Eryri Marathon – Snowdonia – October 2024 –
See how one of our TRACies got on with this beautiful but tough Marathon….
– Race report by Lidia Modzelewska –
What is the best thing to do on your birthday? Eat cake, go to cinema, have a meal?
No, it is to run a marathon of course, but not any marathon…the one and only Eryri Marathon in beautiful Wales. Due to the popularity of the event, I was required to enter a ballot that usually opens on the 1st of December. Unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky this year and decided to run it for charity.
This was my second time I had this pleasure to enjoy the course and definitely not the last.
I followed Ben Parks’s Level 2 improver marathon training plan and to be completely honest, it started fine but by week 8 I started missing days or swapping them. I found it difficult to keep up with it because I had to juggle a full time job, home duties and taking turns with my partner who was marathon training as well.
But finally, the race day has arrived, and the weather was absolutely perfect. The sun was shining and the sky was clear.
To make my run easier I was telling myself that I would only have 3 hills to conquer, only three, that’s all.
After a beautiful speech the race has started. For some it was a race, for others, run, jog, challenge or adventure with friends.
Part one!
The run started fast as we all were running on adrenaline and also other runners were too excited and pulled me along. This will of course change after the first climb, ha.
The first part was from Llanberis to Pen-y-Pass.
Running through the beautiful mountains made me feel incredibly lucky to be there. It was only 5 miles long, but the climb started roughly after mile 3. It was a long drag that that felt like is going to take forever to accomplish it. The elevation was 376 meters, and it was enough to make my legs feel like a jelly.
Part two!
Pen-y- Pass to Bedggerlet.
After the climb and a down hill run on the tarmac, I joined an off-road path that was roughly the same distance as the climb. The terrain was uneven and rocky, so I needed to concentrate more to avoid any accidents, and there were some. I ran all the way to Llyn Gwynant campsite and its stunning lake, took a very sharp up and I was back on the road going slightly downhill, but not for too long as I was building up towards the second climb.
At the mile 13 in Bedggerlet the climb has started. It wasn’t a difficult and steep climb, but it was one of those that were gradual and loooong. Total elevation was 193 meters. At this point the majority of runners were walking, including me. This part, up to mile 22 felt very slow and was a preparation for what was to come.
Part three!
I have arrived to Waunfawr and the real challenge was literally in front of me. With tired legs, empty lungs and mood far from exciting I started the third and final climb. It was steep and still beautiful and the elevation was similar to the first climb. Luckly, before I knew it, I was at the last and the most exciting water station of the event. This year the theme was the Wild West and all the volunteers were rocking and making us feel very welcome by serving tea, sandwiches and cakes.
However, what goes up it has to go down. The final stretch consisted of sharp, steep, fast, calf burning, ankle twisting run down the hill all the way to Llanberis.
Before I knew, it was all over and I was sad to say goodbye.
This was the best marathon I have ever done, and I hope I will be lucky enough to do it again next year and I truly recommend it to anyone who loves a good challenge.
Well done and thanks Lid for the great race report and stunning photos.
Keep your race reports coming TRACies – We love them !!!