NEW Slate Trail Events Launched!
A new year is just around the corner and with it hopefully a clean slate (sorry), new prospects and the return to normality I’m sure we’re all craving! We’re thrilled to give you an early Christmas present by announcing that APEX Running are the new organisers of the Snowdonia Slate Trail Ultra™, previously organised by Up Hill Down Dale for two winter editions.
You probably already know that at APEX Running, we are completely passionate about the events we organise and host. So, it might come as no surprise to learn there will be a few new and exciting changes planned for next year, including a stunning new host venue at Zip World Bethesda, plus the addition of an 80km race on the Saturday: the brand-new Daffodil Trail™ race!
Taking place over the weekend of 15-17th October next year, entries to both events are NOW LIVE HERE!
Slate Trail Ultra runners at dawn in Cwmorthin. © Evan Davies
Race Director Mike explains: “I vividly remember discovering the Snowdonia Slate Trail in 2018 and thinking it would be a great route to host a race on: a lower-level, more runnable course that would nicely complement the mountainous madness of UTS. Unfortunately for me at the time, Up Hill Down Dale had beaten me to it! I’ve been pestering RD Jonny to let me take it over during past couple of years, even offering to buy it!
So, when he messaged me this summer to let me know that he was downscaling his trail running events portfolio to free up time for new projects (including developing his wonderful Café Ventoux and associated events), I jumped at the opportunity and am thrilled to be taking ownership of what is set to be another superb trail running event, here in Snowdonia!”
We’re super excited to be taking over ownership of this wonderful event and putting our own mark on it, seeing it grow over the coming years and giving this established trail the recognition it justly deserves within the UK trail running community. Look out for Jonny and his converted Land Rover mobile coffee bar at our events next year too!
Starting at Zip World Penrhyn Quarry in Bethesda, the stunning 150km/4000m+ Slate Trail Ultra takes in the full Snowdonia Slate Trail route, starting with an out-and-back section to the coast, before carrying on to circumvent the remaining trail. A route which takes runners on an epic journey through time to centuries past, when the area was the most prolific slate producing region in the world, visiting countless sites of industrial significance along the way.
The full route visits welcoming villages along a variety of trails: from easy, low-level valley paths, to higher mountain passes, to wild moorland and river gorges, taking in stunning views of Snowdon and the abandoned slate villages nestled away amongst the hills.
One of many atmospheric landscapes of the trail. © Evan Davies
Finishers will have experienced a unique and inspiring journey through Snowdonia, offering a fresh perspective of the national park thanks to the area’s rich industrial heritage. One cannot fail to marvel at the sheer scale of the area’s past industry, and the imposing presence it still portrays upon its landscapes to this day.
On Saturday, the 80km/2300m+ Daffodil Trail skips the out-and-back to the coast and follows the Snowdonia Slate Trail to Aberglaslyn Pass, before leaving the trail to head north through the beautiful Nant Gwynant Valley. From the Pen-y-Gwryd hotel checkpoint, the challenging Miners Track climb up and over to Cwm Tryfan follows, before runners re-join the Slate Trail for the closing kilometres through the sublime Ogwen and Nant Ffracon valleys back to the finish.
This is the perfect race for those with future aspirations to complete the Slate Trail Ultra, or for those who want to get a fast, runnable 50 under their belt! The trails and scenery featured along its 80kms are simply superb and along with the Slate Trail Ultra is sure to become a classic UK event in its own right…
Some of the imposing architecture found on the route. © Evan Davies
This summer, local Nikki Sommers ran the route (starting on the coast, finishing in Bethesda), in 25:32, establishing a new female FKT (blog HERE). Rumour has it that RD Mike might attempt to establish a new male FKT on the same route, next spring. See more about the FKT route on FastestKnownTime HERE.
If you wish to recce the route, we highly recommend purchasing the official Snowdonia Slate Trail guidebook HERE. Author Aled Owen was born and raised near Bethesda and developed the trail himself, with the aim of showcasing the quieter areas of Snowdonia and its unique slate heritage. Also a keen runner, he’s delighted to see the event live on under new ownership and hopes to see the course records fall over the coming years.
See you here next October? © Evan Davies
Due to the ongoing Covid situation, in 2021 the event shall be hosted later than originally planned, on the weekend of 15-17th October. From 2022 onwards, it will move back to April, with a provisional date of 8-10th April 2022, revealing the Daffodil Trail’s apt name, when the flowers are in full bloom locally.
Entries are NOW LIVE, so enter now if you want to take part in this wonderfully unique event next year! More info & entry: www.slatetrailultra.com
Follow the event on Facebook & Instagram too: search @SlateTrailUltra
