The Snowdonia Slate Trail Ultra Marathon returns this Friday, 21 February, a 90 mile (145 Km) Marathon around Snowdonia.

Combined with the rugged terrain and harsh North Wales winter weather, the race is a contender for one of the World’s toughest endurance challenges.

The route follows the Snowdonia Slate Trail, with a total ascent of almost 17,000ft, around Snowdonia through farmland, forest, villages and mountains.

There are three race checkpoints on route that all competitors must pass through within a time limit. At each checkpoint there is a community hall/leisure centre that is well stocked with food, hot drinks and water for competitors to recharge and re-supply. There will also be floor space at some checkpoints for competitors to sleep if they want to.

The race starts and finishes at Bangor Rugby Club at 19:00 on Friday the 21st February and has a 48 hour time limit (19:00 on Sunday the 23rd February). Looping through many well known places such as Llanberis, Betws-Y-coed and Beddgelert as well as some lesser known places, before returning to finish at the Rugby Club.

Competitors must be equipped with a map, compass, survival bag and first aid kit, and race organisers have warned competitors they “must be prepared to be in remote locations for long periods with adverse weather and probably on your own.”

The terms of entry into the race also stated: “By entering the race you are stating that you deal with the conditions you will face in Wales in February. You are also stating that you can employ a level head in difficult conditions and not take unnecessary risks.“

Every competitor is given a GPS tracker so their location can be traced at all times during the race and family and friends can watch competitor’s progress online. The GPS tracker is also equipped with a SOS button, so if you do have a problem competitors can be found quickly and easily.

If a competitor wants or needs to withdraw from the event after starting, they will be transported to the nearest checkpoint where you can arrange your own transport home from there.

62 competitors have entered this years race which is has been classified as one of the most difficult in the world, contributing points to athletes qualifying for the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc a single-stage mountain ultra-marathon in the Alps, through France, Italy and Switzerland.

Last year’s Snowdonia Slate Trail Ultra was won by Robert Morris in a time of 20 hrs 59 minutes, the first female finisher was Belinda Southwell in a time of 34hrs and 51 minutes.