Another great event for the Skyrunning series took place in Wales in late June. Skyrun Eryri formed part of the Skyrunning UK & Ireland series, hosting the second round after the opener at the Rab Scafell Sky Race in the Lake District. The Skyrun Eryri had three different distances to offer and was also hosting national championships which drew nearly 500 runners wanting to test themselves on challenging Welsh terrain.
Photo credit: Evan Davies
The morning drizzle provided a refreshing start to the day, although didn’t keep away the pesky midges. The weather kept improving through the day, making for ideal racing conditions and allowing use of the full course, unlike last year’s race. This year all participants got the opportunity to summit Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, a bucket list summit for many.
Photo credit: Evan Davies
The race village located at Bron y Fedw Uchaf Farm, provided a perfect base for the runners to prepare before and unwind after their races. The 14 Peaks Ultra, a new course for the event, proved to be a success having the largest number of participants. The popularity and success of this race prove the growing interest at ultrarunning and skyrunning. The point to point route takes in 14 of the Welsh 3000ft peaks, known as ‘The Welsh 3000s’. This challenging race gave a chance to receive points towards Skyrunning UK & Ireland Series and the SkyUltra sub-series. After hard fought battles the podium finishers were:
Females:
- Laura O Driscoll - 9:28:24
- Tinka Vinks - 9:41:36
- Sarah Sheridan - 10:25:05
Photo credit: Hollie Harmsworth
Males:
- Josh Bakker-Dyos - 7:50:58
- Sam Mayglothling - 8:12:13
- David Searle - 8:18:25
Photo credit: Hollie Harmsworth
The Copper Sky Trail was the first race for young skyrunners collecting points for Skyrunner UK & Ireland Series and the U23 sub-series, showcasing the young skyrunners’ talents and their potential for the future.
Both categories of competitors, but particularly the women, battled for the top positions, with the finish times of the top runners separated by mere minutes. Notably, Kristian Jones dominated the male category, finishing a remarkable 30 minutes ahead of his closest competitor.
Top 3 Females:
- Rhona Pierce - 4:55:07
- Isabelle Whittle - 4:58:13 - U23 winner
- Harriet Ballantyne - 5:01:54
Photo credit: Hollie Harmsworth
Top 3 Males:
- Kristian Jones - 3:03:25
- Enda Cloake - 3:34:41
- Caleb Nonhebel - 3:37:25 - U23 winner
Photo credit: Hollie Harmsworth
The ever-popular Snowdon SkyRace welcomed 145 runners to its challenging course. This year, the race held the status of a SkyMaster event, offering participants the chance to earn extra points for the Skyrunning UK & Ireland Series and the titles of UK National Champions for the first male and female finishers.
Right from the start elite runners set a blistering pace that left no room for hesitation. With top-level competitors vying for victory and the allure of extra points helping to push them forward, it was clear that this race would be a battle of skill, strength, and strategy. The beauty of the Snowdonia National Park provided a breathtaking backdrop to the intense competition. This time it was the men’s podium that would be separated by mere minutes, with Alex Hill coming out on top in the end.
Top 3 Females:
- Victoria Thompson - 6:30:19
- Nicky Spinks - 7:22:39
- Debbie Morgan - 7:31:22
Top 3 Males:
- Alex Hill - 5:51:58
- Ifan Oldfield - 5:58:33
- Craig Lowe - 6:00:12
Congratulations to all the participants, finishers, and the newly crowned National Champions! The support provided by VOOM Nutrition at the aid stations along the courses ensured that the runners remained fueled and hydrated throughout their journey.
Looking ahead, the skyrunning excitement continues as Skyrunning UK returns to the Lake District for the Lake District Trails Event. Runners will have the opportunity to select their preferred distance and compete for the overall points at RAB Helvellyn Sky Ultra, RAB St. Sunday Mountain Race, and RAB Pinnacle Ridge Extreme.
Photo credit: Tanya Raab
With breathtaking landscapes and fierce competition, the skyrunning series promises exhilarating races and memorable experiences for all participants. If you are not sure if you are ready for any of the races mentioned above, both events offer introductory skyrunning races. For example, Skyrun Eryri offers the Fairly Trial and during the Lake District trails is the Place Fell 15km race.
