Tomorrow morning sees the latest edition of the Snowdonia Marathon - which has become something of a cult event over the years. It's certainly an incredibly popular one with our members - only London appears to attract more interest. It's an event with a long history, and some impressive names amongst its winners, none more so than the man who won 5 of the first 6 editions, and his 2:28:02 event record hasn't been approached. Jeff Norman, still a regular competitor at 73, was an Olympian at the 1976 Games at Montreal, and had a PB of 2:12.
So who have been the top dogs for Croups? To the best of my knowledge, John Cox has the distinction of the best position and time, 8th place in 1995 in 2:45:56. John was so encouraged by this that he returned in 1996, led for the first 18 miles, only to finish 12th in 2:55:36. That just goes to show what an unforgiving event it is.
For the ladies, Angharad Mair placed third lady 3 years ago in 3:18:20, although she ran 3:17:17 last year to finish 6th. Whatever your goals are for tomorrow, have a great run, and may the weather be with you.
Snowdonia Marathon
Llanberis WAL
Website:
www.snowdoniamarathon.co.ukRace Winners (34 runnings)
29 Oct 2016 2:35:05 Russell Bentley (ENG) 3:03:59 Joanne Nelson (ENG)
24 Oct 2015 2:33:39 John Gilbert (ENG) 3:08:47 Tracy Mccartney (ENG)
25 Oct 2014 2:40:10 Alun Vaughn (WAL) 3:08:53 Andrea Rowlands (WAL)
26 Oct 2013 2:43:50 Rob Samuel-3 3:12:07 Sarah Caskey (ENG)
27 Oct 2012 2:35:42 Rob Samuel-2 3:06:26 Emily Gelder (WAL)
30 Oct 2011 2:36:45 Rob Samuel (WAL) 3:11:32 Kelly Morgan (WAL)
31 Oct 2010 2:36:24 Richard Gardiner (WAL) 3:05:15 Christine Howard (ENG)
24 Oct 2009 2:46:59 Julian Macdonald (WAL) 3:17:03 Shan Jones (WAL)
25 Oct 2008 2:44:40 Martin Cox-2 3:14:55 Alison Sedman-3
27 Oct 2007 2:41:28 Shaun Milford (ENG) 3:13:21 Debbie Walters (ENG)
29 Oct 2006 2:39:53 Dennis Walmsley-5 3:05:49 Adela Salt (ENG)
30 Oct 2005 2:46:50 Dennis Walmsley-4 3:20:49 Elizabeth Hawker (ENG)
31 Oct 2004 2:41:54 Dennis Walmsley-3 3:11:59 Alison Sedman-2
26 Oct 2003 2:38:44 Martin Cox (ENG) 3:11:02 Alison Sedman (ENG)
27 Oct 2002 --- cancelled due to heavy snowstorm
28 Oct 2001 2:37:14 Dennis Walmsley-2 3:12:13 Kathryn Drake-7
29 Oct 2000 2:48:12 Philip Nicholls (ENG) 3:06:52 Sally Newman-2
31 Oct 1999 2:40:09 Dennis Walmsley (ENG) (nc)3:07:39 Sally Newman (ENG) (nc)
25 Oct 1998 2:43:16 Mark Roberts (WAL) (nc)3:07:26 Kathryn Drake-6 (nc)
26 Oct 1997 2:41:31 John Allen (ENG) (nc) 3:11:19 Zoe Lowe-3 (nc)
27 Oct 1996 2:40:53 Stuart Mills (ENG) (nc) 2:59:42 Carolyn Hunter-Rowe (ENG) (nc)
29 Oct 1995 2:35:25 John Parker-2 (nc) 3:06:52 Kathryn Drake-5 (nc)
30 Oct 1994 2:32:54 John Wieczorek (POL) 3:12:55 Kathryn Drake-4
31 Oct 1993 2:35:35 Shane Snow (WAL) 2:57:59 Kathryn Drake-3
25 Oct 1992 2:36:41 John Parker (ENG) 3:01:32 Kathryn Drake-2
27 Oct 1991 2:31:41 Emlyn Roberts (WAL) 3:02:30 Zoe Lowe-2
28 Oct 1990 2:37:30 Dewi Jones (WAL) 3:04:56 Zoe Lowe (ENG)
29 Oct 1989 2:34:52 Kevin Gaskell-2 3:01:21 Kathryn Drake (ENG)
30 Oct 1988 2:33:57 Kevin Gaskell (ENG)2:56:43 June Cowper (ENG)
01 Nov 1987 2:33:08 Jeffrey Norman-5 3:11:25 Pat Mee (ENG)
26 Oct 1986 2:33:31 Jeffrey Norman-4 3:17:40 Rose Gillick (ENG)
27 Oct 1985 2:28:02 Jeffrey Norman-3 3:21:11 Jean Robertson-3
28 Oct 1984 2:29:08 Mike Neary (ENG) 3:28:19 Bridget Hogge (WAL)
30 Oct 1983 2:29:38 Jeffrey Norman-2 3:33:25 Jean Robertson-2
31 Oct 1982 2:34:09 Jeffrey Norman (ENG) 3:42:04 Jean Robertson (WAL)
Note: 1982 was the inaugural year.