Race the Train
16th August 2008

Tywyn on the West coast of Wales is the base for the 25th Race the Train. 14 miles of slippery grass, mud, hills, fords, rough tracks, and even a bit of tarmac to take you out of town. The race starts with a blast of the train whistle, and then follows the valley up against strong winds to the turning point at 7 miles. That was the easy bit, as the next four miles in driving rain follows a very slippery single-track traverse, almost impossible to overtake, and anyone with road shoes still upright will not be for long! We get fleeting glimpses of the steam train complete with cheering passengers. The train stops en route, and has to turn, and so the quick and sure footed are in with a chance. This year the train returned to Tywyn in 1 hour 48 minutes and being my third attempt I was delighted to come in 4 minutes early to beat the train.

Extremely well organised, chip timing, regular drink stations, great goody bags. An extremely popular event, with 5 different categories: the Toddlers Trot, the 3.5 mile Tynllwynhen Challenge, 5.5 mile Dolgoch Challenge, 10k Quarry Challenge, and finally the 14 mile Rotary Challenge. All except the Toddlers will Race the Train, from various stations on route. They attract around 2,000 runners in all, get you entries in for next year, enjoy the fun and the well-earned famous honey ice cream at the end.

Tywyn (Gwynedd) is ideally located in mid Wales within easy reach of the southern Snowdonia National Park, not far from Dolgellau and Machynlleth, for great road and mountain biking, hiking up Cadair Idris, visiting the Alternative Technology Centre or visiting the many excellent tea shops.

Dave Holt

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