I had entered this race after completing the Sandman, AAH events are extremely well organised, sufficed to say instructions and registration were smooth

100 swimmers per wave navigated the anti-clockwise course at a record breaking 16*c

exiting the roomy transition the bike leg took you over the challenging Pen-y-Pass where a photographer was lying in wait to capture your enjoyment/ pain, Marshall’s were on hand to warn you of hazards on this open road course

a short run from T2 had taken you to the slate quarry, a tough ascent brought you to the1st feedstation, ran along the top and down through the woodlands out by the National Slate Museum a short run along side the lake railway to the finish area.

this Triathlon showcases the beauty of the Snowdonia National Park, whilst the landscape is breathtaking it is also a reminder of the terrain, which is also lung busting. 

By far my favourite triathlon of 2017 season in relation to the course! Such naturally beautiful place to participate in the sport of triathlon. 

The swim was great. Easy to navigate (although I did think the white canoe was the water exit so headed for that for a while) and the support on the run into T1 was awesome.

Out onto the bike course which again was brilliant. Some really good climbs with even better fast and flowing descents. 

The run was where it really got hard! The climb up the zig-zag path of the slate mine was brutal after hearing friends saying they had to walk some of it was the carrot needed for the challenge to run it all.... Finishing with fast section through the woods and a sprint to the finish line through more amazing support!

Highly recommended! 

This was my very 1St triathlon that I ever done. I can not fault how well the event was organised. I was apprehensive about doing the swim after hearing about how cold the water has been on previous years, I had done a training swim at my local earlier on in the year and it had put me off being 8degrees, couldn't keep my head down due to brain freeze, but I needn't had worried, temperature was 12.5 degrees and I wore a neoprene skull cap under the swim cap and I was sound, also I felt safe during the swim in the knowledge that either a kayak or power boat would get to me if I needed help. I thoroughly enjoyed the bike ride, my strongest discipline out the 3 so I found the ascent of pen-y-pass straight forward, the best sections for me for speed was the descent of pen-y-pass and along to Capel, Base of tryfan (ogwen) and down to Bethesda. The signage and Marshalling where needed was excellent. The run was tough for me, I got off the bike and I was in danger of cramping up, I could only trot. The climb up through the slate mines was tough for me, I walked all the way up, most people were doing the same so I didn't feel too bad, the scenery just kept me going and the the 2 drink stations. On the descent was interesting runing on single track through the wood and passing vivian quarry. North Wales is such a beautiful place the scenery just kept me motivated and my spirits were not dampened by the occasional heavy showers. I can see why it has a reputation at being a tough course, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again,  just need to work on my run, I won't be selling my new kit on ebay, this event has just fueled my desire to do more triathlons 

I did this race this year as a first timer. First thing I would have to say is that if I had known how stunning it is in Llanberis, I would have camped. However, I stuck to a local motel about 5 miles away from the start and registration. 

On the Saturday, I got there in time to see the start of the sprint event. The water was so cold I was helping athletes out of their wetsuits on the long run to transition. Made me slightly nervous for the full event. 

On the Sunday, the water was so cold that it probably was not actually legal to swim, but rather than cause a riot and also because they are tough as nails in North Wales, it got shortened to 400m swim. Trust me, it was a hard 400m as most people thrashed about after losing feeling in their bodies.

This also made T1 a bit more fun. 

It really is a stunning setting. I managed to do a partial bike ride recon and a full recon in the car of the bike course. What I can say is Llanberis pass looks a lot easier than it is in a car. Don't be fooled, it's not really steep, but it is long. It's actually a fast downhill on the other side. Indeed the first big bend after the top you have to be careful on. I had a bum clenching moment there.

After that you pick up a lot of speed on the roads before turning into a really long stretch into the wind (it was a windy weekend). I still could not stop smiling as there was just more stunning scenes after another. Actually hard to concentrate that it is a race.

After a few small bumps/hills in the road, the route back to T2 was quite a fast section. However, the road is not closed, so a number of riders (including myself) got stuck behind cars.

After T2 and grabbing some Gels, it's off on the run and to see if I could do wonders in the famous quarry. As it happens, no I could not. You have about a 1-2 miles of mostly downhill running to the start of the quarry and then the pain gets you. Fair play to those who managed to run up the zigzags, but I would say I walked 65-75% of it. There are a few false flats which trick you to thinking you have arrived at the top.

Then you kill your quads on the run down to the forest. It is not a flat run. Only the start and finish of the run is flat. There are lots of little steep hills, single track paths and some giant slabs of rock to go over. It will test you.

The run into the finish was great. A lot of support and cheering and everyone crossed the line with a well earned smile. 

This race is a must do! It is well organised and well supported. Very pleased to have done it. hopefully I will be back for more next year.

It was my first year doing the Slateman and defintely wont be my last.

I found the pre race communication and administration to be excellent, and race registration to be quick and straight forward.

Transition semed to be well laid out and with logical exits/entries, and it was god to see the racking numbered, rather than a free for all on a given row.

A few people were moaning about the water being cold, and a few were moaning about the distance being reduced due to the weather...I guess you can't please everyone, as far as I'm concerned every competitor is in the same boat so i shouldn't be an issue.

On to the race.... yes, the water was cold, but that was forgotten about as soon as the hooter sounded. Water was clear, and plenty deep enough to swim at all points. (I was quite relieved to get out though! ;-) )

On the bike I loved the initial climb up to Pen Y Pass, and I was really glad I rode up for a recce the evening before, this gave me a good indication of how hard to climb.

The rest of the bike course was just as spectacular, you really couldn't ask for more stunning scenery. Road surfaces were good, relatively traffic free, and the course was well signed and marshalled, although there was one left turn on a descent through a village that could have done with a bit more prior warning, had to brake hard to make the turn as did others around me.

The run was just awesome, I just loved the relentless punishing slog up theough the slate quarry, and it was the clasic case of constantly thinking you're at the top, only to find it just keeps going. The run back down to the lake was really enjoyable as well, a nice rocky, root covered descent to keep you focused.

The crowds were fantastic when running the last 500m, a roar of applause and cowbells made for an electric atmosphere. Awesome. Just Awesome.

All in all an amazing race in a totally stunning venue. Organization was great, and the atmosphere and support was out of this world.

A huge thankyou from me to the organisers and volunteers, and I will absolutely without doubt be back next year, and will be recommending this race to everyone.

I'm known to take on extreme endurance events but this was my craziest idea to date. As a complete beginner to Triathlons I wanted to assemble a team to take it on for my charity. As the date was nearing many backed out. I myself was close to backing out as only 2 days earlier I was bed-ridden with severe stomach cramps. As I said I don't do things lightly so I stocked up on fluids ( as I couldn't hold food down ) and made our way to Llanberis. A lovely place and some fantastic scenery. The local people were very helpful and pleasant and the event officials brilliant. On to the race itself.

SWIM - I'd never ever swam open water before today. I admit swimming isn't my strong point ( on holiday round the pool I'm an Olympian haha ) I hadn't even trained in the pool to be totally honest. Upon entering the water ( major cold ) I thought to myself " what the hell am I doing ?" It was difficult , my energy that I thought I had just drained immediately. I was disorientated , I couldn't see which direction I was going. The marshalls doing a great job in shouting to me " head that way " after 18 minutes I was out and I was so happy.

CYCLE

Spending about 8 minutes in the transition area , hands frozen I just took my time to stock up on an energy gel and some fluids. Had a battle with my clothes as my fingers wouldn't do what my brain was telling them to do. I made my way out onto the road. Oh boy. That first hill defeated a few around me , I was speaking to one guy and trying to encourage him to continue. He couldn't so off he went. I continued alone but was determined to see it out. My previous road training was purchasing my first road bike about 1 week before this event. I managed 26.7miles at an elevation of 1100ft. That felt great. This was nothing compared to this bike section. Pure determination got me through it. My time wasn't even an issue I just wanted to finish what I started. So over 2 hours later I returned to the transition area. 

RUN

What can I say......? The pro triathletes who complete this section in times of 30minutes etc. I take my hat of to you. I usually run 10k in about 45-50min. That's without a quarry. This was by far the hardest part for me. Leg cramp had set in before the first hill. At a walking pace with fellow first timers we chatted about our experiences so far. Words maybe we can't write on here. The views stunning. The sheep out running me. We made our way up. My nature is to help others in need so I found myself strolling along with a guy by the name of Dominic. A great fella. Dodgy knee but full of determination. We spoke of our reasons why we chose to do this. Because we like a challenge. We was about 3k away from the finish and he told me to run on ahead as I wanted to finish in 4hrs 30m. That he would hold me back. So off I went. It was tough. We did several times ask ourselves why ??? I did say .. Never again. But now that it's done . With the correct training and proper training I would return. Slateman it was tough, people told us not to attempt it especially the full one. Did we listen ?? Nahhh we got stuck in and determination got us through. In memory of my Uncle .... Team Kenny Owen will return. 

Ps . I'm an honest guy. I wanted to do a review that was totally honest. The hardest thing I have ever done. Don't be put off ... I never even trained . That's why I struggled. But I finished ....✌️