Eryri and Yr Wyddfa high-profile races halted mid-event
Races had begun as early as 6.30am and included the 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra Marathon, Yr Wyddfa | Snowdon24, and the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship.
The XTERRA World Championship was being held as part of the XTERRA Snowdonia Trail Marathon Eryri on July 11 and 12. The race is the flagship finale of the Trail Run World Series, with an inclusive trail festival in Wales' outdoor capital.
Meanwhile, The Black Diamond Yr Wyddfa | Snowdon24 is a gruelling 24-hour endurance challenge in which participants attempt to ascend and descend Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) as many times as possible within a single day.
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In a statement released on July 12, Llangefni-based Always Aim High Events - known for delivering some of the UK's premier triathlon, cycling, and running events, said: "We regret to inform you that today's race - including the 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra distances, and the Yr Wyddfa | Snowdon24 event - has been stopped.
"Due to extreme temperatures, it is no longer safe to continue with the event.
"All runners are currently being safely escorted off the mountain by our event staff and mountain leader team.
"Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of all participants. Please bear with us as we focus on ensuring everyone returns safely.
"Thank you for your understanding."
The statement attracted mixed comments from participant.
One person wrote: "Tough call to make but [the] right one in these temps I'd say."
Another said: "Having been involved with MR for many years, carrying someone off the hill in the very hot conditions is a monumental task, so having an event cancelled would have taken some pressure of teams. Many of them are doing 100 plus incidents a year, and any help they can get can only help. Anyone who disagrees can always try carrying someone off the hill in this heat!"
Another commented: "Yes it's a hot day but an intelligent athlete who has trained for ultra distance generally knows how to self manage and pace according to conditions. I firmly believe that the 24 hour runners should not have had their event cancelled at the point at that it was. I could have happily accepted a decision to hold athletes back for a few hours to allow the temps to come down."
Another said: "Should never have started."
One person taking part in the championship event voiced his anger and disappointment that the race had been cancelled due to the heat. He also outlined other dangers.
The participant, from Malta, told the North Wales Chronicle: "I competed in the Xterra world Championships on Saturday. It was one of several races. All were cancelled due to extreme heat but I believe the major reason was because the organizer was not prepared and didn't have any 'plan B.'
"It's a big pity to cancel a world championships with so many athletes travelling from across the world to be here.
"I came from Malta. There were around 15 more athletes from Malta participating in different races by Xterra in the same day."
Other racers travelled from as far as Australia, New Zealand, China and USA.
Always Aim High Events told the Chronicle and its coastal titles that "the safety of all participants, volunteers and race support staff is the number one priority for the event organisers and the decision was taken following consultation with the incident management and health and safety teams."
Many runners in the 10k and Half Marathon successfully completed their races before the cancellation was announced at 12.25pm.
They added that all major stakeholders were "promptly" informed, and participants were supported in making a safe descent and return to the event village, where welfare checks and final confirmations were conducted.
Extreme weather protocols were implemented following a review by the event's medical director the day before the race.
"Detailed" safety briefings were also delivered to competitors prior to the start of the events.
Matt Newman, Chief Executive of Always Aim High Events, said: "We would like to thank all participants and our incredible event support team for their patience, resilience, and understanding. Having delivered this race in Llanberis for the past ten years, we are deeply saddened to have had to halt the event.
"The safety of our participants has always been our top priority, and we made the decision to halt the races to ensure everyone was brought down from the mountain safely."
The course has since been thoroughly swept by the mountain safety team.
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Eryri and Yr Wyddfa high-profile races halted mid-event
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'Go Danny, go!' yelled a man. It's 92 F (33.33 C) as he approaches the final 4,750 foot (1,447.8 meters) mountain ascent to the finish line. Westergaard is walking at a snail's pace and says he's falling asleep. But his smile hasn't waned. 'We've come a long way,' Westergaard said, Madison pacing behind and spraying him. 'Long way for a burger!' she responded. They giggle while thinking about the veggie burger they'll buy upon finishing. Then he does, crossing the finish line with his crew at exactly 45 hours and 29 minutes. It was his most special Badwater 135 race by far, he says misty eyed, having Meagan and Madison at his side. ___
