soulchaser

 

 

 

 Race Background 

 

The Snowdonia Marathon celebrated it's 50th anniverssary in 2007, a year when it's long time sponsors and organisers - the national trust - pulled, leaving the marathon to fend for itself. It is renowned amongst runners as by far the most challenging road marthon in Britain, a title it owes to the calf burning climbs, knee shattering descents, unpredicatable and often vicious mountain weather, and those long and lonely stretches of exposed mountain trails. Obviously the prefect choice for a irst time marathon runner with next to training under his belt!

 

 The Route

 

The race starts at Nant Peris (300ft), and follows the A4086 South, climbing to the top of the LLanberis Pass (Pen y Pass 1,100ft) - the most popular entry point for Snowdon climbers, and the location of the YHA youth hostel.

 

From there it's a 200ft descent along 7 or 8 miles towards Beddgelert, continuing along to Waunfawr before a steep climb up to 1,200ft at Bwlch y Groes. This section is the most harrowing, as the runners are tired, the supporters all but disappear, and the trail is exposed to the mountain winds.

 

From this height that last few miles are a bone jarring trail descent into LLanberis and the finish line.

 

 

"Is this something I need to prove? Is some desperate film maker going to strap a bomb to my legs and tell me tht if I stop running they'll explode, and the only way to disarm them is by getting to a bomb disposal guy 26 miles away via a broken bridge and a love interest?" Read on...

 

 Post Race Report
 

Mile 14 and the hills start again. This one was about 2 miles of moderately steep road. I looked forward to it. Going up hadn’t been a problem before, but the change proved fatal for my knee. After a few paces I was in agony and the grief almost overwhelmed me. I very nearly had a Paula Radcliffe moment. This was proving to be difficult for the wrong reasons. Read on...

 

Hints and Tips

Where to stay, Eating Out, Last minute Kit etc

 

Official Website

 

Visit the Snowdonia Marathon's official website for more information, photography, and details on how to enter the 2008 race. Spaces are limited so get in there early, and remeber: everyone does the London, why not have a go at something a hundred times more challanging, and rewarding?! Good luck!