Events in Betws-y-Coed and the surrounding areas…

Hand Spinning Demonstration and Rag Rug making. All year round: various dates at Trefriw Woollen Mill. Please see website for further details.

Not many 5km runs can boast a record breaking section! With a 37.45% maximum gradient Ffordd Pen LLech in Harlech shot to fame when it 'stole' the title of 'World's Steepest Street' from Baldwin Street in New Zealand. There are ten criteria a street must meet to be in contention with being named the steepest, including having to be a public thoroughfare and being fully surfaced, as well having buildings alongside the road. The awarding of the Guiness World Record to Ffordd Pen Llech and the response from the previous holders in New Zealand has captured imaginations world wide and people have flocked to Harlech to walk, cycle or even roll down the street - you just can't beat a bit of Welsh pride mixed with a sprinkling of the eccentric. With Harlech already on the Always Aim High Events map as the location for our much loved sprint triathlon, people started to ask and we just had to deliver; if you're reading this then you have been invited to take part in the first World's Steepest Road Run! The 5km route starts at the foot of the castle. As you bear round the first corner Ffordd Pen Llech looms in front of you rising over 50 metres along its 322-metre length and disappearing round its first bend like a rollercoaster that leaves you wondering what's to come. This first bend is the steepest part, but there's no rest for the wicked (or slightly crazy) as you continue to the top of the street and over the high street before finally reaching the top of Harlech with views out to the sea. Finally you can let momentum take over as you head back down through the town and past the historic castle to the finish line. Being part of this inaugral event will be something that you will tell people about for many years to come. Held the day before the triathlon we hope to see lots of people getting involved and enjoying a weekend in beautiful, friendly Harlech.

Under the castle's watchful eye, the Harlech Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon is one of the best loved races on the triathlon calendar. Fast and fun this event is both a perfect beginner triathlon or duathlon and a chance for the more competitive to grab a Personal Best. The Sprint Triathlon begins with a 400-metre swim in Harlech swimming pool, followed by a beautiful 21km cycle and an impressive 6km run which finishes with the famous ‘Storm the Castle”. Featuring the same stunning cycle route as the triathlon, but sandwiched between two great run routes, the Harlech duathlon has proven to be a hugely popular race. Harlech is a small town with a big heart and this triathlon represents it perfectly!

We’ve now started planning for TWF 2020, although details of the walks won’t appear on the website until February 2020, with on-line booking opening in mid-March 2020. In the meantime, put the 2020 date in your diary! Trefriw Walking Festival 2020 will run from Friday 15 May – Sunday 17 May

Sunday 17th May 2020 ONE OF THE UK’s TOUGHEST HALF MARATHON 2020 Entry now open (Part of the 3 Castles Medal Series 2020, New bling again for the next series) A scenic but tough Half Marathon set in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park, North Wales. Starting and finishing in the village of Llanrwst which played host to the World Trail Running Championships in 2013. The park is a region of haunting beauty and grandeur, of wild rocky mountains, hidden valleys, cascading rivers, still glacial lakes and deep forests.

The first part of the Adventure Championships, The Slateman Triathlon and Duathlon is the most Iconic Adventure Triathlon and Duathlon in Wales. Starting in Llanberis; the heart of Snowdonia’s industrial history the Triathlon and Duathlon combine stunning scenery with epic challenges. Swim in the fresh water of Llyn Padarn, run on a combination of trail and road through the historic slate quarries and cycle over the mountain passes; all in the shadow of Wales’ highest peak, Snowdon. The sprint distance bike course is entirely on fully closed roads making it a perfect introduction to cycling Snowdonia’s famous mountain passes. To celebrate our 10th Anniversary, 2020 will be the biggest and best Slateman yet. Warmer water temperatures, additional events over the weekend and a party atmosphere set amongst the incredible scenery Always Aim High Events are famous for make this an event not to be missed from any athletes calendar.

Taking place on Saturday the 20th June, 2020, the Salomon Trail Marathon Wales will have full (26 mile / 42km) and half (13mile / 21 km) marathon race routes in the stunning trails and tracks of the world-renowned Coed y Brenin forest in the Snowdonia National Park. This unique marathon is already established as one of Wales’ finest trail marathons taking in fully marked trail single track, forest roads and paths in some of the most stunning forestry and heathland in the UK. The 2020 marathon race will have the traditional 9.00am start time, with the half marathon starting at 10.00am. Race instructions for the 2019 event can be found HERE The 2019 event received rave reviews as ever: “Well I’m still on a high from the wonderful week I had in Wales. I could move there tomorrow I love it. The people, the environment, the adventure, the wonderful community spirit and the pride of the Welsh, everyone contributed their time and energy put on a stupendous event. “It certainly knocked my top place off its pedestal. It’s the best trail run I have done to date. Everything about it. The location, the terrain, the organisation, the atmosphere, the goodie treats, the fun, the list is endless. Thank you so much. As Arnie said “I’ll be back” Gail Tipper

What is Quest Betws Y Coed? Quest BETWS Y COED is a one-day multi adventure sport race and is part of the Quest Adventure Series UK. The race involves running, cycling and kayaking across the spectacular mountains, valleys and lakes of Snowdonia Forest Park. Choose from 3 challenging routes, in one of the most epic location in Wales- Mini 25km, Sport 42km and the Expert 53km. This race gives competitors the chance to run, cycle and kayak some of the most dramatic, breath taking and remote scenery in the world.

Entrance fee: See website for options. (advanced booking required)

Now in its fourth year this 3 day walking challenge is the only event of its kind in the UK! Not for the faint hearted, to take on the full challenge you will need commitment and determination to prepare for and complete this event. Snowdonia Challenge is a test of mental and physical resilience and team work and will take you on a journey of self discovery. It is inspired by multi-day challenges used as military training events in Europe. The first Snowdonia Challenge was held in Betws-y-Coed, North Wales in 2017. The perfect base to explore some of the less visited parts of Snowdonia with some of the best views the national park has to offer. This is not just about challenge and adventure though. Come on your own or come as a team; taking part in the Snowdonia Challenge you will be part of an amazing 3 days where you will make new friends and explore parts of Snowdonia you’ve never been before. Full event – 3 day walking event – 100km over 3 days Or if you’d like to be a part of it but can’t commit to the full 3 days then join us for 1 or 2 days.

Entrance fee: See description and web link. (advanced booking required)

Download further information:

• Snowdonia Challenge (2.56Mb)

Welcome to the Snowdonia Trail Marathon 2020, a stunning Trail Marathon, Ultra Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k, starting and finishing in Wales's outdoor capital, Llanberis. Entering the Snowdonia Trail Marathon 2020 is your ticket to compete in one of the UK's most challenging trail races. The Snowdonia Trail Marathon is a challenge in every sense of the word. Ascending 1,685 metres over 26 miles of iconic and spectacular trails, this epic race will circumnavigate and eventually climb Wales' highest peak - Snowdon. The incredible route explores the trails, gorgeous panoramic views and tough climbs that make Snowdonia National Park such a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Visiting Rhyd Ddu, Beddgelert, Nant Gwynant, Pen y Pass and Snowdon, there surely can't be a more striking trail marathon route in the UK! The Ultra Marathon and Marathon have also been recognised as UTMB qualifying races. The Ultra will earn finishers 3 ITRA points and the Marathon 2 ITRA points. The Ultra encompasses 7000ft of climbing over 60km and visits the beautiful Cwm Tresgl and Cwm Pennant before rejoining the Marathon Route to ascent Snowdon. The half marathon option takes in many of the fantastic routes and trails as the marathon, but ascends Snowdon via the Snowdon Ranger route, rather than the PyG track. The 10k skirts the base of Snowdon before returning past Dolbadarn castle and into Padarn country park and the heart of the Dinorwig slate quarries.

A whole country from top to bottom in just one day. 185 miles with 4500m of ascent of the best countryside Wales has to offer to a cyclist – this iconic sportive ticks all the right boxes. From the picturesque town of Caernarfon to Chepstow, taking in the Llanberis and Gospel Pass this ride is not the easiest on the calendar but will leave you with the biggest smiles. Best not think about it too hard, if you have the experience then sign up to this great day out. “Have to say that was the hardest most enjoyable experience I’ve ever had. So glad I did it! Met some amazing people. The staff from the catering to the support cyclists were brilliant, the food was fantastic and plentiful. Worth every penny.” Marc Bell, 2017 cyclist. “a brilliant event, stunning route and excellent support.” Joelle Summers, 2017 cyclist

History One of Europe’s toughest endurance challenges, the 10-mile race involves running from the edge of Lake Padarn in the village of Llanberis to the highest summit in Wales and England and back down. The first ever race was held on 19 July, 1976 after Ken Jones, a native of Llanberis put forward the idea to the village’s Carnival Committee. Eighty-six runners turned up for the race and it was won by Dave Francis from Bristol who completed the course in 1 hour 12 minutes 05 seconds. “It was pure curiosity that sparked the idea of the Snowdon race,” explains Ken. “As a walker and runner myself I’d always wondered what was the fastest time someone could run up and down Snowdon. So we arranged to hold the race as part of the annual Carnival activities in Llanberis and the event has grown ever since with up to 450 runners taking part this year.” In 1980 Llanberis and the Snowdon Race twinned with the Trofeo Vanoni mountain race held every October in the Italian village of Morbegno at the foot of the Alps. “For nearly a quarter of a century the people of Llanberis have been welcoming the runners from Morbegno to their homes and by now we are very good friends,” he adds. The Snowdon Race was televised for the first time in 1987 on S4C and today it is one of the main events of the national sporting calendar. Runners from more than ten different countries compete every year but it is also a very important event locally which helps put Llanberis on the map and is a boost to tourism and the local economy.

The Snowman is regularly called the toughest multi terrain triathlon and Duathlon in the UK. The second instalment of the Adventure Championships, the Snowman Triathlon and Duathlon are the ultimate challenge and not for the faint hearted. Starting from the scenic grounds of Plas y Brenin; The National Mountain Centre,The Snowman journeys from the waters of Llyn Mymbyr under the watchful eye of Snowdon to the spectacular scenery and hill climbs of Snowdonia’s mountain passes and is completed with a famously tough final stage mountain run to the summit of Moel Siabod before descending back down to Capel Curing. The Snowman encompasses all that is the adventure playground of North Wales offers and is infamous for a reason - just when you think you’re done there is a different challenge you’re not expecting. Exciting, adrenaline fuelled and a truly epic and unforgettable experience completing The Snowman is a tick that every triathlete or Duathlete wants. The Snowman is delivered over two days with four distance options and team and individual categories. The Snowman weekend even features a sprint duathlon, children's aquathlon and open water swim race!

Race the Train takes place alongside as far as practicable the route taken by the Talyllyn Railway on its journey to Abergynolwyn and back. In order to do this all courses use a mixture of public roads, lanes, un-metalled roads, tracks, agricultural land, and rough grazing pastures. The terrain varies all the time and can be very wet & muddy in places, the routes also ascend and descend quite steep terrain and runs on narrow footpaths with little chance of overtaking. Often the Train, or for many runners the track, is just over the fence and in many places if you coincide with the train your family friends, if they are on the train, will be able to shout encouragement to you. A lot of the course is across private land only open for the race so pre & post race inspection of the courses is not possible. All courses are marshalled, well signed, and provided with refreshment / water points along the way. There are members of the Red Cross, Qualified Nursing Staff, & Medical cover over the course. Raynet (Amateur Radio) co-ordinates services should any problems arise. In the afternoon for the main race we normally also have an Ambulance on standby. Remember it is your legal duty to assist any runner with serious problems. You will see that all the races are designated as having approximate distances. This is because we have to alter the course slightly almost every year often in the last few days before the race to accommodate local conditions. These variations are often only slight but invalidate any official measurements of the courses. Usually they tend to balance out and the distance remains virtually the same.

Welcome to the awesome Tour de Môn - the cycle sportive which takes you around the beautiful island of Anglesey. The Tour de Môn will take you to the most stunning and iconic locations on the wonderful island of Anglesey. Boasting possibly the most beautiful coastline in the whole of the UK this is an event that brings people back time and time again, both locals and visitors. Over 1000 riders join us each year and the event has become a calendar highlight for cyclists and local people who support the riders as they pass by with warm Welsh encouragement. Experience some of the most picturesque countryside and coastal roads and pit yourself against the clock on the 'Flying Mile' held at RAF Valley giving you the unique opportunity of cycling uninterrupted on the runway. Unparallelled views of Snowdonia from this location make it a real treat. From clubs, to families and charity riders this is a friendly ride with riders of all ages and abilities coming together to take on the challenge.

The Conwy Honey Fair in North Wales dates back more than 700 years to the reign of King Edward 1st, when local beekeepers were first given the right to sell honey within the walls of the North Wales town, every September 13th, from midnight to midnight, without charge. The right to hold the Fair is in the town’s Royal Charter. Honey was very important even then, and in a roll of expenses of Edward 1st at Rhuddlan Castle in 1281 and 1282, the tenth and eleventh years of his reign, and predating the building of Conwy Castle in 1283 to 1289, is an item: repairing a cart of the King’s, conveying a pipe of honey from Aberconwy, 1s 4d.

New for 2020 the Caernarfon half marathon: more details to follow but please see the Run Wales website for updates.

Welcome to the Conwy Marathon Always Aim High Events are proud to present the Conwy Marathon, a full 26.2mile, 20 mile and 10 mile event starting in the Victorian Coastal Town of Llandudno. Starting on the iconic Victorian promenade the routes takes runners around the awe-inspiring Great Orme and past the Conwy Castle World Heritage Site to the nostalgic Colwyn Bay Promenade. Runners then double back along the stunning beach front to finish back in Llandudno. This is super special and scenic Marathon, full of history and gorgeous views which promises 26 miles of fast running along the Conwy coastline and quiet country roads. The race village in Llandudno which will host the start and finish line, attracts over thousands of spectators, creating a fabulous atmosphere as the runners are cheered out and welcomed back at the end of their adventure.

2020 update coming soon.

Welcome to the Bangor 10k & Half Marathon (Half Marathon part of the 3 Castles Medal Series 2020) This race starts and finishes in the city centre and goes out to the coastline, in to the magnificent Penrhyn Castle Estate then back to and along the Garth Pier over the Menai Straits, taking in views of Anglesey, Snowdonia and the surrounding North Wales coastline, then back to the finish in the city centre. Both races start at 9:30am Cost for the 10k: Affiliated £20 Unaffiliated £22 (YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 15 YRS OLD ON RACE DAY) Cost for the half marathon: Affiliated £30 Unaffiliated £32 (YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 17 YRS OLD ON RACE DAY) Includes a Medal and Tshirt (10k and Half Marathon) Fun Run (Is entry on the day) Route from the clock to Skerries and back, approx 1/2 mile) 9:00am start time. Cost: (£3 Medal for all finishers). Open to all ages but we do ask for children 9 and under to be accompanied by an adult. Number and chip need to be collected on race day, race HQ is next to the start on the High Street, Bangor.

The inaugural Snowdonia Marathon was held in 1982, and was conceived as a dramatic alternative to the numerous city and town races becoming so popular. The demanding and spectacular route, encircling Snowdon, Wales’ and England’s highest peak, has given the event a unique place in the annual marathon calendar ever since. Route and Profile Race start time is 10.30am from just outside Llanberis. The route follows the A4086 and climbs to the top of the Llanberis Pass (Pen y Pass 1.100ft). Dropping down to the Pen Y Cwyryd junction, the race then follows the old road along to the campsite until it joins the A498. This 2km section is farm track, downhill, then the surface returns to the tarmac. There is a short, sharp uphill back up to the main road at the campsite. The route then continues to the Beddgelert (200ft) and then continues along the A4085 to Waunfawr. From here it is a rapid climb to about 1,200ft at Bwlch y Groes (a short length is unmetalled) and then downhill to the finish in Llanberis.

Wales Rally GB is a stage rally motor sport event and, in 2019, is the 12th round of the World Rally Championship. The event takes place over four days of competition and each day is divided into a number of ‘Special Stages’ which are when the drivers race against the clock for the fastest time. For the rest of the event they have to follow a pre-set schedule on normal public roads to get them to the next check point on time. Branded as Wales Rally GB since 2003 when the Welsh Government became the principal funding partner, the rally is based out of a central Rally Village with competitive stages throughout north and mid Wales. Wales Rally GB is organised and promoted by Motorsport UK.

Betws-y-Coed Trail Challenge was established in 2013 by not-for-profit community group Betws Ymlaen. Our aim is to stage an event that is challenging and enjoyable for the competitors and that showcases the stunning lakes and forests around Betws-y-Coed - the Gateway to Snowdonia. During the day we will also have a number of attractions for families and spectators around the village while the race takes place, including a junior fun run. For 2019 we are adding in a new challenge: a half marathon taking in double to ascent but also a second chance to take in the views.