Barefoot racer conquers marathon

The one runner who didn't worry about keeping his trainers dry

A barefoot runner is celebrating having braved heavy rain and gales to complete the Snowdon Marathon without shoes.

Research scientist Yanni Papastavrou completed one of Britain's toughest runs in a respectable 4hr 9min.

But while the weather was very poor, he said that at least it was better than in Cumbria, where thousands of fell runners became stranded.

However, the poor weather in Snowdonia meant just 1,162 of the 1,700 runners who had registered took part.

Mr Papastavrou, aged 38, called conditions "challenging", and admitted to a few new blisters.

"The weather was particularly hardcore - but not as bad as in the Lake District," he said. However, winds at the nearby Capel Curig weather station in Snowdonia recorded gusts of up to 60mph (96kmph) for Saturday's race day, and 52mm (2in) of rain fell.

"It was a quite challenging course," confessed Mr Papastavrou, who lives and works in London.

I certainly wouldn't recommend the Snowdon race as a first-time barefoot experience Yanni Papastavrou

"I was trying to get it done in under four hours, and I made it to the 20-mile point in three hours.

"I thought I was in good shape to make the final six miles in an hour, but during the final hill over Waunfawr my feet started to hurt.

"And coming down that hill, conditions meant I had to slow down, I was practically walking. It was very slippy and I saw a couple of people fall down."

Rocks and stones

Mr Papastavrou began running barefoot in 2004 after he was plagued by knee injuries.

It is the second marathon he has run barefoot, but in totally different conditions.

His first attempt was in Lyon, France, where the whole race was in sunshine and on tarmac road surfaces.

The Snowdon Marathon meant coming off-road at points, and coping with wet grass and rocks and stones.

"I certainly wouldn't recommend the Snowdon race as a first-time barefoot experience," added the runner.

"I have a few new blisters after the race. But, I suspect I was the only runner who actually went through all the puddles. I didn't have to worry about keeping my shoes dry."

He also praised the race organisers and supporters who turned out despite the atrocious weather.

"It was completely different from running a race in a big city, where there are tens of thousands of you," he said.

"The friendliness here was unbelievable, not just towards me but to everyone taking part. I certainly hope to come back and try it again."

The race was won by Martin Cox, originally from Leicester, a chef in Italy, who finished in 2.44:40.

He also won in 2003, finishing 13 seconds ahead of Rob Samuels, from Gobowen near Oswestry, who is a student in Bangor.

The winner of the women's race was Alison Sedman, of Manchester, who finished in 3:14:55.