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2022 Race Report

The heat is on for the return of the Snowdonia Trail Marathon

The Snowdonia Trail Marathon is one of the absolute highlights of the Always Aim High Calendar. Infamous for its sheer beauty and challenging routes it has inspired many other trail races in the area, but after a two year break it was back with a bang and once again proved it’s not only the original but still the best!

This year XTERRA came on board as headline sponsor, having approached Always Aim High Events looking to add a UK race to their impressive series of premiere trail runs across the world. With it’s iconic status, enviable reputation and spectacular setting; as well as growing interest in the race from overseas athletes, it was the obvious choice.

Usually when conditions are tough in North Wales, it means rain and wind but 2022 delivered the hottest weekend of the year with barely a breeze coming in across the lake adjacent to the buzzing event village and temperatures soaring even before the 6.30 Ultra Marathon start.

191 crossed the line in the Ultra Marathon which encompassed 2,275m of climbing over 60km, visiting Cwm Tresgl and Cwm Pennant before rejoining the Marathon route to ascend Snowdon. There was some incredible racing on a tough day, most notably between the eventual male and female winners with Ellis leading throughout until the last checkpoint on Snowdon where Maurco Persic managed to pull in front by barely a minute. It was barely a minute however and with great skill and speed on the descent from both runners and a battle to the end it was Ellis who crossed the line first 24 seconds ahead. Paul Martin took second in the Men’s race and Andrea Rowlands in the ladies.

Next to go was the Marathon. With the sun beaming down the Snowdonia National Park was showing off with it’s breathtaking beauty and views from the peaks but running was tough. First across the line for the men was Adam Fieldhouse who led throughout and took the tape in 04.13.55 with Simon Jones taking second. In the ladies the day belonged to Tinka Vinks in a great race with second place Sophie Biggs who led for the first half.

The Half Marathon started at 09.45 and 470 athletes crossed the finish line in a race that is known as one of the most challenging half routes out there (some will say harder than the full!). Rhian Roberts took first place for the ladies and Krastin Krastev put in an epic performance in the mens to finish under two hours and over 7 minutes ahead of Deio Garten Jones who took second to the delight of his friends and family at the finish line.

Last to start was the 10k and Gemma Moore became the second female outright winner of the day with a winning time of 49.59. Andrew Jones was next to cross the line and took the Men’s win in 50.03.

Tim Lloyd, Director of Always Aim High Events said ‘The 2022 XTERRA Snowdonia Trail Marathon has been our biggest and best Trail Marathon to date and we ‘re so incredibly pleased to be back in Llanberis hosting this race again. This was one of our first events and it’s humbling to see that it means as much to our athletes as it does to us. Some of the finish line faces and celebrations from the athletes and their loved ones will stay with me for a long time. It’s these moments that make all the work that goes in to putting these races on worth while and it’s what we always set out to achieve.

The conditions have been tough today with the heat, some of the toughest we’ve seen at this race and every person who crossed the line should be congratulating themselves – it’s an incredible achievement. Our Marshals, Mountain Leaders and staff have worked tirelessy to support our athletes, keeping them hydrated and fuelled and offering unfaltering encouragement throughout, I can’t thank them enough.

I’d also like to extend a thank you to Gwynedd Council for their continued support as well as the local community in Llanberis and all the spectators who turned out to cheering bells and help create the amazing atmosphere which we are famous for.

Entries for 2023 are open and after a sold out 2022 event we’re expecting tickets to go quick. We’re already planning to make it even better.

Full race results for the 2022 XTERRA Snowdonia Trail Marathon.

Race photography was provided by Mel Parry Event Images.