Another Successful Ultra-Trail Snowdonia for the Team
For this year’s edition of the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB, we were represented by Keith in the 100k - who claimed another well-earned 3rd place for the third time here and the second year in a row. Charlie, Sam, and Kris all ran the Eryri 22k (shortened by the weather). We were also joined by High Performance Dietitian Rebecca, who completed the 50k!
Keith during the 100k © Poppy Collingwood
What a difference a year makes!
After hot, dry weather for several years in a row, this edition of UTS 100k was marked by rain, mud, and cold wind. Keith ran a very well-paced race from the start, battling the elements as much as the competition.
The new route, changed twice this year before runners reached the start line, included new boggy, wet sections that sapped athletes’ energy reserves and presented some serious challenges for pacing. Keith gained a lot of time with a skillful aid station strategy, however: he would leave every crewed checkpoint with a small bag full of his new nutrition and hydration, without spending any time refilling as he had in previous years.
Moving into third place behind Paul Cornut Chauvinc and Jean-Philippe Tschumi before the last significant climb over Moel Hebog, he struggled with the increasingly cold, windy conditions, but pushed through to increase the gap behind him and finish in 12:53:05.
A slower time than 2025, but one that reflects not only the harsh conditions, but also the changed course, relatively longer at 106 km and 5400 m of climbing.
After the rain and cloud cleared on Sunday morning, the Eryri 25km runners were waiting to get started when they were told that forecasts of thunderstorms had led the organisation to change the route. The new 22 km course avoided the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), moving the race onto the grassier hills nearby, with 1100 m total climb.
It was a fast, aggressive race from the beginning, with Kris taking an early lead, but having to ease off the pace as he struggled with some muscle cramps. He would go on to complete the course in 13th place, a good training run back from a post-Arc 50 break. Sam then took the lead, pushing until the finish line, and winning the men’s race in a superb time of 1:41:45.
In the women’s race, Charlie also had a great run to finish on the podium: fifth place, 2:16:16.
Charlie mid-race © Poppy Collingwood
Sam mid-race © Poppy Collingwood
With his third place finish, Keith is now automatically qualified for the UTMB World Series Finals in the 100k category, CCC, in 2027.
