A report on the Snowdon Hill Race
Just a quick note on our Birchfield representation at the weekend at the 31st Mountain
Snowdon race, conditions as expected were hot, but thankfully cooler as we rose upwards to the
challenge and what a mountain it is. My first visit to the race as was Brian’s. It was Gordon’s
second visit and the old timer of us all, Alan Price, his eleventh.
We all gathered at registration, Alan travelled in by bus from Llandudno, Brian and Nicky
also travelled in from a weekend visit to Llandudno, Gordon stayed locally in a Hotel and we were
camping on the other side of Snowdon at Rhy Duu (I think!).
Alan quick to drop the hint “Tone you ain’t goin’ passed Llandudno are you , only I got
the bus in and it cost me six quid", to which I replied “No Alan mate, sorry”. Worth a try!
Anyway after much deliberation, we were off, hearts in our stomachs, the rise I think was run
able till around 3 to 4 mile and as the summit loomed, it really rose up, what fantastic views.
As we were all still ascending the leader went down passed us, quite a few fallers and hard as nails some of them. I kept thinking of safety first and just as I turned the next bend, it must have been the first lady on her decent and boy she hit the deck. God she was lucky but got up quick with tears and groans and soldiered on.
First passed me, on the way down was, Gordon looking strong and concentrated, then Alan and
of course Brian. The summit beckoned for me and I arrived at the same time as a train load of
tourists who were hell bent to hamper things a little and oblivious to us runners. Progress made and
downwards I travelled , knees throbbing , thighs and back all intact, until about 9 mile and cramps
set in bad but I managed to run through it and then a marvellous sight of the finish at about 600
feet high, heart sighed and head down for the final decent, across the roads, down the high street,
and a roar and cheer from all and of course my fellow members, hands shook and I must admit rather
emotional . Would I do it again? Today is Monday and the answer is of course YES.
Gordon Orme did 1hr 47 mins; 10 mins down on last year but pleased.
Alan Price finished in 2 hrs 02 mins; the same as last year, a year older and was well
pleased.
Brian Worthington crossed the finish line in 2
hrs 15 mins at his first attempt and Brian’s comment was “Got a time to beat now for next
year!”.
Tony Molloy did 2 hrs 19 mins with all of the above comments!
Winner was around 1hr 05, 43 minutes up 22 minutes down. We all then retreated for a well
earned pint. Only the Welsh would dream a race like this, bring on 2007.
After a days reflection on Sunday, spent in Carmarthen Castle and a bit of shopping, I was
asked in one shop by a very knowledgeable shop assistant of elder years ”Oh Birchfield” she said
, “how was it”, she asked, I continued to explain to the lady ,
“Great” she replied and went on to add “My son has done it 16 times, in a best of 1 hour 24 minutes, he’s 50 now but got hit by Parkinson’s disease at the age of 31 and not 2 days are the same now”. “Oh my god I replied, you could see, on one hand she was pleased for us but still sad of her loss of her son.
I thank you Snowdon for a memorable weekend.
Trivial facts
Snowdon is 1069 metres (over 3000 feet) in height and at half way we were over the Eiffel
Tower, 3/4 way over the world’s tallest building and then the Summit, which is the highest in
England and Wales.