Ring O’ Fire FAQs – 2027
Ring O’ Fire 130 | Firelighter 50 | Ring O’ Fire Relay

How to use these FAQs
This page provides practical, plain-English answers. It is not a separate rulebook. Race Rules are the authoritative source for how the event is run; Entry Terms & Conditions are the authoritative source for entry, refunds, deferrals and transfers. If a summary conflicts with either document, the Race Rules or Entry Terms & Conditions take precedence.

Event dates and entries

When is the 2027 Ring O’ Fire Race Series?
Ring O’ Fire 130 and Ring O’ Fire Relay take place from Friday 3 September to Sunday 5 September 2027. Firelighter 50 takes place on Friday 3 September 2027.

When do entries open?
Entries open on Sunday 1 November 2026 at 7:00pm.

When do entries close?
Entries close at midnight on 1 July 2027, or earlier if the event sells out. There are no entries on race day.

Is there a waiting list?
A waiting list will operate once an event reaches capacity. Places are offered in order, subject to availability and the time available before the event.

What are the entry prices?
Current entry prices, early-bird offers, returning-runner options and availability are shown on the event website and booking platform. See the relevant race entry page for the current price.

Refunds, deferrals and transfers

Can I get a refund if I can no longer take part?
A 50% refund is available until 1 August 2027. No refund is available after this date, except under the Pregnancy Refund Policy or where required by law. See Entry Terms & Conditions – Refunds, deferrals and transfers.

Can I defer to the following year?
Yes. A deferral is available until 1 August 2027 and may be used once, for the following year’s race only. See Entry Terms & Conditions – Refunds, deferrals and transfers.

Can I transfer my place to another runner?
Yes, until 1 August 2027, subject to a £25 administration fee. You normally complete the process through your registered account. Charity entries are not transferable. See Entry Terms & Conditions – Entry fees, categories and charity places, and Refunds, deferrals and transfers.

Can I change between Ring O’ Fire 130 and Firelighter 50?
Yes, until 1 August 2027, subject to capacity, any entry-fee difference and a £25 administration fee. Email team@ringofire.co.uk to arrange this. See Entry Terms & Conditions – Refunds, deferrals and transfers.

Can a relay runner transfer to Ring O’ Fire 130 or Firelighter 50?
Yes, a registered relay runner may request a transfer by emailing team@ringofire.co.uk by 1 August 2027, subject to capacity, any applicable difference in entry fee and a £25 administration fee. The relay must retain at least two registered runners. If it falls below two, an eligible replacement must be registered by 1 August 2027 or the team must withdraw. See Entry Terms & Conditions – Refunds, deferrals and transfers.

Can I amend my T-shirt choice?
T-shirt choices cannot be amended after 1 July 2027. If an entry transfers after that date, the replacement runner receives the original entrant’s chosen size/fit or their charitable-donation choice. See Entry Terms & Conditions – Refunds, deferrals and transfers.

What if I am pregnant and cannot race?
You may apply for a full refund under the Pregnancy Refund Policy. Please email team@ringofire.co.uk before race day and provide the required confirmation within 30 days after the race start date. See Entry Terms & Conditions – Pregnancy Refund Policy.

Race format and readiness

How hard are the races?
Ring O’ Fire 130 is a demanding, non-stop coastal ultra around Ynys Môn, with long gaps between checkpoints, varied terrain, changing weather and overnight running. Firelighter 50 is shorter but remains a serious ultra-distance challenge over demanding terrain. Both require sound judgement, self-sufficiency and appropriate preparation.

What are the overall time limits?
Ring O’ Fire 130 has a 52-hour overall time limit. Firelighter 50 has a 15-hour overall time limit. Checkpoint cut-offs also apply and are strictly enforced. See Race Rules – Checkpoints and cut-offs, and the Checkpoints & Cut-offs page.

What terrain will I encounter?
Expect beaches, cliff-top paths, headlands, rocky coves, dunes, fields, forest, villages and some quiet public-road sections. The route has substantial cumulative ascent and descent, despite remaining largely low-level.

Course, navigation and tracking

How do I navigate the route?
You must navigate independently using the official Map Pack and your own equipment. GPX files are indicative; the final Map Pack, released closer to the event, is the definitive route information. See Race Rules – Course, navigation and self-sufficiency.

Will I receive a tracker?
Solo runners receive a tracker for safety and timing; each relay team receives a tracker that also serves as its baton. The SOS button is for genuine emergencies only. See Race Rules – Eligibility and race identification, and Retirement and emergencies.

Can I have a pacer?
Pacers are not permitted between 06:00 and 20:30. Between 20:30 and 06:00, a runner may have up to two pacers. See Race Rules – Pacers and support.

Can I have a support crew?
Yes, although it is optional. Support crews must follow parking, access and marshal instructions and must respect local communities and restricted areas. See Race Rules – Pacers and support, and the Supporters page.

Checkpoints, rest, food and bags

How long may I stay at a checkpoint?
As long as you like, provided you leave before that checkpoint’s published cut-off time. Facilities differ by checkpoint, and you must follow the instructions of checkpoint staff. See Race Rules – Checkpoints and cut-offs.

Can I sleep in a camper van, support vehicle or private house?
An active relay runner may not rest or sleep in a vehicle, private residence or non-designated indoor space during their leg. The same restriction applies to solo runners during the race. Inactive relay teammates may use vehicles and buildings normally. Temporary vehicle shelter for an active runner is permitted only for a genuine medical emergency or extreme weather and must be reported. See Race Rules – Rest, sleep, buildings and vehicles.

Where will my Ring O’ Fire 130 resupply bag be available?
At Beaumaris and Rhosneigr only. No Ring O’ Fire 130 resupply bags are available at Moelfre. See Race Rules – Food, bags and resupply, and the Bag Transport page.

What happens to Firelighter bags?
Firelighter bags are transported from the start to the finish at Moelfre. You will not have access to your bag during the race, so you must carry what you need. See Race Rules – Food, bags and resupply, and the Bag Transport page.

What food is provided at checkpoints?
Hot meals are provided at Beaumaris and Rhosneigr. Soup is provided at Moelfre, Sea Zoo and Malltraeth. Other standard checkpoint refreshments remain as listed on the Checkpoints & Cut-offs page. See Race Rules – Food, bags and resupply.

What kit do I need?
You must carry the mandatory kit at all times. Check the Kit List page and final Event Information; kit checks may take place. See Race Rules – Mandatory kit.

Registration, retirement and finish

When and where do I register?
Registration takes place at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead, LL65 1YG. Registration is open on Thursday 2 September 2027, 18:30–20:30, and Friday 3 September 2027, 06:30–08:30. Bring valid ID.

What happens if I need to retire?
Tell the nearest marshal or Event Official as soon as possible and return your tracker as instructed. Never leave the course without notifying the event, as we may otherwise need to initiate a search. See Race Rules – Retirement and emergencies.

Where can I park?
Free parking is available in a designated area of the event field. Parking is at the owner’s risk; follow signs and marshal instructions.

Will there be an award presentation?
Ring O’ Fire awards are normally presented shortly after winners and other place-getters finish. Firelighter award timing and location will be confirmed in final Event Information.

Charity places

Are charity places available?
A limited number of charity places are available for Ring O’ Fire 130 and Firelighter 50. The 2027 charity partners are Bowel Cancer UK, Stroke Association, Petals Charity and St David’s Hospice. Relay teams are not eligible for charity places. See the Run for Charity page and Entry Terms & Conditions – Entry fees, categories and charity places.

Relay

How does the Ring O’ Fire Relay work?
Teams of 2 to 4 runners complete the full Ring O’ Fire course. The event GPS tracker is the relay baton and must be handed over only at official checkpoints. Teams can decide leg order during the event, but no substitutions are permitted once the race starts. See Race Rules – Relay-specific rules.

Do relay teams receive event bag transport?
No. Relay teams arrange their own transport, bags and resupply. See Race Rules – Food, bags and resupply.

What happens if a relay runner withdraws?
A relay team must retain at least two runners. A replacement must be registered by 1 August 2027; otherwise the team must withdraw from the relay category. See Entry Terms & Conditions – Refunds, deferrals and transfers, and Race Rules – Relay-specific rules.

Need more help?

If your question is not answered here or in the linked official documents, email team@ringofire.co.uk.