Race the Train (Welsh: Râs y Tren) is an annual cross country running event that takes place in Tywyn, Mid Wales. The race is organised by Tywyn Rotary Club, and attracts runners from all over the world.[1] In the main event, runners compete to beat a steam train on the preserved Talyllyn Railway over a distance of 14 miles (23 km). The event has featured both in local and national media, including the BBC's Countryfile programme.[2]
| Race the Train | |
|---|---|
 Front runners racing the train in 2008 | |
| Location | Tywyn, Wales |
| Event type | cross-country |
| Distance | 14 miles (23 km) |
| Course records | 1 hour 18 minutes |
| Official site | Race the Train |
History
edit
The event was the idea of local dentist, Godfrey Worsey, and was first run in 1984 with around 48 runners.[2] The following year, this had increased to 250 runners. In 2008, there were 822 runners in the main race; the winner completing the course in just over 1 hour 18 minutes,[3] a course record.[4]
Route
edit
The full race of 14 miles (23 km) is from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and back. The course is mostly over public footpaths and local privately owned farmland, with the permission of the landowners, though the first and last sections are on public roads.[2] Although only the elite runners stay ahead of the train for the full distance, the train stops in various locations to take on water, pass other trains or to run round at Abergynolwyn, allowing other runners to overtake.[2]
Additionally, there are shorter races in the morning, as follows:
- Quarry Challenge - 6.2 miles (10.0 km) from Quarry Siding Halt to Tywyn.[5]
- Dolgoch Challenge - 5.5 miles (8.9 km) from Dolgoch to Tywyn.[6]
- Tynllwynhen Challenge - 3.5 miles (5.6 km) from Tynllwynhen Halt to Tywyn.[6]
- Toddlers trot for children round the perimeter of the race field.[7]
Event under threat
editIn March 2009, it was announced that the August race could be the last, unless more volunteers could be found to help organise the event.[8] Due to a strong response from the local community, these fears have been allayed and it was announced in the 2009 Race Programme, that the event's future was secured for a number of years.
References
edit- ^ "article in Kane County Chronicle, Illinois". Retrieved 16 August 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Countryfile article (video)". Retrieved 12 August 2008.
- ^ "2008 results". Retrieved 16 August 2008.
- ^ The time beat the previous record, set in 2005: "Race the Train". BBC News Online. 16 July 2007. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
- ^ "Quarry challenge". Retrieved 12 August 2008.
- ^ a b "Dolgoch and Tynllwynhen Challenge". Retrieved 12 August 2008.
- ^ "Toddlers Trot". Retrieved 12 August 2008.
- ^ "Race against train under threat". BBC News Online. 9 March 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2009.