Snowdonia Marathon - Race Reviews

Not one for PB's but a great challenge, with a great atmosphere, outstanding views.

This is not a flat fast course.. set your expectations.. and you will love it.. the scenery is the best.. the atomsphere is great.. supports nicely placed around the course.. Its snowdon in October expect rain / hail and to be cold - so unless your competing for a price - run it - dont race it !.. The whole town of llamberis comes out to support the race.. all the B and B/hotels are full of runners.. i did this race with a group of runners from les croupiers running club in cardiff (search for our web page and you will find a review.. and many comments saying how much fun it was !).. The only word to the wise.. is it is hard.. and the last hill does'nt end till 24.5 miles.. so leave gas in the bank for the end.. i did berlin in 306 and did this one in 331..(not racing but a hard run).. but i enjoyed it as a result.. Also.. see runners world uk site.. it is almost top rated uk marathon.. and it sells out by end of Jan.. probably earlier for 2012 as it is 30th year.. and i'm entering for 2012 on Jan 1st !!

The start - buses took us to the start and off we went - in harsh weather improved by awe inspiring scenery. This was a thrilling rollercoaster of a marathon - I remember descending down a hill and seeing lakes and spectators beneath me. Then some uphills. Sure, Boston, NYC, London etc are famous marathons but if youve not done Snowdonia you cant say you've ran up and down a mountain in the last 4 miles. Dont let this put you off, its do-able and worth it. The support is not large in numbers but those that turn out make enough noise. One in Beddgelert offered me a cup of tea (in the horizontal rain and wind, I was very tempted!). I finished 10 minutes quicker than the Edinburgh Marathon (very flat, net downhill in fact) so dont let the hills put you off - think of them as playful undulations! The finish was brilliant - plenty of crowds braving the weather, chip timing, photographer, national TV, water, tea, coffee, food served by the local ladies. This marathon is not a major and has no ambitions to be. It is a PROPER marathon! Enter, it's one to do before you die!

I ran my first ever marathon back in 1995; it was the Snowdonia Marathon, but back then it was organized by the National Trust. My first ever race number was 108 and I have had the same number every year and even ran 8 miles of the canceled 2001 race, which had severe winds. I return every year to the Snowdon course because it goes through stunning scenery and is a real challenge, especially if the weather's bad. Over the years I have had several guaranteed club entries to the London Marathon offered to me but running London has no attraction to me with all of that noise and those crowds. If you really want to experience what running 26.2 miles is like, try Europe's toughest road marathon: here is lovely Snowdonia.

This was my first-ever marathon. And the 2008 Snowdonia made for very tough going. It was a very grueling course, even though we were warned in advance. I thoroughly enjoyed it anyway, and was glad to see the finish line and feel a sense of achievement. Organization was top-notch. The weather... well, that's Mother Nature's job. Thanks to all of the marshals and feed station attendants for putting up with the rain to sort us nutters out.

This will be my thirteenth consecutive Snowdon and the forecast looks perfect: windy with heavy rain, which adds spice to this magnificent and testing 26-miler. I've got my same number once again (108), which has been with me since my first Snowdon in 1985. I've done London, but as Snowdon is a more exciting experience, I return year after year for it. Like my good friend Iorwerth Roberts, who has run all 25 of them, I return every year because the course is such a challenge. If you have never taken part in a Snowdon Marathon, you will never have experienced one of Europe's most scenic and challenging races.

I ran this marathon in 2006 and 2007, and have already entered for 2008. Forget PB times, crowded streets, boring urban backdrops, Gatorade, and all that jazz - this is simply a beautiful road race with constant interest: three big climbs and two big descents, with plenty in between - excellent camaraderie on the course, superb organization, and every supporter out on the course will give you a cheer. Sure, there aren't crowds like a city race, but who need them anyway?! If you're not afraid of hills, you should do this marathon at least once in your life!

I had to be persuaded into running this marathon. My previous 6 marathons have all been big0city ones and all run in or around 3 hours. I could not see the point in running Snowdon. Having completed the race in 2007, I now see how wrong I was; it took me 3:27 but the sense of enjoyment and achievement was immense. My legs and body were shattered but the grin on my face was maintained for days. This race is highly recommended and I can see its great appeal. The stunning scenery is breathtaking and the miles just seem to fly by. Definitely returning in 2008. Take my advice, though; it's like no other marathon. A lot of your training has to be done on hilly terrain, something I failed to do - and I paid the price in the last 9 miles. Mileage is also the key - another of my mistakes. I hope to see you all on the start line for the 2008 race. - Mark Wirral

First ever Marathon. Wow.... The course was superb a real mixture with gradual climbs, flat long roads and then the 21 mile beast. I kept to my training plan and did not get caught up in the dash at the start which I'm thankful for as by mile 20 i was able to pick off lots of other runners who had run out of steam. The 21 mile beast of a hill was a real test and I'm pleased I did not underestimate how bad it would be. The marshals were top class and the support along the way fantastic. I was initially worried that doing this as a first would put me off marathon running but alas already looking for another one in early 2008. Don't hesitate to sign up for this one but make sure you do lots of hill training.

The Snowdonia Marathon was my first marathon way back in 1995 and I was given the number 108. As it was organized by the National Trust, whose main office is in my home town of Llandudno, I almost registered for the next marathon as soon as the last one was over (always asking for number 108). In 2001, my number was accidentally issued to a runner in Yorkshire, but luckily he agreed to handing it back so it could be given to its rightful owner - ME. My best time for this stunning, picturesque course is 3:21, and my slowest is 5:38 - having to walk from the Snowdon Ranger Youth Hostel due to badly fitting shorts cutting grooves into my groin (but I finished almost last, bar two). This year, the 25th anniversary with no. 108 again, I have trained on the course, pacing myself and visualizing where the hills are and where it is safe to pick up speed and conserve energy for the mayhem to arrive at 21.1 miles. The Snowdon course is certainly not an easy one, but if one trains sufficiently, possibly on the course itself, you can use correct pace judgment to your advantage. Actually over 11 miles of the course are totally flat like London, but unlike London, the hills are jumbled up near the start and the middle - just after Beddgelert - and the crazy finale at 21.1 miles, starting at the bridge at Waenfawr. To be up for a good time on the course - say, under 3 and a half hours - you have to arrive at Waenfawr in about 2:20 - and feeling good, because the next three miles up Bwlch y Groes will slow everybody, including the race winner. The Snowdonia Marathon is hard but only as hard or as easy as you want to make it. Start slowly and finish slowly and you will finish with lots to spare, but start at a good pace, especially up the Llanberis Pass. And you better have trained well - otherwise at just beyond Bettws Garmon at 18.5 miles, you will start to slow rapidly. Know the course and train on the course and do your long runs on the course so you know what you are capable of on race-day, weather permitting.

Come to Wales to run the mother of all races. If you have to walk up the hill at mile 21, then come back next year and try again.

Having started running ten years ago I entered the Snowdon in my first year of 1996. I live locally and was given race number 108, I have had the same number every single year and because I belong to Eryri Harriers I run the Snowdon every year. This year I found the weather a bit too warm, I prefer much cooler conditions and the new 25 mile section is the cream on the cake a sting in the tail after that horrid downhill from Bwlch y Groes. Next year is the 25th anniversary - a must do race - anyway as I have not been running to my ability this year the Snowdon is the only race I have done. LONG LIVE ERYRI

I first entered Snowdon as my first marathon way back in 1996 and was given the race number 108. I even ran most of the course back in 2002 when the weather canceled it. This year and every year since I've had the same number, and with a bit of luck I'll have it for next year as well. A strange race this year because I missed miles eight and nine - goodness knows where they went. Mile ten, eleven and twelve went very quickly but I had terrible cramps at 18. But with at least seven isotonic drinks and a Mars bar, I felt better. Anyway the weather was almost perfect; a bit too warm for me but a finishing time of 4:04 was quite satisfying, considering my training did not entirely go as planned due to July's heat. I cannot wait until next year's race, which is the 25th anniversary. Why not run the race in the opposite direction for once?

Very well organized; however, it could do with some isotonic drinks on the course.

I ran 3:17 and knocked 10 minutes off my time from last year. You will not forget the 21-mile point as you turn and look up and up and up. Great fun going down at 24. Although tough, between 4 and 13 the course is pretty fast and steady up to 21.

What a tough race this was; amazed that I only added on 25 mins from my PB time for a marathon. I am still suffering now. Great support from organizers and marshals at the beginning, during, and after the race. I will be back next year.

For me, like Richard Williams, this was my first marathon. I was thoroughly disappointed with my time, which was 45 mins slower than I anticipated! I also found the downhill at 24 miles one of the most excruciatingly painful experiences of my life. Anyway I wholeheartedly agree that the scenery is fantastic and the organization superb. I too will be back next year. Eryri will not beat me again!

First marathon, and very tough. Beautiful scenery, made me proud to come home to Wales. Looking forward to next year's!!

This race was my 48th marathon in all and I've now run this race 6 times and still love it to bits; the scenery never fails to impress. The course is tough, expect to take about 15 mins longer than normal to get around. You'll know you've run a hard race, especially after the 2-mile climb at 21 and the rapid 1-mile descent at 24. The support is wonderful and the weather can be anything - this year it was ideal running conditions. Each year I return and hope it gets easier, but it's just as hard as ever. A must-do marathon, experence it at least once, it's very memorable.

Pure marathoning. Not about PR's and bad rock bands outside pubs - just you and your feet and your mind against a really tough 42 k amongst the finest scenery in the world. Along with that you get really nice volunteers (whatever the weather) and the odd bit of clapping from a cottage window is even more appreciated as it seems to come from the heart! Your entry fee goes to the upkeep of the park as well.

Well I did do it again. Ten years since last time and the place is still as beautiful. Think I have been lucky with the weather in that on both occasions I have done the race it has been bright and sunny. Will be back hopefully in ten years time. Would then have done it at age 40 - 50 - 60!

I have run this marathon twice. The first time in driving wind and rain. It is tiring on the legs, especially the steep climb at 21 miles. They call this the Welsh Wall. If you can get through this you'll want to come back. The scenery is stunning. The National Trust deserves a medal. I'll never forget the charming ladies directing us through a gate on the hills in torrential rain. So terribly British.

The stunning beauty surrounding Wales' highest mountain, called 'Y Wyddfa' (uh wuth-va) in Welsh makes this a very rewarding run. The start is a gradual climb, before descending through small villages. The people are very friendly and give very enthusiastic support. The mountain looked beautifully snow-capped when I woke on the day of the run. This is a timeless place with an exhilarating marathon. Well worth going over for a holiday and making an experience of it... oh and watch out for the ascent up Waunfawr (wine-vour) - you'll need to be fit for that hill!

Picturesque run with more difficult bits at first and then about 20 miles. Good organisation and the rac is quite low key but very satisfying. Did it in 1991 but might do it again this year - nine years on. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.