01/06/2026
⭐️Diwrnod Rasio! ⛰🏴Race Day!⭐️
Diolch yn fawr 🙏A huge thank you to all runners, Race Marshals, Welsh Fell Runners Association, Eryri Harriers and so many local businesses and suppliers who played a part in making the 55th Ras Copaon 1000m Cymru - Welsh 1000m Peaks Race come alive! We love the energy that is created when all the Planning + People = Race Day! Such a force...
After a very hot few days in the week before the race, there was nearly talk of an Adverse Weather route being deployed for race day, but the temperatures dipped just enough for fairly comfortable conditions for all involved. Great for Race Marshals, and 'just about ok' for runners, although good management was still needed to keep hydrated and cool, especially when ascending out of the warmer valleys. For the LONG Course, it seemed Y Gribin was providing an excellent 'crux' point in the race, for this reason 🔥
A Welsh Fell Runners Association race will not happen without a dedicated and passionate team of volunteer Race Marshals, and we had 45 out about about through the course/on the ground. Absolute stars they all are, including our Saba, Twig and Diego ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We were very proud to play host to the WFRA North Wales Series this year, and the SHORT Course attracted increased numbers and great competition - da iawn! 👏 This course provides a great technical challenge, with a modest distance to cover...but all the punch and power of the most technical terrain - love it! ⛰️👊
And finally, to the 149 starters - across the LONG and SHORT courses, either running Solo or in a Pair, across categories. Strong running from Sam Gunning/Cybi Striders who finished his LONG Course in 4:17:33 and celebrated 1st place - with some excellent competition and differences in splits with Pete Vale, Graig Lowe and Matthew Fortes along the way. Heather Tait/Helm Hill Runners led the women's race in the LONG Course from the first Checkpoint, and gained a lead of 30 mins to take her 1st place. The race was on for 2nd and 3rd place for Mel Price and Andrea Rowlands, respectively.
An equally competitive SHORT Course saw changes in the lead a few times, with Rhys Jones/Rhedwyr Hebog climbing to Yr Wyddfa to 1st place in 1:42:30, ahead of Chris McLean/Meirionnydd and Harry Kneen/Dark Peak. The women's race saw current Course Record holder Jackie Lee/Eryri Harriers working her way through to 1st place in 2:08:18, with Suzie Richards/Eryri Harriers and Jessica Evans/GOG Triathlon providing excellent competition - da iawn bawb! 🏆
Thanks to runners who took on board our request to collect a few 'dropped items' from Yr Wyddfa on their descent - with Craig Jones/Eryri Harriers bringing home an eclectic collection of randomness, for a Spot Prize. And heartfelt thanks to Mabli and Efa Baines/Eryri Harriers (winners of the SHORT Course PAIRS) who stopped to help a fellow club runner to the summit.
Young runners with big hearts and a love for the ethics of fell running 💚❤️🏴⛰️
We have a couple of prizes that runners weren't able to collect and some lost property. We'll be in touch via email 💻
Diolch yn fawr iawn for logistical support this year:
Eryri Harriers
Welsh Fell Runners Association
Fabian4 Online Entry Service
Open Tracking
RAW Adventures
Crib Goch Outdoor
Midland Association of Mountaineers - Glan Dena Hut
Marathon Eryri
National Trust
Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri - Eryri National Park
Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation
Padarn Hotel
Snowdon Mountain Railway / Rheilffordd yr Wyddfa
YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
Bws Peris
SportpicturesCymru
Prizes kindly donated/supplied by: Crib Goch Outdoor, Coffi Dre, Poblado Coffee, Halen Mon, Ceirios Coffee, Tesco Bangor, Pair Ups, Nick Livesey Mountain Images
You can view SportpicturesCymru runner photos here 📷
https://www.sportpictures.cymru/Galleries/Galeri-2026/Welsh-1000m-Race-2026
Full Race Report and Race Results will be emailed to runners and watch this space for a few more post-race updates.
Kate Worthington - Race Organiser
And a random collection of Race Day photos! 📷
