Day 1: Wales leads the race as favourites drop out
Two of the top contenders retired from the Montane Dragon’s Back Race 2021 before the end of day one. Kim Collison and Marcus Scotney were suffering with injuries and made the tough decision not to continue.
Between CP6 and CP7, Marcus said: “Sadly, I am injured. I will get an early bath and enjoy a week off in Wales I think.”
Kim had started strongly and was in the lead trio until a gluteus medius niggle flared up as he headed towards Pen-y-pass.
He said: “I am disappointed, of course. I started well and it was a fierce pace for three of us. But I wasn’t strong enough in the end and this over-use injury has flared up. It will only get worse and worse if I keep going.
“So at Pen-y-pass I decided to call it a day. I think that maybe I have done too much this year already. I’ll need to come back another time.”
By the finish line at Nant Gwyant, having run 49km from Conwy Castle, it was a top three for Wales.
Race is on at the front between Russell Bentley and Simon Roberts as they summited Tryfan. ©No Limits Photography
Race leader Simon at Crib Goch. ©No Limits Photography
Russell Bentley on Crib Goch. ©No Limits Photography
Top three runners
Welsh runner Simon Roberts was first across the line in 07:25:14, followed by Russell Bentley, who lives in Wales, just seconds later in 07:25:27. Simon’s friend Matt O’Keefe, also Welsh, came in third in 08:41:58.
Simon , who was 23rd in the 2019 Dragon’s Back Race, said: “I went out to be first today. That is what I wanted but it is only one day in. It was good running with Russell and he’s going to be tough to get past.”
He added: “The first half, Russell, Kim and myself were running well together. We were running all the hills and no messing about. But then Kim pulled out.”
Simon said he didn’t mind the heat today. He said: “I was actually quite comfortable. I have set out to win and so we will have to see what happens.”
Matt said: “I was having a comfortable day compared to Simon. I wanted to finish today and in the top 30. Simon has got a lot faster than me.”
Katie Mills says she was surprised to finish first today. ©No Limits Photography
Elaine Bisson, left, was today’s second placed female. Zoe Murphy, right, was third. ©No Limits Photography
Top three females
The first female to finish on day one of the Montane Dragon’s Back Race was British runner Katie Mills in 09:58:06. She is 14th overall.
Elaine Bisson, of England, was second in 10:49:12, while Zoe Murphy came home third in 11:05:41.
Katie said: “It was very hot but lovely today. I got the worst cramp on all the uphills so I just tried to go slow and then try to make it up on the downhills.
“I am really surprised to be the first lady. I started pretty much at the back because I wasn’t sure where to line up. I wanted to enjoy the city walls at the beginning, which I did.
“So that meant I ran past all the girls on the course and that was great because I enjoyed chatting with lots of them. There are not enough of us, are there?”
Elaine said: “It was alright today. A bit hot but stunning. I enjoyed it.”
Day 2: Nant Gwynant to Dolgellau
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.