Snowdonia Coast to Coast
Snowdonia Coast to Coast
James Barker (Endurancelife) / 15.10.2007
The Snowdonia C2C was set to be the first three day, multi-sport, mixed terrain event of its type to take place in the largest national park in Wales. Intent on taking participants on a meandering journey across this wild and rugged landscape, the route was to take in some of the most impressive and demanding sections of this spectacular park. Starting in the north at Conwy and finishing in the southwest at Aberdyfi (Aberdovey), the route would include an ascent of Snowdon (highest peak in Wales), some lung bursting sections of mountain biking, some breath taking trail running, and some long testing kayak sections.
The journey, to be broken up by two overnight camps and a series of transition points en route, was open to solo or team (of two) entries. Designed to be a tough challenge, participants needed to be physically well prepared, mentally committed, and have a positive attitude in order to get the most out of the event. With unforgiving terrain, unpredictable weather, significant vertical gain, and all spread out over 130 miles, this was certainly not billed as a ‘stroll in the park’.
The tone of the challenge was set from the word go with a 06:00 start on Friday morning in wet and blustery conditions. As the nervous excitement mounted, lifejackets and head torches were donned, everyone made to the water in kayaks. From the mouth of the Conwy estuary they began their odyssey across Snowdonia.
The fleet, individually lit up by glow sticks, set off paddling against a gently ebbing tide, working its way upstream. After 6 miles, the competitors arrived at transition 1 and jumped onto their mountain bikes where an easy ride lead to the Betws-Y-Coed forest for the start of the Marin trail. Some tough riding on this awesome trail spat them out on the road to Capel Curig, and on towards Pen-Y-Pass.
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