JONES BACK FOR SEVENTH TILT AT TITLE
After
a hiatus of some years without a true international flavour, continental teams
and global individuals will be present for the 39th Tyn Lon Volvo International Snowdon Race /
Ras-yr-Wyddfa on the 19th of July.
Anticipation
of the 2014 event is as high as ever with 600 runners, including six-time
winner Andi Jones, getting ready for what promises to be one for the
best ever races in less than three weeks. Preparations for one of the UK's
premier mountain races are once again in full swing, with a festival
atmosphere guaranteed in Llanberis.
The
race, now it's 39th 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.
The
main race will be preceded once again this year by the Snowdon Super Cup /
Cwpan yr Wyddfa - an invitational, uphill-only, race to the summit of
Snowdon, starting at 11am on race day and featuring the 2013 World
Mountain Running Championships silver medalist Emma Clayton.
Englishman
Andi Jones will be pushing hard to make it number 7 at Snowdon, a record which
surely will never be rivalled, in one of his last races before he relocates with his
family to Qatar. Looking to take on Jones will be athletes from
Spain, Malta, New Zealand, Italy, Japan and multiple World Championship
representative from the USA, Ben Nephew. On the start line for Wales will
be local men Alun Vaughan and Mathew Roberts, both aiming
to challenge for top honours, with Vaughan in particularly good form
recently.
In
the women's race 2012 winner Tessa Hill returns after a triumphant win two
years ago, and will take on Sarah McCormack amongst others.
Once
again teams from the home nations will also toe the line with top males and
female athletes from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales in the
international race.
Evidence
of the general popularity has once again been visible as the 600 places
available online went on sale on the 1st of March. Within 7 days all
but a few had gone and Race Organiser Stephen Edwards was able to
close entries by the 10th of March.
"As ever, we have been inundated with entries, and
even since the closing date I have had numerous requests
for entries for the race, even though the event is full. Little could
the organisers of that inaugural race in 1976 have realised what
this event would become some 39 years later. Snowdon is now recognised as
the UK's busiest mountain and that is part of the attraction for
those runners who get that 'Tour de France feeling' as
they ascend the crowds of people cheering on the slopes
come race day.
"I am particularly delighted that we have been able to
attract some more countries to bring their athletes over for the race
this year. With runners from the US, Japan, Italy, France, Malta and Spain as
well as there usual strong home countries and Irish teams
it should be a real international affair this year, this along with the
Super Cup once again in the morning means that we will create a mountain
running festival with something going on from 11am through until late
afternoon."
The
Super Cup race will once again include some of the UK's top
mountain running talent, as GB internationals Emma Clayton and 2013
Super Cup winner Olivia Walwyn go head-to-head in the women's event. In the
men's race GB international Rob Samuel will look to go a few places better
after his 5th place finish in 2013, as he takes on the likes of top English
talent Tom Adams, Adam Osborne and Japan's Yurijo Iida.
For
further race information visit www.snowdonrace.co.uk.
