A recent Strava report suggests that over a quarter Brits want to start trail running more in 2025. What can we learn about trail running from Will Renwick, first man to run across all Welsh peaks?
It was a cold autumn night as Will was setting up his tent on Plynlimon peak in mid-Wales with millions of stars twinkling above him. As he woke up next morning he was rewarded with a panoramic view across every corner of Wales from Snowdon in the north to Pen-y-Fan in the south, and to the west, curl of Cardigan Bay.
The man who once took up trail running as hobby now cherishes picturesque views from the top of the Welsh peaks. Will had decided to take his trail running to the next level and had taken up a challenge to run across all the Welsh peaks in one go. Who knew that a few days later, Will Renwick would become the first man to run across all 189 Welsh peaks.
“It was a mix of determination, love for the mountains, and the support of people following my journey,” says Will who completed the journey which started from Swansea and ended at Conwy Castle spanning more than 500 miles, especially after facing knee injuries earlier in this challenge. He is now an editor for the Outdoors Magic magazine and reviews professional outdoor gear for hiking and trail running.
However, his love for trail running was not instinctive. He got a real taste for adventure when his mother encouraged him to walk Offa’s Dyke when he was just 19. He then completed Glyndŵr’s Way, the Beacons Way, the Cambrian Way and the Wales Coast Path which took him more than two months to complete.
Born and bred in South Wales, Will has an intense love for exploring Wales’ landscapes. “We have the highest density of castles in the world. From my experience, every twist and turn hold something interesting to discover. That really opened my eyes to the adventures that can be had in Wales and the beauty of its landscapes. It gave me a real taste for exploration, and I wanted more,” says Will.
Embracing the 189 peaks challenge had a toll on Will’s health largely due to running, carrying all the hiking gear on his back and living on mashed potatoes, instant noodles and pepperoni sticks. He lost a significant amount of weight by the end of his challenge. Will says, “My partner was shocked when I walked through the door and saw how skinny I’d got.” He suggests carrying energy bars and chocolates for those short hunger pangs and energy bursts while enduring the climbing challenge.
Although he navigated the most of his climbing journey by following maps on his phone, Will says that this is not ideal, everyone should carry a paper map while climbing mountains especially in wild and remote areas like Snowdonia or a few peaks in mid-Wales.
Will, having experience of running up these hills, says that beginners can prepare themselves by climbing up the closest hill to Cardiff such as The Garth. “Break the challenge down. Focus on the next peak, next meal, or next campsite, not the entire distance.”
He recommends carrying ample light, simple and energy-dense food stock when carrying out such climbing trails. Having almost faced a situation with no food after a whole day of running across the mountains in terrible weather, Will was lucky to receive leftover sandwiches from a couple after he was turned down by a pub when he reached there at the time of closing. “It was one of those moments that reminded me how kind people can be,” says Will.
Although a few peaks are famous in Wales among tourists, Will says that his personal favourite place is a wild and remote landscape in the mid-Wales. “Most people head to the Brecon Beacons in the south or Snowdonia in the north. But sandwiched in between is a wild landscape, sometimes referred to as the ‘Green Desert’ or ‘Welsh Atlantis.” This place is so remote that it is difficult to find towns, shops or places to stay nearby.
Will says that hikers should explore beyond the obvious and popular hikes. Located at about less than 3000ft, Cader Idris is an excellent value for effort peak that everyone must try. Will says, “One of my favourites is Cader Idris in southern Snowdonia. It’s not as crowded as Snowdon but offers breathtaking views. Many say that if you sleep on the summit, you wake up as either a poet or a madman.”
