Runners ‘Race the Train’ in this unique event.
When: 20th August 2016
Where: Tywyn, Mid Wales
£: Entry fees for the races cost from £12 to £26. Train spectator tickets can also be bought
What is it?
On Saturday 20th August, the 33rd annual Race the Train event will take place in Tywyn, Mid Wales.
This unique event sees competitors run the route (or as near as possible) of the Talyllyn Railway on its journey to Abergynolwyn and back. Participants will run on a mixture of public roads, lanes, tracks, agricultural land and rough grazing pastures to complete the challenge (and beat the train). Often the railway line, and the train itself, is just over the fence from the runners.
The 14 mile long Rotary Challenge.
Supporters travelling on the trains can shout encouragement to the challengers. Spectators should note that capacity for travelling on the race trains is quite limited. There is a second train that runs soon after the race train which spectators can take to cheer on the slower runners.
This year there are several different races taking place, beginning with the 10K Quarry Challenge. There is also the 14 mile long Rotary Challenge, and the shorter Dolgoch and Tynllwynhen Challenges. For the youngest of competitors there is even a Toddlers Trot. The races will begin just after 11am.
Over the years the race has attracted many runners from as far away as New Zealand, Australia, America, Hong Kong and Africa.
During the evening there is a prize giving ceremony with food, drink and entertainment, which goes on until 11pm.
The Talyllyn Railway was the first of the small railways to be rescued by a preservation society and is now one of ‘The Great Little Trains of Wales‘.
This year the event will be raising money for Odyssey.
More info: www.racethetrain.com