Considered to be one of the toughest mountain races in the world, participants attempting the Full Course will need to cover 380km with 16,400m of ascent along the Dragon’s Back of Wales. The Dragon’s Back Race® route is inspired by that of the 1992 race, in which the inaugural Dragons tackled Wales’ uniquely wild, trackless, and remote mountainous terrain.
Today, it is considered to be the toughest mountain race in the world. Participants underestimate it at their peril! Be under no illusion, this is not a ‘trail race’.
The Start (Day One)
After dropping off their dry bags, participants will gather inside Conwy Castle, Rose Hill St, Conwy LL32 8AY early on day one. The atmosphere builds ahead of the start; you will likely be treated to a mix of both sobering and uplifting pieces by the local choir. It’s nearly time to set off on your journey down the spine of Wales!
The Finish (Day Six)
The finish line is in Bute Park next to Cardiff Castle, North Road, Cardiff, CF10 3ER. It’s time to celebrate in this spectacular venue and have your photo taken – well done!
Participants wishing to avoid driving to North Wales ahead of the race can take advantage of a coach that will depart from Cardiff (HERE) on Sunday 13th September (see Key Timings) to transport them to the Registration Venue in Conwy. We will invite you to pre-book this nearer the time.
380km Through Wales? Is That All In One Go?
No, the Dragon’s Back Race® is a multi-stage race. The distance of 380km is split into six days of running. Every evening there is a new ‘pop-up’ overnight campsite where you will get hearty afternoon snacks, dinner, and breakfast, catch up with fellow participants, have access to the race medics, and crucially get a good night’s sleep in tented accommodation. We transport all your overnight baggage between campsites.
If 380km still seems rather overwhelming, there is also the option to complete the Hatchling. This allows participants to experience the race route in more manageable chunks. It is still an epic mountain challenge, and your achievement will be recognised with a special memento at the finish.
How Far Do You Run Each Day?
The average daily distance is 63km. You should also note the average daily ascent of 2,900m. The first day has the shortest distance (52km) but the most ascent (3,800m). Often cited as the crux day, the third day is one of the longest (71km) but also has significant ascent (3,500m). Ascent is also compounded by the equivalent descent!
For the Hatchling, the average daily distance is approximately half.
How Long Do You Have To Complete Each Day?
You have from 06:00 to 22:00 to complete the course each day. If you arrive into camp after 22:00, then you will be classed as non-competitive in the results. You will also be allowed to switch to the Hatchling.
Do You Need To Be Able To Navigate?
The route is not way-marked on the ground, and so you will need to navigate using a GPS device and/or map. This event has been designed so that it is possible to complete it by ‘following the GPS track’ and many participants do navigate using solely this method. However, even if you are navigating using a GPS device, it is mandatory to carry at all times the Harvey Maps 1:40 000 scale event map that we will supply at registration (and know how to use it).
Can You Have A Support Crew?
It is against the event rules for any participant to receive outside support, such as friends/family providing assistance or food, and contravening these rules will result in penalties. It is perfectly acceptable for friends and family to intercept participants on the course to cheer them on.
Friends and family are welcome at Conwy castle for the start, but not inside the registration or briefing marquees. They are also very welcome at Cardiff Castle for the finish and the presentation evening.
How Do People Prepare For This?
It is a tough challenge but with the right preparation, anyone can complete the event if they are willing to put in the time to train and prepare well. This training could mean gradually building up your mileage and running back to back days in the mountains to get used to rough terrain. It’s also a good idea to test out your equipment and hill food ahead of the event.
Given that Wales is fairly accessible from many parts of the country, lots of participants visit in advance to recce the route. This can be very helpful to familiarise yourself with the route and the terrain ahead of the event so that you know what to expect. You could also join one of the official guided race recce trips to explore the route with an experienced guide and meet some fellow participants.
We will be in regular contact in the run up to the event with plenty of support in the form of guidance articles, and there is also a dedicated Facebook group for participants where you can swap ideas and advice on how to prepare.
Not quite ready for the full race route? Then consider the Hatchling course option, potentially a useful stepping stone towards completing the full race route in the future.
