UTS: Pastures New
Dear APEX Runner,
Six months ago, I didn’t think that I would be sat down writing about how UTS has had to be overhauled for the second time in a year and now moving to Capel Curig… After the postponement from June to September, we thought we would make use of the time on our hands to enact the revised routes that we had planned to launch for 2021’s event. After a considerable amount of work, all routes were as expected, very well received.
As the weeks rolled by it became clear that UTS would not be going ahead with the capacity planned this year. Not to worry: a smaller-scale event of 30 runners in each race, in line with the Wesh Gov't guidelines (which may soon be increased to 100), would at least salvage something of the year, despite representing a sizeable financial loss, by offering some great marketing content capture opportunity. Images and videos of the event could then be promoted throughout the winter for next year’s event, as well as offering the opportunity to prove the routes ahead of the real thing in 2021...
However, I didn’t foresee that Gwynedd Council would actively try to prevent any event of any kind from taking place in Llanberis until next April. We understand that this is in response to local attitudes towards the increasing number of events taking place in Llanberis annually. I won’t voice my personal opinions regarding this, as the arguments for/against the benefits of events tourism in the area are far too complex and divisive, especially in the current climate. The reason Llanberis was initially chosen as the start/finish point for UTS, was simply it was the most geographically logical location to allow the initial, 2× 50-mile loops, figure-of-eight route format to take place. Now that the event has evolved to offer three separate and unique race distances, it has offered the opportunity to explore other host venues.
To realise the vision that we have for UTS for 2021 and beyond, the event HQ simply needs a lot of space: a blank canvas that we can make our own for the weekend, away from the hustle and bustle of a busy tourist honeypot area and the associated added complexities this presents to an event organiser. The above factors, amongst others, have led to our decision to move the event to Capel Curig in the neighbouring council of Conwy, whose progressive event team are excited to support UTS in the future. Exact HQ location HERE, next to Moel Siabod Café.
Runners leaving Capel Curig during last year's 100-mile event. © Evan Davies.
Capel Curig is a mountain-lover’s haven! From enjoying a beer at the Plas-y-Brenin National Mountain Centre while admiring the stunning vista of the Snowdon Horseshoe (a breath-taking view that all race routes now end with: your reward for completion!) or enjoying a coffee and enjoying the photos and mountaineering history on display at Moel Siabod Café, to having a mooch around the Joe Brown Shop, not to mention to the plethora of other outdoor activities that can be enjoyed a stone’s throw away: there is plenty to keep outdoorsy folk amused! I always get a nice, relaxed, homely feeling when I’m in the area.
For reasons I’ll reveal in a later article, in early 2019 I’d actually already considered moving UTS to this area for 2020, and canning the 100-miler in favour of a more manageable, single-loop 100-120km event. Several other large-scale events have been successfully hosted in the vicinity previously, and we’re confident it will offer UTS participants a superb event experience next year. For those attending UTS next year, throughout the valley there are also a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, as well as a regular bus service to Betws-y-Coed, which boasts countless superb eateries, bars and pubs, as well as other more touristy activities and attractions which can be enjoyed.
Over the coming days and weeks, we shall be releasing race previews for the upcoming invitational events, as well as detailed walk-through’s of the new routes (they’re just as epic as before and the new 50 is a real treat too), so you know exactly what is new and what to look forward to if entering next year!
With just over two weeks to go, it’s all guns now blazing at APEX HQ and we’re super excited to start a new chapter for UTS at its new home, albeit on a smaller scale this year…
If you’re keen to join the event team this year, there are a few checkpoint vacancies that still need to be filled on Saturday, so please see HERE if you can help. Many thanks for your continued support!
Michael Jones - Ultra-Trail® Snowdonia Race Director
