Snowdonia Slate Trail Ultra relaunches for 2024

Press Release / 18.12.2023

There’s a famous Welsh proverb: Dyfal donc y dyr y garreg – or ‘Tapping persistently breaks the stone’. With 46 weeks to go until the revamped Slate Trail Ultra™ and inaugural Ultra Tour of the Quarries (UTQ): start tapping that stone now and read on to get excited for what awaits at next year’s event, set to take place over the weekend of 18-20th October.

We’re thrilled to announce that the Slate Trail Ultra is set to return next Autumn and become a permanent fixture in the UK ultrarunning calendar. Thoroughly unique in character, it’s set to be something special – you don’t want to miss out on experiencing this event!

Race Director Michael Jones explains:

“In late 2020 I was delighted to take over ownership of this event from good friend Jonny at Up Hill Down Dale, who hosted it in January 2019 and 2020 previously. However, full-time work for UTMB, developing UTS took hold from late 2021, rendering a re-run of the event in recent years somewhat unrealistic. 

Recently free of those commitments and having radically overhauled the concept and vision I have for this event, I’m now fully focused on developing it over the coming years, with a view to joining the exciting new World Trail Majors circuit and continuing to highlight Eryri’s potential as a world-class trail, ultra and skyrunning destination through our superlative events.”

We’re not the only ones who are excited by the much-anticipated return of this event. Snowdonia Slate Trail founder and keen hill walker Aled Owen echoes our sentiments:

“The Snowdonia Slate Trail Trust is excited for the return of the Slate Trail Ultra. Founded in 2017, we believe that this trail offers a truly amazing snapshot of all that is wonderful in Snowdonia — from rushing waterfalls and towering mountain views, to desolate moorlands and abandoned villages. The challenging terrain along the route also offers an insight into the culture and history of slate quarrying in North Wales. We look forward to following the race next October!”

Indeed, in 2021 the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription. It’s not often you get to say you ran a race in a World Heritage Site! 

Continuing in the theme of host territory authenticity with our events, we can’t wait to share details of our unique and highly desirable finisher’s gift that we’re developing in collaboration with the Llanberis-based National Slate Museum (which also hosts the first aid station for both races). Hard-earnt, this will be sure to take pride of place in any trail runner’s home — watch this space!