The 2019 Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race® is over and what an incredible week it was for all involved. The 5th edition of this legendary race further cemented it's reputation as a world-class event in the mountain running and outdoor community. Earning a coveted Dragon trophy represents the culmination of months of hard training and preparation that only the most determined and experienced mountain and ultra runners can aspire to. The very challenging nature of the event is clearly shown in statistics:

2012 - Starters 82, Finishers 32 – Finishing rate: 39%
2015 - Starters 142, Finishers 65 – Finishing rate: 45%
2017 - Starters 223, Finishers 127 – Finishing rate: 56%
2019 - Starters 402, Finishers 251 – Finishing rate: 62%

Looking for the final results?

As the Race Director, I have a strong sense of the Dragon’s Back Race® coming of age with a combination of collective knowledge and experience held by both participants and the event team on how best to complete, and how best to organise the event. This is reflected in the improving completion rate with each edition, combined with the ever more efficient and slick delivery of an ever increasingly complex event. There were many occasions during the week when I stood back and just watched the superb event team quietly completing their tasks. At the same time, I was also observing so many competitors quiet determination and fortitude. It truly was an amazing week surrounded by so many highly motivated and like-minded people and I am proud to have played my part alongside you all.

Robert Barnes during the 2019 Berghaus Dragon's Back race ©No Limits Photography — *Robert Barnes during the 2019 Berghaus Dragon's Back race ©No Limits Photography*

Whilst the improving completion rate with each edition is flattering, I know that the full beast of the Dragon has yet to be unleashed. This was the fourth edition of the (modern) event and still, we maintain a near perfect run of Welsh weather. We all know that this run of luck must end at some point, and a week of continuously poor weather during such an arduous event would likely decimate the number of finishers. I'll keep my fingers crossed that our run of luck continues in 2021 when the next edition of the race will take place.

Thanks to the event team

One of my roles at the event is to ensure that the Event Team are happy. Whilst I'd love to interact, encourage and support every runner individually this role is completed by the Event Team. In the week since the event, we have all been touched by the stories of compassion, caring and support that the 2019 participants are now sharing with us and online and this is all down to simply awesome Event Team who grafted through long hours, whilst being cheerful, friendly and professional. They are an absolute credit to the running and outdoor community, and I would like to again state my sincere thanks to them all; you made the event the stunning success it was!

It is fantastic to know that many of the Event Team will be returning to help or participate at our sister ultra-running expedition event - the Cape Wrath Ultra ® - in May 2020. The 130-strong Event Team at the 2019 Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race® were:

Admin Team

Andrew Hastie
Charlotte Emms
Ellen Thomson
Jacqueline Cooper
Jon Aylward
Matthew Harris
Tania Pacheco

Catering Team

Ali Edwards
Cath Holloway
Erin James
Jane Hodgson
Katie Plant
Marcus Barnes
Sandra Williams
Sharon Dickson
Tim Glasby

Checkpoint Team

Colin Harding
Dave Cumins
Fiona Brannan
Garry Perratt
Jade Phillips
Matt Harmon
Nicholas Barber
Owen Rees

Wrangling Team

Gary Tompsett
Philip Wilkinson
Lou Beetlestone

Day 5 Team

Chris Ohly
Jane Hand
Ryan Ohly
Carol Morgan

Camp Team

Andrew Walsh
Anne Marie Lord
Barbara Garrett
Ben Wells
Ciara Ni Mhurchu
Debbie Brupbacher
Debbie McCart
Debs White
Derek Pickles
Edward Chapman
Emiko Kawakami
Franka Nawrath
Graham Black
Guido Althausen
James Gray
John Hayes
Karen 'Kaz' Kemish
Lois Simpson
Lucie Barnes
Martin Slack
Matt Snow
Matthew Hand
Matthew Santo
Michael Schneider
Michael White
Michelle Creed
Mick Cooper
Mike King
Pam Nix
Paul Weaving
Peter O'Kane
Samantha Hardman
Tom Blockley
Tom Rowes
Wayne Smith
Wayne Vickers

Response Team

Abbi Forsyth
Alli Holland
Kate Worthington
Stuart Allan
Stuart Smith
Tom Chivers

Medical Team

Alexandra Waddington
Ally Middleton
Andrea Wolfe
Catherine Slater
Charlotte Hattersley
Hannah Lee Chadwick
Julie Sparrow
Morag Bowie
Neil Middleton
Nicola Pollard
Nikki Sommers
Rob O'Loughlin

Medical Team and Support Point Team

Ian Brandreth
John Irvine

Support Point Team

Anna Morrison
Emily Ravenhill
Emma Phillips
Gareth Swain
Hannah Bradshaw
Ian Cowie
Kirsten Ejlskov Jensen
Steve Arden

Ourea Events Staff

Alex Chesters
Graham Gristwood
Helen Samson
Janie Oates
Lucy Scrase
Shane Ohly
Tom Hecht

Race Control

Dave Taylor
Matt Gemmell

Media Team

Ben Pritchard
Chris Lines
Christiaan Le Roux
Ellie Green
Fiona Marley-Patterson
Fiona Russell
Harriet D'Allesio Le Roux
Mark Bullock
Mary-Ann Ochota
Matt Green
Richard Heap
Steve Ashworth
Jimmy Hyland
Craig Goodard

Race Timing and Tracking

Martin Stone
Peter Foster
James Thurlow

Scrambling Safety Team

Lou Beetlestone
Sabrina Paniccia
Rusty Bale
Tim Harrop
Will Hardy
Libby Peters
Sam Farnsworth
Rory Shaw

*The start line at Conwy Castle ©No Limits Photography*

Thanks to Berghaus

Way back in 2010 I was doing some consulting work for Berghaus at the same time as reading Feet in the Clouds. Berghaus were keen to create an iconic event and inspired by the chapter about the original 1992 Dragon's Back Race, I had a light bulb moment and invited Berghaus to sponsor the 'Berghaus Dragon's Back Race®'. We have been working together ever since, and Berghaus' have been a continuous and strong supporter of the event best demonstrated by coveted 'Event Team' uniform being a highlight for the Event Team and a very visible reminder to every one of their commitment to supporting this unique mountain running event.

Thanks to all landowners and stake holders

We would also like to thank the following major landowners and stakeholders without whom's permission and co-operation this event would not be possible: Ysgol Porth-y-Felin, Conwy Castle, Snowdonia National Park, Natural Resources Wales, National Trust - Snowdonia, Gwynedd Council, Powys County Council, Carmarthenshire County Council, Elan Valley Trust, Brecon Beacons National Park and Tregib Sports Facilities. In fact, there are literally hundreds of landowners and stakeholders along the route whom we continue to liaise with and who's support and goodwill is essential for the smooth flow of runners along the course from North to South Wales. Thank you. Diolch.

*Eventual female winner Lisa Watson on Crib Goch on Day One ©No Limits Photography*

GPS Tracking - good behaviour

In my pre-event briefing, I did warn participants that 1000’s would be watching their GPS trackers and that they should be on their best behaviour. Well, we are delighted to confirm that there was indeed a huge digital audience during the event, with the outside world watching our every move. There was also almost universal adherence to our mandatory routes and rules and the runners demonstrated an exceptionally high standard of behaviour throughout, reinforcing the excellent reputation that the event has with many stakeholders and landowners along the route. Thank you.

Looking for GPS Tracks of each participant over the 5 days?

Ongoing health

Whether they completed the full course or not, every one of the participants’ bodies has taken a significant battering, and we would highly recommend an extended period of recovery now. We would recommend having 4 weeks off running, followed by 10 weeks of easy running, as all too often we have seen participants in our expedition length races return to running too early, and ending up with chronic fatigue and injury problems. Time to let your bodies heal!

We would also like to reiterate the danger of Lyme’s Disease from tick bites. Whilst this is unlikely, if you develop a ‘bulls-eye’ rash around a tick bite, or experience flu like symptoms in the next 30 days, we would advise a trip to the doctors. Ensure that you explain you have been bitten by a tick. There is more information on the Lyme’s Disease Action website.

Day Two in the Rhinogydd ©No Limits Photography — *Day Two in the Rhinogydd ©No Limits Photography*

PHOTOS

No Limits Photography provided us with some excellent captures during the event and a selection can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Also, you can purchase your personal race photos from Bib Number Photography - They snapped 17,000 photos of participants during the event!

VIDEOS

Don't forget to check our Facebook page to re-live all of the action from the 2019 event! Especially our video playlist which includes the fantastic daily highlight videos.

*Race Leaders Jim Mann and Galen Reynolds on Cadair Idris on Day Three ©No Limits Photography*

FEEDBACK

Feedback from anyone who engaged with the 2019 race, from participants through to audiences keeping updated via news/social media/tracking from afar, is very important to us. Whatever you have to say, positive or negative we are keen to hear your thoughts. This is so important for us in refining and improving the event. Certainly, the honest feedback we have received over the years has been instrumental in polishing the details, and the event is better for it. So, please don’t be shy and get in touch with your comments.

2020 CAPE WRATH ULTRA® ENTRY

Did the multi-stage ultra-running bug grab you? Our sister event, the Cape wrath Ultra®, is an 8-day expedition ultra-running event in the Highlands of Scotland. Now that there are a good number of participants who have taken part in both, it would be fair to summarise the consensus feeling; the Cape Wrath Ultra® is considered to be easier to run, but with greater distances, and a magnitude more remote (and therefore serious) route.

The 2020 Cape Wrath Ultra® is now sold out. If you are interested in gaining a place then a waiting list is now in operation.

NOTE: We are also recruiting volunteers for this event, so if you are keen to gain event credit please check out the Ourea Events volunteering page for more details.

*Reaching the finish line in Llandeilo ©No Limits Photography*

2021 BERGHAUS DRAGON’S BACK RACE® - DATE & ENTRIES

The dates for the 2021 Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race® are to be confirmed. Entries will open circa one year ahead of the event. We expect the event to sell out very quickly (days certainly, hours possibly) so if you are keen to return, please keep an eye on email updates from us.

How best to prepare? Aside from entering the Cape Wrath Ultra, we recommend taking part in the Expert course of the Silva Great Lakeland 3Day - entries for 2020 open soon!

Dragon's Back Race® 2019 - Race Director's Report