Organisers are counting down to a spectacular Bogfest over August Bank Holiday weekend with events including the famous World Bogsnorkelling Championships and a Bogathlon.

The team at Green Events are preparing to welcome thousands of visitors in the small Mid Wales town of Llanwrtyd Wells on Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30.

The town has developed an international reputation for organising unusual challenges in a series of both wacky and traditional events.

This year’s Bogfest will include live music across the weekend – starting on Saturday at 4pm and continuing on Sunday from around 10am until late.

The music line-up on Saturday, August 29 includes Hermione Wild, Ali Austin and Stompin Dave at The Neuadd Arms, Amber at The Belle Vue and Small Town Samba at The Neuadd Arms at 6pm. The Stonecroft Inn will have Stompin Dave, Anonymous Sauce, Emily Breeze and Daryll's Disco.

The 'Chapel' Bogathlon on Saturday, August 29 is a mini triathlon with a twist. The event, which starts at 11am, comprises a 60-yard swim, two-mile cross country cycle and one mile run over testing, probably wet, terrain. Competitors must be over the age of 14.

The 40th ‘Chapel’ World Bogsnorkelling Championships take place on Sunday, August 30 - from 10am to around 3.30pm - and is expected to attract competitors from around the world, bidding to become the fastest bogsnorkeller over 120 yards.

Allica Bank will be sponsoring the world-famous Welsh event for the first time as part of its Here is Where the Heart Is campaign.

And Kate Davey, Relationship Manager for Wales at Allica Bank will be donning her flippers to experience the championships from inside the bog!

Held annually in the Powys town, the Championships see competitors from across the globe take on one of the world's most unusual sporting challenges – racing through a 60-yard peat bog using nothing more than flippers and a snorkel.

While some arrive hoping to break world records, many swap serious competition for outrageous fancy dress, making the event as much a celebration of fun as sporting prowess.

Now in its 40th year, the Championships have become one of Britain's most iconic quirky sporting traditions.

Recognised by Lonely Planet as one of the world's top 50 "must-do" experiences, the event attracts thousands of spectators and competitors from across the world.

Registration takes place from 9.15am and the bog snorkelling championships starts from 10am.

The World Champion and World Record holder, Neil Rutter, obliterated his former record of 1 minute 18.82 seconds in the 2018 championships by nearly 6.5 seconds and there will also be a children's bog, wife carrying, husband dragging and ditch racing from 11am.

Music on The Bog will include Di Enw from 10am until 11am, The O'Hara Band from 11.15am until 1pm, Elis Jones from 1.15 until 3pm and Hillbillies from 3.15pm until 5pm.

Bogfest in Town on Sunday, August 30 will feature Mari, The Sneak Eazies, Jon Amor Trio as the headline act and Daryll's Disco at The Stonecroft Inn

Beyond the excitement of race day, the Championships provide a significant boost to Llanwrtyd Wells, bringing visitors into the town and supporting local businesses, while showcasing the volunteers and community spirit that have helped the event thrive for almost four decades.

Allica Bank sponsors the event as part of its Here is Where the Heart Is campaign, now in its third year, which celebrates the traditional, and often unique, events that make Britain’s communities special.

These events, which are often volunteer-run, bring both locals and far-flung visitors together and support local economies. The Bog Snorkelling Championships joins a growing calendar of events backed by the bank, including the World Conker Championships, World Stone Skimming Championships, World Pea Shooting Championships, World Pooh Sticks Championships and the Great Knaresborough Bed Race.

Bob Greenough, organiser of the World Bog Snorkelling Championships, said: "The World Bog Snorkelling Championships are unlike anything else in the world – and that's exactly why people keep coming back year after year. What began as a quirky local challenge has grown into an international event, but at its heart it remains a celebration of our community, our volunteers and the wonderfully unusual spirit of Llanwrtyd Wells.

"It takes a huge amount of effort from local people and businesses to bring the Championships to life each year, so having the support of Allica Bank is fantastic. Their backing will help us continue welcoming competitors from across the globe and ensure we can keep putting on a day full of fun, mud and memorable moments for years to come."

Kate Davey, Relationship Manager for Wales at Allica Bank, said: "Whether you're chasing a world record, pulling on a fancy dress costume or simply cheering on from the sidelines, the Bog Snorkelling Championships are a brilliant example of what makes local communities so special. It's an event that puts Llanwrtyd Wells on the map, brings thousands of visitors into the town and creates opportunities for local businesses, volunteers and community groups.

"That's exactly why we're proud to support it through our Here is Where the Heart Is campaign. Events like this aren't just wonderfully eccentric – they're an important part of the local economy and a source of real community pride.

"I'll be swapping my stilettos for flippers this year to take part myself, and I can't wait to experience the Championships from inside the bog! I'm sure it'll be muddy, memorable and a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to cheering everyone else on too."

Returning to more normal territory, from September 16 to 19, Llanwrtyd Wells hosts the Mid Wales Four Day Walking Festival, followed by The Ron Skilton Memorial Half Marathon and 12k races on October 18, with profits going to the MNDA for research into motor neurone disease.

The half marathon has been described by runners as possibly the toughest in the country.

For more information about any of the events, visit www.green-events.co.uk .

Bob Greenough, organiser of the World Bog Snorkelling Championships, said: "The World Bog Snorkelling Championships are unlike anything else in the world – and that's exactly why people keep coming back year after year. What began as a quirky local challenge has grown into an international event, but at its heart it remains a celebration of our community, our volunteers and the wonderfully unusual spirit of Llanwrtyd Wells.

"It takes a huge amount of effort from local people and businesses to bring the Championships to life each year, so having the support of Allica Bank is fantastic. Their backing will help us continue welcoming competitors from across the globe and ensure we can keep putting on a day full of fun, mud and memorable moments for years to come."

Kate Davey, Relationship Manager for Wales at Allica Bank, said: "Whether you're chasing a world record, pulling on a fancy dress costume or simply cheering on from the sidelines, the Bog Snorkelling Championships are a brilliant example of what makes local communities so special. It's an event that puts Llanwrtyd Wells on the map, brings thousands of visitors into the town and creates opportunities for local businesses, volunteers and community groups.

"That's exactly why we're proud to support it through our Here is Where the Heart Is campaign. Events like this aren't just wonderfully eccentric – they're an important part of the local economy and a source of real community pride.

"I'll be swapping my stilettos for flippers this year to take part myself, and I can't wait to experience the Championships from inside the bog! I'm sure it'll be muddy, memorable and a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to cheering everyone else on too."