Hundreds prepare for Snowdon race
MORE than 600 runners representing several countries will converge on the area this weekend to tackle one of the toughest mountain races in the UK.
The 43rd Jewson International Snowdon Race/Ras-yr-Wyddfa starts at noon this Saturday from Cae’r Ddol in Llanberis.
Other features of the day include the traditional junior races starting 10 minutes after the main event at 12.10pm on the Saturday, the ‘Hwyl i Bawb’ family run at 10.30am, and the Thursday evening local junior races, which will see almost 200 youngsters taking part.
The junior races will once again be supported by local business Amdro and the Gwynedd Council Sport for Life team.
Registration for the main race opens at 4pm this Friday, closing at 8.30pm. Race day registration runs from 8.30am until 11.30am.
Teams from Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Italy will once again go head-to-head over the 10 challenging miles of this famous mountain in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park.
The race is considered one of the greatest in the world of mountain running and attracts some of Europe’s elite.
However, the event has grown over the last four decades to be one on the bucket list of mere mortals across the world, as just completing the race from Llanberis to the summit of Snowdon and back is something thousands aspire to, but only hundreds achieve.
Evidence of the general popular- ity has once again been visible as the 650 places available online went on sale on March 1. Within two days all but a few had gone.
Wearing their international vests with perhaps the most pride will be the Welsh runners.
There is a strong look to the Wales A men’s team as RAF man Mike Kallenberg, Peter Ryder, Mark Hopkinson and local favourite Rob Samuel line up.
Samuel will be out to replicate his form from a few weeks ago when he convincingly won the inov8 Twilight race to the Snowdon summit.
Wales also field a B Team in the men’s race, classed as a development squad, which comprises Dolgellau man Tom Roberts, Owen Roberts and South Wales runner Dan Bodman.
Wales’ women’s team looks powerful with GB junior international Bronwen Jenkinson aiming to improve on her fourth in 2017.
A 12th position finish in her senior GB debut at the European championships underlines her form. The Eryri Harrier is joined by seasoned mountain runners Andrea Rowlands, and Katie Beecher, along with Wales debutant Elliw Haf.
Strong challenges are assured from all the other countries in both the men’s and women’s events.
Organiser Stephen Edwards is keen to point out the event is much more than just a race, with major sponsors, attractions and a sense of festival which almost brings Llanberis to a standstill.
He said: “It has been a great summer in the UK when it comes to the weather and we are expecting one of the biggest crowds ever this year.”
For further race information visit www.snowdonrace.co.uk