Rat Race Sea to Summit Yr Wyddfa – A Battle Against the Elements

In October, I took on my second ultra marathon, the Rat Race Sea to Summit Yr Wyddfa. It’s a gruelling 33-mile course with over 6,500 feet of elevation, starting from sea level and ending at the summit of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa). Having completed my first ultra, the Testy Ultra (38 miles), in April, I thought I had a decent idea of what to expect. But this race? This was something else entirely.

The Start – A Cold and Delayed Beginning

We started in pitch darkness in north Wales, beginning the race at Fort Belan. Unfortunately, the start was delayed by about 30 minutes as cars struggled to get in and out of the car park. Not ideal when you’ve already mentally prepped yourself for a tough day ahead.

Once we got going, the first few miles felt fairly comfortable, flat and rolling through the Welsh countryside. It was a nice warm-up before the real challenge began. The first aid station came around mile 11, but by then, the course had started to climb, and I was already feeling the burn. I’d forgotten my poles, which made the first ascent much harder than I’d anticipated, and the lack of support for my legs on those steep hills was brutal. After that climb, the course flattened out a bit, and I got to enjoy some ridge running—though my mind was already focused on the challenges still to come.

Rough Going

After passing the finish camp, we descended towards Rhyd Ddu car park and eventually after a long and winding path hit Beddgelert. The course in this section was relatively flat and led us through a beautiful forest, but by this point, I was really starting to struggle. My legs felt heavy and drained, and it became clear I’d burned through a lot of my energy reserves earlier than expected. It’s that moment in an ultra where doubt creeps in, and you start questioning whether you’ve got enough in the tank for what’s ahead.

The Climb – Battling the Elements on Snowdon

By the time we reached the base of Snowdon, I’d already run the equivalent of a marathon, and now the real test began. The climb up the mountain was a punishing mix of relentless uphill, wind, and horizontal hail. We started on the Watkin path, then switched to the mountain's south side, where the winds hit 40mph. It was a brutal combination of exhaustion, harsh weather, and never-ending rock scrambles. Every step felt like a battle against the elements, and there were moments when I felt utterly defeated. I was demoralised as I dragged myself upwards, my body aching and my mind racing with doubts.

‘Smile for the camera’ isn’t so easy nealry 30 miles in

Bumping into the occasional race marshal or photographer offered a tiny bit of relief, but overall, the climb was a slow and grinding. I can honestly say it was one of the hardest physical and mental challenges I’ve faced in a race so far.

The Summit and Descent – Relief in Sight

Reaching the summit of Snowdon was a huge relief, but there was little time to celebrate. The descent down the Ranger Path was no walk in the park, either. The rocky terrain combined with my tired legs made every step feel precarious, and the howling wind still made things difficult. By this point, though, the end was in sight, and that gave me the boost I needed to push through.

The final stretch was tough, but as we descended towards the finish line, the exhaustion started to melt away, replaced by a deep sense of pride. Crossing the finish line was incredible—being greeted by fellow Rat Racers and knowing I’d completed such a tough event felt epic.

Final Thoughts – A Race to Remember

The Rat Race Sea to Summit Yr Wyddfa was an incredible challenge, both physically and mentally. The organisation overall was great, though I wish there had been more food at the finish, and the car parking situation could have been handled better. But in the grand scheme of things, I can’t complain too much—it was an unforgettable experience. Completing this race left me feeling proud and accomplished, and it’s definitely one I’ll look back on with a smile, even if it did try to break me.