A 68-year-old man died after emergency services were called to Pen y Fan during a gruelling endurance challenge in the Brecon Beacons.
Dyfed-Powys Police said officers received a report over concerns for a man’s welfare at around 11 am on Saturday, July 4.
Police attended alongside Mountain Rescue and the Welsh Ambulance Service, but the man was pronounced dead.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a call following welfare concerns for a male on Pen y Fan, Brecon at around 11 am on Saturday, 4 July.
“Officers attended alongside Mountain Rescue and the Ambulance Service.
“Sadly, the 68-year-old man passed away.
“His next of kin are aware and his death is not being treated as suspicious.
“HM Coroner have been advised, and officers will continue to assist them with their investigation.”
Pen y Fan, the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons (Image: NQ)
The incident happened during the latest Fan Dance Race Series event, organised by Avalanche Endurance Events (AEE).
The Fan Dance is a challenging 24 km endurance march based on the legendary SAS Selection route over Pen y Fan, the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons.
Founded and run by former SAS and SBS personnel, the event attracts participants from across the UK and is regarded as one of the toughest military-inspired challenges open to the public.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 7, Fan Dance March Director Ken Jones confirmed a participant had died during the event.
He said: “This message is to share news that AEE experienced a fatality during the Fan Dance Race Series event on Saturday 4th July 2026.
“At this immediate time, our focus and thoughts are with the family, therefore, AEE, nor I as the March Director will issue any further press release until the family is in possession of the full timeline of events and approve any further messaging.
“Our team is working on this at the time of posting.”
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Mr Jones thanked the emergency services and volunteers who responded to the incident.
He added: “I wish to express my thanks to the Air Ambulance Service, Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, and AEE’s Mountain Safety Team for their swift response and professionalism.
“Also, our thanks to those event patrons whose professional response also helped manage this challenging significant event.”
No further details have been released.
