Race Report
Llanberis, Wales – Warm and sunny conditions welcomed over 450 runners to the 48th the running of Ras Rhyngwladol Yr Wyddfa International Snowdon Race 2025 as Italy made history in the men’s race by taking the title in the form of men’s winner Luca Magri and by taking a clean sweep of the men’s podium. The women’s race proved to be equally exciting and England provided a worthy champion in Nancy Scott, an athlete making her debut at this iconic mountain race.
As is traditional at Snowdon strong teams from Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Italy come together for what is renowned as one of the classic European races on the calendar, and the weather would do nothing to deter the international athletes from producing some incredible racing.
Both Scott and Magri came into the race amongst the favourites and quickly established leads as the race made its way out of Llanberis.
The pace up front in the men’s race was being set by Magri, along with compatriots Michael Galassi and Roberto Giacomotti, with England athletes Felix McGrath and Lawrence McCourt in close attendance as they passed the Halfway House mark in 20:26.
In the women’s event Scott wasn’t hanging around as she blasted up to the halfway point. Behind open category runner, and former winner, Hannah Russell and England’s Eve Pannone were chasing, with Welsh athlete Eden O’Dea running a strong race in 6th.
As the leading runners approached the turn round point of the race and the 1085m summit, Magri and Galassi had a commanding lead in the men’s race, showing impressive climbing skills cresting in 42:57, with Galassi following just 2 seconds later.
In the women’s race Nancy Scott was establishing a commanding lead, looking in control as she hit the summit in 51:55 and began her descent with a lead of over 2 minutes. Such are O’Dea’s climbing skills she had cruised through the field to hit the summit in second position. Further back Pannone was in a solid third, with 2024 3rd-placer Beatrice Bianchi way back in 10th beginning her charge.
The positions at the head of the race were by now becoming clear as Magri led Galassi who led Giacomotti and the blue vests of Italy set to take all three podium spots. Behind McGrath and McCourt was still pushing hard in 4th and 5th respectively.
But as the race progressed back to the finish in Llanberis it was Magri who was away and clear and rounding the final bend he was greeted by a huge crowd at Cae’r Ddol, having time to smile and raise the finish line ribbon to take a fantastic win in 1:06:11, adding his name to the illustrious role call and becoming the latest in a long line of Italian winners.
Galassi finished a jubilant second in 1:06:58, with the charging Giacomotti (1:07:39) at the line, as three Italian athletes took the clean sweep. McGrath finished 4th making big progress on his 9th-place finish of 2024, with England team-mate McCourt completing the top 5.
Italy’s perfect score meant an obvious win in men’s team prize.
In the women’s race Scott was producing a super performance, making the technical slopes of Yr Wyddfa look easy, passing male runner after male runner, and entered the finish straight with big smile, knowing that she had the win in the bag, crossing the line to take the women’s title in 1:20:31. She now joins the likes of Mary Wilkinson, Hannah Russell and Carol Greenwood as English champions of this famous race.
Bianchi produced another descending master-class to move from 10th to second (1:21:58) with a descent time of 25:16 – the 4th fastest descent of any athlete in the race. Pannone finished an excellent third in 1:22:13, adding to her runner-up spot of 2024.
Italy’s Anna Hofer finished in 4th position with open runner Hannah Russell finishing 5th in the vest of Helm Hill.
As with the men, Italy’s women were triumphant in the team race taking 2nd, 4th and 7th.
48th Castell Howell International Snowdon Race Ras Rhyngwladol Yr Wyddfa 2025 – Results – https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/en/results-embed.php?event=4140
Men’s Top 3
- Luca Margi (Italy) 1:06:11
2. Michael Galassi (Italy) 1:06:58
3. Roberto Giacomotti (Italy) 1:07:39
Team: Italy
Women’s Top 3
- Nancy Scott (England) 1:20:31
- Beatrice Bianchi (Italy) 1:21:58
- Eve Pannone (England) 1:22:13
Team: Italy
ENDS
