49th Royal Victoria Hotel Ras Rhyngwladol Yr Wyddfa // International Snowdon Race 2026 – Race Report
Llanberis, Wales – After weeks of hot and sunny weather in the area, cooler, overcast conditions welcomed over 450 runners to the 49th running of the Royal Victoria Hotel Ras Rhyngwladol Yr Wyddfa International Snowdon Race 2026, as Italy once again repeated their history-making efforts of 2025 by taking the title in the form of men’s winner Massimiliano Berti, along with a clean sweep of the men’s podium.
The women’s race proved to be wonderful spectacle as Scottish international Emily McNicol ran a controlled race from the front to secure the win, following in the footsteps of compatriots Angela Mudge, Holy Page and Cationa MacDonald on the role call of winners from Scotland.
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, with international athletes once again producing some incredible racing.
Though the weather was grey in the Llanberis village, reports from the summit spoke of sunny conditions and warmth, as Yr Wyddfa provided an inversion of clouds as the runner made their way up this famous mountain, rolling out at the traditional 2pm start time.
The pace up front in the men’s race was being set by Italians Tiziano Moia long with Berti, as they hit the mountain proper following the fast tarmac start, and it was clear that there could be something special on the cards as they hit the Halfway House mark in a sub-20minute time of 19:49.
In the women’s event McNicol wasn’t hanging around as she blasted up to the halfway point. In close attendance was 2022 winner, Hannah Russell wearing the vest of England, Eve Pannone who was running in the open race this year, was in third with Welsh athlete Eden O’Dea once again have a great race on home soil.
As the leading runners approached the turn round point of the race and the 1085m summit, Moia and Berti had a commanding lead in the men’s race, showing impressive climbing skills, cresting in 40:45, for one of the fastest ascents in recent years.
In the women’s race McNicol and Russell were establishing a commanding lead over the competition, with the Scottish athlete hitting the summit in 49:27, beginning her descent with a lead of just 14 seconds over Russell. Eden O’Dea summitted in third position. Italy’s Luna Giovanetti was making her move in 6th, and ready to show her descending skills as they made the charge back to Llanberis.
The positions at the head of the race were by now becoming clear as young Italian athlete Berti led Moia, as they hurtled back to Llanberis. These two were now in full command as and the blue vests of Italy looked set to take all three podium spots, with Giulio Simonetti having moved into third place with just over 2 miles to go.
As the race progressed it was clear that Berti was on for something special time-wise, pulling away from Moia with every stride, 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 1:04:13, the fastest time since 2019 – adding his name to the illustrious role call and becoming the latest in a long line of Italian winners.
Moia finished a jubilant second in 1:05:47, with the charging Simonetti (1:07:14) completing the podium, as three Italian athletes took the clean sweep. English athlete Ed Corden finished a strong 4th, with open division runner Max Walker completing the top 5. Italy’s perfect score meant an obvious win in men’s team prize.
In the women’s race Emily McNicol was producing a super performance, making the technical slopes of Yr Wyddfa look easy, and entering the finish straight knowing that she had the win in the bag, crossing the line to take the women’s title in a very swift 1:16:56.
Hannah Russell kept McNicol in her sights for as long as she possibly could, racing to a brilliant second-place in 1:17:38.
Italy’s Giovanetti produced another Italian descending master-class, to move from 6th to third (1:18:18) with the fastest female descent time of the day in 26:05. The super-consistent Pannone finished an excellent fourth and Wales’ Eden O’Dea improved greatly on her 2025 performance to finish 5th. As with the men, Italy’s women were triumphant in the team race taking 3rd, 6th and 7th.
Results
Men’s Top 3
1. Massimiliano Berti (Italy) 1:04:13
2. Tiziano Moia (Italy) 1:05:47
3. Giulio Simonetti (Italy) 1:07:14
Team: Italy
Women’s Top 3
1. Emily McNicol (Scotland) 1:16:56
- Hannah Russelli (England) 1:17:38
- Luna Giovanetti (Italy) 1:18:18
Team: Italy
