Culture tradisions

Unusual Events in Wales!


The whole of the British Isles has various cultures and traditions that may seem a little unusual to tourists from other countries. Nowhere more so than Wales, where attending a sporting event might give you a little more than you bargained for.

World Alternative Games

In Llanwrtyd Wells, a tiny town in Wales, a new sort of sports competition began in 2012. Known as the World Alternative Games, this is probably the strangest competition you will ever come across. Taking place in August this year, some of the events in the games include a unicycle race, husband dragging race, toe wrestling, underwater hockey, the world bog triathlon championships and the world bog snorkelling championships. Another unusual event that takes place in Llanwrtyd Wells is the man v horse marathon, happening this year on the 14th June. The race started in 1980, with the course changed in 1982 to even up the playing field. Since then, the fastest horse has twice been beaten by a man, the first time being 25 years after the inaugural race.

National Eisteddfod of Wales

In Carmarthenshire this August, the National Eisteddfod of Wales will be taking place. This is an annual festival held during the first week of August each year, in a different part of the country each time. It is a celebration of the Welsh language and culture, incorporating, music, dance, poetry and arts.

Race the train

As if bog snorkelling and a man v horse marathon weren't enough, this year sees the 31st annual race the train challenge. The event takes place alongside the Talyllyn narrow gauge steam railway line on surfaces varying between road, tracks and fields. Of course, it isn't a simple, flat route, but instead undulates up and down, often through wet and muddy conditions. The route is approximately 14 miles long and friends and family can support runners by boarding the train and cheering them on. Perhaps surprisingly, it seems that you have more chance of beating a train than a horse, with 191 out of the 935 competitors beating the train in 2013. This is no mean feat, with the train having clocked a time of 1:48:07, showing the strength of the field for so many runners to beat that time on such difficult terrain.

If you head off on holiday to Wales this year, do look out for these events and other unusual fixtures. They're great spectator events, you never know you might even find yourself joining in!

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