Day 3: Heat takes its toll as runner numbers plummet
As the six day Montane Dragon’s Back Race® 2021 approaches the half-way point, participant numbers fell to fewer than a third. Sunshine and soaring temperatures have made the world’s toughest mountain race even more challenging over the past three days.
By the finish line at Ceredigion, competitors had completed 178km of the 380km route from Conwy to Cardiff and ascended a total of 10,600m. That is equivalent to almost 10 times the hight of Snowdon.
At the start line today at Dolgellau, only 120 runners from an original 367 were still in the race, while another 90 were continuing as non-competitive runners. By the end of the 70km course, runners had dwindled still further.
The fall off was 30% on day 1, then 50% of the competitors still running on day 2. It looks likely that there will be more runners who do not make the 22:00 cut-off at Ceredigion today.
The reduction in numbers in just a few days is the biggest proportion ever seen in the history of the race.
Watch the day 3 film here:
Shane Ohly, race director, said: “Managing the heat and the extreme conditions is all part of the challenge of the Montane Dragon’s Back Race®.
“But while lots of runners have understandably struggled, many have also been successful, which shows it can be done.
“Runners need to be accountable for their choices for carrying more or less water, going faster or slower and adopting different strategies.
“Dealing with the weather, whatever it is, is all part of being a competent mountain runner.”
An early start for some runners on day 3. © No Limits Photography
The start of the Montane Dragon’s Back Race on day 3. © No Limits Photography
More runnable - but still very warm
Billed as a “more runnable” route, the day still had a punishing 3400m of ascent, including a climb of 893m up Cadair Idris. Other high points took runners to 634m on Tarren Hendre, 667m on Tarren Gesail and a final sting in the tail at Pumlumon Fawr at 752m just before the finish.
Although cloud cover meant less sun, temperatures were still high and the conditions were very humid.
For many runners, the market town of Machynlleth was a highlight of today with the promise of the opportunity to shop for food and drinks.
Runners were relieved to be out of the sun for much of today. © No Limits Photography
Although, it was still hot and humid. © No Limits Photography
Hopes and smiles at Cadair Idris
Many runners were in a buoyant mood as they descended Cadiar Idris on day 3. For competitors and non-competitors an early start and a cool breeze on the iconic mountain gave them good reason to feel cheerful.
Pieter Vlaeminck (308), Belgium, had a big smile as he said: “I am feeling good today.”
Chris Taylor (265) UK, also said: “I am feeling great.”
Louis Dawson (320), UK, said: “I am feeling fantastic.”
Tim Tapper (290), UK, was “bearing up”. “But I am feeling okay,” he added.
Zoe Murphy (21) said: “I am feeling so much stronger after yesterday’s heat stroke. I am relieved at how well I have recovered.”
Welsh runner Matt O’Keefe (116) also reported he was feeling stronger than yesterday. He added: “I feel surprisingly good.”
Cat Slater (2), UK, said: “I am feeling really good at the moment and I had a great day yesterday. All is good.”
Scott Brown (64), Scotland, was paying attention to his pace. He said: “I am taking my time today after two days of starting strong and possibly too fast, before fading badly in the second half of the day. I am trying to be sensible and stick to a steadier pace.”
Richard Kendall (230), UK, said: “It’s so lovely in the breeze up here.”
Mark Kerry (359), UK, said: “I am feeling strong. My legs feel fresh.”
Colin Withers (385), UK, said: “It was a long day yesterday and I am just trying to keep going. Surprisingly, I feel okay today.”
Lead female runner Katie Mills (16) said: “Yesterday was so hot but today is glorious. My legs are okay because I did a lot of walking due to the heat yesterday.
“In my tent, there are still three of us ladies left in the race and that is great. I hope everyone makes it to the finish line today.”
Pain and frustration for others
However, there were other runners who were moving slowly and painfully on the descent of Cadair Idris.
Geoff Capps (129), England, said: “If I am honest I am not feeling good. I am not in a great place in my head today.”
Welsh runner Nathan Welch (133) said he had a “stomach in turmoil” he added: “I couldn’t eat breakfast. Now I am trying to feed in bits of food with some water. My legs are feeling much better than yesterday although my feet are in bits. I am just trying to keep going and finish it.”
Will Kernick (358), UK, said: “My knees are sore and I think it’s the ligament. Both ascending and descending is no fun at the moment. It is frustrating because apart from that I feel fine.”
Lewis Jones (191) said: “My legs have gone a bit. I am just trying to keep moving."
Shopping for treats in Machynlleth. © No Limits Photography
The joy of a shopping spree
Chris Taylor was the first to take advantage of a shop at the Co-op in Machynlleth. He appeared to know exactly what he wanted as he filled a basket with a range of products, including smoothies, fruit juice, Red Bull, water, coconut water, a Mars bar and two punnets of watermelon pieces. He said: “I have been thinking about this for the last 20k. I have been making a list in my head of all I wanted.”
Chris looked delighted as he consumed around half of the liquids. First came a litre of coconut water, then cold water over his head, then fruit juice and some watermelon pieces.
He said: “Today has been great so far. It is more runnable today and the weather is better. I feel very happy to have been able to buy all these items. I just hope I can keep going. It is fun to be able to run well again after feeling so awful on day one.”
Simon Roberts, the lead runner overall, didn’t stop at a shop but instead headed straight for the Support Point where he could access a day kit bag. He said: “I am doing okay and my legs are okay. However, I ran out of food ages ago and I need to get to the support point so I can get more food. I am just running as fast as I can. That is all I can do.”
Many other runners popped into a Spar and came out with bags of goodies.
The final summit of the day was a tough test. © No Limits Photography
The climb before the finish
At Pumlumon Fawr, the first runner through was Russell Bentley, who looked to be running well and in a zone of his own. Russell sits in second place overall after day 3.
The lead runner overall, Simon Roberts started the day, saying: “I am surprised by how fresh my legs are this morning. I was expecting them to be heavy but I feel really good.”
But as he climbed Pumlumon Fawr, he was complaining of feeling a bit dizzy and exhausted. He added: “This is the last hill today, so that is good.”
Sophie Bennet, who is non-competitive, is still keen to keep going. She was pushing hard throughout the afternoon. She said: “I am mentally finding it harder to cover the kilometres knowing I am out of the race but I will be back next year.”
Finish line highs – and good strategy
For the runners still in the race, reaching the end of day 3 was a huge mental boost.
Chris Brookman (365), UK, said: “Today was a lot more runnable than the other days. It was beautiful and there was a wind so that helped to cool us all down. It is only really warm in the valleys.
“The first day I really struggled with the heat. I got my hydration wrong and I really paid for it that day and the next.
“I have coped through gritted teeth and perseverance. I have also tried to learn as quickly as possible from what I have done wrong and make amends. I am carrying a lot more water than I would normally and cooling off in fresh water where I can.”
Ben Wernick (164 ), UK, said: “Day one went fine, then on day two the heat got to me. Today has been cooler so that has helped. I felt much stronger and I was able to eat.
“I have managed to keep going in the heat by doubling the amount of water I took with me, plus salt tablets and dowsing my head in cold water wherever I can.”
Lee Ireland (247), UK, said: “I am doing quite well apart from my feet. My toes are sore. Today was great although still a bit warm.
“I have tried to put my cap in cold water to keep cool and I am carrying a lot more water to stay hydrated.”
Day 4: Through the Elan Valley
Runners head into remote and rarely visited hills as they continue south through Mid-Wales. The route goes over one of the highest summits in the area, Drygarn Fawr in the Cambrian Mountains. There is a total of 69km and 2300m of ascent before reaching the finish line.