In its 35th year, the 2010 International Snowdon Race has boosted its cash prize in a bid to attract top talent.
Among the elite runners taking to the mountain on 24 July should be Kenyan Wilson Chemweno, but problems with his visa means he's still not in the UK.
"They're trying to fast-track his visa," said race organiser, Stephen Edwards, who's very much hoping Wilson will be on a plane to Manchester by Friday.
Stephen sees the participation of such elite athletes as being a step on the way to giving the Snowdon Race true international status.
"In three or four years I'd like the race back on the European Championships, which it has been once in the past," said Stephen.
"When the committee made the decision to have a cash prize of £600, we spoke to Wilson's sponsors and he was excited and accepted the offer."
There will be an added twist to this year's race as the elite athletes must beat the Snowdon train if they're going to break the 25-year-old course record.
Since Kenny Stuart set the record of 62:29 in 1985, runners have been forced to stick to the Llanberis footpath.
But Stephen has been in talks to suspend the Snowdon Railway for 15 minutes to allow some athletes to follow Kenny's route down the rail tracks.
"It's been on my mind for a few years that the race record can't be broken," said Stephen.
The railway will not close completely, but the elite runners will be allowed to run on the track from the summit down to the fingerstone point, where they will re-join the footpath.
"But to get the opportunity to run this route, runners will have to be up at the summit in 59 minutes. At 3pm the route will close and then all runners will have to run back down the footpath."
Stephen is also delighted that the current record holder will be returning to officially start the race.
"I remember the day of the race [in 1985]. I was 10 years old and helping my dad with the race on the field, so it's an honour for me to get the opportunity to organise such a prestigious international event in my home village. A local lad, carrying the tradition forward."
Stephen hopes to take the local community with him as he plans to make the race more prestigious.
"We don't want to forget the local community's annual support," he said. "The race is also very much about generating money for the local economy."
A programme of events, starting just after the main 16km race will also see races for U10, U12, U14 and U16 year olds, varying in length all the way to a 6.4km race for the u18s.
There will also be family entertainment at Cae y Dol field in Llanberis. And following much consultation, the organising committee have also ensured that there will be a step-up in security and policing after some minor offence issues in the village in 2009.
And Stephen is positive that the recent wet weather won't put off the hill runners coming in from Italy, Morocco and the UK.
"It's supposed to be better by the 24th," he said. "Although it is ideal for runners - wet, but warm, with good visibility on Snowdon."
BBC Wales: 23-7-10
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