Mountain Racing

Between Moelwyn Mawr and Moelwyn Bach

It’s that time of year for extreme sports; 2^nd April was the Boat Race, 8^th April is the Grand National and on the same day it’s also Ras y Moelwyn. The Moelwyn Race is a fell run over the three peaks of Moelwyn Mawr, Moelwyn Bach and Moel yr Hydd, a mere 10 ½ miles and 2,800 feet of altitude gain. 

The route of the race makes an excellent walk with fantastic views but the front runners in Ras y Moelwyn don’t pause to take in the scenery. In 2015 there was a record turnout of nearly 400 and the course record was well and truly smashed - a runner from Scotland finished first in just 1 hour 13 minutes and 9 seconds for what most people would take a whole day to walk! This short film sequence gives you an idea of the terrain.

At the other end of the scale was Kurmang Rashid, the Blaenau Ffestiniog baker who is famous for his spicy Kurdish Pasties. He always competes and completes … in about three hours. It’s not the winning but the taking part!

Another local race starting in the town square of Dolgellau is Ras y Gader (The Chair Race) which takes you to the top of Cadair Idris and back. It’s the same length and altitude gain as Ras y Moelwyn but it isn’t a circular route. As you slog up the mountain it can be very dispiriting to see the front runners flying past you on their way to the finish line. This year’s Ras y Gader is on 20^th May.

Mountain racing is an excellent spectator sport!

The Snowdonian on Grand National Day

At about the same time as the horses and jockeys race around Aintree on Saturday 8th April I'll be looking out for The Snowdonian.

It's a triple marathon covering the 80 mile round trip starting from Porthmadog at 08:45. Breakfast is served on the train en route to Caernarfon, with lunch at The Goat in Beddgelert on the return to Harbour Station. Then it's up and down the Vale of Ffestiniog and back to the starting point at 18:15 if all goes to plan.

The very few first class tickets cost £400 but if you don't mind slumming it in 3rd class it's a mere £180. Booking details are here. 

The last time I watched it going past it was running a bit late as it rounded Tank Curve and past Campbell's Platform.