Berghaus confirmed as the Dragon’s Back Race sponsors

From the Berghaus press release:

Berghaus has confirmed that it will sponsor the Dragon’s Back Race™, a five day adventure race that will traverse the mountains of Wales in September.  The Dragon’s Back Race™ enjoys near mythical status in the adventure racing community, both because it has only been held once before (in 1992) and because it proved to be such a tough challenge.  After this year, it is hoped that the race will become an annual event, and Berghaus has stepped in to support the project.

The first Dragon’s Back Race™ took place in September 1992 and saw 32 pairs of runners tackle the five day event.  Only half of the competitors finished the course in a race that was famously won by Helene Diamantides and Martin Stone.  Since then, the Dragon’s Back Race™ has developed an almost legendary reputation; renowned for being extremely arduous, the race cemented a place in many adventure racers’ imaginations thanks to being featured in books like Richard Askwith’s celebrated ‘Feet In the Clouds’.

Now, 20 years later, the Dragon’s Back Race™ is returning to the mountains of Wales.  The 2012 course will follow the original route very closely; starting at Conwy Castle in the north and tracing the mountainous spine of Wales southwards, over five days, with approximately 200 miles and 45,000 feet of ascent, to finish at Carreg Cennen Castle.

The Dragon’s Back Race™ director Shane Ohly comments:

“From early on, Berghaus recognised the unique and compelling challenge that the Dragon’s Back Race™ represents to both competitors and their kit.  As such, I am very happy to be working with Berghaus to test and develop some exiting new products while I spend many days – in all weather – in the mountains of Wales refining the course. As the principle sponsor of the race, Berghaus is providing mountain clothing for all the race marshals, which reassures me that whatever the weather does, my team will be warm and dry and the race can go ahead unhindered.”

David Heath, Berghaus global vice president of product and brand marketing, adds:

“Berghaus has enjoyed associations with many events over the years, but I’m not sure that any of them epitomises the phrase ‘adventure race’ quite as much as the Dragon’s Back Race™.  When Shane told us that he was planning to bring back this event, we were extremely excited about its potential on many levels.  It’s going to be a great testing ground for new and existing kit, and we plan to have at least a couple of Berghaus athletes participating in the race.  Berghaus is a fundamentally adventurous brand, so giving our support to the Dragon’s Back Race™ makes very good sense and we are delighted to be involved.”