Record number of runners expected for Snowdonia Marathon
A RECORD number of runners are set to descend on Llanberis this Saturday for the 35th edition of the Brooks Snowdonia Marathon Eryri.
This annual classic in UK marathoning history will welcome 2,900 runners from all over the world.
Renowned as one of the iconic events on the Welsh sporting calendar, the event takes on some of the most testing terrain imaginable for a road marathon, and is known as one of the most stunning races too, as runners ascend and descend through the scenery of Bwlch Llanberis and Nant Gwynant – to name but two breathtaking scenic treats.
With returning champion Russell Bentley looking to make it two in a row and former winner Andrea Rowlands aiming to take yet another women’s crown, the race is once again set to provide some captivating drama.
Adding to the spectacle will be special guest starter Rupert Moon, as the former Welsh rugby star will get the runners underway at the usual time of 10.30am in Nant Peris.
The 2017 event will also feature in the usual one-hour S4C TV highlights package on the Sunday evening, and with social media reach at an all-time high for the race, this year’s marathon is set to truly reach a global audience.
Few marathons in the UK can claim to have the same history. It proudly boasts to have had some of the greatest battles and performances over the years, from some of the UK’s top mountain and marathon runners.
Names such as Jeff Norman, Martin Cox and Lizzy Hawker have graced the event, with Norman’s time of 2:28:02 from 1985 surely ranking as one of the great marathon performances in the UK from the last four decades.
Continuing their association and headline sponsor partnership in 2017 are Brooks.
Race co-ordinator Jayne Lloyd said: “This year will be our last in our partnership with Brooks. The whole of the Brooks team have been fantastic support to us. They have had a real understanding of the ethos of the race, and just get it. We’re incredibly grateful to have had the chance to work with them over the years.
“The Brooks team will be bringing the Run Signature Tour truck with them and they will also be working with another long-standing partner in Pete Bland Sports to bring some great offers and showcase their products at the event too. We even have a Shake Out run on the Friday which sold-out in 24 hours.
“However, we are also very excited to see what the future brings and we are currently in talks with prospective new sponsors.
“One thing is for sure, any new sponsor can be safe in the knowledge they are partnering with a great team and iconic event that will give great mutual benefits.”
Local runner Bentley’s performance last year was a demonstration of front-running as he ran much of the race on his own.
If anything, his build-up to this year’s race has been even more impressive, with PBs at half and full marathon and a recent 2:20 marathon in Berlin being the highlight. Picture: SportsPicturesCymru
Bentley said: “It (Snowdonia) was definitely the biggest win of my career. The local support was been fantastic and meant so much to me.
“I was born in London but we have been living here for six years, my children were both born here and we love being part of the community.
“The locals give me the nickname Russell Runner and I get lots of beeps when I’m out running now.”
Race evergreen Iorwerth Roberts will also be back for his 35th race. The 74 year-old is the only runner to have competed in every single event since 1982.