Suunto Athletes Shine at Ultra-Trail Snowdonia
Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB returned to the mountains of Eryri this weekend, bringing together some of the world’s top trail runners for one of the toughest races in the UK trail running calendar. As part of the UTMB World Series, the event attracts elite athletes chasing podium finishes, Running Stones, and qualification opportunities for the UTMB Finals in Chamonix.
For Suunto, it was an especially successful weekend, with athletes securing victories across multiple race categories, from the fast-paced ERYRI 25K right through to the brutal UTS 100K.
What is the UTMB World Series?
The UTMB World Series is effectively the global championship structure for ultra-trail running. Events are held across the world, with runners collecting “Running Stones” that can help qualify them for the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, France.
Ultra-Trail Snowdonia has quickly built a reputation as one of the most technical and demanding races on the circuit, thanks to its steep climbs, rocky terrain, unpredictable weather, and stunning mountain scenery.
The 2026 event featured distances including:
- UTS 100M
- UTS 100K
- UTS 80K
- UTS 50K
- ERYRI 25K
For GPS watch users, Snowdonia is exactly the sort of terrain where navigation tools, battery life, and reliable GPS tracking really matter.
Suunto Results at a Glance
|
Athlete |
Race |
Result |
Time |
|
Josh Wade - Suunto Race 2 |
UTS 80K |
1st Overall |
6:56:44 |
|
Lowri Morgan - Suunto Vertical 2 |
UTS 80K |
1st Woman |
9:21:33 |
|
Ariane Wilhem - Suunto Race 2 |
UTS 100K |
1st Woman |
16:02:48 |
|
Cana Peek - Suunto Race 2 |
ERYRI 25K |
1st Woman |
1:59:01 |
|
Caiden Thom - Suunto Race |
ERYRI 25K |
2nd Overall |
1:42:08 |
Josh Wade Dominates the UTS 80K
One of the standout performances of the weekend came from Josh Wade, who stormed to victory in the UTS 80K in an astonishing 6 hours 56 minutes.
Even more impressive was the winning margin. Wade crossed the line more than an hour ahead of second place, showing complete control from start to finish across the demanding 78 km route.
After the race, Wade described it as “one of the strongest races I’ve ever had”, which says a lot considering the level of competition at UTMB events.
Interestingly, despite being a Suunto athlete, Josh raced with an older-generation watch rather than one of the latest models.
Lowri Morgan Takes Women’s Victory in the 80K
Welsh endurance athlete Lowri Morgan delivered a brilliant home-soil performance, winning the women’s UTS 80K in 9:21:33.
Morgan finished nearly 20 minutes ahead of second place and looked strong throughout the race. For local supporters lining the route through Eryri, it was one of the biggest stories of the weekend.
One of the nicest moments came after the finish when Morgan shared that her father had been watching the live tracking feed and phoned her almost immediately after she crossed the line. It is those little personal stories that make ultra running so relatable, even at elite level.
Ariane Wilhem Crushes the Women’s 100K
Swiss athlete Ariane Wilhem produced one of the most dominant performances of the entire event, winning the women’s UTS 100K in 16:02:48.
Her victory margin was enormous, finishing more than two and a half hours ahead of second place.
Wilhem arrived at Snowdonia with serious pedigree already behind her, and she fully lived up to expectations on one of the toughest courses in the UK trail scene.
Cana Peek Breaks Two Hours in the ERYRI 25K
In the shorter ERYRI 25K race, Cana Peek delivered a superb run to win the women’s event in 1:59:01.
Breaking the two-hour barrier on such a steep and technical course is no small achievement. The route may be the shortest race of the weekend, but Snowdonia terrain never makes things easy.
Her performance was one of the sharpest and fastest runs of the entire weekend.
Caiden Thom Misses Victory by Just 23 Seconds
If there was one race packed with drama, it was the men’s ERYRI 25K.
Caiden Thom finished second overall in 1:42:08, missing victory by just 23 seconds after an incredibly close battle to the line.
For younger trail runners coming through the sport, Thom is definitely an athlete worth watching over the next few years.
Why This Matters for GPS Watch Users
One thing Ultra-Trail Snowdonia highlights better than almost any race is just how important reliable GPS technology has become in modern trail running.
Events like these are not simply about pace. Athletes are dealing with:
- Mountain weather
- Technical descents
- Long hours in remote terrain
- Navigation pressure
- Battery management
- Climbing and elevation tracking
That is why races like UTMB are such a natural fit for brands like Suunto. Watches such as the Suunto Race and Suunto Vertical series are designed specifically for this sort of environment, where accurate navigation and long battery life genuinely matter.
Final Thoughts
From Josh Wade’s dominant 80K victory to the dramatic sprint finish involving Caiden Thom, it was a hugely successful weekend for Suunto athletes at Ultra-Trail Snowdonia.
For anyone interested in trail running, mountain adventures, or GPS watch technology, events like this are always fascinating because they show what both athletes and equipment are capable of under real pressure in real mountain conditions.
And perhaps the biggest takeaway of all? Even in an age of the latest GPS technology, sometimes an athlete can still win one of the toughest races in the UK wearing an “old watch”.
Further Reading
1. Suunto watches
2. UTMB 2025 - A race for the ages
Caiden Thom
Thank you for the mention and the kind words !