Snowdon SkyRace® Joins Skyrunner® World Series
Today, we’re super stoked to announce that the Snowdon SkyRace® will be part of the Skyrunner® World Series this October! Launched in 2004, this Series has grown to represent the peak of outdoor running, defined by altitude and technical difficulty. In 2021 the Series features 14 races in 11 countries and is supported by Merrell, also the presenting partner of the Snowdon Skyline™ weekend.
This October, the world’s most technically adept Skyrunners from far and wide will descend upon Snowdonia to battle it out at the Snowdon SkyRace® for Skyrunner® World Series points, a unique 3D printed dragon trophy by DesignReal and a share of the following generous prize pool: €1,500 - €1,000 - €500 - €250 - €125 for 1st to 5th female and male overall finishers, respectively!
In addition, thanks to Skyrunner® World Series official suppliers Merrell, the overall female and male winner of the series, based on a maximum of four best results, will receive €2,000.
Franziska Freer, Merrell Marketing Manager adds: “We launched our partnership with the Skyrunner World Series in 2020 and we’re excited to hopefully see the races happening in 2021. The UK is a very important market for Merrell and our trail running products. As the sponsor of the Snowdon Skyline weekend, we’re very much looking forward to getting in touch with our British customers and local trail runners”.
The Snowdon SkyRace: A cacophony of steep climbs, scrambles and technical descents!
A 90-minute drive from Manchester and Liverpool airports, Snowdonia is widely regarded as a veritable haven for scrambling and technical trail running, boasting some of the most stunning scenery and terrain the UK has to offer. When designing the route in 2018 we asked ourselves one simple question: "What would a new benchmark UK skyrunning route look like in Wales?".
Race Director Mike explains: "After extensive route verification and testing we settled on a figure of eight route that explores the area’s most iconic ridges and Grade 1 scrambles including Crib Goch and Tryfan North Ridge, as well as an array of ruthless, technical trails in between: the Snowdon SkyRace® is without doubt set to become an international skyrunning classic!".
Damian Gielty scaling Tryfan North Ridge during the 2019 race. © Tim Woodier
An instant classic upon inauguration in 2019, word quickly got around about the staggering route that met competitors on race day. The 2020 edition sold out months ahead of its due date last May, before it was sadly cancelled due to covid:"What a course! From start to finish it had it all: a true mountain athletes dream! This technical, tough and stunning route really should be celebrated. The Snowdon SkyRace and its special course should attract runners from all over Europe to come and experience our weather, culture and unique mountains!" – Damian Gielty, Skyrunner® UK & Ireland series & 2019 Snowdon SkyRace® Champion.
Want to make sure you’re well prepared ahead of October? Then why not get yourself booked onto one of the official guided recce days taking place over the weekend of 3rd/4th July, where we’ll also be joined by Skyrunner® World Series elite athlete Georgia Tindley. There are just a handful of places left for each day, so book online via our shop HERE. Learn more about the Merrell elite skyrunning team HERE.
"I'm so excited that the Skyrunner® World Series is coming to the UK this year. We've got some really exciting routes and terrain available here; Snowdonia is full of technical trails, steep climbs and stunning mountains. I can't wait to race against some of the best runners in the world and show them what the UK has to offer" – Georgia Tindley, Merrell athlete.
The Merrell MTL Long Sky: The perfect skyrunning shoe for Snowdon SkyRace®
To cope with the anticipated increase in demand, the race will move to a new, more spacious event HQ and be joined by TWO brand-new skyrunning events: the 14 Peaks Ultra™ and Copper SkyTrail™ – further information to follow very soon!
Entries for the Snowdon SkyRace® are now live and with over half of them already snapped up, this race is likely to reach capacity well in advance of October! More event info and entry available here: www.snowdonskyline.com
You can follow the event on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Read some of the past praise for this phenomenal event HERE.
View the full 2021 Skyrunner® World Series calendar HERE.
Will you be racing along Crib Goch later this year? © iancorless.com
