The idea was the brainchild of Ron James, the warden of Ogwen Cottage Outdoor Pursuits Centre, along with Dr Ieuan Jones, who invited 60 people to participate in a trial event in 1970. The first race proper was held in 1971 with men starting from the shoreline at Abergwyngregyn, on the shoreline of Conwy Bay, and ladies from the Ogwen Valley. Both finished on the summit of Snowdon after which entrants were still responsible for their own safety and descent to the valley. The early events were for mountaineers, with kit checks to ensure boots were adequate & rucksacks a certain minimum weight, and groups such as West Bromwich Mountaineering Club participated every year. The Army supported the whole event, providing checkpoints throughout the route. Later a Fell running class was introduced and a team event. The Gorphwysfa Club took over the race organisation from the military in the 1990s.