Day 2: Lessons learned – eat, drink and swim wherever we can
Day 2 of the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® saw 255 competitors lining up at the start line in Nant Gwyant, accounting for just two-thirds of the original entry list.
The heat of the previous day had hit hard and some 118 runners either retired or where timed out. Retirees included two favourite front runners, Kim Collison and Marcus Scotney, who reported injuries.
Another 43 runners were continuing on day 2 as non-competitors and aiming to complete a shortened day.
Watch the day two film here:
David Roy (61), UK, said: “I am very pleased to be at the start line. There were a few times yesterday I didn’t think I’d be here. I just hope it goes okay today.”
Phil Vibert (87), UK, said: “Yesterday was horrible. The last descent was really horrible. I feel good this morning thank goodness and I am looking forward to getting started.”
Chris Duff (355), England, said: “I am still in the race so that is good. It was hot and long yesterday but still good. That final descent was a killer.”
Benjamin Bracken (244), UK, was timed out at Tryfan yesterday. He said: “Unfortunately, things didn’t go to plan. It was very hot. I hope to carry on but not as a competitor now.”
Jonathan Burnhams (314), England, said: “I missed the cut off by two minutes. The rules are the rules. I don’t think I deserved to finish to be honest. It was a tough day and I don’t think I was ready for it. Crib Goch felt terrifying in my weakened state and it hadn’t been like that when I did it before. I am happy to continue but not as a competitor.”
Day 2 saw temperatures rise even higher than day 1. ©No Limits Photography
Runners plan for good hydration and cooling off in streams and lakes. ©No Limits Photography
The heat was unrelenting. ©No Limits Photography
A testing course of tough terrain
Although there was less total elevation compared to day 1 and the summits were lower, the 3400m on day 2 comprised relentlessly undulating terrain.
Summit after summit challenged participants with 689m Cnicht first, then Moelwyn Mawr at 770m followed by Moelwyn Bach, all before checkpoint 4.
A stretch of road took the runners to checkpoint 5 and then across more rocky ups and downs to reach the Day 2 Support Point, where participants could access their day bags for food and supplies.
There was still another tough section to come before the finish with a course through the rough, heather-clad Rhinogydd mountain range, including the summits of 720m tall Rhinog Fawr, Rhinog Fach (712m) and Diffwys (705m).
As temperatures climbed higher and higher., the runners slowed with many voicing concern about making the day 2 cut off of 10pm at Dolgellau.
Ian Ogilvie (162), UK, summed the day up for many when he said: “I didn’t think anything could be harder than yesterday but it’s even hotter today and there is a shed load of climbing.”
Shane Ohly, race director, said: “It has been a very tough day for runners. It has been unusally hot, although it would be tough, too, if it was wet and windy. Any extreme weather makes it very hard for participants.
“There have been many drop outs and a greater percentage than previous editions. Setting off with the strategy of a safe completion rather than racing is the best plan.”
A rock strewn descent. ©No Limits Photography
Runners took advantage of rivers and lakes to cool off. ©No Limits Photography
There was a wide variety of terrain on day 2. ©No Limits Photography
Today’s strategy: Drink more – and swim
Most runners had learned some tough lessons from the day before and looked to be keeping a very steady pace throughout the 59km course. The chat from participants was of “eating more, drinking far more water” and “cooling off in cold streams and lakes (llyns)”.
Like many, Russell Bentley (384), who sits in second place overall, took on board the advice of the person giving the race briefing at the start. He said: “We were told to get in as many lakes and rivers as we could. I wasn’t sure about this because I thought: ‘We are here to run not swim.”
“But that was the best bit of advice I have heard. I spent the day going from swim to swim and it really helped with the heat.”
Katie Mills (16), who is leading the woman’s race, said: “It is so hot today. Hotter than yesterday. I am managing stream by stream.”
Zoe Murphy (21), UK, said: “My strategy is chunking it. I am thinking of chunks at a time and not the whole race.”
Later as she passed through the support point, she added: “My aim is to take on lots of water. I am having to be sensible and I am taking it slower. I am getting through so many fluids and making sure I keep that going, as well as eating regularly, too.”
Friends Cat Slater (2) and Jenny Rice (4) ran together yesterday and started at the same time on day 2. At the first summit at Cnicht, Jenny said: “We are trying to keep our pace as comfortable as possible and doing a lot of dipping in streams.”
Jenny added: “We are looking after each other and making sure we are eating and drinking enough.”
Scott Brown (64), Scotland, who arrived at the finish line of day one feeling drained and exhausted, was having a much stronger day 2 although he struggled later on. He said: “Yesterday I didn’t hydrate and my nutrition wasn’t good. I’m doing it right today and eating and drinking so much better. I am feeling much better today.”
Orran Smith (57), UK, said: “I have been holding back and watching my heart rate today. I have more water bottles with me today and I am drinking a lot more. I feel much better today than yesterday.”
Hydration and cooling off were key to surviving today. ©No Limits Photography
Runners were grateful for fresh cold water for a quick dip or swim. ©No Limits Photography
Chris Taylor (265), UK, said: “Yesterday was so hard and I felt awful by half-way. I spent most of the afternoon suppressing what felt like a panic attack. I had a few cries in the afternoon and more when I finished. I have never felt like that before.
“Today it is hotter but it feels cooler because there are loads of places to fill up with water. I have had my head submerged in streams five or six times already today and that helps a lot.”
Colin Brearley (214), UK, said: “I am taking it steadier than yesterday. I was okay, but I was cramping a lot and I have managed to avoid that today."
Alex Watrous (150), UK, said: “I am feeling better than yesterday. I am eating better and forcing food down from the start. There is also more water en route and I am hitting every stream, which is helping a lot.”
Sophie Littlefair (15), UK, has a plan of being “relentlessly positive”. She said: “The heat is relentless but the route is beautiful and I am sticking with my relentlessly positive attitude.
“I take it easy on the ups because there is nothing else I can do. I try to run the downs and the flats and there is a good runnable section at the end where I will try to push on a bit.
Kate Worthington (12) said: “I can’t go too hard on the climbs so I try to refuel and move faster on the downs. My aims is for slow ups and quicker downs, which means it will average out I guess.
“I never thought it would be this hot in September and it takes a lot of extra management to cope with that.”
A clever strategy helped many runners. ©No Limits Photography
Finish line exhaustion – and delight
The competitors that have made it through two days are happy to have arrived at Dolgellau.
Scott Brown (64) said: “I am slowly realising that I am not very good in the heat. I started well but later on I suffered. It has been a grind to the finish.”
Darren Hartley (108), UK, said : “It was really hot. I am sure everyone has said that! I have tried to take it easy and not push the pace too much. I have done this race before in 2019 and I knew the Rhinogs would be hard and they were as expected. I really want to get to Cardiff.”
Will Kernick (358), UK, said: “It has been pretty emotional so far. It has been hard. I have done a lot of swims to get through. I am sure I spent about half an hour swimming, which is not that good for my time but great for my morale! It has been Type 2 fun. Afterwards I think I will be dining out on this race for a while!”
Juhana Kirk (397), Finland, said: “I have coped better today than yesterday. It was more enjoyable because I suffered less dehydration.”
Day 3: Dalgellau to Ceredigion
The runners leave behind Southern Snowdonia tomorrow for one of the longest days of the Montane Dragon’s Back Race. The first obstacle is a climb to the summit of Cadir Idris at 893m.
There are plenty more ups and downs over the course of 70km and 3400m of total ascent. A highlight for many competitors will be the opportunity to take advantage of buying food and drinks at two towns. Temperatures are forecast to be high again.