Sprint
Sun 3 Aug 2025 Betws-y-Coed, Clwyd, UK

Craft Snowman Sprint Triathlon

Awarded the Event of the year (2021) in the Welsh Triathlon Awards, The Craft Snowman is well known as the toughest multi-terrain triathlon in the UK. It is not for the faint-hearted.

  • Sun 3 Aug 2025
Plas y Brenin - National Outdoor Centre, Betws-y-Coed

Sprint

08:00

Age 17 & over on 31 Dec 2025

£89.99-£114.99

  • 750 m lake swimming
  • 27 km mountain biking
  • 6.1 km multi terrain running

Event overview

The Craft Snowman encompasses all that the adventure playground of North Wales offers and is infamous for a reason - just when you think you’re done there is a different challenge you’re not expecting.

An exciting, adrenaline-fuelled and truly epic and unforgettable experience; completing The Snowman is a tick that every triathlete wants.

Are you up for the trio? The Snowman is also the second part of a prestigious Adventure Series of triathlons and duathlons.

Highlights

  • Lively Event Village

    Music, commentary, shopping, food and chill out zones.

  • Family-friendly vibes

    Family finishes and plenty to see and do.

  • On course support

    Brilliant marshals, signage and pick-up vehicles.

  • Unique finisher mementos

    Collect the second part of our famous Adventure Championships series.

  • Spectacular scenery

    Eryri's awe-inspiring scenery is the backdrop to your race.

  • Professional timing

    Chip timing and online results.

This event is part of Craft Snowman Triathlon and Duathlon.

  • All fitness levels
  • Event expo
  • Event village
  • Free venue entry
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators
  • Swim hat provided
  • Teams
  • Traders at event
  • Wetsuit not allowed if too hot
  • Wetsuit required if too cold

Registration

Registration takes place on Friday evening and also before the race on Saturday morning - specific times will be confirmed in the Final Instructions, which will be available on the website and via email 10 days prior to the race.

Transition

Transition opens early on the morning of the event and will close approximately 30 minutes before the first wave starts. You may not enter transition for any reason after the allocated time. Confirmed timings will be detailed in your Final Instructions which will be available on the website and via email 10 days prior to your race.

Transition will only be open for racking on the day of the event. It is not possible to leave your bike overnight.

Kit list

A list of mandatory and advised kit is readily available.

  • Accommodation
  • Bag storage
  • Bar
  • Cafe
  • Mountains
  • Music
  • Restaurant
  • Rural
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Plas y Brenin - National Outdoor Centre
Capel Curig
Betws-y-Coed
Clwyd
LL24 0ET
UK

Registration is usually located at Plas Y Brenin - LL24 0ET.

  • First aid
  • Food stations
  • Hilly
  • Marshals
  • Sweeper
  • Toilets
  • Water stations
  • Wave start
  • Way markers

Description

Begin with a swim in the fresh waters of Llynnau Mymbyr under the watchful eye of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Exit the water and cross the wooden footbridge for the first time into transition.

The Sprint bike section flows out to Capel Curig before turning towards Llyn Ogwen and Bethesda, a town that grew around the slate quarry industry. After negotiating some quick winding bends down towards Bethesda you’ll turn left and start making your way back up the valley on the road known locally as the Roman road, a road which runs along the steep-sided glacial Nant Ffrancon valley. You’ll tackle a steep climb at the end before re-joining the main road at Llyn Ogwen. From here it’s a nice gentle open road all the way back to Plas y Brenin. This is an exceptionally stunning route, dwarfed in its entirety by two of Snowdonia’s mountain ranges; the Carneddau and the Glyderau.

Running shoes on, head back over the bridge. There is a reason that the Snowman Triathlon regularly gets called the toughest multi-terrain triathlon in the UK because the run includes a mountain, Moel Siabod which at 872 metres, is the highest peak in the Moelwynion mountain range. Sprint athletes don't need to reach the summit but it's still a tough 2.3km climb up beautiful rocky paths before you reach the turning point and run back down again. To finish, you must turn right and run through the forest, then back along the fire road towards the lake. The finish line framing Wales' most famous peak, Yr Wyddfa awaits.

Maps

swim
SWIM
bike
BIKE
run
RUN

Cut offs

In the interest of athlete safety and the safety of our volunteers on the course, there will be strict cut-off times in place.

  • You have a total of 35 minutes to complete your swim and exit transition.
  • You have a total of 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete your bike and exit transition.
  • You have a total of 1 hour and 55 minutes to complete your run.

Sustainability

  • Bring your own cup
  • Plastic bottle free
  • Plastic-free event
  • Public transport links
  • Recycling
  • Reusable cups
  • Sustainability policy
  • Trees not tees

  • Chip timing
  • Eco medal
  • Event app

Prizes

Prize Categories for the Sprint Triathlon are (for both open and female):

Individual

  • Overall - Top 3
  • Under 24 - Top 1
  • Senior - Top 1
  • Vet 40 - Top 1
  • Vet 50 - Top 1
  • Vet 60 - Top 1
  • Vet 70 - Top 1

Teams

  • 1st Team

  • Age 17 & over on 31 Dec 2025
  • Entries open
  • Enter online

Entry fees

Entry fee

£89.99

Valid to 20/07/2025

Entry fee

£98.99

Valid 20/07/2025 - 31/07/2025

Team entry fee

£114.99

What a race this was. Firstly for the physical effort, secondly for the scenery and lastly for the organisation... All the marshalls were excellent and the organisation was great. Hoping to do the series next year. Thanks for a great weekend. Luke C

What a day of racing, this is an amazing race, so full of sights, sounds and fantastic support. Chris K

What can I say, well - in a nutshell AMAZING, 10/10 on everything, but be warned if you don't train for this event it will destroy you. This is an amazing triathlon. I cannot recommend enough... brilliantly organised, thoroughly marshalled and signed. Chris K

Will I be back for this amazing race? YES! I will, it was the most fun I'd had in lycra this year so far! John B

Really friendly event, and great support. Sian W

Really really well organised every single time. The re-branded snowman was epic, and I would recommend it to anybody. John B

Snowman Triathlon left me speechless.  An incredible adventure. Glen D

The organisation was exellent, the weather hot and clear, the race is a must do event for those after a challenge. Tim F

The race is recommended! Nic W

Can't beat the super location and stunning scenery at this event. Well organised and great fun. Jasmine B

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck

 

Other races at event

  • Sun 3 Aug 2025
  • #2 of 4
Plas y Brenin - National Outdoor Centre, Betws-y-Coed

Standard

09:00

Age 17 & over

£105.99-£130.99

  • 1500 m lake swimming
  • 69.2 km mountain biking
  • 8.4 km multi terrain running
  • Sun 3 Aug 2025
  • #3 of 4
Plas y Brenin - National Outdoor Centre, Betws-y-Coed

Legend (70.3)

07:00

Age 18 & over

£224.99-£249.99

  • 1900 m lake swimming
  • 95 km mountain biking
  • 21.1 km multi terrain running
  • Sun 3 Aug 2025
  • #4 of 4
Plas y Brenin - National Outdoor Centre, Betws-y-Coed

Sprint Duathlon

08:00

Age 17 & over

£69.99-£78.99

  • 2.3 km road running
  • 27 km road cycling
  • 6 km road running