Celebrate Saturnalia with real ale and the quirky chariot racing championships

Competitors at the chariot racing start line.

When: 9th January 2016

Where: Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, Wales

£: The chariot racing is open to teams of three people (two riders and one charioteer) over 16 years.

What is it?

The people of Llanwrtyd Wells will be turning Roman this month as they celebrate Saturnalia, the major annual festival of the Romans, held during the winter.  The festival, held in honour of the deity Saturn, was known for its unrestrained merry-making, including banqueting, gambling, frolics and fun.

Every year Llanwrtyd Wells holds the World MTB Chariot Racing Championships, along with the Saturnalia Winter Warmer Real Ale Festival.  Special chariots have been built using traditional Roman mild steel, vulcanised rubber and welding techniques for the event.  These chariots are designed to be pulled by two mountain bikes alongside each other.

For the World MTB Chariot Racing Championships, teams must race against each other and the clock to determine the winner.  Teams will have to demonstrate exceptional skill and courage, and will need to coordinate and cooperate fully as a single unit to beat the other challengers.  The course itself is a half mile long circuit based in the grounds of Abernant Lake Hotel, near to Llanwrtyd railway station.  The circuit is partially on tarmac road, complete with speed bumps, and partly on rough track.

Chariots will race against each other in pairs.  The fastest four teams in these one lap heats will take part in a grand final of two laps to determine the overall World Champions.   The winners receive a world cup and medals. There are also medals and cups for the second and third placed teams. In addition there will be prizes for the best Roman costumes.

Those wishing to make the most of the Saturnalia celebrations can also enjoy some real ales by joining in with the Saturnalia Real Ale Ramble.  There will be plenty of winter real ales to enjoy as well as food cooked to original Roman recipes by Apicius.

More info: www.green-events.co.uk