Snowdon Super Cup – Uphill Mountain Race

Llanberis, Wales – With the popularity of the Tyn Lon Volvo International Snowdon Race / Ras-yr-Wyddfa growing year on year, the fantastic programme of racing has been bolstered with the announcement of an exciting new uphill only race to the summit of this famous mountain, some 1085m above sea level.

The race, now it’s 41st year, is considered as one of the greatest in the world of mountain running, and attracts some of the best racers in Europe. However, the event has grown over the last four decades to be one on the bucket-list of mere mortals across the world, as just completing the 10-mile race from Llanberis to the summit of Snowdon and back is something thousands aspire to, but only hundreds achieve, year-on-year.

Race co-ordinator Matt Ward states:

“This is something we (the Snowdon Race committee) have been talking about for a couple of years now. It was always about fitting it into the day and not detracting from the main event, which remains the International Snowdon Race. We actually feel that the uphill race will compliment the up and down race, as it will attract a different kind of runner, those who perhaps wouldn’t ordinarily do the full race with it’s challenging descent.

“We will be starting the race at 11.00 am and it will be a ‘demonstration’ race in 2013, to ensure that the concept works from a logistical point of view. Also high-quality uphill only races are not as prevalent in the UK as they are in Europe, so we feel that the runners will welcome this announcement of a new race, as we aim to create an event that will have the appeal of the big European races over the coming years.

“The addition of the Super Cup race will ensure that already attractive day of events in Llanberis is extended still further and will aim to attract some of the UK’s top mountain runners, as well as European opposition in the future, and will only add to the reputation across the world of mountain running that the International Snowdon Race already holds”.

2016 will see that event as an invitation only race, and applications are invited from runners who meet the following criteria:

1. Have run the Snowdon Race in under 1:16 men, under 1:30 women
2. Have represented their country in a mountain / fell or road race in the last 5 years

From here 50 athletes will be selected to take part in the Snowdon Super Cup/ Cwpan yr Wyddfa on the morning of the 16th of July, starting at 10.30am. Applications of interest for the race should be sent to Matt Ward at matt@runcomm.co.uk, closing date 25th June, 2016. From here final selections will be made and runners will be informed of their place by 28th June, 2016.

Matt Ward
“We are really excited about this concept and what it will add to the day. Of course the event will sit under the Snowdon Race umbrella, as part of the day, and we hope in years to come will be a very attractive event for the area and for mountain running in the UK. In 2013 we will have backing from the Snowdonia National Park Authority with cash prizes and bespoke Super Cup trophies for the men’s and women’s winners.”

More details to follow and summit route and timetable.

Snowdon Super Cup / Cwpan yr Wyddfa 2014 – Press release – Inaugural uphill mountain race added to International Snowdon Race programme