International Snowdon Race 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

The International Snowdon Race is typically conducted on the third Saturday of July in Gwynedd, Wales, but this year it will take place on July 15. It is a 10-mile endurance running competition from Llanberis to Snowdon’s summit. It is said to be one of the most difficult endurance challenges in Europe. Kenny Stuart set the men’s course record in 1985 with a time of 1:02:29, while Carol Greenwood set the women’s course record in 1993 with a time of 1:12:48. Have you ever completed a 10-mile run in the mountains? Non-runners can only fathom how exhausting and rewarding it must be for runners to cross the finish line.

The background of International Snowdon Race

The first International Snowdon Race took place on 19 July 1976, after Llanberis native Ken Jones pitched the concept to the village’s Carnival Committee. In the first race, 86 participants took part. Dave Francis from Bristol, England won the race with a time of 1:12:05. Bridget Hogge from Wales completed the course in one hour, forty minutes, and fifteen seconds to earn first place. In 2010, nearly 500 athletes competed, with Scotland, Italy, and Kenya among the countries represented. Now there are also novice Snowdon races, which were introduced in 2009.

In the International Snowdon Race, competitors must ascend the Llanberis Path for five miles and then descend. Snowdon is the tallest mountain in Wales, with an elevation of 1,080 metres (3,560 feet). It is also the highest point outside the Scottish Highlands on the British Isles. Snowdon, located in Snowdonia National Park, Gwynedd, is reportedly the most visited mountain in the United Kingdom and the third most popular attraction in Wales. In addition, Snowdon is a national nature reserve due to its unique flora and fauna.

Snowdon is home to several species that are uncommon in the rest of the United Kingdom. One of these species is Gagea serotina, which can also be found in the Alps and North America. Edward Lhuyd is said to have first discovered it in Wales. In the United Kingdom, the plant formerly known as mountain spiderwort is now known as the Snowdon lily. Merlin, osprey, peregrine falcon, raven, red-billed chough, and red kite can be observed on Snowdon. There have been sightings of goats, otters, and polecats near or on Snowdon, but pine martens have not been spotted in years.

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ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE INTERNATION SNOWDON RACE

Join the contest

Since mountain running is a dangerous sport, bear in mind that you must have mountain running experience or have competed in a mountain running race before you can enter the International Snowdon Race. If you believe you are unstoppable, nothing can halt you.

Become a volunteer

This International Snowdon Race could provide volunteer opportunities. If you are not a participant but would like to assist with the organisation of this breathtaking mountain running race, you may wish to volunteer.

Observe the opposition

Perhaps you simply wish to observe the contest. It’s great. You are not required to run, particularly if you lack mountain-running experience. You can still celebrate it. Attend the competition in Llanberis as a supporter.

5 FACTS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT SNOWDON

Snowdon’s summit is accessible via six principal routes: Llanberis Path, Miners’ Track, Pyg Track, Rhyd Ddu Path, Snowdon Ranger Path, and Watkin Path.

Snowdon Mountain Railway is the only public rack and pinion railway in the United Kingdom, annually transporting more than 130,000 passengers.

Thomas Johnson, a botanist, reportedly climbed Snowdon for the first time in 1639.

Edmund Hillary was training on Snowdon in preparation for his mountaineering expedition to Mount Everest.

Weather permitting, it is possible to see England, Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man from the summit of Snowdon.

INTERNATIONAL SNOWDON RACE DATES

Year	Date	Day
2022	July 16	Saturday
2023	July 15	Saturday
2024	July 20	Saturday
2025	July 19	Saturday
2026	July 18	Saturday