Ultra X Secures the Future of The Dragon’s Back and Northern Traverse races
Speaking to Kate after the announcement, Ultra X co-founder Sam Heward emphasised that the priority is not reinvention, but continuity and they want to reassure runners that the Dragon’s Back Race and Northern Traverse will retain their identity following their acquisition from Ourea Events.
“It’s important to us that runners get what they paid for,” he said, reinforcing that both events will be delivered in line with expectations already set.
What This Means for Runners
Ultra X has outlined a series of immediate goodwill measures aimed at supporting affected participants:
- The 2026 Dragon’s Back Race will go ahead as planned, with all existing entries honoured.
- Entries for the 2026 Northern Traverse will be transferred to the 2027 edition.
- Entrants for the cancelled Cape Wrath Ultra 2026 will be offered credit equivalent to their entry fee, redeemable against any Ultra X event for a period of three years, including Dragon’s Back and Northern Traverse.
All registered runners across the three events will be contacted directly with further details.
Proven Experience in Multi-Day Ultras
Ultra X is not new to complex, multi-day racing. The Ultra X team already delivers a portfolio of multi-stage ultras across the globe, demonstrating a level of operational experience that will provide reassurance to entrants concerned about delivery.
This acquisition marks an important moment for Ultra X as it invests for the first time in two world-class ultra-endurance experiences. Both races have built passionate communities, distinctive identities and hard-earned reputations for delivering unforgettable journeys through some of Britain’s most spectacular landscapes and it’s important to Sam that the races retain these unique personalities.
Keeping the Team Behind the Races
A key part of that continuity lies in people, not just format.
Former Ourea Events Operations Director Greg Mickelborough will take on a central role, becoming Managing Director of a new company wholly owned by Ultra X, which will oversee both Dragon’s Back Race and Northern Traverse.
Sam highlighted that bringing across members of the original delivery team was a deliberate decision:
“Much of what defines these races comes down to the people behind them and retaining that expertise is seen as critical to preserving their character.”
Former CEO Shane Ohly also remains involved in a consultancy capacity, further supporting continuity during the transition.
Sam also stated this belief that these two events themselves were not responsible for Ourea’s collapse, saying that both have a strong future and remain highly valued within the ultra running community.
“No Immediate Changes” But Evolution Expected
While Ultra X has committed to maintaining the current format in the short term, Sam acknowledged that change over time is inevitable.
“No doubt there will be changes over the next few years,” he said, “but the immediate goal is to keep events as they are.”
Any future developments, he added, will be shaped by runner feedback and careful review rather than wholesale overhaul.
A New Chapter With Familiar Foundations
This approach suggests a steady transition rather than a reset. For runners, particularly those already entered, a clear message is being sent: expect the same races, delivered by many of the same people, under new ownership.
That balance between preservation and progression will ultimately define how successfully Ultra X can carry forward two of the UK’s most respected endurance events.
RunUltra Entry Confirmed for Dragon’s Back Race
As part of the transition, Ultra X has confirmed it will honour RunUltra’s entry for Bryony Shircore in the Dragon’s Back Fire Race.
RunUltra will be following Bryony’s journey closely, and will focus on female accessibility and representation. RunUltra will highlight her experience of taking on one of the UK’s toughest multi-day ultras under the new ownership. Bryony was thrilled with the news;
“I was absolutely delighted to read Ultra X’s email this morning. I cannot imagine the work that goes into taking on such an iconic race but I am so happy they are doing so! As a member of the local running community, I can confidently say the race brings a huge sense of excitement to the area, with an impact that extends far beyond the immediate community/region. I’m really looking forward to getting back out into the local hills to start recce-ing the route knowing that this race will be going ahead.”
Registrations for the 2026 Dragon’s Back Race have now reopened, with Northern Traverse entries for 2027 expected to follow soon.
