Am y Ras – About the Race
Ras Copaon 1000m Cymru – Welsh 1000m Peaks Race
O'r môr i gopa Cymru, dros 5 mynydd 1000m... From the sea to the summit of Wales, over five 1000m mountains...
Carnedd Llewelyn – Carnedd Dafydd – Glyder Fawr – Garnedd Ugain – Yr Wyddfa
Saturday 1 June 2024
0830 - LONG Course Start
1100 - SHORT Course Start
Ras Copaon 1000m Cymru / Welsh 1000m Peaks Race is a long-standing and iconic mountain / fell race based in Eryri, North Wales. For over 50 years, it is the only race of its kind tracing a bee-line route from the coast, ascending steep valley slopes, over high summits, exciting rocky ridges and finishing at the very top of the highest mountain in Wales; Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon. Challenging but achievable for many, the Welsh 1000m Peaks Race continues to attract experienced competitors and those developing their skills to enjoy running in the mountains of Eryri. ‘Significant experience’ over similar terrain, distance and ascent will increase the efficiency and safety of competitors; and a ‘Pairs’ option may assist some competitors to experience this classic race for the first time.
Saturday 1 June 2024 – Key Timings
0615 Main LONG Course Race Registration - Padarn Hotel, Llanberis
0745 North LONG Course Race Registration - Aber Falls Distillery, Abergwyngregyn
0915 Main SHORT Course Race Registration - Padarn Hotel, Llanberis (no North Registration)
| Distance | Ascent | WFRA Categories * | Entry Cost Cost Covers? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Course – Five (5) 1000m Peaks | 32.5 km / 20 miles | 2870m | AL / SER / NS / LK | £29 Solo Adult (£27 WFRA Member) £28 Pair Adult ** (£26 WFRA Member) |
| Short Course – Three (3) 1000m Peaks | 13km / 8 miles | 1550m | AM / SER / NS / LK | £23 Solo Adult (£21 WFRA Member) £22 Pair Adult ** (£20 WFRA Member) £15 Junior *** (£13 WFRA Junior Member) |
Support and join the Welsh Fell Running Association »
*WFRA Race Category Descriptions
Category A
Average ascent is not less than 50m of climb / per km
L (Long)
Race is 20km or over
M (Medium)
Race is over 10km but less than 20km
SER
Significant Experience Required (similar in terrain/distance/ascent, in a variety of weather)
NS
Navigational Skills required (self-navigating with map / compass if needed / no GPS use)
LK
Local Knowledge helpful (choice of routes can affect overall pace/effort/time taken)
** Long and Short Course allows for any Adult PAIR of competitors to run together; where only one competitor is required to meet all Previous Experience Requirements upon entry. The Adult PAIR must stay together at ALL times on the course.
*** Short Course allows a SOLO Adult (parent/legal guardian) to run with 1 Junior competitor (over 14 yrs); where only the parent/legal guardian is required to meet all Previous Experience Requirements upon entry. The ADULT/JUNIOR pair must stay together at ALL times on the course.
Previous Experience Requirements for Race Entry
The race is organised in accordance with Welsh Fell Runners Association (WFRA) guidelines and continues to support the adventure of ‘map and compass’ navigating, relying on personal competence and experience in mountainous terrain, without the use of digital or GPS/GPX technology to progress through the race.
Courses are mostly NOT MARKED, unless any specific requirement is made by landowners/safety considerations. Hence, the race offers excellent opportunities to practise and gain confidence with skills associated with ‘mountain and fell running’, requiring the following Previous Experience Requirements:
- Long Course competitors are required to confirm the name/date of two ‘Category A’ Long races, requiring navigation skills, completed since 1 January 2021 (AL/NS as defined by WFRA/FRA categories) AND/OR two races in similar mountain terrain/ascent profile, over 28km/18 miles since 1 January 2021 (exception is made for a Long Course Adult PAIR, where only one competitor is required to meet all Previous Experience Requirements upon entry)
- Short Course competitors are required to confirm the name/date of two ‘Category A’ Medium (or Long) races, requiring navigation skills, completed since 1 January 2021 (AM/NS as defined by WFRA/FRA categories) AND/OR two races in similar mountain terrain/ascent profile, over 8km/5 miles since 1 January 2021 (exception is made for a Short Course Adult PAIR, where only one competitor is required to meet all Previous Experience Requirements upon entry and an ADULT/JUNIOR pair, where only the parent/legal guardian is required to meet all Previous Experience Requirements upon entry)
Please contact the Race Organiser via email at info@welsh1000m.org with any queries on equivalent previous experience requirements being considered.
View the WFRA declaration that competitors agree to, upon entry:
I accept the hazards inherent in fell running and acknowledge that I am entering and running at my own risk.
I confirm that I am aware of the rules imposed on me by the Race Organiser and that I will comply with them. I confirm that I have read and will comply with, “Safety Requirements for Competitors” I acknowledge and agree that I am responsible for determining whether I have the skills, equipment and fitness to participate in this event.
I accept that neither the Race Organiser nor the Welsh Fell Runners’ Association shall be liable to me for any injury, loss or damage of any nature to me or my property arising out of my participation in this race (other than in respect of death or personal injury as result of negligence).
I consent to publication of my name, club, race category, race number, finishing time and race position in race pre-entry and results lists.
Read more about WFRA Safety Rules and GPS Policy »
Brief History of the Welsh 1000m Peaks Race
Historically, there has always been understandable interest from walkers and mountaineers to link up the highest of peaks in Eryri (Snowdonia) that sprawl southwards from the North Wales coast – including the summits of the 14 (now 15) peaks over 3,000ft/914.4m. In the 1950s, a more formal ‘3000s’ route for Army participants was conceived by Sgt Dai Rowlands, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The event started on the summit of Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon and finished on Foel Fras, and was supported by the RAF and Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation.
The first recognised race took place in 1971 and the Army continued to be involved, developing various ‘Classes’ of competition, including Fell Runners and Mountaineers. In 1974 Harvey Lloyd became Chief Marshal and took over as Race Organiser in 1984, supported by local running club Eryri Harriers. By 1990, the Gorphwysfa Club (Clwb Gorphwysfa) took on full race organisation, with Harvey Lloyd continuing as Race Organiser until 2021. ‘Gorphwysfa’ is the original name for the building at Pen y Pass (now a Youth Hostel) and means ‘resting place’ in Welsh.
Harvey Lloyd
Warren Renkel
Forward to the late 1960s and Ron James, Warden for the Ogwen Cottage Outdoor Pursuits Centre, proposed a new race, starting at sea level near Abergwyngregyn and finishing on the summit of Yr Wyddfa via all summits over 3000ft. Ron James was supported by Dr Ieuan Jones, Medical Officer to the 3rd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers and a trial race took place in 1970, with 60 competitors.
Under the watchful eye of the club, the race was supported by other mountaineering clubs, many committed volunteers and Clwb Gorphwysfa successfully looked after race organisation until the race celebrated its 50th year, in 2021 (after a break for the Covid pandemic!)
In 2022 and 2023, Warren Renkel stepped up and took responsibility as Race Organiser over two successful years, building upon his experience of supporting Harvey and the Gorphywysfa Club in 2021. Warren was supported by many familiar and new volunteer Race Marshals and local running club Run Free Fell Runners and helped the race reach new competitors.