Race to the Sea — one breath-taking journey from land to sea

On a frosty morning in late October, runners, walkers and hikers alike embarked on an epic new challenge — the first ever Race to the Sea.

The challenging 50km route took walkers and runners along the length of the river Ystwyth — from the village of Llangurig in the beautiful Cambrian mountains to the finish line on the Aberystwyth coast.

Through snow, ice, wind - and a brief glimmer of sun - participants ventured across stunning landscapes and undulating pathways, travelling on a journey that could only be made on foot.

And it wasn’t just competitors who got a piece of the action. Five checkpoints — Cefen, Ty Mawr, Pont-rhyd-y-Groes, Crosswood and Glynwern — provided friends, family and passers-by with the best viewing spots along the route.

But what made the event so unique was its link to an old myth associated with the Mid Wales area, the Three Sisters of Plynlimon. The tale talks of three water spirits who, from the mountain of Plynlimon, took their own route to sea, forming the rivers Ystwyth, Severn and Wye.

Race to the Sea follows the journey of the wildest sister, Ystwyth, who weaved in and out of rugged landscapes before eventually settling on the coast of Cardigan Bay.