Race the Train, Tywyn (https://racethetrain.com/), is a brilliant series with races to suit everyone in the family. There’s the Toddler Trot, Tynllwynhen Challenge (3.5miles), Dolgoch Challenge (5.5miles), Quarry Challenge (6.2miles), and the Rotary Challenge (14mi) – which if you’re over 17 is the one to do.
I’ve got some history with this race. I’ve been going to this part of mid Wales since I was a young lad (with a strong Black Country accent) and have been on the Talyllyn Railway loads of times with my family, but racing the train….now that’s something different. I did it in 2017 in my younger years of running with the wrong type of trainers in 02:08:52, then in 2019 with more appropriate footwear in 01:51:27 but the train does it in around 01:47ish (I guess depending on the driver) and fell both times, so I guess it only seemed appropriate that I should fall this year.
The race starts at Tywyn, and heads out along road for the first mile and a bit (great to go fast and get carried away) and then turns off onto fields, tracks and paths. This is technically classed as a trail race, but there are some fell(ish) sections which would be more suited to other harrier members. You follow the Talyllyn Railway, and when the train is next to you with the drivers giving it full train whistle and the supporters hanging out of the carriages it’s really got the atmosphere to get you to speed up. Atmosphere wise it is amazing. The views are really good too as there’s Cader Idris in the distance and I always think the Welsh Countryside looks stunning. Plenty of buzzards, and red kites too for any twitchers. There are some ups and downs in the first half, and then when you turn around that’s when you get some more hills, and yes they are pretty steep. There’s a lovely climb when you are near Dolgoch Falls (nice viaduct and falls there) where I walked, as did most others, and then as you continue to head back into Tywyn there are quite a few hills to contend with, again slow running and walking. The marshals were brilliant and the locals all get involved too which is great with pockets of support in places. I’d set off too fast, so was running out of steam (see what I did) towards the end but had encouragement from others telling me I was still ahead of the train and saw some kids about 3 miles from the end chanting “you can beat the train, you can beat the train!”
This year there was Helena Croft, who was the fastest Female Harrier, completing it in 01:52:42, P83/445 overall, P4/124 out of women, and P2/18 in F35, and then there was little old me in a time of 01:47:28 P43/445 overall, P43/321 men, P27/151 MSEN. I was made up to beat the train, and to have my family there supporting me along the course and at the finish line.
Harriers who have done the Rotary Challenge previously, there was Simon Rawnsley in 2010 in a time of 01:36:42. Keelan Serjeant and Emma Serjeant in 2013 with times of 01:47:40 and 02:11:12. Phil Hobbs in 2015 in a time of 01:48:48.
Would I recommend Race the Train? Yes (I am a little biased though)
Is it worth going and making a weekend out of it? Yes – some great priced campsites nearby?
Best atmosphere at a race? Definitely.
Look out for news of Race the Train 2025, it always happens mid August and is definitely worth the 3hr (ish) drive to that part of Wales.
