Snowdonia Half Marathon 2026

I like this race! The route is beautiful, and with all its ups and downs it never feels like you’re doing the same thing for a long time. 

I had first done it pre-Covid, and loved it. Then I did it two years ago, and ended up with clanging IT band problems. I still snaffled a category win, though. Last year my IT bands held, and I had another category win. I wanted another one this year. And the weather would be a lot better for it! Not as hot as last year. 

I rocked up and bumped into the organiser. He greeted me by my name. We had a little chat, and he said "see you at the presentation". I like it that I have the reputation of almost standard being presented a medal!

I got my number, had a last sandwich, drank my energy drink, took off all the layers I wouldn't be running with, and then handed in my bag at the bag drop. Time to do a warmup! And have a last convenience break.

When I trundled up the hill I saw that the marshal at the first junction was already in position. That was a bit early! We had a nice chat. His name was Wayne. Then I sneaked off for a leak, and headed back. I then tried to organise a club picture with the other Harriers. I found four! There were more but we didn’t spot them.

Phil, me, Evan, Sion, Robin

I also found Ann, who had been my rival last year. We battled it out over the entire race, but on the famous hill 11 miles in I got ahead of her, and she didn't manage to catch up on the way down or the last flat bit. I beat her by 11 seconds. She is 18 years older than me. And a toughie! 

It was time to line up at the start line, and soon we were off. I knew to take it easy on the first ascent. It’s long, and there are more to follow! I waved at Wayne and trundled on. I also passed Ann. I expected her to overtake me multiple times on the downhill. And after some 3.5 km, I passed a marshalling station, where a lady said I was currently second female. What? This is a sizeable race! And I didn’t think I was going very fast. But I liked it! 

I trundled on. Soon Llyn Geirionydd came into view. The route is flat there. I just thought of my breathing and kept a decent speed. More people along the course confirmed that I was in silver position. Lovely!

Quite unlike last year, I ignored all the water stations. I had a little bottle myself, and it wasn’t very hot. And I trundled up the hill between the lakes. All went well! Even coming to the top and heading down. The gradient is mild, so I can go quite fast and not be scared. And there had been quite some logging there, so views were wide. And the path is bendy, so you can see a bit before and behind you. No women to be seen! Not even Ann.

Running around Llyn Crafnant I went back to thinking about my breathing. All went well! I was feeling relaxed. And then I came to the sort bit of road where you meet the runners coming the other way. I saw one of the Harriers, Sion, and could shout him on. A lot of people shouted encouragements at me. Especially the women. But then the route went somewhere else and I was pretty much alone again. 

I knew I now had a flat few kilometres before the big hill. I kept my speed up! And was a bit worried that like two years ago, I was feeling my IT bands. I had intended to have paracetamol before the race, and bring straps that might help the symptoms, as I had done at the Conwy race, but had completely forgotten. Oh dear. 

I made it up the hill without stopping, and while trying to convince my body all was well. And once on top, I tried to run with big strides, as that fights symptoms too. And the downhill is always difficult. 

On the big downhill, past a cheering Wayne, I was overtaken by several people, but luckily all men. Some furtive looks behind me didn’t reveal any menacing females. The last man overtaking me said he was aiming for a time of 1:45. Ambitious! But well, if it was doable for him, right beside me, then I was clearly on course for a faster time than last year. That had felt fast!

On the flat bit I I tried long strides again. And I was trying to go fast enough to not let any unseen women get past. In spite of my knee. And then I finished, in 1:44:37. 

Finish

I saw a lady standing there already. She must have won! I congratulated her. And then another lady appeared. She must have been right behind me. Oh dear! I escaped a late disappointment. Even though bronze in a race like this is still amazing. 

I went to get my medal and T-shirt, and my bag. Then I went back to the course. I had my recovery drink, and more liquids. And I cheered on the runners. Robin, one of the Harriers in the race, and Sion’s brother, came past like Usain Bolt. Amazing! 

After a while I went back to find the Harriers that had finished. Along the way, I bumped into Paul, of NWRAC, who has assembled the North Wales team for the 10 mile inter-county championships. He was impressed with my time. Maybe he’ll invite me into his team again! And soon after, the presentation started. I was chuffed to get a silver medal! And in this race, they even give you a category win if you have already won an all-out podium position, so I came back for the 50+ medal. The bloke handing it out asked how many of their medals I had by now. Many! 

Proud as punch with my second place

I in turn cheered on the other runners. Winning woman had been some 10 minutes faster than me! And Ann had a category win. Of course. 

After the presentation we all went our separate ways. I walked back to my car over a field, and found Sion and Robin there. We had a little debrief! And then I really left. 

I still can’t quite believe I came second! In a popular commercial race! Although I have managed that before, Twice. And once in a slightly less popular commercial race. And without feeling too wrung out about it! But it was a bit of a bummer my IT band problem had returned. Later this year I want to run a half marathon PB. That is hard if your IT bands are not collaborating!