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We set off after the start horn towards the back of the field of 650 runners.<br />
The first and last mile is on tarmac to and from the start of the rocky tourist<br />
path to the summit. This tarmac road ramps up at a ridiculous angle shortly<br />
after the start and most runners are forced to walking pace before it eases<br />
off to become runnable once on the mountain path. The next 4 miles are a<br />
mix of run/walk depending on the rocky path/gradient. My mile splits for the<br />
ascent varied from 11 minute to 19-minutes per mile. The decent was done<br />
at 6.30 to 7.30, which is quite scary over that terrain.<br />
The race commentary back down in LLanberis is relayed to the summit and so<br />
as I approached the summit I was able to hear that the race leader was<br />
approaching the finish! This was after seeing him and the other leaders flying<br />
past me only 15 minutes previously.<br />
The record for the descent is an incredible 21 minutes for the 5 miles. One<br />
thing that can be a hindrance is the number of walkers on the path who are<br />
oblivious to the runners.<br />
Once at the top I took<br />
the option of touching<br />
the summit cairn, before<br />
starting my descent.<br />
The weather at this point<br />
was a mix of wind and<br />
showers with very poor<br />
visibility and I was<br />
questioning my decision<br />
for just a vest. However<br />
as you descended the<br />
mountain things<br />
improved and if you had<br />
time to look up the views<br />
were spectacular.<br />
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