This is my third visit to the Snowdonia Trail Marathon event. In previous years I've done the marathon and the ultra-marathon. I thought I'd do the half-marathon this year as it ascends Snowdon by a different route to the longer races, via the Ranger Path rather than Pen Y Pass & Pyg Track.

Having done the event before I knew that the half marathon was a tough course, but it's safe to say that it really is hard work. The longer races, whilst having a more challenging ascent also have large sections of relatively flat terrain as you work your way through the valley.

THe HM is different in that you start with the same 4 mile climb out of Llanberis but with only a short drop before you join the Ranger Path. ANd whilst it's more runnable than the longer distances, I didn't see many people running the climb!

Whilst the climb is quite steep, it's also a lot shorter than the Pyg and just as I was thinking 'this is getting hard' we reached the Finger Stone and started the 4 mile descent of the Llanberis Path. This is runnable although it's particularly steep in the top section and there are plenty of walkers on their way up, so one needs to take care.

Unlike the longer distances, the HM has a sting in the tail. Getting to Victoria Road at the bottom you're only 10 miles into the HM distance and the route then circumnavigates the  event field to head up into the slate quarry that looms behind it. It's not a huge climb, but it's at the end of a race and hurts as a result. The descent back to ground level is quite steep but mostly on tracks so easy terrain and  it's straight back into the event field and the finish.

It's a great route. A tough run, but then you shouldn't expect anything less if it includes running up Wales' largest mountain.