The Trailffest Half Marathon is one of the most scenic you could hope to run, with dramatic changes of scenery and terrain the whole way to the finish line.
With the start up in the mountains at 710 feet elevation and the finish down by the sea, it may sound easy - but don't be fooled! There are some very steep and challenging climbs along the way.
The adventure starts in the rugged slate town of Blaenau Ffestiniog lying at the foot of the Moelwyn mountain range and finishes by the sea in the pretty harbour town of Porthmadog.
The route takes you past the industrial slate quarries in Blaenau Ffestiniog then down through the beautiful vale of Ffestiniog.
You will pass through open countryside into the wooded lower slopes then on into the forestry plantations.
After a short (and by then welcome!) section on a small tarmac road you end your race along the cob embankment with stunning views of the mountain range you have just come from on your right and the sea on your left.
With the start up in the mountains at 710 feet elevation and the finish down by the sea, it may sound easy - but don't be fooled! There are some very steep and challenging climbs along the way.
The adventure starts in the rugged slate town of Blaenau Ffestiniog lying at the foot of the Moelwyn mountain range and finishes by the sea in the pretty harbour town of Porthmadog.
The route takes you past the industrial slate quarries in Blaenau Ffestiniog then down through the beautiful vale of Ffestiniog.
You will pass through open countryside into the wooded lower slopes then on into the forestry plantations.
After a short (and by then welcome!) section on a small tarmac road you end your race along the cob embankment with stunning views of the mountain range you have just come from on your right and the sea on your left.
An Event Train will be provided to take the competitors from the event centre at Porthmadog to the start of the race in Tanygrisiau, the cost of which is included in the entry fee.
The train journey up to Tanygrisiau takes approx 1 hour, 10 minutes.
If numbers dictate, The Ffestiniog railway will provide another train so friends and family of competitors can go up to watch the race start and then follow the race as it progresses along the course.
Tickets for the Friends and Family Train are available at a third of the usual price and can be purchased by phoning the ticket office on 01766 516024 and quoting code TRUN1. Each runner may have up to three tickets at the special 'race' rate.
On arrival in Tanygrisiau spectators will need to disembark the Friends and Family Train and embark the Event Train to follow the race on the return journey.
The event train will stop at the race feed station in Tan-y-Bwlch and there are ample opportunities to see the runners as the race route follows the train journey for large sections.
The event feed stations are -
Tan y Bwlch - approx 4 miles
Rhiw Goch Farm - approx 8 miles
Minffordd - approx 11 miles
There will be water, electrolyte drink, bananas, energy bars, flapjacks and brownies at both Tan-y Bwlch and Rhiw Goch feed stations and Minffordd station will be an extra water station if the weather is particularly warm on the day.
Porthmadog town website
Blaenau Ffestiniog town website
The train journey up to Tanygrisiau takes approx 1 hour, 10 minutes.
If numbers dictate, The Ffestiniog railway will provide another train so friends and family of competitors can go up to watch the race start and then follow the race as it progresses along the course.
Tickets for the Friends and Family Train are available at a third of the usual price and can be purchased by phoning the ticket office on 01766 516024 and quoting code TRUN1. Each runner may have up to three tickets at the special 'race' rate.
On arrival in Tanygrisiau spectators will need to disembark the Friends and Family Train and embark the Event Train to follow the race on the return journey.
The event train will stop at the race feed station in Tan-y-Bwlch and there are ample opportunities to see the runners as the race route follows the train journey for large sections.
The event feed stations are -
Tan y Bwlch - approx 4 miles
Rhiw Goch Farm - approx 8 miles
Minffordd - approx 11 miles
There will be water, electrolyte drink, bananas, energy bars, flapjacks and brownies at both Tan-y Bwlch and Rhiw Goch feed stations and Minffordd station will be an extra water station if the weather is particularly warm on the day.
Porthmadog town website
Blaenau Ffestiniog town website
Porthmadog town map
SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER
17:00 Registration opens
20:00 Registration closes
SUNDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER
08:00 Registration opens
10:40 Registration closes
10:45 Event train leaves Porthmadog
12:05 Event train arrives Tanygrisiau
12:45 Event Train leaves Tanygrisiau
12:50 Race starts
14:00 First runners at finish in Porthmadog (approx)
16:00 Prize giving
Registration and prize-giving will take place at the Ffestiniog Railway Station, Porthmadog
17:00 Registration opens
20:00 Registration closes
SUNDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER
08:00 Registration opens
10:40 Registration closes
10:45 Event train leaves Porthmadog
12:05 Event train arrives Tanygrisiau
12:45 Event Train leaves Tanygrisiau
12:50 Race starts
14:00 First runners at finish in Porthmadog (approx)
16:00 Prize giving
Registration and prize-giving will take place at the Ffestiniog Railway Station, Porthmadog
Prizes will be awarded as follows:
Open Male - 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Open Female - 1st, 2nd, 3rd
1st M 40 / 1st F 40
1st M 50 / 1st F 50
1st M 60 / 1st F 60
SPOT PRIZES
Spot prizes will be awarded on a race number raffle system at the prize giving ceremony. Put your race number in the box for your chance to win:
Open Male - 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Open Female - 1st, 2nd, 3rd
1st M 40 / 1st F 40
1st M 50 / 1st F 50
1st M 60 / 1st F 60
SPOT PRIZES
Spot prizes will be awarded on a race number raffle system at the prize giving ceremony. Put your race number in the box for your chance to win:
- A Family ticket for the Welsh Highland Railway trip Porthmadog > Caernarfon > Porthmadog
- Uplift day for two, with meal at Antur 'Stiniog
- Outdoor wear from DexShell
- Cases of beer from Mws Piws
- Outdoor technical trousers from Troll
Entry fee includes train fare, race T-shirt and a goody bag:
AFFILIATED £30
NON-AFFILIATED £32
AFFILIATED £30
NON-AFFILIATED £32
Post event sports therapy by Bodywyrcs will be available at the race finish located by the trade stalls in the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways car park. Fifteen minute sessions will be available to runners for a suggested £5 donation each and are ideal for calming post-race muscle aches and pains, improving circulation and relaxing aching limbs. First come, first served...
