Race the Train: Tywyn

No equipment needed – just you, your trail running trainers and a hunger to beat the historic Talyllyn Railway steam hauled train. The Tywyn Rotary Club was the first to hold an annual Race the Train event each August, alongside the train on its journey to Abergynolwyn and back. The terrain for runners varies throughout the course, and includes a mixture of public roads, lanes, mountainside tracks, agricultural land and rough grazing pastures; so prepare to get wet and muddy. There are several races to chose from, from the Toddler's Trot, 5k, 10k and the big one - the 14 mile Rotary Challenge race. 

Ask your family and friends to jump on the train - the course is so close to the railway line they will be able to shout out encouragement from the window (or anything else!). 

The Talyllyn Railway was the first railway to be rescued by a preservation society and is now one of the Great Little Trains of Wales - perfect for a family day out after the event if you want to show off your achievements.

Steam train vs paddleboard race: Bala 

Another Race the Train event takes place in Bala. Combining two ways to drink in the incredible scenery of Eryri National Park, this four-mile race along Llyn Tegid sees the stand up paddleboarders puffing to race the vintage Bala Lake Railway steam train, which runs alongside the lake. 

Paddleboarders are grouped into men, ladies and novices, and set off at three-minute intervals, with the male group setting off at the same time as the train. Llyn Tegid, the largest natural lake in Wales, regularly plays host to other water sports including sailing, kayaking and canoeing. 

If paddle boarding seems too strenuous for a spring day out, visitors can follow the race from the train itself, which departs from Llanuwchllyn.

people on stand up paddle boards with steam train in background.

Race the Train, Bala Lake Railway, North Wales

World Bathtubbing Championships, Bala

The premise for this race is simple: all you need is a bathtub, an open water location and a paddle. Once you’re up and tubbing, the race is open to groups or individuals and is just 100m long, so bring along a rubber duck as your mascot and take your chance to become a World Champion. 

For more details, visit organisers Green Dragon Activities

man paddling a bathtub on water, with rubber duck in foreground.
man paddling a bathtub on water, with rubber duck in foreground.

World Bathtubbing Championships on Llyn Tegid, Bala, North Wales

World SUP Jousting Championship

Experience the fun of a stand up paddleboard (SUP) while jousting at the World SUP Jousting Championship in Bala.

two people jousting on a stand up paddleboard.

World SUP Jousting Championship, Llyn Tegid, Bala, North Wales

Green Events, Llanwrtyd Wells

There's a range of Green Events that take place across the year in Llanwrtyd Wells in Powys, including the World Mountain Bike Chariot Racing Championships and the Real Ale Wobble.

people dressed in Roman outfits on bikes and chariot.
two people on bikes with a handmade chariott and other competitors.in background.
two men wearing muddy cycling gear and holding drinks.

Green Events: World Mountain Bike Chariot Racing Championships and Real Ale Wobble -  Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, Mid Wales

Whole Earth Man vs Horse

Like all the best ideas, this one started over a pint in a pub. Back in 1980, the then landlord of the Neuadd Arms Hotel overheard two customers debating whether men or horses would fare better running over the local mountainous terrain - and the Man vs Horse race was born. 

The race starts from Llanwrtyd Wells town centre and winds its way through the incredible scenery of the Cambrian Mountains, with steep inclines, mud and water crossings making the race even more of a challenge. Not just for men, there are categories for female runners and trophies for horse and rider entrants too. 

It took 25 years for a runner to finally beat all the horses, and it has only been achieved twice in the race’s over 40-year history. As an incentive, there’s an annually increasing cash prize for the next hardy runner who does it.

large group of runners in town centre, with people watching.
horse rider and horse plus group of runners.

Whole Earth Man vs Horse, Llanwrtyd Wells, Mid Wales

Battle of the Bog (Snorkelling)

For a muddy race with a Welsh twist; head to Llanwrtyd Wells in Powys for the World Bogsnorkelling Championships in August. Contestants don a snorkel and flippers and take to the Waen Rhydd bog on the outskirts of the town to swim lengths through a peat bog trench. Fancy dress is encouraged; and peaty participants must get through the race without using traditional swimming strokes.

The event has become so popular Lonely Planet described it as one of the 50 must-do events in the world. The weekend’s festivities also include the Rude Health Bog Triathlon, with an 8 mile run, a 12 mile mountain bike ride and 60 yards of bogsnorkelling.

A person with a snorkel swimming in a bog.
man in frog outfit bog snorkelling.
bogsnorkeller and crowd watching.

Battle of the Bog, World Bog Snorkelling Championships, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys

The Wales Swimrun (Beat the Tide) 

Originating in Sweden in 2002, Swimrun has gathered significant pace in the past few years. In 2014 the event was only held in Sweden, now more than 20 nations including Wales fly the Swim Run Flag.

The Wales Swimrun takes place in July, in Pembrokeshire as part of the Long Course Weekend. Starting on the cliff tops above Freshwater East, the race will move east taking in Manorbier, Lydstep, Tenby and end in Amroth Village. In total, competitors will run 26km of the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast Path and swim 7km to complete the race.  

Two competitors running across the beach

The Wales Swimrun, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

The Wales Swim, Tenby

If you’re going to throw yourself in the sea, you may as well make it this sea. The annual Wales Swim takes place in June; when the Pembrokeshire coast is at its sparkling, freshest and finest. 

The race is open to all who feel able and is made up of two events - a 1.2 mile and a 2.4 mile swim starting on North Beach, Tenby. An exhilarating event, with Tenby’s iconic harbour as a colourful backdrop, you won’t be short of places to have a celebratory bite to eat or drink after the race, with a host of cafes, pubs and restaurants right on the shore.

IRONMAN Wales, Tenby 

Regarded as one of the toughest events of its kind, IRONMAN Wales more than makes up for its brutal nature with some of the best scenery in the world to distract its tough participants. Taking in a two-lap swim from North Beach Tenby out into Carmarthen Bay, followed by a bike course through the scenic countryside of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the running leg ends the race through the medieval walled town.

The winner of a host of awards in 2017, including Best Host City Experience and Best Race Venue, IRONMAN Wales is a bucket-list experience for any keen athlete. 

IRONMAN Wales 2022 | Race Movie

The Dragon's Back of Wales

How does a mountain race covering 236 miles (380km) with over 10 miles (16,400m) of ascent sound? The Dragon’s Back of Wales is a tough challenge that takes competitors from North to South Wales in six days. If this ultra race has a lighter version called The Hatchling.

Battle on the Beach

The UK's biggest off-road cycle race, Battle on the Beach, takes place in Pembrey Country Park, Carmarthenshire. Open to all bikes, cyclists race across the beautiful Cefn Sidan beach. There are various categories, including youth (14 - 17) and Supreme Veteran (70+) plus a Battle in the Dark. 

 

 

The sight of hundreds of riders weaving their way down the beach is quite incredible, and fantastic footage from Helium Media.

Posted by Battle on the Beach on Sunday, February 4, 2024

Pendine Sands Hot Rod Races

Pendine Sands Hot Rod Races features two days of non-stop car racing action on the beach. Come along and watch. The event is free to spectators with  no pass required. Pop into the Museum of Land Speed while you're there.

Race the train Fairbourne

Part of the Fairbourne Festival, which takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, take the challenge of the Fairbourne Annual Race the Train run. Fancy dress is welcomed. The 2024 theme is Country and Western.

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