Runner's barefoot Snowdon attempt

Mr Papastavrou has been pounding the streets near his London home

A runner is preparing to compete in the Snowdonia Marathon barefoot.

The 26.2 mile (42 km) race takes in spectacular views as 1,500 competitors run a circular route around Snowdon, the highest peak in England and Wales.

Research scientist Yanni Papastavrou, 38, from London, said he began running barefoot in 2004 after he was plagued by knee injuries.

Snowdonia Marathon organisers said there was no rule about having to wear running shoes for Saturday's race.

Mr Papastavrou said running in Snowdonia posed him a challenge as his usual training grounds in London were a bit on the flat side.

"I do run up the hill at Hampstead Heath but it's not quite the same as the hills in Snowdonia," he said.

Knee injuries

On a visit to family living in north Wales however Mr Papastavrou, a seasoned marathon runner, decided the Snowdonia challenge was "quite do-able".

He began running barefoot when he was plagued by knee injuries.

"My physio told me maybe my style of running was the problem and after some research I decided to try running in bare feet."

Taking it "slowly" over a period of months Mr Papastavrou said his body had quickly adapted and his feet were stronger than before.

"I'd compare it to having your arm in a sling for a length of time, the muscles waste away.

Shoe wearing

"Wearing shoes does the same thing, and running barefoot has made the muscles stronger," he added.

The weather is not an issue either as Mr Papastavrou has already run in snow, although he draws the line "at anything colder than -2 degrees centigrade".

The practice has not changed his everyday shoe-wearing however.

"I work as a research scientist at University College Hospital, London, and it wouldn't be allowed to go barefoot," he said.

"And anyway, when I'm not running my feet do actually get cold!"

Number

Phil Jones, one of the race officials, said running barefoot was not against the rules.

"The only thing which the rules state is that runners must have their number visible so that we know who they are," he said.

A race veteran himself, Mr Jones said he was unaware of anyone else running the course barefoot before.

"It is mostly on tarmac, but in one place at Cefn Du, the road ends and you go onto slate for a bit, but I would think that would be easier if anything," he added.