Snowdonia Marathon

Another week where I have not been out with the group - thanks to Daniel for text and photo.
On Saturday 25th October 14 of us helped marshall the Snowdonia Marathon, an important fundraiser for the National Trust in the region. This is always a popular weekend and some of us have helped out for ten years or more! During the first part of the race we worked in three groups: two directed traffic at the Pen-y-Gwryd hotel road junction (4.5 miles), six manned the Bryn Gwynant feedstation (8 miles) and six manned the Llyn Dinas feedstation (10.5 miles). Cameramen from S4C (the Welsh language public service broadcaster) were in attendance to capture footage for Saturday evening's news and a one-hour marathon programme on Sunday.

After we had handed out the water, orange squash and jelly beans we drove back to Llanberis where most of us spent the afternoon directing runners through the town to the finish. The lucky ones had jobs in the warm dry community hall wrapping runners in foil sheets and returning kit bags.

The weather throughout the race varied from bad to atrocious and it is a testament to the hardiness and stamina of the runners that approximately 1500 completed the gruelling 26.2 mile course. The winner finished in a remarkable 2 hours 44 minutes and the last person crossed the line over four hours later.

Our accommodation for the weekend was the luxurious Hendre Isaf basecamp on the outskirts of Betws-y-coed. The piping hot showers warmed us on our return and the drying room did a great job of drying everyone's waterproofs, clothing and boots. The kitchen had ample facilities and we enjoyed a Saturday night supper of roast vegetables with pasta followed by apple & blackberry crumble with custard.

The weather had brightened up by Sunday morning and fortified by bacon and egg muffins we walked to Swallow Falls. They were spectacular after the heavy rains and the white water thundering through the gorge was a sight to behold.

PS - Daniel and Patrick have made a pact to run the 2009 Snowdonia Marathon. Watch this space for details of their training progress!

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The photo attached shows the leading runners at 10.5 miles. The runner on the far left (2) went on to win by 13 seconds from the runner on the right (1114)).