Category Archives: Uncategorized

2021 RACE Cancelled….. see you 2022

by Stephen Edwards

RAS YR WYDDFA STATEMENT – 03 February 2021

RELEASED BY THE DIRECTORS AND RACE ORGANISER OF THE SNOWDON RACE

Barry Davies. Phil Jones Douglas Pritchard (Directors) Stephen Edwards (Organiser)

Dear Competitors, Sponsors, Supporters and Volunteers of the Snowdon International Race.

We sincerely hope that you have all stayed safe and well in the difficult and dark times we have faced over the last twelve months.

On behalf of the organizers and volunteers of the International Snowdon Race and especially on behalf of our main sponsor Castell Howells and all other sponsors, we are deeply saddened to announce that the Snowdon Race will not be held in 2021.

The COVID-19 crisis situation continues and the Race Directors and the Race Organiser have come to the decision that holding the Snowdon Race in 2021 would place our competitors, supporters, volunteers, our main sponsor Castell Howells, and our community in a potential risk situation.

We cannot guarantee the safety of everyone due to the impact of Covid-19. We inevitably place your safety, the safety of our volunteers the safety of our supporters and of course the safety of our community as a priority.

This decision may not come as a surprise to you although we would understand and share your disappointment and frustration once again.

We can assure you that all of our volunteers and organisers will work hard to ensure the success of the Snowdon Race in 2022 and we are all looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Llanberis when Covid-19 is under control and when the virus does not place our communities at risk.

Some if not most of you will be planning to compete in 2022. You will not need to re-register when the Race entry period re-opens in March 2022 your entry will be automatic.

Our volunteers will ensure that your entry to the competition will automatically transfer to the Snowdon Race Register in 2022 and no additional payment will be due.

As the entire Snowdon Race is organized by volunteers from the local community, we kindly request that you support the Race and reduce our workload and allow us to automatically transfer your application to compete in 2022.

If you are not able to compete in the 2022 Snowdon Race, then of course the name transfer window will be open for you.

Finally, we urge everyone to follow Government guidelines and to protect our National Health Service by staying at home and not traveling where the journey is unavoidable.

We hope you will be able to continue training and enjoy mountain running where possible – remember, our mountains will be there again in the future.

We would like to thank everyone for their support and we send our best wishes to you all

With sincere thanks for your generous support.

Snowdon Race Team

Steve

Chris Smith – a precious smile and a pure gent of a man

by Stephen Edwards
It is with deep sadness that I type this message, as we at the Ras yr Wyddfa team learn of the sad news of the loss of International Snowdon Race winner Chris Smith.
Words are sometimes worthless, but stories are valuable.
I am so proud to say how special it is to organise one of greatest and most iconic mountain races in the running world.
But much more special is the fact that I get to meet so many new faces, family members of the runners and the runners themselves, who have become friends for life.
It was a privilege to know Chris and he was so proud to have won the Snowdon Race back in 2016. He often said it was his greatest ever running achievement.
Chris was a talented, fun-loving, gentleman, yet a quiet person who dearly loved his family and always had time for a chat. He always ran with a smile, a whimper if he was in pain. But the smile was precious back in 2016 as he came to Llanberis a racer and left a champion!
On behalf of the organising crew, sponsors, runners,supporters, the running community around the world and the people of Llanberis, we send a message of condolence to Chris’ family and friends.
The loss is sadness – but the memories are a joy.
Sleep quietly Chris
Stephen Edwards and the team – Race Organiser

CASTELL HOWELL 2020 INTERNATIONAL SNOWDON RACE

by Stephen Edwards

Dear Competitors, Sponsors, Supporters and Volunteers of Ras yr Wyddfa / Snowdon International Race,

Firstly, we sincerely hope that you all stay safe, healthy and happy in these difficult and dark times we face across the world.

Due to the critical situation of COVID-19 and how it is affecting our communities in the UK, it is with regret the we at Ras yr Wyddfa / Snowdon International Race sadly announce that we are postponing the 2020 race, and confirm that the 2020 edition of Ras yr Wyddfa / Snowdon International Race will not be held this year.

We always have the safety of our runners, the safety of our volunteers; supporters and of course our community as a priority. We are sure that you will not be surprised by this decision, although we understand and share your disappointment.

We can assure you that all of the Ras yr Wyddfa / Snowdon International Race organising team will work hard to ensure the success of future events and we are all looking forward to welcoming everyone to Llanberis in 2021.

For those planning to compete in 2021, you will not need to re-register when the race entry period re-opens in March 2021.

We will ensure that your entry to the race will automatically transfer to the 2021 Ras yr Wyddfa / Snowdon International Race and no additional payment will be due.

As the Snowdon Race is organized in its entirety by local volunteers we kindly ask that you support the organisers, reduce our workload where possible, and allow us to automatically transfer your application to compete in 2021. If this is not possible for you to run the 2021 race, the name transfer window will be open.

In conclusion, we urge you all to follow Government guidelines and to protect our National Health Service by staying at home and not traveling where the journey is unavoidable and we hope you will be able to continue running where possible – but please remember, our mountains are closed for the time being.
Best wishes to you all. Stay safe, healthy and happy.

We look forward to seeing you all at the 2021 Ras yr Wyddfa / Snowdon International Race.

Regards,

SNOWDON RACE TEAM

2019 – Race Report

by Stephen Edwards

44th Castell Howell International Snowdon Race 2019 – Race Report

Douglas and McCormack triumph at Snowdon 2019

 Llanberis, Wales – Scotland’s Andrew Douglas and Irishwoman Sarah McCormack took top honours at the 44th running of the Castell Howell International Snowdon Race on Saturday.

Wales’ highest peak once again provided high drama, as over 600 runners from across the world tackled the steep slopes of this iconic mountain.

2019 also saw Snowdon become part of the WMRA World Cup Series, bringing additional international quality to the race, which saw the fastest winning times for the both the men’s and women’s events for a number of years.

Grey skies and low visibility on the higher reaches of the mountain added to the spice for the runners as they embarked on the challenging 10-mile race, which can be traced back to 1976 when a small group of competitors ran from the centre of the village of Llanberis to the 1085 metre summit and back.

Matching the enormity of the occasion for this historic race, were some of the biggest crowds ever to watch the event, seeing off the runners at 2pm, with race starter Cllr Gareth Thomas, the Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, getting the race underway

Laying down their intentions from the gun, Douglas, along with Italian twin brothers Martin and Bernard Dematteis and Ireland’s Zak Hanna, hit the front as they wound their way out of the village and onto the early climbs of Snowdon. However, as they reached the first mountain gate it was Scotsman Douglas who had opened up a sizeable lead over the rest, a lead he was never to relinquish.

Andrew came into the race as the current overall leader of the World Cup standings after 3 races and this was also the position for McCormack, having finished 4th the previous weekend at the classic Austrian race Grossglockner Berglauf. And as the women made their way onto the first technical climb of the race, Sarah was looking in confident mood as she led from England’s Hatti Archer and Italian Elisa Sortini, with Mercia’s Emma Gould in 4th and leading the open race.

With both races now settled into a pattern and the race passing the iconic milestones of Hebron, Allt Moses, Clogwyn and Bwlch Glas, Douglas  began to put the hammer down and impose himself on the race as the they raced to the summit. Visibility at the Clogwyn station had by now changed completely with the runners coming from warm, clear conditions into the mountain mist and light rain!

This did little to dampen the pace of the Scot and as the runners crested Bwlch Glas and on to the summit it was Douglas who reached the 3500+ft peak first, with a scintillating time of 40:42, one of the fastest ever ascents on Snowdon.

Behind, Martin Dematteis hit the summit in 42:13, over 90 seconds back on Douglas. Hanna was now in third with Bernard Dematteis in fourth. One thing was for sure, the Italian twins and the Irishman would have to have the descent of their lives to prevent Douglas taking his maiden Snowdon crown!

Meanwhile in the women’s race McCormack and Sortini were having a great battle, and the summit time for the Irishwoman showed that something very fast was the cards in the women’s event as she summited in 48:18. The only question was at this stage was whether McCormack could hold off the charging Sortini (49:08).

All eyes in the men’s and women’s races were now focussed on the bottom of the mountain.

The men’s race was to be far more clear-cut as the quartet of challengers were by now well spaced-out, with the only battle between Hanna and Bernard Dematteis for that final podium spot.

If the pattern in the men’s race was set, the women’s was anything but, especially for the first position. The gap between McCormack and Sortini had closed from almost one minute at the summit to less than 30 seconds at HalfWay House on the way down, and it was evident that this one would go down to the wire.

Into the final 400 metres for Andrew Douglas and the 33-year old started to realise what he was about to achieve. His time as he crossed the line was an incredible 64:04, one of the fastest times ever at the event and the fastest time at the race for almost 25 years.

Behind Martin Dematteis (66:33) held on strongly for second, with brother Bernard passing Zak Hanna on the descent to take third in 66:06.

Hanna improved on his 2018 time by almost a minute to take 4th in 68:09, with Scotland’s James Espie completing the top 5.

In the men’s team race there was a clear win for Scotland with Douglas, Espie and Ewan Brown who finish in 7th.

Meanwhile, in the women’s race McCormack and Sortini were having an immense battle, befitting of a World Cup race. The gap between the two as they hit the tarmac descent of Penceunant and Allt y Parc was minimal, so much so that as they hit the gate off the mountain there was almost a coming together as they squeezed through.

But the former winner from Ireland was not to be denied, McCormack’s running background before becoming a world-class mountain runner was as a track and XC specialist, and she used her redoubtable speed as she descended into the Llanberis village. It was clear also that Sortini was in discomfort as she chased, with TV images at the finish showing a huge blister on the right heel of the Italian!

Crossing the line in an incredible time of 1:14:49, a time bettered only by women’s record holder Carole Greenwood in 1986 and 1992, McCormack was euphoric, but shattered, sinking to her knees with the effort of holding off Sortini, whose time of 1:15:11 was also the fastest ever by an Italian woman at the race, and incredible given her foot issues.

Hatti Archer completed the podium in a highly impressive 1:17:17, with Emma Gould in 4th (1:19:05) and Scotland’s Scout Adkin taking 5th in 1:23:08.

England, with Archer, Kelli Roberts and Jemima Elgood, took the women’s team prize.

Cementing their places at the top of the men’s and women’s WMRA World Cup standings Douglas and McCormack earned themselves 100 points for the Snowdon wins, and must now be seen as favourites to take the seven-round season-long competition.

The day had also seen over 200 junior runners take part in a range of races for under-10 to under-18 athletes. Some of the future winners of the main race have come from these races and the event was fantastically administered by the Cyngor Gwynedd Council Sport for Life / Chwaraeon am Oes team along with their young ambassadors.

Speaking after the event, race organiser Stephen Edwards stated:

“It was another fantastic year from an organisational point of view. To have the World Cup here was extra special obviously, and I personally think that it raised the bar in terms of competition on the day.

“Andrew and Sarah were great champions and their times were phenomenal. There has been talk of a drop in quality at the race, certainly in terms of times when measured against those of the 80’s and 90’s, but this year actually underlines the fact that the quality is still there.

“I’d like to thank all of the sponsors, especially Kathryn Jones from Castell Howell and their generous support as headline sponsor this year. Also inov-8, once again for their kind sponsorship of the prizes for all of our winners.

“A big thanks to Cyngor Gwynedd for their continued support and also to the Snowdonia National Park Authority. It was great to see so many juniors racing and that was down to the hard work of the Gwynedd Council Chwaraeon am Oes team for their organisation. And finally, as ever, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all for the volunteers, supporters and of course the Llanberis community for once again making this a day to remember.”

44th Castell Howell International Snowdon Race 2019 – Results

Men’s Top 3

  1. Andrew Douglas (Scotland) 1:04:04
    2. Martin Dematteis (Italy) 1:06:33
    3. Bernard Dematteis (Italy) 1:07:06

Team: Scotland

 Women’s Top 3

  1. Sarah McCormack (Ireland) 1:14:49
    2. Elisa Sortini (Italy) 1:15:11
    3. Hatti Archer (England) 1:17:07

Team: England

Pictures are available by Sports Pictures Cymru

ENDS

44th – Castell Howell International Snowdon Race 2019 (Race Preview)

by Stephen Edwards

Llanberis, Wales– With a new headline sponsor and over 650 runners, the 44th Castell Howell International Snowdon Race 2019 / 44ain Castell Howell Ras Ryngwladol yr Wyddfaon Saturday July 20thpromises to be one of the highlights of the sporting year in Wales.

Anticipation for this year’s event is once again high, with some of the UK’s top athletes taking part. World-class runners from Wales, USA, Kenya, Japan, France, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Italy will once again go head-to-head and rub shoulders with club runners over the 10 arduous miles of this famous mountain in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park.

2019 sees the race become a round of the World Mountain Running Association World Cup series. Round 4 of this year’s World Cup hits Llanberis this July, part of the calendar of 7 exciting and unique races, in 7 different countries, with over 140km of mountain racing tracks, 9300m+ of elevation and a total prize pool of approximately 56,000 euro across all of the races which includes the overall World Cup competition ranking.

Once again this year the event will be televised on terrestrial TV with a one-hour highlights programme going out on S4C on Sunday the 21stJuly, starting at 8pm.

The Snowdon international is considered as one of the greatest in the world of mountain running, attracts some of the best racers in Europe and 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.

Men’s Preview

Italy have a strong history of success at the event, winning on countless occasions across the four decades of the race – and will be looking to make it three years in a row after the wins by Davide Magnini in 2017 and Alberto Vender who stormed to victory in 2018.

This year with the world-class Italian twins Bernard and Martin Dematteis we can be sure that the ‘Azzurri’ will be challenging for top honours come race day. Both have won medals on numerous occasions at World and European Mountain Running Championships and along with 2016 Snowdon third-placer Luca Cagnati they will surely be in pole-position for the team prize.

As ever the Welsh contingency will be bursting with pride and hope as they toe the start line. Wales A men’s team comprises some experienced athletes who have pitted themselves against this famous mountain on a number of occasions. Leading Welshman in 2017 Gareth Hughes was due to run in the red vest again this year and has been in sparkling form in 2019, however an unfortunate injury at the recent Moel Hebog race means the Nant Peris resident will be absent.

Leading the Welsh charge will be Mark Hopkinson, another runner who is much improved this year, bagging the win at the iconic Cader Idris race in May.

Russell Bentley is a man who knows the area very well, and as a 2-time winner of the Snowdonia Marathon will always be strong on this gruelling mountain event. His recent second place at the Snowdon Twilight uphill race shows that the Blaenau Ffestiniog man is in good form. Seasoned Welsh international Richard Roberts completes the Welsh A line-up, another runner who is enjoying his best season for a number of years.

Wales also field a B Team in the men’s race, classed as a development squad, which comprises south Wales runner Dan Bodman, Meirionnydd man Tristan Evans, Michael Corrales, Stephen Skates and Eryri Harrier Owain Williams making up the team.

As ever the English team will be strong, and they will look to challenge for the individual and team crowns.

The quartet of Dan Haworth, Michael Cayton, Billy Cartwright and Joe Baxter are a relatively inexperienced line-up when it comes to the Snowdon Race, however all four have been showing strong race results across the summer and will be a force to be reckoned with come race day.

Scotland is another nation that has tasted Snowdon success over the last few years. This year recent GB gold medal winning team member Andrew Douglas will be amongst the favourites. The Scot has also been in great form on the WMRA circuit over the last couple of seasons too, and is joined by 2017 5th-placer James Espie, who has been performing brilliantly across the UK fell and hill running scene this summer. Ewan Brown and John Yells complete the Scottish foursome.

Ireland have a rich history of success at the event. After a great run at the recent European Mountain champs Zak Hanna leads the Irish challenge and will be looking to improve on his best performance at Snowdon of 7thin 2018. Hanna is joined by Mark Stephens, Conor O’Mahony and Killian Mooney.

Completing the international teams are Northern Ireland, with Shane Donnelly, Snowdon regular Tim Johnson, Aaron McGrady and Jonathan Scott, and a trio of Maltese athletes making the journey to Wales for their first taste of the event.

With the event being a round of the WMRA World Cup extra international flavour has been added to the men’s and women’s races. Amongst the open event challengers is Robert Panini who looks to be an interesting athlete, with little known about the Kenyan. The USA’s Sam Sahli comes to Wales in great form too for his first taste of Wales’ highest mountain.

Finally, the Royal Air Force field men’s and women’s teams this year, with Ben Livesey leading the way for the RAF men.

Women’s Preview

The women’s race at Snowdon 2019 looks to be a mouth-watering prospect once again, and after Wales’ Bronwen Jenkinson took a highly-popular win for the home nation in 2018 her absence through injury means that eyes could well be on 2-time former winner Sarah McCormack from the Republic of Ireland.

McCormack also had a strong showing at last weekend’s European Championships where she finished in 16thplace and will be looking to add to her wins in 2014 and 2015. Becky Quinn, Sinead Murtagh and Dierdre Glavin make up the quartet of Irish women.

Italy’s Elisa Sortini is the sole competitor from that nation this year. However, after a great 4thplace performance in 2015 the Italian will know the mountain and returns to try and push for a podium spot in 2019.

Wales had one of their strongest performances as a team in 2018 with Jenkinson joined by Katie Beecher (8th) and Wales debutant Elliw Haf (10th). Both Beecher and Haf return and are joined by Faye Johnson who pulls on the Wales vest for the first time at Snowdon and North Wales runner Gemma Moore.

The is no doubt that the English women’s team will once again be challenging for the top spot of the podium. Hatti Archer is a former GB steeplechaser on the track and having turned to mountain running in the last few years has been a great performer across World and European Championships. Her 29thposition at last weekend’s Euros shows that the Hallamshire runner will be a contender.

Kelli Roberts has literally romped away with the first three rounds of the British Fell Champs this year and add in 2015 third placer Katie Walshaw and youngster Jemima Elgood, and the English women will be right up there in the team competition.

After a brilliant 2ndplace in 2018, Miranda Grant leads the change for Scotland, along with Scout Adkin, 2017 runner-up Louise Mercer and Jill Mykura you can bet that the Scots will be pushing the English women all the way in that team race.

Snowdon regulars Megan Wilson and Shileen O’Kane will be representing Northern Ireland and are joined by Sarah Graham and Kiara Largy.

As in the men’s race the WMRA World Cup has ensured that some top international women will be added to the glittering female line-up at the Snowdon this year.

Kenya’s Lucy Wambui will be amongst those challenging. The Kenyan mountain specialist can count such wins as the classic Sierre-Zinal race in Switzerland amongst her glittering career achievements. Also on the start line, and coming back after injury, is Emma Clayton. The GB international and Salomon athlete is getting stronger each week this year and will be amongst the lead runners come race day.

Evidence of the general popularity has once again been visible as the 650 places available online went on sale on the 1st of March. Within 24 hours all but a few had been snapped up and race organiser Stephen Edwardswas able to close entries and begin the 2019 race preparations.

Stephen is keen to point out that the event is much more than just a race, with major sponsors, attractions and a sense of festival which almost brings Llanberis to a stand-still on its traditional third-weekend of July race date:

“The 2019 race is set to be out best ever. We have a new headline sponsor on board for this year in the form of Castell Howell and we are really excited to have Round 4 of the World Cup coming to Llanberis!

“The team at Castell Howell saw the opportunity to sponsor an iconic race as a great fit for a Welsh company connecting with the local community. 

 Castell Howell sales director Kathryn Jonesstates:

“We’re extremely proud of our rural roots and supporting the communities in which we operate is one of our core values. Here in North Wales, we’re fortunate to have Snowdon – a nationally-renowned landmark – right on our doorstep and it’s our backdrop when we’re out and about making daily deliveries and visiting customers on-site. We relish the opportunity to support the iconic 44th Castell Howell International Snowdon Race, that welcomes runners from across Wales, the UK and the world.”

Other features of the day will be the traditional junior races starting ten minutes after the main race at 2.10pm 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 support by local business Amdro and the Gwynedd Council Sport for Life team.

Stephen Edwards continues:

“We were offered the opportunity to host a round of the World Cup this year and naturally were very pleased to make it happen. This should raise the profile of the event still further on the global stage via the WMRA’s media reach and will bring an element of world-class quality to the athletes competing.

“From a media perspective we have the usual TV highlights package on S4C the Sunday after the race and will be using Facebook Live to broadcast the finish of the race. We as a voluntary organisation also put hours of work into organising the community aspect to this international event. Local business gets involved every year and thousands of spectators turn out to see the runners, so it really is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Edwards is keen to point out that the event is much more than just a race, with now a new major sponsor in place, attractions and a sense of festival to Llanberis on its traditional third-weekend of July race date.

“The buzz in this little village come Snowdon Race weekend is unbelievable, you have to be here to be able to understand that. This race means so much to the area and the people of Llanberis, they are proud of the race and what it portrays to the thousands of visitors that come here for the race and the weekend. To think what it has become all those years after that very first humble race back in 1976 – it’s incredible really.”

“Equally we really couldn’t put the race on without the continued support of sponsors Inov8, Clif Bar, Snowdon Mountain Railway, the Royal Victoria Hotel, S4C (televised again), Welsh Athletics, DJ Fruit, Steel Scaffolding, Sports Pictures Cymru and all of the Snowdon Race committee and Llanberis community. That is what makes this race so magical – it’s an international event, with a local feel, and long may that continue. I would also like to say a huge thank you to Events Department at Gwynedd Council for supporting the race once again this year especially as it’s part of the World Cup.”

Councillor Gareth Thomas, Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development added:

“Attracting the World Mountain Running Championship series to Llanberis is a something to be celebrated. This event has grown in popularity over the years, but the success depends on the dedication of the local voluntary committee and committed individuals. Their hard work, vision and enthusiasm is vital in staging such an event.

“As a Council, we are extremely pleased to work with the World Cup Series and the Snowdon International Race and to provide support through a financial package and guidance together with practicable support.” 

The International Snowdon Race incorporating the World Mountain Running Championship series will be held in Llanberis on Saturday, 20 July 2019, with the Race starting at 2pm.

For further information visithttps://www.snowdonrace.co.uk

ENDS

 

 

World Cup Mountain Running in Llanberis

by Stephen Edwards

The World Cup Mountain Running Championship series comes to the Snowdon International Race and Llanberis.

The 2019 Snowdon International Racesees the event incorporating round 4 of the prestigious World Mountain Running Association World Cup series.

The World Cup series involves 7 exciting and unique races in 7 different countries across the world, with over 140km of mountain racing tracks, 9300m+ of elevation and a total prize pool of approximately 56,000 euro across all of the races which includes the overall World Cup competition ranking.

This year within the Snowdon International Race there will be a highly competitive international field, with competitors from Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta, Italy, France, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Hungary, Czech Republic, Kenya and the USA.

The Snowdon international is considered one of the greatest iconic running races in the world of mountain running. Attracting some of the best racers in Europe and beyond, the event has grown over the last four decades to be one on the bucket-list for mere mortals across the world. Indeed, simply completing the race from Llanberis to the summit of Snowdon and back is something thousands aspire to, but only hundreds achieve.

The popularity of the race was clear when the vast majority of the 650 places for this year’s event had been snapped up within 24-hours of going on sale on 1 March. Race organiser Stephen Edwards was soon able to close entries and begin the 2019 race preparations.

Stephen Edwards is keen to point out that the event is much more than just a race, with now a new major sponsor in place, attractions and a sense of festival to Llanberis on its traditional third-weekend of July race date.

 Stephen Edwards said:

“The 2019 race is set to be out best ever! We are really excited to have Round 4 of the World Cup coming to Llanberis!

“We were offered the opportunity to host a round of the World Cup this year and naturally were very pleased to make it happen. This should raise the profile of the event still further on the global stage via the WMRA’s media reach and will bring an element of world-class quality to the athletes competing.”

 Councillor Gareth Thomas, Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development added:

 “Attracting the World Mountain Running Championship series to Llanberis is a something to be celebrated. This event has grown in popularity over the years, but the success depends on the dedication of the local voluntary committee and committed individuals. Their hard work, vision and enthusiasm is vital in staging such an event.

“As a Council, we are extremely pleased to work with the World Cup Series and the Snowdon International Race and to provide support through a financial package and guidance together with practicable support.”

The Snowdon International Race incorporating the World Mountain Running Championship series will be held in Llanberis on Saturday, 20 July 2019, with the Race starting at 2pm. For further information visithttps://www.snowdonrace.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPH:Stephen Edwards, race organiser with Gwynedd Council Cabinet member for Economic Development, Councillor Gareth Thomas

Inov8 Snowdon Twilight 2019 – race preview

by Stephen Edwards

This Friday (28th June) see the biggest-ever (since it started 2015) Inov8 Snowdon Twilight race taking place on the famous slopes of Wales’ highest peak.

With the popularity of the International Snowdon Race / Ras-yr-Wyddfa growing year on year, the Twilight is the perfect warm-up for runners who might be looking to test their fitness just three weeks ahead of the iconic Snowdon International.

The Twilight is also a firm favourite with uphill-only exponents, as the race starts from Llanberis and finishes on the 1085m summit. The evening event means that runners can be treated to a wonderful sunset (weather permitting!) as they make their way off the mountain.

Amongst those running are GB internationals and top athletes from across the Home Nations and Ireland, as a record-entry of almost 200 runners to the start line at 7pm.

In the men’s race the form men look to be 2016 Twilight winner Dave Archer and Matlock AC team-mate Alex Pilcher, after top 10 showings at the recent European Uphill Trial in Cumbria.

Local-man Russell Bentley, will be fine-tuning his climbing ahead of Snowdon, where he will once again represent Wales. The Eryri Harrier has been running very strongly in recent weeks.

Winner of the recent Salomon Trail Marathon Wales half marathon Dan Connolly is bang in-form and will be one to watch, as will former local resident and Salford man Callum Rawlinson, on a mountain he knows very well.

Add in Stephen Pyke, Michael Cayton and a host of local runners, and the men’s race should be highly-competitive.

If the men’s race is competitive, it’s a stellar women’s line-up that could be the highlight of the evening’s racing.

GB internationals Hatti Archer and 2015 World Mountain Running Championships bronze medallist Emma Clayton along with former Snowdon International winner and Irish international Sarah McCormack will start favourites.

Archer gained GB selection for the up-coming European Championships after finishing runner-up in the recent UK trial on Skiddaw in the Lake District. McCormack was also super-strong at the event, finishing just 30 seconds back on Archer

Throw in former Twilight winners Beth Hanson and Sarah Willholt, young Eryri runner Annabelle McQueen and Scottish international Miranda Grant, and women’s race should be a great battle.

Thank you very much to Inov8, Snowdon Railway, Staff at the Summit Cafe, Community Centre, Marshals, Volunteers and also Aberglaslyn Mountain Resuce and the community of Llanberis.

Full race details via the Inov8 Snowdon Twilight race page

ENDS

2019 – A new sponsor and World Cup Racing

by Stephen Edwards

A new sponsor and World Cup racing as organisers anticipate “best ever” International Snowdon Race

Llanberis, Wales – With a new headline sponsor and over 650 runners, the 44th Castell Howell – International Snowdon Race 2019 / 44ain Castell Howell Ras Ryngwladol yr Wyddfa promises to be one of the highlights of the sporting year in Wales.

Anticipation for this year’s event is once again high, with some of the UK’s top athletes taking part. World-class runners from Wales, USA, Kenya, Japan, France, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland and Italy will once again go head-to-head and rub shoulders with club runners over the 10 arduous miles of this famous mountain in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park.

2019 sees the race become a round of the World Mountain Running Association World Cup series. Round 4 of this year’s World Cup hits Llanberis this July and on the calendar are 7 exciting and unique races, in 7 different countries, with over 140km of mountain racing tracks, 9300m+ of elevation and a total prize pool of approximately 56,000 euro across all of the races which includes the overall World Cup competition ranking.

The Snowdon international is considered as one of the greatest in the world of mountain running, attracts some of the best racers in Europe and 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 popularity has once again been visible as the 650 places available online went on sale on the 1st of March. Within 24 hours all but a few had been snapped up and race organiser Stephen Edwards was able to close entries and begin the 2019 race preparations.

Stephen is keen to point out that the event is much more than just a race, with major sponsors, attractions and a sense of festival which almost brings Llanberis to a stand-still on its traditional third-weekend of July race date:

“The 2019 race is set to be out best ever! We have a new headline sponsor on board for this year in the form of Castell Howell and we are really excited to have Round 4 of the World Cup coming to Llanberis!

 “The team at Castell Howell saw the opportunity to sponsor an iconic race as a great fit for a Welsh company connecting with the local community. 

 Castell Howell Sales Director Kathryn Jones states:

“We’re extremely proud of our rural roots and supporting the communities in which we operate is one of our core values. Here in North Wales, we’re fortunate to have Snowdon – a nationally-renowned landmark – right on our doorstep and it’s our backdrop when we’re out and about making daily deliveries and visiting customers on-site. We relish the opportunity to support the iconic 44th Castell Howell International Snowdon Race, that welcomes runners from across Wales, the UK and the world.”

Stephen Edwards continues:

“We were offered the opportunity to host a round of the World Cup this year and naturally were very pleased to make it happen. This should raise the profile of the event still further on the global stage via the WMRA’s media reach and will bring an element of world-class quality to the athletes competing.

 “From a media perspective we have the usual TV highlights package on S4C the Sunday after the race and will be using Facebook Live to broadcast the finish of the race. We as a voluntary organisation also put hours of work into organising the community aspect to this international event. Local business gets involved every year and thousands of spectators turn out to see the runners, so it really is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

“The buzz in this little village come Snowdon Race weekend is unbelievable, you have to be here to be able to understand that. This race means so much to the area and the people of Llanberis, they are proud of the race and what it portrays to the thousands of visitors that come here for the race and the weekend. To think what it has become all those years after that very first humble race back in 1976 – it’s incredible really.”

“Equally we really couldn’t put the race on without the continued support of sponsors Inov8, Clif Bar, Snowdon Mountain Railway, the Royal Victoria Hotel, S4C (televised again), Welsh Athletics, DJ Fruit, Steel Scaffolding, Sports Pictures Cymru and all of the Snowdon Race committee and Llanberis community. That is what makes this race so magical – it’s an international event, with a local feel, and long may that continue. I would also like to say a huge thank you to Events Department at Gwynedd Council for supporting the race once again this year especially as it’s part of the World Cup.”

Also taking place this summer is the Inov-8 Snowdon Twilight / Gwylnos yr Wyddfa, organised by the same Snowdon Race team. The uphill-only race takes place on Friday the 28th of June, with over 150 runners expected to tackle the Snowdon slopes starting at 7pm. Entries to this race are now open via the Snowdon Race website.

ENDS

43rd Jewson International Snowdon Race 2018 – Race Report

by Stephen Edwards

Vender continues Italian success as Jenkinson makes history at Snowdon 2018

Llanberis, Wales – Italy’s Alberto Vender and Wales’ young mountain running sensation Bronwen Jenkinson took top honours at the 43rd running of the Jewson International Snowdon race on Saturday.

The highest peak in Wales and England once again provided high drama, as almost 600 runners from across the world tackled the steep slopes of this iconic mountain. For Vender it was a performance that saw him follow in the footsteps of compatriot Davide Magnini who had captured the crown 12 months earlier and adds his name the roll call of Italian winners that includes such greats as Martin May, Fausto Bonzi and Marco DeGasperi.

For local runner Jenkinson it was a day she will surely never forget. After the disappointments of 2016 when she failed to finish and 2017 where she finished 4th, 2018 was to be third time lucky for the 21-year old as she became the first Welshwomen to win at Snowdon since 1989 when Angela Carson won for the second time.

Grey skies and low visibility on the mountain added to the spice for the runners as they embarked on the challenging 10-mile race, which can be traced back to 1976 when a small group of competitors ran from the centre of the village of Llanberis to the 1085 metre summit and back.

As ever the supportive Llanberis community came out in style as hundreds lined the field and streets to see off the runners as they headed out at 12 midday, with race starter Cllr Ioan Thomas, the Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, getting the race underway.

As the race hit the early part of the mountain it was a familiar sight of English vests to the fore as 2016 winner Chris Smith and Chris Holdsworth were joined by local runner and Welsh international Rob Samuel. Through halfway Smith held a healthy advantage, with Northern Ireland man Zak Hanna looking strong in fourth place. At this stage Vender, fellow Italian Guilio Simonetti and 2012 winner Murray Strain were over a minute back on Smith.

However, as the race developed and they passed the iconic milestones of Hebron, Allt Moses, Clogwyn and Bwlch Glas, Vender began to impress himself on the race and joined Samuel in the chase behind Smith as they raced to the summit.

Meanwhile in the women’s event Bronwen Jenkinson was leaving nothing to chance and after a steady start through Allt yr Parc and Penceunant she took hold of the race to hit halfway with a sizeable lead over the trio of England’s Sophie Noon, Scot Miranda Grant and Ribble Valley Harrier Caitlin Rice.

Little changed over the next miles as the women also hit the summit and Jenkinson’s lead had grown to fully two minutes over Grant, with Noon and Rice a further 40 seconds back.

All minds in the men’s and women’s races were now focussed on the bottom of the mountain, and as Englishman Smith turned to head to Llanberis he still held a sizeable advantage over Samuel and Vender.

From here on in the men’s race it would be a battle of wits on the descent, with Smith picking his way through the runners and walkers and Vender on a charge behind, edging closer to the Englishman with every step as they hurtled towards Clogwyn with the steep, marble-like stones of Allt Goch underfoot.

It was here that Vender made a big move and he swept past Smith with his descending skills coming to the fore, and as they passed the halfway descent tracker the times now showed an advantage of 10 seconds for the Italian.

At this point Rob Samuel was still in third, but Englishman Holdsworth was on a charge and had both Samuel and team-mate Smith in his sights as they embarked on the last 1.5 miles of the descent.

Up ahead it became apparent that Vender was pulling away with every stride and as he hit the quad-sapping tarmac plummet to the finish line he could by now start to relax as Llanberis became ever nearer. Behind Smith’s brave attempt to take a second Snowdon title had succumbed to firstly Samuel and then Holdsworth.

Into the final 400 metres and the 22-year old Vender started to realise what he had achieved, finishing to rapturous applause and becoming the latest in a long-line of Italian athletes to win this famous race. As he crossed the line the realisation of what he had done hit home and he collapsed in tears of joy.

His time of 1:06:41 was almost immaterial but was within two seconds of Magnini’s time 12 months earlier in very similar conditions. England athlete Holdsworth had an equally stunning descent as he went two better than his 2017 performance to finish a brilliant runner-up in 1:07:30.

Completing the podium Rob Samuel received one of the biggest cheers of the day. His time of 1:07:53 a personal best on the mountain and one of the performances of his career. Smith finished a valiant fourth, with Italian Simonetti completing the top 5.

In the team race Italy just edged out the English as Vender and Simonetti were backed up by team mate Manuel Solavaggione in 8th.

Meanwhile, in the women’s race Jenkinson majestically raced back into Llanberis, hardly putting foot wrong on the technical sections of Clogwyn and Hebron. As she hit the tarmac descent of Penceunant it was clear the young Welshwomen was making history and after a 12th place in the European mountain champs in June, her GB senior debut, this was to be the performance of her career.

Crossing the line in a fabulous time of 1:20:41, she also recorded the fastest ever time by a Welshwomen in the race.

Performances behind were also impressive as Scottish athlete Grant claimed a brilliant second place (1:22:27), with Sophie Noon finishing third (1:23:00), Caitlin Rice in fourth and Scot Jill Stephen completed the top 5 women.

In the women’s team event it couldnt have been closer as both Scotland and England racked-up 16 points, however with the Scots taking less time to complete the race it was they who retained the international team title, as Steph Provan joined Grant and Jill Stephen on top of the podium.

Speaking after the race a delighted Bronwen Jenkinson said:

“This is a dream come true to win. It’s my local race, but also so special on the international stage. I have grown up watching the race over the years and have seen so many great winners, and now I am one of those winners!

“I was reasonably confident going into the race and I had a few aches and pains this week, so you never know on the day. But it all came together – I can’t quite believe it!”

The day had also seen over 200 junior runners take part in a range of races for under-10 to under-18 athletes. Some of the future winners of the main race have come from these races and the event was fantastically administered by the Cyngor Gwynedd Council Sport for Life / Chwaraeon am Oes team along with their young ambassadors.

Speaking after the event, race organiser Stephen Edwards stated:

“What a day once again in Llanberis! With the 12 midday start the whole morning is a blur leading up to race time, especially as we have the junior races to pack in beforehand. Equally the weather was against us a little, especially on the higher part of the mountain where the visibility was poor due to the low cloud and damp air – and of course the shear numbers of people on the mountain always makes it challenging. But the marshals and volunteers, including the rescue teams on the mountain did a great job as ever.

“We always receive great support from the Italian runners, and this is underlined in our association with Morbegno and of course the Trofeo Vanoni race. The quality they have in depth is amazing and every year they are so competitive. Alberto was a great champion today and deservedly takes the Snowdon title back to Italy. But, I am a little biased in saying the performances of the day for me were Bronwen’s win and Rob’s third place in the men’s race!

“We have a rich history of producing great mountain runners in Wales and I hope their performances today will inspire the next generation to run and to compete at Snowdon and other races in the area.

“I’d like to thank all of the sponsors, especially Charlotte, Dylan, Jason and the team at Jewson for their generous support as headline sponsor this year. Also inov-8, once again for their kind sponsorship of the prizes for all of our winners. Thanks also to the Snowdonia National Park Authority, Cyngor Gwynedd Council and the Chwaraeon am Oes team for their organisation of the junior events and finally, as ever, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all for the volunteers, supporters and of course the Llanberis community for once again making this a day to remember.”

 43rd Jewson International Snowdon Race 2018 – Results

Men’s Top 3

  1. Alberto Vender (Italy) 1:06:41
  2. Chris Holdsworth (England) 1:07:30
  3. Rob Samuel (Wales) 1:07:53

 Team: Italy

 Women’s Top 3

  1. Bronwen Jenkinson (Wales) 1:20:41
  2. Miranda Grant (Scotland) 1:22:20
  3. Sophie Noon (England) 1:23:42

Team: Scotland

Full Snowdon Race race results are online at the TDL Events Services website here

Race images via Sport Pictures Cymru can be viewed here

Race highlights are online via S4Cfrom Sunday evening

ENDS

43rd JEWSON International Snowdon Race 2018 – Race Preview

by Stephen Edwards

43RD JEWSON INTERNATIONAL SNOWDON RACE 2018 – RACE PREVIEW

Llanberis, Wales – With less than a week until the 43rd Jewson International Snowdon Race / Ras-yr-Wyddfa, anticipation of this famous mountain race is high, as over 600 runners get ready to take on one of the toughest mountain races in the UK.

Jewson, with support from leading mountain running brand inov8, are once again installed as major backers of the event in 2018, which sees a 12noon start from Cae’r Ddol in Llanberis. This year the race will be started by Cllr Ioan Thomas, the Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development.

Other features of the day will be the traditional junior races starting ten minutes after the main race 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 support by local business Amdro and the Gwynedd Council Sport for Life team.

Registration for the main race opens at 4pm on Friday July 20th, closing at 8.30pm with the race day registration running from 8.30am until 11.30am on the 21st of July.

Anticipation of the 2018 event is once again high, with some of the UK’s top athletes taking part. 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 as one of the greatest in the world of mountain running and attracts some of the best racers in Europe. 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 popularity has once again been visible as the 650 places available online went on sale on the 1st of March. Within 2 days all but a few had gone.

Men’s Preview

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 in 2018 as RAF man Mike Kallenberg, Peter Ryder, Mark Hopkinson and local favourite Rob Samuel line up. Samuel will be out 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.

As ever the English team will be strong and they will look to challenge for the individual and team crowns.

After a storming win 2016 Chris Smith returns and will be one of the men to beat. Joining him in the English team are Chris Holdsworth, fourth in 2017, Cumbrian Tom Addison and Harry Holmes.

On paper one of the classiest teams lining up in 2018 will be Scotland.  2012 winner Murray Strain is joined by 2017 5th-placer James Espie, Robert Simpson and Al Anthony. All four have figured strongly in British and international races in 2018 and it will be a great battle for that team title with the English quartet.

Italy have a strong history in the event, with Davide Magnini taking a famous win in 2017. Although the trio of Giulio Simonetti, Alberto Vender and Manuel Solavaggione

are slight unknown quantities, we can be sure that the ‘Azzurri’ will be challenging for honours come race day.

Ireland have a rich history of success at the event and race regular and 2016 8th placer James Kevan leads a strong Irish quartet including Brian Furey, Seamus Lynch and Tom Lupton.

After a great run at the recent European Mountain champs Zak Hanna leads the Northern Ireland challenge with 2017 11th place runner Gavin Mulholland. Their line-up is completed by William McKee and Tim Johnston.

In the open race Salomon international and GB ultra-trail runner Tom Owens makes the trip south and will look to challenge in a race which he last ran way back in 2004!

Women’s Preview

Wales’ women’s team has a very strong look to it with GB junior international Bronwen Jenkinson looking to improve on her 4th place in 2017. A 12th place finish in her senior GB debut at the recent 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.

The is no doubt that the English women’s team will once again be challenging for the top spot of the podium. 2015 third placer Katie Walshaw runs again after a strong showing in those recent European Mountain championships. Walshaw is joined by Todmorden Harrier Annie Roberts, who has been running well in the British fell champs in 2018, Sophie Noon and Louisa Powell-Smith.

Similar to the men’s line-up Scotland promise much. After winning the recent World Long Distance Mountain title Charlotte Morgan is in sparkling form and looks to improve on her last showing of 5th in the 2016 race. She is joined by 2017 3rd placer Stephanie Provan, GB international Georgia Tindley and Jill Stephen, for what promises to be a formidable quartet from north of the border.

Snowdon regulars Megan Wilson and Shileen O’Kane will be representing Northern Ireland and are joined by Sarah Graham and Esther Dickson

Irish women have dominated the race in recent years. However, after Sarah Mulligan’s historic wins in 2013 and 2016, and successive wins in 2014 and 2015 for Sarah McCormack, no Irish women will travel to the race in 2018.

Race organiser Stephen Edwards is keen to point out that the event is much more than just a race, with major sponsors, attractions and a sense of festival which almost brings Llanberis to a stand-still on its traditional third-weekend of July race date:

“We are really pleased to welcome back headline sponsor Jewson to the race this year and the support from them has been fantastic. We are also excited to have inov8 involved and as always very grateful to all of our sponsors. We are also very grateful to Gwynedd Council, Gwynedd Events Team and the Sport for Life team who are helping with the junior races once again in 2018 and we are looking forward to welcoming Cllr Ioan Thomas to start the race at midday.

“It has been a great summer as we all know in the UK when it comes to the weather and with the hope of continued good weather conditions we are expecting one of the biggest crowds ever in Llanberis this year.

“The atmosphere in the village for the Snowdon Race weekend is unbelievable, you have to be here to be able to understand that. This race means so much to the area and the people of Llanberis, they are proud of the race and what it portrays to the thousands of visitors that come here for the race and the weekend. To think what it has become all those years after that very first humble race back in 1976 – it’s incredible really.

“The racing should be fantastic once again, with another very strong field of runners from the home nations, Ireland and Italy. From a media perspective we have a TV highlights package on S4C the Sunday after the race at 9pm and will be using Facebook Live to broadcast the finish of the race.

“This will be my 10th year of organising this iconic event and it goes without saying that we couldn’t put on the race without the hundreds of volunteers and marshals who descend on the event. They turn out year-in-year-out to help at the race and I’d like to extend a huge thank you to each and every one of them who help make the Snowdon Race what it is.”

For further race information visit www.snowdonrace.co.uk

ENDS