A CELEBRATORY run honouring the Welsh language will take place across Gwynedd next week.

The second Ras yr Iaith will be held from 6 to 8 July with participants running through 24 towns and villages between Bangor and Llandeilo, from the north to the south, uniting the country with the ‘Language Baton’.

According to a spokesperson for the event, Ras yr Iaith is not a race for athletes but “a race for the Welsh Language by the Welsh people”.

The first race was held in 2014, to celebrate and raise awareness of the Welsh language.

The run is open to everyone – fluent speakers, learners and all those who support the language.

A spokesperson for Gwynedd Council, Bangor councillor Elin Walker Jones, said: “We are very happy that the race starts this year in Gwynedd.

“We are looking forward to seeing children and people of all ages running through Bangor showing support for the Welsh language.”

The baton, which has been carved especially for the race, will be passed from hand to hand, as runners show their support for the language.

Individuals, families, businesses and local clubs, organisations and schools are sponsoring and running 1km carrying a baton.

“It is time for Welsh lovers to come together and show a bit of fun for the language,” added Sion Jobbins, a runner in similar successful races for the Breton, Irish and Basque languages.

“Ras yr Iaith will be a great way to draw people together and celebrate that we are still here.”

The race starts in front of Ysgol Glancegin in Maesgeirchen on 6 July at 9am which will include a small opening ceremony with the mayor, local councillors and Dafydd Iwan and Dewi Pws.

From there, the baton will head south until it reaches Blaenau Ffestiniog at 2pm, Bala, 4pm, Dolgellau, 5.30pm, before ending up in Machynlleth, at 6.30pm.

“It’s time to celebrate the Welsh language and bring together people of all backgrounds and interests who support the language, be they Welsh speakers, learners and non-Welsh speakers” said Iwan Hywel, co-ordinator of the north Wales leg of the race for Mentrau Iaith Cymru.

A song has been recorded especially for Ras yr Iaith this year by Dewi Pws.

He will also commentate on the race by encouraging runners and fans to have fun.

This year’s race ambassadors are Lowri Morgan, Angharad Mair and Owain Gwynedd.

If you want to be part of the of the race, contact Iwan Hywel for more information on [email protected]u or visit http://rasyriaith.cymru.