Preparing for mountain marathon

Tom Prytherch is running the marathon with his identical twin brother

One of Europe's toughest marathons takes place in Snowdonia on Sunday with more than 1,000 runners expected to take part.

Among them will be 34-year-old Llandudno Police Constable Tom Prytherch and his identical twin brother Gareth who works for the Royal Air Force in Gloucestershire.

The two decided to run the gruelling course around the base of Wales' highest mountain to raise money for charity.

Although the two and are not regular marathon runners they both keep fit.

"I'm not a marathon runner normally," Mr Prytherch.

"I ran the Stoke marathon a few years ago and although I keep fit by training around five times a week, this is going to be very hard work.

"But there's no question about it, I will definitely finish the race.

"And being identical twins, I won't be running halfway and my brother running the other half - that's called cheating."

A community beat manager for the Llandudno Hospital Estate, Tom hopes to raise £700 for charity.

The money he raises is to be shared between the Ty Gobaith yng Nghymru (Hope House in Wales) children's hospice charity and the Ty Llywellyn community centre in Llandudno.

The runners are faced with a tough rapid climb of around 12,000ft

The Snowdonia Marathon is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year and has been organised by the National Trust since 1984.

And five runners who have completed every one of the marathons are due to try and complete their 21st race.

The race attracts runners from all over the world and helps raise money for the Trust's Snowdonia Appeal.

The marathon starts at 0930 BST at Nant Peris on the A4086 and then climbs to the top of Llanberis Pass.

The course follows the A498 to Beddgelert and continues along the A4085 to Waunfawr.

There is then a rapid climb of around 12,000ft at Bwlch y Groes before a downhill finish in Llanberis.

The first runners to complete the run are expected to cross the finish line at 1200 BST.