Dragon's Back Race 2017 entries confirmed
The 4th edition of the Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race takes place this May 22nd-26th 2017. The race, now one of the top bucket list running events in the world, first took place in 1992 before being rekindled in 2012 by Shane Ohly of Ourea Events. By 2015, the race had earned itself the tagline of the ‘toughest mountain race in the world’.
Southbound through Snowdonia at the 2015 race ©iancorless.com
Entries for the 2017 event sold out within 2 weeks back in May 2016. Now, with just under 3 months to go, organisers Ourea Events have a definitive list of those who are paid-up in full, which includes a sizeable number of international participants; 23 nationalities will be represented at the 2017 event.
Organisers are also delighted to welcome back the Berghaus Relay team who are offered the unique opportunity to split the 5-day race between 5 of their staff, handing over the baton at each overnight camp. Berghaus’s commitment to both the upcoming 2017 and 2019 editions of the race allows organisers to further cement the event’s world-class reputation in delivering a superb participant experience, live GPS tracking for a worldwide audience, and in daily releases of film footage and photography.
Beth Pascal on the 2015 race ©iancorless.com
It is now confirmed that 270 participants hold a coveted place in the most eagerly awaited race of 2017. They will first congregate at the start line at 7am on May 22ndinside the walls of Conwy Castle, where they will bear witness to a sobering performance by the Welsh Male Voice choir. The scene will thus be set, ready to embark south on the incredible journey along the mountainous spine of Wales.
The route is largely unchanged from 2015 and features one of the most punishing first days of any multi-stage race, tackling all but 3 of the 14 Welsh 3000s. Day 2 once again heads into some of the roughest and most arduous terrain in the UK; the craggy, heather-infested Rhinogs. “Think like a sheep” was advice anecdotally presented to 2015 participants by Race Director Shane Ohly in order to navigate through the myriad of faint trods. Statistically, if participants make it through both this and the following (longest – 68.3km) day, they are most likely to finish the full race.
Heading up the east ridge of Crib Goch on the 2015 race ©iancorless.com
The 2017 event will only be possible due to the 60-strong event team, a large proportion of which are volunteers, who take responsibility for campsite builds, checkpoint placing, mountain safety, media coverage, catering, and much more. The support of National Trust Wales, the National Parks, and landowners is equally valuable to the smooth progress of the race as it travels south through Wales.
Catch a full who’s who of the 2017 Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race in the next update.