Day 2: Simon Roberts extends lead in Montane Dragon’s Back Race

Despite worrying that he had blown his chances by running the first half of day 2 too “mad head“ fast, Welsh runner Simon Roberts extended his lead by almost an hour over second place Russell Bentley.

Russell, who lives in Wales, started the day at Nant Gwynant before Simon and this appeared to prompt Simon into a very hard run early on.

Simon Roberts runs a hard day. ©No Limits Photography.

After finishing at Dolgellau, Simon, who ran 08:52:11, said: “I am surprised that I am still in first place. I was so slow in the Rhinogs [The Rhinogydd]. I went to some dark places up there and I found it hard to breath. It was just so hot.”

He described the day, saying: “I had a good first half. I thought I was smashing it and I was running well on the hills and the descents. I went hard while it was cooler .

“I expected to have a slow second half but it was so hard. The air got thin at the tops with the heat. It was horrible. I was having stomach problems as well. There was a lot of problem solving for me.

“I thought Russell would be much stronger in the Rhinogs and so I was expecting he would be ahead of me by the end. 

“Today has been my hardest running day ever. It is maybe due to the effort yesterday as well but the heat has been so hard.” 

Second place overall, Russell Bentley started early and crossed the finish line first. ©No Limits Photography.

Russell, who arrived at the finish line 23 minutes ahead of Simon but 55 minutes behind overall today, said: “I am happy to be here after getting through the Rhinogs. 

“Today was all about managing the heat and getting as much water on as possible. I swam in as many rivers and lakes as I could, too.”

In third place today was Matt O’Keefe, also a Welsh athlete, just seconds behind Russell in 09:48:54.

The overall result for the men sees the same top three as yesterday: Simon, Russell and Matt.

Day 2 included 3400m of ascent over 59km and a course that is often described as relentlessly mountainous.

Katie Mills stayed focused on day 2. ©No Limits Photography.

Elaine Bisson is second placed female. ©No Limits Photography.

Another strong day for Katie Mills

Katie Mills maintained her lead overall in the women’s race with a finish time of 11:19:20 for day 2. She said: “It has been so hot. I hope it gets cooler at some point because it really has been too hot.”

However, she had praise for the scenery. The British athlete said: “It’s a beautiful race course and as I ran the final section today I looked over at Cadair Idris and I thought that I am going to enjoy being up there tomorrow.”

In second place again today was Elaine Bisson in 12:27:18. She said: “I really struggled in the heat. It has been a hard day.”

Meanwhile, Cat Slater ran well to come home third in 12:40:25.

Finishing fourth female today was Zoe Murphy. Her time was 13:01:13. She said: “It was hot and especially over the Rhinogs. I knew it would be but there was so little shade and it was relentless. My strategy was to eat, drink and keep moving. I cooled off by soaking my cap in river water.

“Today, anyone who has finished, it is an achievement. To finish today, off the back of yesterday, too, people should be proud. I am proud to have finished.”

Watch the day two film here:

Day 2: Top 3 males

Simon Roberts: 08:52:11

Russell Bentley: 09:48:03

Matt O’Keefe: 09:48:54

Day 2: Top 3 females

Katie Mills: 11:19:20

Elaine Bisson: 12:27:18

Cat Slater: 12:40:25

Overall: Top 3 males

Simon Roberts: 16:17:25

Russell Bentley: 17:13:30

Matt O’Keefe: 18:30:52

Overall: Top 3 females

Katie Mills: 21:17:26

Elaine Bisson: 23:16:30

Cat Slater: 23:48:41