Mud, Mist, and Mountains: The UTMB Snowdonia 25K
This race was the centerpiece of our big UK anniversary trip (the full travel story is over here) - but it earned its own page, because the Welsh mountains handed me a race I won’t forget.
I’d signed up for the UTMB Snowdonia 25K, part of the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB weekend, set deep in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) in northern Wales. On paper: about 25 kilometers and 4,600 feet of climbing. In reality: mud, mist, sheep, and some of the most dramatic mountain running I’ve ever done.
Packet Pickup in Llanberis
We drove out to the Ultra-Trail Village in Llanberis the day before, and the energy was instantly familiar - the UTMB branding, the gear tents, the nervous-excited buzz of runners checking and re-checking their kit. The clouds were sitting right down on the peaks, which told me exactly what kind of day I was in for.
The Toughest Gear Check I’ve Ever Faced
Snowdonia has the strictest mandatory-kit check I’ve ever been through. The required list for the 25K: a bivvy bag (not a foil blanket), a waterproof jacket, and a long-sleeved top - and they run checks on the start line and out on the course, so there’s no leaving anything in the car.
Here’s the part that nearly ended my day before it began: the “waterproof” jacket I’d brought was rejected. The volunteer looked at it, shook her head, and told me - kindly but very firmly - that if I wore that jacket, I’d be disqualified. It turns out there are different grades of “waterproof,” and a serious mountain race requires a genuine, high-rated one (taped seams, a real waterproof rating), not just something water-resistant. Lesson learned: if you’re racing Snowdonia, make sure your waterproof is actually waterproof to the required standard. I ended up buying a properly-rated jacket on the spot at the packet-pickup expo - it cost me over $200. An expensive lesson in reading the kit requirements carefully.
And the weather - every race video I’d watched from the past couple of years looked warm and sunny. Not this year. It rained, it blew, and it was cold. So pack for all of it: warm layers, gloves, and that proper waterproof. These mountains make their own weather, and it can swing in minutes.
The Climbs
Race morning was everything I love about mountain racing - long, brutal climbs, and big views that appeared and vanished as the mist rolled through. Every time the clouds parted, Eryri showed off: green ridgelines, stone walls, and the path winding up toward Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) itself.
I was so glad I’d packed my poles. They were a huge help powering up the steep climbs, and even more so for staying balanced and keeping momentum through the slick, muddy sections. If you’re on the fence about poles for Snowdonia, bring them - you’ll be reaching for them constantly.
Dodging the Sheep
There was one obstacle the course map didn’t warn me about: sheep poop, absolutely everywhere. These hills belong to the sheep, and they leave their mark all over the trail. Picking a clean line became its own little game, somewhere between trail running and hopscotch.
Caked in Mud
The course was so wet that staying upright was a challenge in itself. At one point I slipped and went straight down - my pants were filthy and my shoes, which had started the day a proud bright white, were unrecognizable by the finish. But I crossed that line a finisher, and that’s all that mattered.
After the Finish
The best kind of recovery followed: my husband Coy played a round at Caernarfon Golf Club (sunset in Wales in May isn’t until 9 PM, so there was no rush), and I walked the whole course alongside him. It was super windy, but gentle walking on tired legs was exactly what I needed after the climbs.
Looking Back
The UTMB Snowdonia weekend lived up to its reputation - a serious mountain race in a genuinely wild, beautiful place. The mud and mist only made it more memorable. I came for the mountains and left with a finisher’s medal, muddy shoes, and a real soft spot for Eryri.
Would I run it again? Honestly, probably not - but I’m genuinely glad I did it once. It was a wonderful experience and I learned so much, from mandatory kit and mountain weather to just how much a pair of poles can save you.
Cheers to the next mountain, wherever it turns out to be. 🥂