Katie Mills: Beating the guys is fun
While lead female Katie Mills has steadfastly maintained that she’s not at the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® to compete, she did admit today that beating the guys is fun.
The consistently up-beat and smiley runner – even after having to run an extra 6km because she missed a checkpoint early today – has previously said: “The only competition I am interested in is being the happiest runner each day.”
She has also been cheered day after day by the fact that two other women in her tent, Kate Worthington and Sophie Littlefair, are also “still doing so well in the race”.
When she was prompted again today about what keeps her going in the race, she said: “Enjoying myself and eating Rowntree’s Randoms.”
She then added: “I’m really not bothered about being in the lead or racing against the other women. I’m just happy to be here and doing this race.”
However, Katie, who sits in an impressive seventh place overall with one day to go, added: “Oh yes, beating the guys is fun. That’s much more fun than beating the girls. My coach will be pleased because she also likes beating the guys.”
In another strong day, Katie finished first female in 11:25:43. She arrived in Talybont-on-Usk, Brecon after a 70km course with 3200m of ascent in ninth place overall. Her total time so far for the race is 53:11:15.
In contrast to earlier in the week, the weather was very wet and cloudy, which made navigation more of a challenge in the hills. Still, many runners reported that they are happier with cooler, wetter weather than the extreme heat of the first few days of the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® this year.
Katie said: “It was brutal today. I am pleased the Brecon Beacons were at the end but my feet have been really hurting today.
“It was also a bit annoying to miss CP2 and have to go back. It was while chatting with someone else and then we realised we had missed it. So I have done 76km today. It has been a long day.”
Kate described the course today as brutal. © No Limits Photography
Family support – and emotion
Katie, who is originally from England and now lives in British Columbia, was thrilled to see her younger sister Charlotte on the course after the first summit. Her dad met her twice, too, to cheer her on.
Katie said: “I did cry today when my sister turned up unexpectedly. And then my dad.”
Over the week, Katie’s family have been keeping a close eye online on her progress and sending her plenty of Dragon Mail. Her mum is also flying in from Ireland to see her finish.
Charlotte said: “We are so proud of Katie. She is awesome. She made out to the family it was just a chilled run across Wales. But all of us, including our aunts and cousins, have been tuning in and they think the race is insane. We are all obsessed with how she is doing.
“Katie is so strong and so good and I was bit nervous about how she would do in the heat but she has been amazing. She is telling the truth about not being in competition with others.. She is just here to enjoy herself. She would be as happy wherever she was in the race.
“It is so exciting. It is not just that she is in the lead but she is so strong and she is doing so amazingly. The family will be there for her in Cardiff when she finishes.”
Katie added: “I am so excited about getting to Cardiff. I am looking forward to getting a bed. I am not very good at camping to be honest.”
Elaine Bisson has had a great race so far. © No Limits Photography
Elaine and Cat hold on to 2nd and 3rd
In second place today in a time of 12:26:13 was Elaine Bisson again. Third fastest female today was Cat Slater in 12:47:13. They each hold on to the same positions overall in the women’s race. Cat had said earlier in the day that she is tired. Katie is now 4:49 ahead of Elaine.
Simon and Russell pushed each other hard on day five. ©No Limits Photography
Simon Roberts and Russell Bentley race together
Race leader for five days, Simon Roberts started a few minutes behind second placed Russell Bentley this morning at Towy Bridge Inn, Rhandirmwyn, Llandovery. Simon, 33, and 40-year-old Russell then crossed the finish line together.
Both said they enjoyed each other’s company and they looked happy to be crossing the line in unison. Simon’s time of 07:52:30 was slightly faster today than Russell, who ran 07:55:24. It gives Simon an advantage of 1:28 overall as they go into the final day tomorrow en route to the finish line in Cardiff.
Welsh runner Simon tells the story of today’s race. He said: “Russell shot off at the start and ran hard. Roads are his thing and I had to fight to chase him down.
“We were pushing each other along for the next section and we raced each-other over the first hill and descended hard, again pushing each other.
“On the next road section, Russell got away and I dropped back. I had to fight hard and I caught him back up at the support point.
“From there we did the rest of the day together and had a laugh. We got to find out a bit about each other and talked about the races and challenges we have done previously. It was an enjoyable day although still a hard run.”
While Simon live in South Wales, Russell is in North Wales.
Simon said: “When we ran close together on the first day, Russell helped me with the navigation and then I helped him today because this area is more familiar to me. That balances things a bit.”
With just one day left to reach Cardiff, the two runners will still be competing hard.
Simon said: “The job is not done yet and I still have a lot of hard work to do. I came into the race wanting to win it so I will still be running hard. I am not sure if tomorrow’s hills will suit me or Russell more tomorrow. I will do tomorrow as I have done every day.”
Simon confused there were a couple of emotional moments today. He said: '“My mum and dad turned up at the support point and Pont ar Daf, a water point at CP 10. I didn’t want to look at them too much because it was emotional to have them there.
“I think there will be more emotion tomorrow. Getting to Cardiff will be awesome.”
Russell revealed it was another hard day but that he enjoyed running with Simon again. He said: “I set off a bit ahead of Simon and I tried to push it hard on the roads and the hills, but then Simon caught me. We ran together after that. It was very enjoyable.
“Also because Simon knows his way around here it was really good to run together.”
Russell also enjoyed the hills so much that he hopes to bring his wife and children to the Brecon Beacons next week. He said: “I’ve had an amazing week so far. We still have one more day of running to go, too.”
Matt O’Keefe had a great day out in his local hills today. ©No Limits Photography
Matt O’Keefe: ‘I am very happy today’
The third fastest runner today was Matt O’Keefe in 08:41:58. He was in his element today. He said: “I know this area better than anyone. It’s like going out for a Sunday training run for me. The conditions are perfect for me.
“I am very happy to be in third place and I am making no attempt to catch the first two. I have no chance of that anyway. Today was good.”
Day 5: Top 3 males
Simon Roberts: 07:52:30
Russell Bentley: 07:55:24
Matt O’Keefe: 08:41:58
Day 5: Top 3 females
Katie Mills: 11:25:43
Elaine Bisson: 12:26:13
Cat Slater: 12:47:13
Overall: Top 3 males
Simon Roberts: 40:08:38
Russell Bentley: 41:30:13
Matt O’Keefe: 45:32:35
Overall: Top 3 females
Katie Mills: 53:11:15
Elaine Bisson: 58:00:14
Cat Slater: 60:38:51