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A stroll in morning sunshine.
The race starts with a walk. Warming up for 1 mile from the car park at
Llanberis to the start venue at the village of Nant Peris.
The road is already closed for cars trying to come down Llanberis Pass.
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The provided kitbags are collected at the start and transported to the
finish.
1018 Jane Clowes,
5:18:22, 54. F
128 Robert Clowes, 5:18:24, 281. M |
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Time to move to the start line.
This lovely morning it is hard to believe that the event had to be
cancelled due to bad weather two years ago.
The race always takes place on the last sunday in October. It is usually
the day when the clock changes to winter time. This is fairly helpful.
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Wales is bilingual and especially in North Wales Welsh comes first.
Welsh is spoken in daily life, kids learn it at school and all the media
support the language.
The start venue is a spacious lay-by beside the main road at the edge of
the village Nant Peris.
By the way - "Eryri" is the Welsh name for Snowdonia.
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Runners are in relaxed mood, seconds before the take off at 9.30am.
Some dark clouds in westerly direction, but we were faster heading to the
east when turning onto the main road.
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Police and leading car are ready, too. With a field of 1000 runners a
professional organisation is needed.
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Here we go. 12 runners came all the way from Roissie en Brie in France as
part of a twinning arrangement with Abergele Harriers.
1138 Noella
Allaire (F), 5:01:04m, 15. F50
1139 Francoise Amarie (F), 4:49:54, 10. F50S |
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The village of Nant Peris, a former slate mining place, has to be passed
before the climb starts to Pen-y-pass.
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Quite a warm day for wearing thick tall hats. We are still in Nant Peris.
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Now it's getting tough for the first time. Within 4 miles we move from a
level of 300 feet to the top of Llanberis Pass at 1100 feet.
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Just runners on the road. The mountain walkers had to come early this
morning to be able to drive to their favourite high level car park at Pen-y-pass.
837 Stuart
Pedley, Red Lion ABC,
3:53:11, 44. M40 |
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Second stage: The long descent is a tough challenge for our legs.
8.5 miles between Pen-y-pass and Beddgelert bring us down to 200 feet
above sea level.
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Nant Gwynant is among the most beautiful valleys not only in Wales.
Straight ahead, still far away, guards Moel Hebog, the mountain towering
above Beddgelert.
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This is the lovely village of Beddgelert. Its only junction is jammed
today as runners are passing by.
We are just before halfway point now. Leaving Beddgelert, an often
underestimated longish climb follows the road to Pont Cae Gors, 400 feet
within 2 miles.
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Fairly level, but a very long distance follows, passing Rhyd Ddu, until
Waunfawr is reached.
Straight on is the ridge of Moel Eilio, which has to be passed on its
western foot (left side on the photo) before the final climb starts at
Waunfawr.
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Halfway up from the village of Waunfawr. This final and toughest ascent
boasts with 700 feet within 2.5 miles.
Nearly everybody has to walk this part. And those brave enough to run are
not much faster.
Every mile was marked accurately.
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The top at Bwlch-y-Groes is crossed and all the rest is downhill now.
This is the prettiest section of the descent before it gets steep, very
steep indeed. 900 feet in 2 miles.
In the distance is the Glyders range to the left while the flanks of
Snowdon form the ridge on the right. The latter
is used by the mountain railway.
Many thanks to the organisers for providing one of the many feeding
stations high on Bwlch-y-Groes.
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Good things come to those who run.
Finally we see a glimpse of Llanberis and Llyn Padarn. There is our
finish line.
At the other side of the lake is Elidir Fawr, the Electric Mountain. Once
you have visited the enourmous power station within the rocks, you wonder
how the mountain still can hold itself steady.
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Dennis Walsmley, from Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire, already
celebrates his victory during the final lap through the village of
Llanberis.
He completed a hat-trick of wins, after being first runner in 1999
and 2001.
The taxi-driver from the Cotswolds is a 42-year old veteran runner.
From the 4-mile-marker onwards he was on his own all the way to the
finish.
822 Dennis
Walmsley, Bourton RR, 2:41:54, Winner Men and M40 |
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Alison Sedman from Didsbury, Manchester, was successful for the second
consecutive year. She, too,
is
a veteran runner in her forties.
Only 18 men were fast enough to finish in front of her.
19 Alison Sedman, Belle Vue Racers, 3:11:59, Winner F and F40 |
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This is the mile marker
marathon runners like most of all.
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I was not the only German running around Snowdon. Jutta Price is German
born, now living in South London, together with her husband Jed. She
nearly caught up with him by a tremendous final spurt. He saved a margin
of just 7 seconds.
Here she outruns Jessica Cunliff to finish 15th woman overall.
1040 Jutta Price,
3:55:36, 15. F
1048 Jessica Cunliff, 3:55:41, 16. F |
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Another moment which is worth the effort.
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"Well done" is the most spoken idiom today.
117 Adam
Shepherd, 3:54:35,
Brecon AC, 105. M
558 David Yapp, 3:54:37,
Ludlow Runners, 106. M |
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Crossing the finish line means dropping to the grass for many.
505 Paul Byard,
4:25:28, 90. M40 |
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John Fisher had his heart transplant at the age of 38 in 2000. On
his website he says: "I was sure I was going to die either before, during
or shortly after the operation, well that was over four years ago and I
am still here".
And how he is here! Meanwhile he completed 5 marathons, the London
Triathlon and cycled London to Brighton four times.
Sharon is his personal trainer escorting him on all these events.
Don't miss John's own charity website to read more about his reassuring story (see links section at bottom of page).
John Fisher, 5:01:02, 122. M40
Sharon Krollig, 5:01:02, not in the list
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Relaxing in the tea tent. Runners thinking about their dream came true.
342 Barry
Shakles, 4:24:51, 89. M40
643 Hefin Hughes, 4:29:44, 223. M
17 James Morrison, 4:29:44,
Charnwood AC, 48. M50
-- Uli Sauer (GER), 3:52:50, 21. M50 |
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Two really happy persons. Obviously winning keeps young.
Dennis said: "I love the giant cup and can't wait to get it home to fill
the gap on my mantlepiece."
During a very nice presentation the first ten men and women and all
veteran winners were honoured.
Every finisher got a small slate plate as memento, and certificates
together with complete results will be sent later.
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Links
Snowdonia Marathon
official event page, with complete results
The
National Trust The main Sponsor
Electric
Mountain The other main Sponsor
Snowdonia National Park
Graianfryn Veggie Guest House with incredible cuisine (my
secret)
Eryri Harriers
Leading fell running club in Wales
Snowdon Fell Race
To the top and down again
John Fisher:
To Transplant and Beyond
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see all 80 photos in a gallery
also on this website:
Man versus Horse 2002
Windsor Half Marathon
2003
London Marathon 2004 |
This page is part of a German privatly based site and not commercial.
Revenues are delivered to the charity Sterntaler
eV without any shortage. |
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