Snowdon trains will halt to allow runners to descend the tracks as far as the Finger Stone. Photo Andrew Farquhar

A mountain train service will come to a halt this afternoon to allow runners to use its tracks.

The Snowdon Mountain Railway will suspend services from 2.30pm so competitors in the Snowdon International Race can descend via the route as they leave the summit.

Race marshals will be on hand to guide runners down the tracks a short distance below the Hafod Eryri cafe near the top of the 1,085m (3,560ft) mountain.

This year’s race includes runners from Morocco and Italy as well as Welsh, English, Scottish and Irish fellrunners. The favoured Kenyan Wilson Chemweno was a late doubt because of difficulties he had getting a visa.

The race is only open to top-class athletes who have competed in a category A fell or mountain race and starts at 2pm in Padarn Park, Llanberis, following the tourist path to the summit and returns via the same route.

The race, which has become one of the top fellrunning events, was first run in 1976 and was won by Dave Francis from Bristol who completed the course in 1hr 12mins 05sec. The current record holder is Kenny Stuart, who won in a time of 1hr 2mins 29sec in 1985.

Last year, Mark Lear, 45, of Pentir, Bangor, died after collapsing during the race. He was treated at the scene, 300m (984ft) below the summit, and airlifted to the Ysbyty Gwynedd, but pronounced dead at the hospital.

• Update: the race was won by Scot Robbie Simpson in 1hr 7mins 59secs, ahead of Italian Alex Baldaccini and Yorkshireman Ian Holmes. Kenyan Wilson Chemweno, who did manage to make the race, was beaten into seventh place.

  First woman back was Catriona Buchanan of Scotland, in a time of 1hr 21mins 15secs, putting her in 37th place overall.