This year, Snowdonia Marathon will be turning thirty and the mountainous race is as exciting and challenging today as it was at the very first race back in 1982.

So what is it that makes this race so appealing to professional and amateur runners alike?

"I'd say that it's mostly the people in the area," says Jane Lloyd, a runner and organiser of the race since 2004. "The feedback we get from the runners is overwhelming; they say the support and welcome they receive year on year is incredible. The popularity of the race continues to grow, there are 2200 people running this year. Getting a place is like winning a ticket to a premiership game!"

Sgorio's Morgan Jones will bring S4C viewers coverage of the day’s events in the programme Marathon Eryri 2012, on Sunday, 28 October. He'll be joined by Nic Parry and Dafydd Whiteside Thomas who will also be commentating as they follow the runners along this difficult course.

"I’m looking forward to being part of the excitement again this year," says Morgan Jones, who presents the programme for the fifth year. Nothing compares to the build up and tension on the morning of the race."

From the heights of Pen y Pass, all the way down to Pen y Gwyryd and on to the finishing line in Llanberis, the programme will follow the runners along the incredibly challenging paths which give way to spectacular views along the 26.2 mile race.

The Snowdonia Marathon is considered one of the toughest courses of the international running calendar and Morgan knows this first hand.

"I have run this marathon’s course myself so I can speak from experience. I think it’s the sheer physical challenge which attracts the runners. It’s not the London Marathon, it’s not the Paris Marathon – The Snowdonia Marathon pushes you to your limits - those first five miles are up-hill! The elation you feel after completing such a task is second to none."

Despite the gruelling course the challenge widely appeals to runners; Snowdonia Marathon was voted Britain’s Best Marathon by the readers of Runners World magazine again last year.

From the first whistle to the finishing line, join S4C for the strains, thrills and elation of Snowdonia Marathon 2012.

Marathon Eryri 2012
Sunday 28 October 8.30pm, S4C
Also, Wednesday 31 October 11.20pm, S4C

English subtitles available