Alan Lewis – King and Queen of the Sting

As some will know the Run Coed y Brenin family said goodbye to a much loved and valued member of the events team in 2017, as Alan ‘Lwi’ Lewis passed away in October.

Many of you will have come across Lwi as a marshal at the car park and also a regular over the years at the bottom of the Sting in the Tail – he loved (along with Hilary Malyon!) urging runners to keep going up the beast of a climb that awaited them at around mile 11 of the half marathon and marathon events!

As a tribute to Lwi we will be introducing a brand-new trophy to this weekend’s Buff Winter Trail Wales race. Working in conjunction with race timing company TDL Event Services runners will be timed from the bottom to the top of the Sting in the Tail section – with a King of the Sting and Queen of the Sting bespoke trophy going to the fastest man and fastest woman on that section.

These wonderful Welsh rock and iron trophies have been commissioned by Dylan Cadwaladr Parry from Llanberis, with Cread Cyf coming up with the design. Using two rocks from the Coed y Brenin forest floor at the exact Caen y Coed location of the ‘Sting’, the dragon tail design moving upwards also beautifully signifies the challenge!

The trophies will be handed out to the winners at the race presentation on Saturday at around 2pm in the Coed y Brenin visitor centre, and will be re-awarded annually for the challenge at the Winter Trail event. Run Coed y Brenin Events will also make a £100 donation to Ysbyty Gwynedd Alaw Ward after the event, on behalf of the runners.