Runners ‘Race the Train’ in this unique event.
When: 18th August 2018
Where: Tywyn, Mid Wales
£: Entry fees for the races cost from £14 to £32. The Toddlers’ Trot costs £5 to enter. Train spectator tickets are also available.
What is it?
On Saturday 18th August, the 35th 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 get the chance to travel on the steam train and shout encouragement to the challengers from the comfort of the carriages. Although capacity for travelling on the race train is quite limited, there is a second train that runs soon after, which spectators can take to cheer on the slower runners.
Over the years the race has attracted many runners from as far away as New Zealand, Australia, America, Hong Kong and Africa.
This year there will be four different races taking place, beginning with the 10K Quarry Challenge, the 3.5 mile Tynllwynhen Challenge and the 5.5 mile Dolgoch Challenge at 11.15am. In the afternoon the 14 mile Rotary Challenge will take place. There will even be a Toddlers Trot for the youngsters.
There will be a cash prize for men and women who manage to beat the course record. This year the event will be raising money for Odyssey.
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‘.
More info: www.racethetrain.com