Slateman Legend (70.3 distance)
Llanberis, United Kingdom · June · Always Aim High Events
Not a standard 70.3. This course is 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 92.6 km (58 mi) bike, 23.1 km (14.4 mi) run, not the usual 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run. 1.9 km (1.2 mi) / 92.6 km (57.5 mi) / 23.1 km (14.4 mi).
Why people love it
- Bike over Pen y Pass and the Llanberis and Nant Gwynant passes, rated spectacular
- Swim in Llyn Padarn beneath the Snowdonia peaks
- Run through the Dinorwig slate quarry
- Described by a past finisher as brutal and beautiful
Watch out for
- Bike distance is 92.6 km (57.5 mi) on one page and 95.6 km (59.4 mi) on the organiser's 2026 page
- Bike climbing is at least 1,363 m (4,472 ft); the organiser quotes nearly 1,600 m (5,250 ft)
- The run is 23.1 km (14.4 mi), with a 2 km (1.2 mi) quarry climb each lap
- Water can be very cold: 9 °C (48 °F) was reported in some years
- Cutoffs are tight: 1:10 for the swim and 4:50 for the bike
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.2
A finisher called it brutal and beautiful and one listing shows 4.9 from 5 reviews, but Legend-specific feedback is thin. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.9
An established event with marshals and volunteers thanked in reports; no complaints found, but little independent evidence. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyDemanding1.5
About 1,363 to 1,600 m (4,470 to 5,250 ft) of climbing, cold water, a long run with quarry climbs and tight cutoffs. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialVery slow1.3
Winners took 4:46 and 5:14 against roughly 3:50 on fast courses; the mountain bike and quarry run make it very slow. · Medium confidence
- Course easeExtreme1.4
Mountain passes, a 23.1 km (14.4 mi) run with two quarry climbs, cold water and changeable weather. · Medium confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.8
A mountain lake in June, reported as cold as 9 °C (48 °F) in some years; wetsuits are near certain. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureUncomfortable2.0
Cold: 9 °C (48 °F) was reported in some years; there is no temperature record. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.0
Sheltered Llyn Padarn lake; no reports of chop. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy3.9
A 1.9 km (1.2 mi) lake swim with waves by estimated finish time; no navigation or contact reports. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat4.2
Swimming under the Snowdonia mountains is the draw; the cold takes some shine off. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.0
Mountain roads; no specific reports on the surface. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.0
Promotional material mentions closed roads at Pen y Pass; the extent of closures is not confirmed. · Low confidence
- Bike scenerySpectacular4.8
Llanberis Pass, Pen y Pass, the Ogwen Valley and Snowdon views are praised across sources. · High confidence
- WindWindy2.3
A noticeable headwind in 2023 and windy conditions in 2022 on the Llanberis Pass. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedVery slow1.4
Mountain loop of 92.6 km (57.5 mi) with 1,363 to 1,600 m (4,470 to 5,250 ft) of climbing; leaders need over 5 hours overall. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessMountainous1.2
At least 1,363 m (4,472 ft) over 92.6 km (57.5 mi), and the organiser quotes nearly 1,600 m (5,250 ft). · High confidence
- Bike simplicityTechnical1.9
Steep descents from Pen y Pass and the narrow, winding Nant Gwynant Pass. · Medium confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent3.2
One finisher praised crowds and volunteers, but the bike loop leaves the village. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.4
Volunteers are thanked in reports; there is no detail on aid stations. · Low confidence
- Run scenerySpectacular4.5
Dinorwig slate quarry and Parc Padarn forest are praised in several reports. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsHard1.8
Trail and quarry terrain; one columnist called the run brutal. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessHilly1.5
Two laps, each with a 2 km (1.2 mi) climb through the slate quarry, over 23.1 km (14.4 mi). · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant3.5
June in Snowdonia is usually cool to mild, but 2023 was hot and humid. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityUnsettled2.0
Mountain weather changes fast; wind in 2022 and 2023, mixed conditions in 2026. · Medium confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.8
Snowdonia peaks above Llyn Padarn and the slate landscape. · High confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.0
Swim and run laps pass through Llanberis, but the bike loop leaves the village. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.5
Start about 100 m (330 ft); Pen y Pass is about 360 m (1,180 ft). · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early3.2
Snowdonia is a busy outdoor tourist base; no race-week data found. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.2
No race-week price data found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.0
Race centre and registration are in Llanberis village; lodging distances are unconfirmed. · Low confidence
- Travel easeAwkward2.2
Remote north-west Wales; Manchester or Liverpool airport, then a drive. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.7
One transition, one bike loop and race-day racking only. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood3.5
Llanberis is an outdoor village with pubs and cafes, but reports do not cover it. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Llanberis, Gwynedd, Eryri (Snowdonia), United Kingdom
- Typical month
- June
- Latest or next date
- 13 June 2027
- Organiser
- Always Aim High Events
- First held
- 2019
- Distances (non-standard)
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 92.6 km (58 mi) bike, 23.1 km (14.4 mi) run
- Cutoffs
- Swim 1:10 (swim and exit transition), Bike 4:50 (bike and exit transition)
- Swim venue
- Llyn Padarn, Llanberis (lake)
- Swim start
- waves allocated by estimated finish time, first wave usually 07:00
- Bike climbing
- 1,363 m (4,470 ft)
- Bike laps
- 1
- Key climbs
- Llanberis Pass to Pen y Pass; Nant Gwynant Pass; Bwlch y Gorddinan; Crimea Pass (2026 route)
- Run laps
- 2
- Run shade
- forest sections in Parc Padarn
- Altitude
- 100 m (330 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Manchester (MAN) or Liverpool John Lennon (LPL)
- Where to stay
- Llanberis, Caernarfon, Betws-y-Coed
- Booking
- Registration on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning near the Community Centre (LL55 4UR). Racking on race day only.
What racers and reviewers say
- Tri247 - Paul Hayward on the SlatemanRaced 2017 · article · Positive
A 2017 finisher calls the event epic and not easy: a cold Llyn Padarn swim, a bike that climbs straight out of Llanberis and a trail run that he found brutal. He found the Snowdon views so absorbing he forgot photos and praised the crowds and volunteers. Covers the original Slateman before the Legend existed.
“brutal and beautiful”
- Always Aim High Events 2023 race reportRaced 2023 · article · Positive
Organiser report on the 11th Slateman: hot and sunny with a noticeable headwind on the bike, humid on the Sunday. The Legend bike was 92 km (57 mi) of passes with steep climbs and fast descents; the run was two laps with two quarry climbs. Legend winner took 4:45:47.
- Always Aim High Events 2026 race reportRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Sunday started overcast but calm and turned beautiful. Legend winners finished in 5:13:57 and about 5:46:55; slowest finisher still raising money in fancy dress at 6:57:51. Promotional, upbeat tone about the atmosphere.
- Let's Do This event listing (via search summary)Raced 2023 · aggregator · Positive
The 2023 listing showed a 4.9 out of 5 average across 5 reviews. Tiny sample and not Legend-specific, so only a loose indication of satisfaction.
- 220 Triathlon - Slateman race info (via search summary)article · Positive
Magazine guide quoting a 92.6 km (57.5 mi) Legend bike with 1,363 m (4,472 ft) of climbing, passing through the Ogwen Valley under Tryfan. Page blocked direct reading; details come from a search summary.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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