Dragon's Back Race
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| Dragon's Back Race | |
|---|---|
| Date | c.September |
| Location | Wales |
| Event type | Multi-day trail |
| Distance | 236 miles (380 km) |
| Established | September 1992; 33 years ago (1992-09) |
| Organizer | Ourea events (www |
| Official site | www |
The Dragon's Back Race (in Welsh, Ras Cefn y Ddraig) is a multi-day running race across mountains of Wales, from North Wales to South Wales. The 2019 race was from Conwy to Llandeilo, taking place over five days. The ascents in it would add up to twice the height of Mount Everest. The first race was in September 1992, and the second in September 2012.[1] The name refers to the legendary Welsh Dragon.
History
[edit ]The race was previously over five days and Dalamere notes a distance of 186 miles (299 km),[2] as opposed to the 2021 length of 236 miles (380 km).[3]
In August 2020 the organisers, Ourea Events, released the news that the 2021 edition of the race would mark a step change in the evolution of the event with the addition of a sixth day, which would see the race finish at the iconic Cardiff Castle.
The winners have been as follows.[4]
| Year | Men | Time | Women | Time | Days | Pairs | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | John Redmayne | 42:59:00 | - | - | 5 | Helene Diamantides and Martin Stone | 38:38:00 |
| 2012 | Steve Birkinshaw | 43:25:30 | Helene Whitaker | 49:10:05 | 5 | ||
| 2015 | Jim Mann | 40:08:03 | Jasmin Paris | 41:45:34 | 5 | ||
| 2017 | Marcus Scotney | 37:58:37 | Carol Morgan | 48:41:47 | 5 | ||
| 2019 | Galen Reynolds | 37:48:06 | Lisa Watson | 44:33:23 | 5 | ||
| 2021 | Simon Roberts | 45:42:11 | Katie Mills | 61:12:54 | 6 | ||
| 2022 | James Nobles | 50:40:23 | Lisa Watson | 53:46:22 | 6 | ||
| 2023 | Hugh Chatfield | 47:38:44 | Robyn Cassidy | 54:25:05 | 6 | ||
| 2024 | Max King | 45:39:19 | Jo Meek | 63:30:11 | 6 |
2026 Route
[edit ]The distance is 383 kilometres (238 mi) covered in six days.
| Day | Distance | Vertical gain | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50 kilometres (31 mi) | 4,100 metres (13,500 ft) | Via Conwy Castle, Carneddau (910 metres (2,990 ft)), Tryfan, Glyderau, Crib Goch ridge, Snowdon Horseshoe to Nant Gwynant.[5] |
| 2 | 60 kilometres (37 mi) | 3,200 metres (10,500 ft) | Via Cnicht, Moelwynion, Rhinogydd mountains.[6] |
| 3 | 66 kilometres (41 mi) | 2,900 metres (9,500 ft) | Via Dolgellau, over Cadair Idris to the Cambrian Mountains,[7] with a half-way checkpoint at Machynlleth, the last provision restock point for two days,[8] before ascending Pen Pumlumon Fawr,[9] the highest peak in central Wales at 730 metres (2,400 ft).[10] |
| 4 | 70 kilometres (43 mi) | 1,900 metres (6,200 ft) | over much flatter terrain with views through the Elan Valley,[11] and ends at Rhandirmwyn.[12] |
| 5 | 72 kilometres (45 mi) | 3,200 metres (10,500 ft) | Via the Brecon Beacons, crossing its six main peaks including Pen y Fan, the highest in South Wales, before finishing at Talybont-on-Usk.[13] |
| 6 | 65 kilometres (40 mi) | 1,300 metres (4,300 ft) | Via the valleys to Merthyr Tydfil, then along the Taff trail and River Taff to Cardiff Castle.[14] |
Sponsorship
[edit ]The race was sponsored by Berghaus in 2015,[15] 2017[16] and 2019,[17] and by Montane in 2021,[18] 2022[19] and 2023.[20]
References
[edit ]Footnotes
[edit ]- ^ "Montane Dragon's Back Race® - The World's Toughest Mountain Race - Ras Cefn y Ddraig". Montane Dragon's Back Race®.
- ^ Delamere 2015.
- ^ Morgan 2021, 1m 10s.
- ^ "2021 Results". Montane Dragon's Back Race®.
- ^ Morgan 2021, 1m 16s.
- ^ Morgan 2021, 12m 25s.
- ^ Morgan 2021, 20m 50s.
- ^ Morgan 2021, 22m 57s.
- ^ Morgan 2021, 23m 38s.
- ^ Morgan 2021, 24m 0s.
- ^ Morgan 2021, 26m 46s.
- ^ Morgan 2021, 35m 8s.
- ^ Morgan 2021, 37m 20s.
- ^ Morgan 2021, 48m 40s.
- ^ "2015 Results". Dragon's Back Race®. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "2017 Results". Dragon's Back Race®. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "2019 Results". Dragon's Back Race®. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "2021 Results". Dragon's Back Race®. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Open Tracking - Montane Dragon's Back Race 2022 Results". results.opentracking.co.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Open Tracking - Montane Dragon's Back Race 2023 Results". results.opentracking.co.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
Sources
[edit ]- Delamere, Laura (5 August 2015). "35 of the Most Grueling Races". Business to Community. Dragon's Back Race. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- Morgan, Lowri (10 October 2021). The Dragon's Back Race . BBC.
External links
[edit ]- Official website
- Dragon’s Back Race – Preparations Web site with images
