Cyrsiau Ras – Race Courses
Ras Copaon 1000m Cymru – Welsh 1000m Peaks Race
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The Long and Short Course of the Welsh 1000m Peaks Race offer excellent mountain race experience, over rough and rocky ground, as well as more runnable grassy slopes and pitched stone paths, especially on Yr Wyddfa. The rugged and technical terrain of Eryri sets the race apart from many other ‘Classic A’ fell races in the UK. Hence the race demands significant experience, in similar terrain.
Upholding the ethos of fell running/racing and the Welsh Fell Runners Association (WFRA), the Welsh 1000m Peaks Race does not offer a marked course and there is no fixed route dictated between Checkpoints. In some sections of the race, competitors can choose their own route, within the bounds of public/race access, safety and environmental consideration. In other sections, the most obvious route is very defined and most/all competitors will take the same line.
Competitors should draw on significant mountain experience and navigational skills to determine their most efficient route; reading the landscape around them and/or using a map when needed (and sometimes a compass if the visibility is very poor). A GPS device used for navigational purposes is not permitted at any WFRA registered race.
Read more about WFRA GPS Policy »
There will be ‘Checkpoint’ locations through both courses, most of which have an electronic Race Dibber to ‘DIB’ into (see Kit & Safety) to record competitors visiting required locations, and to provide valuable data for monitoring their progress and timings.
Competitors can opt to purchase an excellent Race Map, produced by Harvey Maps, via online entry or at Race Registration – cost £3. The map will be marked with Checkpoints (and some editions show Out of Bounds areas). Competitors can also use their own maps or may have a Welsh 1000m Peaks Race Map from a previous race. A copy of a Harvey Race Map will be displayed at Race Registration.
Harvey Maps Race Map – 1:40,000 scale
Personal race map – 1:25,000 scale
Y Gribin Ridge – Grade 1 Scramble
Both the Long and Short Course ascend Y Gribin – a rocky spur leading to Glyder Fawr, with some short sections of loose scree, rocky ground and Grade 1 (easiest) ‘scrambling’ near the top of Y Gribin. Competitors will require hands for support and use simple climbing moves and sensible route choices.
The ground is steep and complex in places, but competitors can keep away from, and to the right of, the most exposed sections of ridge. Race Marshals will be visible at the start of the final, steep section of Y Gribin.
Long Course – Five 1000m Peaks – 32.5km / 20 miles - 2870m ascent
Abergwyngregyn - Carnedd Llewelyn – Carnedd Dafydd – Glyder Fawr – Garnedd Ugain – Yr Wyddfa
Checkpoints and Control Points
| Description | Race Control Sign | Grid Ref | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aber - START | ABER | SH 650 730 | Pre-Start DIB |
| Yr Aryg | ARYG | SH 680 673 | DIB |
| Carnedd Llewelyn | LLEWELYN | SH 683 643 | DIB |
| Carnedd Dafydd | DAFYDD | SH 663 630 | DIB |
| Derelict Wall | WALL | SH 675 630 | MARSHAL ONLY |
| MR Base – Bryn Poeth | BRYN POETH | SH 673 607 | DIB 1230 CUT OFF + Water/Sweets |
| Ogwen Road Crossing | OGWEN ROAD | SH 659 602 | MARSHAL ONLY |
| Ogwen - START | SHORT START | SH 651 601 | Pre-Start DIB (Short Race Only) |
| Y Gribin Ridge | GRIBIN | SH 650 585 | MARSHAL ONLY |
| Glyder Fawr | GLYDER FAWR | SH 642 579 | DIB |
| Pen y Pass | PEN Y PASS | SH 647 556 | DIB 1500 CUT OFF + Water/Sweets |
| Garnedd Ugain | UGAIN | SH 610 551 | DIB |
| Y Wyddfa Summit - FINISH | WYDDFA | SH 609 543 | DIB |
CUT OFFS – 1230 and 1500
To maintain the progress and safety of competitors and Race Marshals, there will be two Cut Off times at Bryn Poeth Water Point at 1230 and Pen y Pass at 1500; these Cut Offs will be strictly adhered to. Any competitors arriving after Cut Off times will be retired from their race and required to hand in their Race Number and Race Wristband. Race transport will be available from Ogwen – Pen y Pass and Public Buses depart Pen y Pass for Llanberis every 15 minutes (15 min journey – hence requirement for cash/card in Minimum Race Kit). Race Marshals will be able to advise further.
Short Course – Three 1000m Peaks – 13 km / 8 miles - 1550m ascent
Ogwen Valley – Glyder Fawr – Garnedd Ugain – Yr Wyddfa
Checkpoints and Control Points
| Description | Race Control Sign | Grid Ref | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogwen - START | OGWEN | SH 651 601 | DIB (Short Race Only) |
| Y Gribin Ridge | GRIBIN | SH 650 585 | MARSHAL ONLY |
| Glyder Fawr | GLYDER FAWR | SH 642 579 | DIB |
| Pen y Pass | PEN Y PASS | SH 647 556 | DIB + Water/Sweets 1500 CUT OFF |
| Garnedd Ugain | UGAIN | SH 610 551 | DIB |
| Y Wyddfa Summit - FINISH | WYDDFA | SH 609 543 | DIB |
Pen y Pass CUT OFF – 1500
To maintain the progress and safety of competitors and Race Marshals, there will be a Cut Off at Pen y Pass at 1500; this will be strictly adhered to. Any competitor arriving at Pen y Pass after 1500 will be retired from their race, and required to hand in their Race Number and Race Wristband. Public Buses depart Pen y Pass for Llanberis every 15 minutes (15 min journey – hence requirement for cash/card in Minimum Race Kit) and Race Marshals will be able to advise further.
Yr Wyddfa Summit
The race finishes on the summit of Yr Wyddfa. Race Wristbands are handed in at this point and tracking/timing of that competitor ceases. Please note that Yr Wyddfa Visitor Centre Café is not always open, so can’t be relied upon as a resource. Competitors must have sufficient energy/water and the ‘Minimum Race Kit’ extra clothing available at the summit, and for the descent from Yr Wyddfa. There should be no reliance on Race Marshals being able to provide food/drink/shelter by default.
Provision is made for unforeseen circumstances only, and this is limited. Competitors are not able to purchase ‘single descent’ tickets from Snowdon Mountain Railway; please plan to descend on foot.
Bad Weather – Long and Short Course Options
At the Race Organiser’s discretion, a Bad Weather Course may be implemented for the Long and/or Short course and this decision will be shared (at the very latest) at Race Registration. In this instance, Bad Weather Course information and routes would be made available prior to the race (if possible) and at Race Registration, so information can be marked on Race Maps.
Decisions regarding Bad Weather Courses seek to prioritise the safety and well-being of all Race Marshals and competitors, especially over high ground for long periods of time. Some severe ‘summer’ weather circumstances (including very extreme heat or threat of lightning) may affect Bad Weather Course implementation.