Slate Trail Ultra relaunches for 2024
There’s a famous Welsh proverb: Dyfal donc y dyr y garreg – or ‘Tapping persistently breaks the stone’. With 46 weeks to go until the revamped Slate Trail Ultra™ and inaugural Ultra Tour of the Quarries (UTQ): start tapping that stone now and read on to get excited for what awaits at next year’s event, set to take place over the weekend of 18-20th October.
Are you as ready as we are for the revival of the Slate Trail Ultra? © Evan Davies
We’re thrilled to announce that the Slate Trail Ultra is set to return next Autumn and become a permanent fixture in the UK ultrarunning calendar. Thoroughly unique in character, it’s set to be something special – you don’t want to miss out on experiencing this event!
Race Director Michael Jones explains:
“In late 2020 I was delighted to take over ownership of this event from good friend Jonny at Up Hill Down Dale, who hosted it in January 2019 and 2020 previously. However, full-time work for UTMB, developing UTS took hold from late 2021, rendering a re-run of the event in recent years somewhat unrealistic…
Mike enjoying the Snowdonia Slate Trail last month. © Evan Davies
…recently free of those commitments and having radically overhauled the concept and vision I have for this event, I’m now fully focused on developing it over the coming years, with a view to joining the exciting new World Trail Majors circuit and continuing to highlight Eryri’s potential as a world-class trail, ultra and skyrunning destination through our superlative events.”
A Welsh stage of the newly launched World Trail Majors? Maybe one day!
We’re not the only ones who are excited by the much-anticipated return of this event. Snowdonia Slate Trail founder and keen hill walker Aled Owen echoes our sentiments:
“The Snowdonia Slate Trail Trust is excited for the return of the Slate Trail Ultra. Founded in 2017, we believe that this trail offers a truly amazing snapshot of all that is wonderful in Snowdonia — from rushing waterfalls and towering mountain views, to desolate moorlands and abandoned villages. The challenging terrain along the route also offers an insight into the culture and history of slate quarrying in North Wales. We look forward to following the race next October!”
Why not learn more about the Slate Trail and pick up a copy of Aled’s guidebook HERE.
Indeed, in 2021 the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription. It’s not often you get to say you ran a race in a World Heritage Site! Learn more about what this means for the area HERE.
Discover the rich industrial heritage of Northwest Wales on the Slate Trail Ultra. © Elliott Waring
Continuing in the theme of host territory authenticity with our events, we can’t wait to share details of our unique and highly desirable finisher’s gift that we’re developing in collaboration with the Llanberis-based National Slate Museum (which also hosts the first aid station for both races). Hard-earnt, this will be sure to take pride of place in any trail runner’s home — watch this space!
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2024?
Earlier this year, we went right back to the drawing board with this event, with a view to how it might look five years from now as one of the area’s most credible and high-profile international trail running events. Radically overhauled since 2021’s planned edition, here’s what’s new for next year:
Revamped Host Venue: Today we are excited to announce that both races will start and finish on the coast at Port Penrhyn – the official start of the Snowdonia Slate Trail and a short walk from several parking options in nearby Bangor town centre. Race registration and finish zone will be at the adjacent Clogwyn Activity Centre.
A fully waymarked trail but navigation will be required at night! © Evan Davies
With a range of attractions a stone’s throw away for non-runners (including the stunning Penrhyn Castle & Garden) there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy at next year’s event. We’ll soon be adding an extensive Visiting section to the webpage, which will detail a range of things to see and do during your stay, as well as more practical info regarding event travel and parking options – of which there are plenty in neighbouring Bangor.
See you here next October? A stunning coastal start/finish awaits at Port Penrhyn.
New October Date: Having thoroughly reassessed where this event should be embedded within the UK event calendar, from next year onwards this event will now be hosted in late October annually.
Autumnal splendour on the Slate Trail awaits next October. © Evan Davies
We hope in time it will become a staple season-closing fixture for those seeking to make final use of summer running fitness before winding down for the winter, or those who wish to experience a quieter side to Eryri in all its autumnal glory, when vibrant colours contrast against the imposing slate quarry features that the route circumvents. For sure, this event is set to be a memorable and photogenic journey for the visual senses!
A plethora of moody landscapes; befitting of an October host date. © Matthew Holland
Extended periods of darkness will offer an additional challenge to those taking on the full distance. The lower-level nature of the routes however means the event can and will be hosted in all but the most heinous of elements – there will be no bad weather routes!
To get a better feel for the scenery the routes encounter, why not check out the highlights gallery from our recent photoshoot with Evan Davies HERE.
Why not finish your season with an overnight adventure on the Slate Trail? © Evan Davies
Enhanced Support: When the event was previously hosted by Up Hill Down Dale, it took place in the depths of winter and featured only three aid stations, appealing to a much hardier crowd of trail runners.
Having heavily reconsidered our approach to this event over the past two years; we’re delighted to announce that the Slate Trail Ultra will now feature no fewer than eight aid stations dotted along the route at 10–23km intervals, making the challenge of finishing far more achievable and enjoyable.
In addition, runners in the full Slate Trail Ultra will also receive a free SILVA Terra 24L dry bag at registration, which will act as a ‘drop bag’ and will be transported to the Blaenau Ffestiniog aid station at approximately half way.
We’re delighted to be partnering with SILVA at next year’s inaugural event.
Does all this make the Slate Trail Ultra something to firmly mark in your calendar for next year? Great! Early bird entries to the revamped Slate Trail Ultra will go live via THIS link at 11:00 tomorrow, priced at £179 (+booking fee). Find out more about what’s included in your entry fee HERE and don’t forget to join the event on Facebook HERE to let your friends know about it!
INTRODUCTING THE INAUGURAL UTQ
We recognise that for many runners, the full Slate Trail Ultra lies at the more aspirational end of race completion yardstick. Therefore, we’re delighted to announce that there will be the 88km ‘Ultra Tour of the Quarries’ – or UTQ – running alongside its bigger sibling.
Discover a quieter side of Eryri at the inaugural UTQ. © Evan Davies
Starting on Saturday morning and with a generous 24-hour time limit, this route takes in some 2,700m+ with five aid stations, initially following the Slate Trail to Rhyd-Ddu. From here, the route takes a detour east to Nant Gwynant, passing the quarries of Bwlch Cwm Llan before a northbound journey up the valley to rejoin the Slate Trail at Ogwen Valley to the finish at Port Penrhyn. Take a closer look at this route on the webpage HERE.
Not yet ready for the Slate Trail Ultra? Why not take on the 88km UTQ instead?
Early bird entries to the inaugural UTQ will go live via THIS link at 11:00 tomorrow, priced at £129 (+booking fee). To learn more about what’s included in your entry fee, please see HERE and don’t forget to join the event on Facebook HERE and share it with your friends!
START PREPARING NOW!
We’re also delighted to let you know that we have partnered with RAW Adventures to deliver an official recce weekend for runners in August next year. Ross and Kate of RAW were some of the first people to complete the full trail back in 2017 over 3 days and have an excellent knowledge of the route, its history, as well as how to increase your chances of success come race day.
We’re delighted to be collaborating with local guided adventure company RAW Adventures.
Next summer they will be hosting a dedicated weekend where they will focus on the key areas of the route that are more challenging, day or night, plus looking at your kit and equipment needed and a few top tips for success.
RAW Adventures co-founder Ross Worthington explains:
“It's really exciting to see the Slate Trail Ultra coming back strong. The route is an exceptional journey through Northern Eryri (Snowdonia) visiting some breathtaking, less seen locations. It may not reach the well-known peaks but don't let that fool you; this is a tough undertaking but so rewarding at the same time.”
RAW have led guided running on this route previously (find out more HERE) and the basis of next year’s recce will a trimmed down version on this, with accommodation and transport included so you can just focus on the running. Planned to take place in August next year, dates and finer details will be shared very soon.
Will you join us next year? The revamped Slate Trail Ultra & inaugural UTQ will be hosted over the weekend of 18-20th October, with a limited supply of early bird entries going live at 11:00 tomorrow (Saturday 2nd December) on the entry platform HERE.
Provisional route details for both races are now live on the webpage HERE and why not follow us on Facebook & Instagram by searching SlateTrailUltra or become part of the APEX Running community by joining our Facebook Group HERE.
