Snowdonia Trail Ultra
Report by Claire Baker
On Sunday I completed the Snowdonia Trail Ultra. For the last couple of years I have read Stan Appleton’s great race reports from the marathon and last year the ultra so when the entries opened for 2019 I signed up. The organisers describe the events offered as a stunning Trail Marathon, Ultra Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k, starting and finishing in Wales’s outdoor capital, Llanberis and say it is one of the UK’s most challenging trail races. The Ultra encompasses 7000ft of climbing over 60km and visits the beautiful Cwm Tresgl and Cwm Pennant before rejoining the Marathon Route which circumnavigates and eventually climb Wales’ highest peak – Snowdon. The incredible route explores the trails, gorgeous panoramic views and tough climbs that make Snowdonia National Park such a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Visiting Rhyd Ddu, Beddgelert, Nant Gwynant, Pen y Pass and Snowdon. The ultra will also earn finishers 3 ITRA points.
Having never run in the area before I felt a little out of my depth at registration on Saturday afternoon, which was held at the start and finish field in Llanberis. A stroll around some of the route in the evening did little to alleviate my worries. Looking at the climbs and terrain I knew the run was going to be tough. Race day arrived and we woke to near perfect running conditions and clear skies. The race started at 6:30am and there was a 12 hour cut off (definitely no given on the terrain). The first 4 miles of the route were a continuous but runnable ascent over a mixture of terrain including tracks, open moorland and peat bogs. The next 10 miles were undulating until we had a continuous climb and then a technical descent and run into Beddgelert. The next 6 miles around two lakes were flat and my least favourite part of the route but at 27 miles we began the ascent of Snowdon. I knew this was going to be tough on tired legs as my Garmin was telling me I was going to need to cover over half the total climb in the race in the next 5 miles. The ascent was never ending and I passed lots of runners, including marathon distance runners who were really struggling. We were however rewarded with the most breathtaking views as the sky had remained clear. Let me tell you that Snowdon mountain keeps on giving and I was very pleased to reach the top! Miles 32 to 37 were straight back down the other side! There were medics or marshals every 300m and I don’t think I passed one who wasn’t bandaging or assisting a runner who had fallen on the descent. I managed to make it down in one piece but my legs were like jelly as I ran back into Llanberis and the finish in a time of 8 hours 25, finishing in 68th position overall and 10th Lady.
This was one of the hardest 37 mile races I’ve ever run. The climbs were long and tough but the descents were also long and technical and there was lots of chances for some nasty falls so you had to really concentrate on your footing all the time but I did enjoy the challenge and would definitely recommend the events, maybe just not as a first ultra! There are a number of our club runners that would absolutely love this race and fly round a lot faster than me. Would I go back next year? Yesterday I said absolutely not but never say never!