Marathon Eryri 2024 – Brewing Up CommuniTEA

Oct 29, 2024

Another Fabulous Day at Marathon Eryri (Snowdonia Marathon)

    • Weather: Amazing
    • Scenery: Breathtaking
    • Support: Incredible

And I’ve added a 6th coaster to my collection!

Watch my Marathon Eryri Video on YouTube

This event keeps drawing me back, and this year was a must-do—Marathon Eryri celebrated its 40th year, and Jane, the race director, marked her 20th time organising it all.

Jane took on the official starter role this year, and after a rousing rendition of Land of My Fathers, we were off! And the music didn’t stop there: a couple of miles in, a silver band played “Oh When the Saints,” and many of the volunteer water stations along the route had music to keep us motivated.

So, why do I keep coming back to run this marathon year after year?

Here are just a few reasons why Marathon Eryri is so special:

The People

From picking up my number to chatting with other runners along the way, the community feel is unbeatable. The incredible support from those handing out drinks and snacks, and the folks who cheer us on from the sidelines, makes it feel like a huge family gathering.

I had some lovely chats along the route, like one with a chap running his 30th Eryri and a lady tackling her very first marathon. I was touched by how many people told me that my videos from previous years had helped them prepare for this day.

Mile 24, as always, was a standout moment. This year’s theme was “Wild West,” and, as usual, the cup of tea served there was as good as ever! Every volunteer along the course added to the experience—the cheers, snacks, and encouragement were fantastic.

The Views

With clear skies and sunshine this year, the scenery was absolutely stunning. Sometimes, the sun cast deep shadows over the peaks, giving them a menacing feel; other times, it created sparkling reflections on the lakes, which lifted our spirits as we ran.

The Hills

This might seem like an odd favourite, but the challenging, “undulating” profile is one of the reasons I keep coming back. The hills are a constant topic of conversation among the runners: “Which hill is the toughest?” “Should we walk or run this part?” “Are you ready for mile 22?” It’s the variety of gradients and terrain that sets this marathon apart from a standard road race.

Getting There

This year, I decided to leave the car at home, travelling by train and cycling to Llanberis, where I camped on the outskirts of town. My campsite was right by the descent back into Llanberis at the end of the marathon. It was a lovely spot, and with clear skies, I could enjoy a starry night panoramabefore settling into my . . . . oh yes no sleeping bag, I left it at home . . . . fortunately a mild night, my sleeping bag liner and staying fully clothed meant I still got a decent nights sleep before rolling down into Llanberis to start the marathon.

Will I Be Back Next Year?

Maybe! Every year, this marathon coincides with the Beachy Head Marathon, which friends Jim and Daniel have highly recommended. Perhaps next year, I’ll have a dalliance with Beachy Head, but I know I will be back at Eryri again, six coasters just aren’t enough!