Day 1: Tricky terrain, hot sun and the bliss of ice creams and fizzy drinks
Iconic Conwy Castle provided an atmospheric start this morning for the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® 2021. Nerves and excitement were palpable among the 367 participants as they gathered in the ancient fortification and then filed out slowly at 7am on to the first day’s route.
While today is the shortest distance at 49km of the six-day running race to Cardiff, it includes the most ascent – a total of 3800m – and challenges with plenty of technical mountain terrain.
At the start, Alastair Hubbard (387), from Scotland, said: “I have a feeling of nervous excitement but it is a lovely morning for a race.”
Welsh friends Gwion Llwyd (346) and Edmund Bailey (347), who are hoping to raise awareness of the Farming Community Network – a helpline for farmers with stress – by running together, both confused they felt nervous. Gwion added: “The first two days will be good as we are running towards home - and it will probably be harder after that because we will be running away from home.”
Runners at the start at Conwy Castle. ©No Limits Photography
They’re off! Day 1 of the Montane Dragon’s Back Race ©No Limits Photography
Morning smiles and great terrain
By 10am, the front runners were heading between Checkpoint 6 on Pen yr Ole Wen summit and CP7 on the shore of Llyn Ogwen.
The first three runners were English Lakes-based Kim Collison (396), Russell Bentley (384), who lives in Wales and Welsh athlete Simon Roberts (114). Kim said: “I am enjoying it so far. The terrain is great.”
A steady stream of competitors followed with many looking happy as they made their descent on a rock-strewn path.
Matt O’Keefe (116), Wales, said: “It’s good terrain so far and there is a lot more fun terrain to come. I am enjoying it.”
Ben Wernick (164), UK, said: “I prefer the uphills to the downhills because it’s pretty technical terrain. But I am enjoying it so far.”
Philip Wilkinson (424), UK, said: “I am injured as I have a sore toe and knee but it’s still great. It’s a good way to have a holiday isn’t it?”
Chris Taylor (265), UK, said: “I like this type of terrain and it suits me but it is very hot.”
Mark Kerry (359), UK, said: “I am enjoying the terrain. I’m buzzing!”
Robert Berg (342), Sweden, said: “I am enjoying this. It is wonderful.”
Zoe Murphy (21) UK, reported that the day was going well. She said: “I am enjoying the terrain, although I am pleased the rocky stuff is day one when my legs are feeling fresh.”
‘It’s the best cola I’ve ever tasted’
However, as the day progressed, the participants were visibly struggling due to soaring temperatures, bright sunshine and more ascent and descent on the rocky northern Welsh mountains.
Coming into CP10 at Pen-y-pass, runner after runner stopped to replenish empty water bottles – and made joyful visits to the local restaurant for sugary drinks and ice creams. The biggest complaints were dehydration, cramps and nausea.
For Kris Duffy (262), UK, the chance to buy a cold drink came as a huge relief. He said: “I have drunk two bottles of cola, as well as another bottle of dandelion and burdock. That cola was the best thing that I have ever tasted.
“I really needed to rehydrate. I was cramping a lot on Tryfan, like lots of other people. That is a nails hard mountain; the sheer relentlessness of it. It has taken me by surprise despite doing lots of Alpine sky races.”
Cat Slater (20), UK, was delighted to hear that she could buy an ice cream. She said: “Are there Calypsos? I have been dreaming of a Calypso all day... I can’t believe I can get one.”
Cat and Jenny Rice (4) are friends and ran together all day. Jenny said: “We decided to have a fun day out today. It has been good to run together.”
Andrew Barnes (423), UK, said: “I am struggling with the heat and I am going through the water much faster than I thought I would.”
Ben Morris (375), UK, said simply: “It is just so hot.”
Robert Berg (342) and Niclas Sjögren (343), both from Sweden, were finding the day very hot. Niclas said: “My legs are cramping.”
Sean Tobin (166), UK, said: “I have been better. I need some salts because it’s so hot. I had a bit of a tumble as well. I have really bad cramps.”
Katie Mills (16), UK, asked the marshals if it was possible to have water poured over her head. She said: “It is so hot. I need to cool down. I don’t do well in the heat, but I am really loving the terrain. I am trying to stay steady and cool and I am moderately succeeding I think.”
Richard Lindsay (356), UK, said: "I am doing pretty good and it is an amazing race. Truly extraordinary. The broken terrain up high is vey tough though.”
Anton Møller Christensen (177), Denmark, said: “I am struggling. I think I have a broken toe. I kicked a rock and it was attached to Wales. I am going on and I will see how it is tomorrow.”
Miriam Jones-Walters (26) , UK, said: “I am so glad to be here. It has just been so hot and sweaty. I am lacking in salts I think but I feel a bit better now I am here.”
Tim Tapper (29), UK, said: “It’s hot and I keep running out of water but it has been a lovely route so far.”
Patrizia Strandman (293), Sweden, said: “It’s hot, especially under my feet. I am wondering how on earth I will get up the next mountain but I will get there. I am enjoying an ice cream and a drink first and then I will go.”
Sophie Littlefair (15), UK, said: “I am so delighted to have got here. It was such a slog and it is hot but I am loving it. I feel really emotional. I need a coke. Where can I get one?”
Filling up on water at Pen-y-pass ©No Limits Photography
An airy ridge before the finish
The final section of the day saw the competitors take on the infamously gnarly Crib Goch, at the start of the Snowdon Horseshoe, where tired legs and exposure, combined with continued heat, pushed them to their limits.
More than 80 runners had pulled out by the end of the day.
Emlyn Roberts (280), Wales, retired at Pen-y-pass. he said: “I couldn’t drink enough. I must have been sweating more than I thought. Because of that I had almost continuous cramps in my legs, as well as my arms and back.”
Stephen Addy (323), UK, said: “It was pretty bad. Too much heat and too many cramps. I was being sick. I got to Pen-y-pass and I could stop being sick and so I had to pull out.”
After finishing, Scott Brown (64), of Scotland, said: “It was honestly as tough as I wanted it to be. I wanted it to be tough before I came here and that was definitely tough. I think I maybe went off a bit too fast at the start. It was too hot and I paid the price for that.
“I got a second wind but then in the afternoon the heat beat me up again. It was tough going but I’ll be back out tomorrow.”
Ben Wernick (164 ), UK, said: “It was significantly more difficult than I was expecting, which was mainly because some of the trail was very difficult and the heat was ridiculously hot.”
Philip Wilkinson (424), UK, said: “It was very, very hot. You can’t eat if you have no water so it was a balancing act between getting enough food and water.”
Nicholas Barber (418), UK, reckoned the day was the hardest he’s had on the hills for a while. he said: “But the result is good because I have finished. Hopefully I have not blown the doors off too soon but I guess we will find out tomorrow.”
The spectacular Crib Goch ridge ©No Limits Photography
Enjoying the rocks of Snowdonia ©No Limits Photography
Tomorrow’s race: Nant Gwynant to Dolgellau
On day two, the race leads directly south through Southern Snowdonia. While the mountains are smaller, the route is unrelentingly up and down taking in a total ascent of 3400m over 59km.