners have 55 hours to complete the course.

Firelighter: Runners have 15 hours to complete the course.

Both races have checkpoints along the course. You will be disqualified if you fail to complete a stage or arrive at a checkpoint after the designated cut-off time.

Runners will encounter a wide variety of terrain, including sandy and pebble beaches, steep cliff-top paths, headlands, rocky coves, sand dunes, farmland fields, sections of forest, and quaint seaside fishing villages. The route is predominantly trail, but there are small sections of public road, which tend to be quiet country roads. There are also gates and stiles to negotiate throughout the length of the course. Despite over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) of vertical ascent and descent, the route primarily involves low-level running. The highest point on the Ring O’ Fire route is Holyhead Mountain (Mynydd Twr), standing at 720 feet (220 meters).

Pacers are not permitted during daytime sections.

Night section pacers may be allowed for safety reasons, subject to prior approval by Race Directors. Details on eligible sections and pacer guidance will be published closer to the event.

Yes, support crews are allowed and encouraged for several important reasons:

1. Safety: Having a support crew significantly enhances your safety. They can provide medical assistance, help in emergencies, and ensure that you stay hydrated and well-nourished.
2. Logistical Support:Our races traverse remote and challenging terrain. Support crews can assist with logistics such as food, water, and gear changes, making the race more manageable for you.
3. Moral Support: Running our races is a mentally challenging endeavour. Support crews offer emotional encouragement, which can be crucial for your morale and perseverance.

Ring O’ Fire / Firelighter runners: Free parking is available, in a designated area, on the approach road to Breakwater Country Park, just a short walk from the start line. The car park is unsupervised over the weekend, and we cannot accept liability for vehicles or possessions left in them. Vehicles are parked at the owner’s own risk. Please follow parking signs and marshal guidance.

Firelighter runners: We also offer an early morning bus service from Moelfre to the race start at Breakwater Park, Holyhead. This allows you to leave your car in Moelfre, so it will be there when you finish the race. The bus service costs £15, and you can book a spot when signing up. Buses depart Moelfre at 6am on Friday, 04 September, providing ample time to reach Holyhead for the race start. More details will be provided closer to the event date.

While advanced navigational skills aren’t required, a basic level is necessary. We advise carrying a map, compass, and GPS device.

Yes – GPX route profiles for both the Ring O’ Fire and Firelighter can be downloaded from our website. These are indicative and only provide the high-tide routes; the official route will be in our 2026 Map Pack, which can be downloaded from our website around two weeks before the start of the race to allow for any last-minute route diversions.

The 2026 map pack will be made available around two weeks before the start of the race to allow for any last-minute route diversions.

Every runner will be equipped with a lightweight tracker. These trackers serve two primary purposes: monitoring your progress for safety and logging your race finish time. The device includes an SOS button for emergencies only. Once activated, it sends a signal to our Race HQ. We’ll then try to contact you via your mobile phone and dispatch our safety team to your location. If you’re with another runner who has pressed their SOS button, please stay with them. Any time spent helping others will be credited back to you.

There are 9 checkpoints placed along the length of the course. For detailed information on checkpoint locations, opening and closing times, and more, please visit our website.

Ring O’ Fire 130

Your resupply bag will be transported from the start point to checkpoints at Beaumaris and Rhosneigr.

Your bag should be no bigger than a 60-litre rucksack with maximum dimensions of 74cm (Height) x 34cm (Width) x 20cm (Depth) and a maximum weight of 20kg.

Firelighter 50

Your bag will be transported from the start point to the finish at Moelfre. Since you won’t have access to your bag during the race, you must carry everything you need while running.

Your bag should be no bigger than a 20-litre rucksack with maximum dimensions of 50cm (Height) x 26cm (Width) x 20cm (Depth) and a maximum weight of 10kg.

Bag Specifications

Your bag should be sturdy enough to withstand being loaded into the back of a vehicle. Use either a holdall or duffel bag. Waterproof and durable bags are recommended to protect your gear from the elements.

Yes, we have a recommended kit list for all runners. For detailed information on the mandatory and recommended items, please refer to the kit list on our website.

If you need to rest or sleep, you can take advantage of designated indoor checkpoints along the way. Your resupply bag will be transported from the start point to checkpoints at Beaumaris and Rhosneigr. For the determined, you can push on without stopping.

The Firelighter is a single-stage race with a race cut-off at midnight. No overnight accommodation is provided. There is limited capacity in the halls, so if you decide to stay the night, you will need to make your own arrangements.

Participants can rest or sleep for up to 4 hours at the designated rest/sleep checkpoints (Moelfre, Beaumaris, and Rhosneigr). These are exclusive to Ring O’ Fire runners, and cut-off times are strictly enforced. Failure to reach or leave a checkpoint within the designated times will result in disqualification.

Resting or sleeping in vehicles, including camper vans, is not permitted at any time during the race.

Temporary shelter in a stationary vehicle is allowed only in cases of medical need or extreme weather. If this occurs:

• You must inform a Race Director, marshal, or medic as soon as possible.
• Shelter must be used solely for essential safety or medical stabilisation—not for strategic rest, recovery, or advantage.
• You must resume the race from the exact point where you exited the course.

Here’s the kit list for rest/sleeping checkpoints:

• Sleeping Bag
• Inflatable Mattress
• Travel Pillow
• Eye Mask and Ear Plugs

Hot Food: Available exclusively to Ring O’ Fire runners at Moelfre, Beaumaris, and Rhosneigr. Options may include:

• Hot Pasta: Penne or spaghetti with tomato sauce, vegetables, and cheese.
• Chilli: A spicy bowl of vegetarian chilli.
• Hot Soups (Moelfre, Beaumaris, and Rhosneigr): Vegetable soups.
• Cold Food and Drink: Other checkpoints will offer a variety of cold food and drink options.
• Tea and Coffee – Available to Ring O’ Fire and Firelighter runners at Moelfre, and also to Ring O’ Fire runners at Beaumaris and Rhosneigr.

• Pack Your Own Food: It’s important to pack enough food in your resupply bag, as you may be running for over 50 hours.
• Local Amenities: Depending on when you reach the checkpoints, you might find local takeaways, shops and pubs open. It’s wise to have pre-packed food ready.
• Training Food: Stick to foods you are used to eating during training to avoid any digestive issues.
• Additional Supplies: You will pass through small villages and towns along the route, providing options to pick up additional supplies if needed.

Food and Drink – likely options at Checkpoints:

• Water: Essential for hydration.
• Fruit: Bananas, oranges, apples, and grapes for natural sugars and potassium.
• Salty Snacks: Pretzels and salted nuts to replace lost sodium.
• Savory Snacks: Small cheese sandwiches for a more substantial option.
• Sweets: Fruit pastilles, gummy bears, and chocolate for quick energy and a morale boost.
• Trail Mix: A mix of nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate for protein, fats, and sugars.
• Soup (Moelfre, Beaumaris, and Rhosneigr): Warm and salty options to soothe and balance electrolytes.
• Energy Bars: Various flavours from our sponsors to cater to different tastes.
• Bread or Rolls: Simple carbs that are easy on the stomach.
• Coffee or Tea (Moelfre, Beaumaris, and Rhosneigr): For a caffeine boost if needed.

• Support: Encouragement from our incredible team of volunteers.
• Updates: Weather and race updates, cut-off times, and distances to the next checkpoint.
• Shelter: These checkpoints are in buildings such as community halls, providing warmth and shelter for runners.
• First Aid: First aid support from our first aiders.
• Facilities: Toilets, hot and cold water, are available at all checkpoints. Checkpoints at Moelfre, Beaumaris, and Rhosneigr have kitchen facilities.
• Rest Areas: Floor space to rest or sleep.
• Resupply Bags: Access to your resupply bag. (Beaumaris and Rhosneigr only)
• Refreshments: Hot and cold water, tea, and coffee.
• Hot Meals: Available to keep you nourished and energised.
• Electricity: To charge your watches and GPS devices.
• Massage: Moelfre only.

Location: Holyhead Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead, LL65 1YG

You can register and collect your race essentials at the following times:

Thursday before the race: 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Race Day Morning: 6:30am – 8:30pm

During registration, you will receive:

• Running Number
• Race T-Shirt
• Buff
• Tracker

Important Notes:

• Bring a valid ID to the registration desk.
• Our friendly volunteers will be on hand to assist you.
• If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask them on the spot.

Many congratulations await you as we hand you your finishing medal!

If the weather is good, most runners and supporters tend to hang around, soaking up the atmosphere and cheering other runners across the finishing line. There should be a few locally brewed beers to hand out and some great tunes. Stay around or pop back for the presentations and soak up the atmosphere. Ring your bells and blow your whistles—”they’ll be coming round the mountain when you sing! They’ll be coming round the mountain…”

Ring O’ Fire: 12:00hrs Holyhead Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead, LL65 1YG

Firelighter: 20:00hrs Moelfre Primary School
Postcode: LL72 8HA

Awards for Winners

The Ring O’ Fire and Firelighter races award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female runners.

If you need to retire from the event, here’s what you should do:

1. Inform a Marshal: Make sure to let the nearest marshal know that you’re retiring.
2. Hand in Your Race Tracker: Give your race tracker to the marshal to ensure we know your status.
3. Contact Details: The Race Directors’ mobile numbers are printed on your race numbers, so use them if needed.

Important: It’s crucial to notify us if you decide to drop out, otherwise, we might launch a search and rescue mission if we can’t reach you.

Transportation: While it’s your responsibility to get back to the end of each stage and ultimately to Holyhead, we do have several vehicles and will do our best to assist you.

We reserve the right to modify the course or checkpoint locations at any time.

Extreme Weather: If severe/extreme weather conditions arise, we may abandon the event for your safety. Unfortunately, no refunds will be offered in this situation.

Uncontrollable Circumstances: If the event can’t take place due to reasons beyond our control (like Covid, flooding, severe weather, or denial of access to the course):

• We may postpone the event to a later date, and your entry will be carried forward.
• Refunds won’t be offered under these circumstances.

Indefinite Cancellation: If the event is cancelled and indefinitely postponed, we reserve the right to retain all entry fees against costs incurred.

We encourage all supporters, friends, and family to cheer on our runners. Supporters are very welcome at the start and finish points each day. Some checkpoints have ample space, parking, and facilities for supporters.

Please avoid checkpoints on private land or in close neighbourhoods. There are many other suitable locations to support.

We offer live tracking for both runner safety and to keep friends and family updated on your progress, so it should be straightforward for your supporters to locate you.

For detailed information, please see your Supporters page to help you decide on where best to find the runners.

Ring O’ Fire was founded in 2012, and 2026 will mark the fourteenth edition of the race (one was cancelled during Covid). We’ve been running strong for years and are well-established compared to some of the newer events.

You can learn more about the race team, their experience, and other adventures on our website.

We hope you find the answer to your query on this document or our website. However, if you need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at team@ringofire.co.uk