Each year, we hold the great Race the Train run in Tywyn, where participants race against the Talyllyn Railway.

As well as the main 14-mile challenge, we have a junior 3k race, men's and ladies' 10k races and a toddlers' trot. We attract over 2,000 runners from across the world. It's also a family day, with stalls and fun and games going on.

The race has been going since 1983 and is always held during August. It was the idea of several Rotary Club members to run against the Talyllyn Railway and raise money for good causes like the cottage hospital and the school.

The runners start on the bridge next to the railway in Tywyn, run the first mile through town and then across country and along farm tracks to Abergynolwyn, and back to town, ending up in the school yard.

Sometimes, the only thing that separates the runners from the railway is a bit of a fence. Your friends and family can shout encouragement from the trains. One sets off as the race starts, and another about 10 minutes later. There's room for about 500 in all.

The race starts with a blast of the train's whistle at Tywyn station and anyone in before its final whistle on its return has done very well. But you've got to be well ahead of the train at the half way stage to be in with a chance of beating it.

The course record stands at 1 hour, 19 minutes and 26 seconds, set in 2005. That's very good going. In 2006, which was one of the wettest races, the same guy took 1 hour 26 minutes to complete the race. But usually about 100 runners beat the train every year.

As well as raising money for the Tywyn Rotary Club, from 2007 we're also inviting national charities on board so you can run to raise money for them, as you can in events such as the London marathon.

I'm from Gateshead originally but have been here 20 years. I took over the race directorship from our local dentist, Godfrey Worsley, who'd been director since it started.

I've never been crazy enough to take part though - I sometimes think running it is easier than doing all the preparation work! But we do get a lot of support from the local community as marshals and stewards and the cooperation of the farmers. We wouldn't have a race without them because we have to run over their land.

There isn't a bed space left in town when this is on so get booking if you want to take part or join in!

Enjoy the race in pictures.