THE ORGANISERS of Tywyn’s annual Race the Train have received a national award.

The Rotary Club in Tywyn have been awarded the Wallasey Cup for their work in organising the annual Race the Train for the past 33 years.

The trophy is awarded to the best club project dealt with by Rotarians in the UK and Ireland.

Godfrey Worsley, for many years the race director, originally came up with the idea for the main race, which has become internationally famous, and features runners ‘racing’ a Talyllyn Railway train between Tywyn and Abergynolwyn and return, a total distance of some 14 miles.

Since it started in 1984 the event has grown hugely and now attracts runners from all over the world eager to take part in this gruelling challenge.

Runners wanting to beat the train have to complete the course in under 1 hour 47 minutes. Over the years the race has raised over a quarter of a million pounds for charity.

The event now features a variety of different races over a number of distances to suit different abilities, which has added to its popularity.

This year’s event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 19 August, and the Tywyn Rotary Club is looking for volunteers to help assist with the event.