2023 Race Report
The Return of the World's Steepest Street Run
The sun was shining, but the wind made itself known at the World's Steepest Street Run this weekend. Enthusiasm was high though, with a new fastest hill record and some great support from the local community for this very unique event!
With a 37.45% maximum gradient, Ffordd Pen Llech in Harlech shot to fame when it 'stole' the title of 'World's Steepest Street' from Baldwin Street in New Zealand. Yes, they then 'stole' it back again, but it's still our 'World's Steepest Street Run'!
Returning for its second year, there were a great number of competitors, some looking to better their previous result, and many looking for a new challenge, ready to be cheered on by the enthusiastic local supporters as they topped out Ffordd Pen Llech!
The 6km route started at the foot of the castle at 4pm. As the participants went around the first corner, Ffordd Pen Llech (the steepest street) loomed in front of them rising over 50 metres along its 322-metre length. This first bend is the steepest part, which saw many of the athletes slow down to a walk. When they finally reached the top the runners were rewarded with a panoramic view of the Llyn Peninsula and all across Snowdonia.
The first finisher, Rhys Harries of Team Watt was soon on his way back down the hill and came in over the line in a very impressive 25:31; having come second last year this is a great win for Rhys. Second in the men's race was John Myers of Run Sandymoor in a time of 26:00. In third place was Andy Dunkerley in a time of 26:09
The first female over the line was Sophie Wilkins of VMR Freedom Runners in a time of 30:53. Taking second place was Margot Saher in 31:47, improving on her 2022 3rd place position, and in third place was Shelley Roberts of Beaumaris Town Road Runners in 33:07.
Taking the win for the fastest male up the steepest street for a second year running was Luke Roberston, improving on his previous time to set a new record of 2:14! The fastest female up the hill was the female winner of the event, Sophie Wilkins in a time of 02:58. Sophie's wins are all the more impressive as she had come off a night shift, been to Parkrun, and driven for several hours to North Wales, all right before the event!
Tim Lloyd, Director of Always Aim High Events, said: “ We were so happy to be back in Harlech to deliver this truly unique event again. Whilst the dispute between Baldwin Street in New Zeland and Ffordd Pen Y Llech since has taken the title away from the road, there is no denying how steep the street is when you're running up it!"
We'd like to say a huge thank you to the Harlech community & businesses for their support, it was great to see so many people out supporting the runners as they went by. Special thanks go to Y Groser Harlech for their generous donation of champagne prizes for our race winners, and for brightening up the street support with their spectator flags! As always, we want to thank our amazing marshals and volunteers, without whom the race just wouldn’t be possible”.
Follow the link here to view all of the race photography from the event: Mel Parry Event Photography.
Full race results can be found online on the Race Result Page
Selected 2023 World's Steepest Street Run Results
Women:🥇 Sophie Wilkins - 30:50
🥈 Margot Saher - 31:45
🥉 Shelley Roberts - 33:07
Men:
🥇Rhys Harries - 25:30
🥈John Myers - 25:59
🥉Andy Dunkerley - 26.08
Fastest up the hill!
Female: 🥇 Sophie Wilkins - 2:58
Male: 🥇 Luke Robertson 2:14 (New record)