Snowdonia Marathon Eryri

SATURDAY 26th OCTOBER 2024

RACE REPORT BY ALAN WHITBY

The Snowdonia Marathon Eryri is one of the most iconic, but also one of the toughest British road marathons and 2024 was its 40th event. Club member Alan Whitby had originally entered the 2023 race, but had to withdraw for family reasons. Fortunately, he was lucky enough to get offered a place once again in the 2024 ballot. Alan says, “Once I became aware of this marathon, it just had to be on my bucket list”.

The day started, cool, bright and sunny, with just a light breeze - in fact, perfect conditions for running. This is quite unusual for Snowdonia! The greatest difficulty for Alan at this stage was getting to the Llanberis start-line, with roadworks, long queues of stationary traffic and parking issues all conspiring against him. However, by 10:15 hrs these problems were finally resolved, and he headed to the start ready for the 10:30 hrs off.

Following a rousing chorus of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, the race began just a few minutes late, with around 2900 runners crossing the start-line. Alan was at this stage, well back in the field and running alongside the 5:30 m/m pacer. After about half a mile, runners started to spread out and he was able to begin moving through the field.

The first long climb, up the Llanberis pass, saw some stunning views. With lots of support en route to the peak of Pen y Pass. This was followed by a steep descent and a turn towards Beddgelert. The route then went off-road for a couple of miles following a delightful gravel track, before rejoining the main road once again.

Beddgelert is approximately at the half-way point and is when the second long climb begins; not as steep as the first but still challenging. Fortunately, the weather remained kind and the superb support along the route continued. The peak is reached at around mile 15 and is followed by a more gentle undulating descent through Rhyd Ddu, Betws Garmon and on to Waunfawr. THIS IS WHERE THE REAL CHALLENGE BEGINS!

From Waunfawr, at mile 22, the third long steep climb begins with numerous casualties, walking, stopping, and even being sick along the way. The metalled road gradually gives way to stone, gravel, and mud in places, before finally peaking just after the final water station at mile 24.

Of course, ‘what goes up, must come down’, and the final sting in the tail for Alan was the steep descent to the finish back in Llanberis. With gradients as much as 1 in 5 in places, it is initially a grassy track, rocky and muddy in places, before it reverts to a steep metalled surface as it nears the town. This section can be very slippery, especially on tired legs! Alan’s descent can best be described as ‘reasonably quick but careful’.

Fortunately, he made it to the end without incident and even managed a sprint to cross the finish line, as 347th finisher, in a chip time of 3:47:53. Well inside his 4 hour target.

Footnote: Marathon Eryri is a superb event, with stunning scenery and brilliant support around the whole route. It is also not for the faint hearted. This year, the weather also cooperated, and I loved it! What next? Who knows...

Alan