The Fan Dance takes place on Sat, Jan 9, 2027 in Brecon Beacons, United Kingdom. The main route is 24 km.
- Date
- Sat, Jan 9, 2027
- Start
- Brecon Beacons 🇬🇧
- Distance
- 24 km
- Climbing
- 886 m
- Level
- Open to all
Your 14-week plan to The Fan Dance
The Base phase starts this week. Built around your fitness and adjusted every day as your form changes; attach the course and it prepares for the climbs too.
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The Fan Dance is a gruelling 24km SAS Selection test march staged over Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons.
What this race demands
The Fan Dance requires an athlete to sustain a heavy-duty marching pace over 24 kilometers and 886 meters of elevation in winter conditions. Completing this SAS Selection test route demands exceptional leg strength and thermal resilience.
Climbing volume
Accumulating 886 meters of vertical gain over 24 kilometers requires sustained muscular output on steep ascents.
Winter durability
Staged in the Brecon Beacons in January, the event demands preparedness for cold, wet, and exposed mountain conditions.
Load carriage endurance
As an SAS Selection test march, the event requires the structural durability to maintain a strong hiking pace under sustained physical strain.
Aimed at a duration exceeding 2.5 hours, athletes should target 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour to maintain energy output.
Estimated finish times
Estimates by level, not promises. Your own number depends on your fitness on the day.
Your road to race day
Race day at The Fan Dance is 14 weeks away. This is how a coach divides that time. The first phase starts now.
01Base2 weeks · Oct 4, 2026 – Oct 17, 2026
Aerobic foundation: mostly steady endurance work that grows the aerobic engine and the durability the later phases stand on.
02Build6 weeks · Oct 18, 2026 – Nov 28, 2026
Progressive overload: training load climbs in waves, with harder weeks stacked on the base and planned recovery weeks that let the gains land.
03Peak3 weeks · Nov 29, 2026 – Dec 19, 2026
The hardest weeks of the plan: race-specific intensity at nearly full training load, sharpening exactly what this race asks for.
04Taper2 weeks · Dec 20, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
Volume drops while intensity stays: short, sharp efforts keep the legs awake as fatigue drains away.
05Race week1 week · Jan 3, 2027 – Jan 9, 2027
Openers, rest and logistics. The work is done; the job now is arriving fresh.
Frequently asked questions
When is The Fan Dance?
The Fan Dance takes place on Sat, Jan 9, 2027 in Brecon Beacons, United Kingdom.
How long is The Fan Dance?
The main route is 24 km.
What does The Fan Dance demand?
The Fan Dance requires an athlete to sustain a heavy-duty marching pace over 24 kilometers and 886 meters of elevation in winter conditions. Completing this SAS Selection test route demands exceptional leg strength and thermal resilience.
How much climbing does The Fan Dance have?
The Fan Dance has 886 m of climbing.
Who is The Fan Dance for?
The Fan Dance is open to all participants.
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