Day 2: Chris Cope and Lisa Watson strengthen their leads after a tough day
Day 2 was another day of changeable conditions, with 226 runners still competitive as they battled against the landscape, undertaking a gruelling 58km. While the morning brought sunshine and heat, this made way to a downpour in the afternoon, making the rocky terrain even more treacherous.
Today their incredible journey took the dragons over Cnicht, colloquially known as the Matterhorn of the Wales, involving an infamously tricky descent. Next, the dragons traversed the Moelwynions, before slogging up the rocky, unforgiving, but breathtaking Rhinogydd.
There was mixed weather on Day 2 ©No Limits Photography
The mood was electric at the start this morning
The sun was yet to rise over the Snowdonia range as many runners gathered in the start pen at 6am. While runners can start anytime between 6 and 9, many runners were keen to maximise the time out on course in daylight hours. These runners will have had a confidence boost from completing Day 1, but with a tough day ahead, many were feeling nervous.
We caught up with Ben Potts as he waited nervously for the start. “I’m a little bit apprehensive. I timed out this time last year, so I am on a mission to get there by the allocated time. I feel in better condition on Day 2 start than I did last year.”
Nicola McNally looked nervous, but was feeling confident after a good first day. Last year, she ended up working in the catering tent after spraining her ankle before the event. Now she is back with unfinished business. She said, “I was happy with the time I came in yesterday. The last part, coming down that grassy bank was quite hard on the knees and the toes.”
The support that is already emerging amongst the runners is amazing, with Nicola particularly grateful for one participant’s help.
“It’s my first time across Crib Goch yesterday, but a lovely man called Justin said he’d stay with me and he helped me across. It’s fantastic.”
Meanwhile, the frontrunners held back and relaxed in the communal marquee. We caught up with Simon Roberts (third at the end of day 1 and 2021 winner) and James Nobles (second at the end of day 1) as they ate their breakfast ahead of the event.
“It’s a new day – that’s what it is. I’m ready to attack,” he said with a grin.
James Nobles had a storming day yesterday. A former Event Team member, now he is back to tackle the course himself. He said, “Things went as close to planned as they possibly could do yesterday. It was predominantly to keep Simon in my sights if I could, so ready to go again today.”
James, Simon, and Day 1 winner, Chris Cope, set off at 8:30 for a tense battle in the Welsh Mountains.
The Matterhorn of Wales is the first challenge of the day ©No Limits Photography
The Rhinogydd provided a rocky challenge
After refuelling at a support point at Cwm Bychan, the dragons began a gentle but rocky climb up towards Rhinog Fawr, which were festooned with colourful heather and late-season bilberries. We caught up with some of them as they made their way up.
Robert Henderson was having a good day. “I’m just ticking along. Hopefully I’ll do these Rhinogs before the rain comes, but we’ll see.”
While the Rhinogydd are known for their difficult terrain and tough scrambles, some participants were looking forward to the challenge. Local runner, Dylan Webber, was feeling confident about the terrain. He said, “This bit’s going to be very rough. I prefer it being a bit more like this than runnable. I’m not a great runner, but I can plod.”
Nikki Sommers was in high spirits as she headed up the mountain with Giles Palmer. She said, “I’m feeling quite strong. I’m not fast but I’m feeling like I’m moving well and ticking minutes off here and there.”
“I’m looking forward to chips at the end. The last time I did the Rhinogs, I actually bumped into Giles. I think we both have a mutual love for the Rhinogs.”
Some runners are thriving on the rocky terrain ©No Limits Photography
Lisa Watson was looking as strong as ever as she came powering up the rocky steps. She said, “It’s nice seeing loads of people on the course and going past people and saying hi.”
Day 2 is one of her favourite days. “I like Day 2. It’s really varied – some runnable bits, some steep bits. I spent a lot of time on my ass coming down Cnicht. This section’s always tough – I just try to shove some food down and keep it steady. I really like the Rhinogs – as long as I can stave off a mega bonk on the way down.”
The runners have faced some real challenges ©No Limits Photography
Third lady, Victoria Morris, had a smile on her face as she pressed on up the mountain today. She said, “I’m carrying an injury, so I’m not running very much to be honest, but it’s good fun.”
She was looking forward to the section ahead of her. “I was quite relieved that we don’t have to go all the way down to sea level between. I’m quite excited about doing the Roman Steps as well.”
Simon Roberts, James Nobles and Chris Cope were very close as they approached the Rhinogydd. While Simon and James had managed to overtake Chris earlier on in the day, Chris was moving quickly and confidently, hot on James and Simon’s heels.
The views are worth the demands of the course ©No Limits Photography
Chris Cope was all smiles as he crossed the finish line
A small crowd had gathered around the finish line to see Chris Cope come in after an impressive run. He is quickly emerging as the one to beat. Although at the midway point he was a little behind Simon and James, he flew round the second half, strengthening his already substantial lead to a whole hour. It’s inspirational, given that Chris is battling the terrain and the fatigue, while also having to manage his diabetes. Yet at the finish today he looked as if he could have run it all over again.
“It was a bit wet up at the top in the end,” he said. Chris has become well-known for more than his incredible running ability and endurance. He is also known for his choice to run shirtless. However, the torrential rain in the afternoon had him questioning this. “I almost, almost put a top on at one point – it was that bad.”
Chris has had a phenomenal race so far ©No Limits Photography
Chris’s run is particularly impressive given this is his first ever stage race. He said, “I’ve only done 2 days so far so it’s fine at the moment. I think day 4 will be the telling thing. I’m just so enjoying it – one day at a time.”
Chris has had a huge smile on his face the whole time, and was delighted to find himself running with, and even beating, some of the top athletes in mountain running.
“I did this because I saw it on the BBC and thought ‘I want to do that one day’. Simon was like a hero. To be running with him yesterday and catching him up was awesome.”
Simon Roberts had another difficult day when we caught up with him at camp. While he started well, he had another fall on the Rhinogydd. “I lost all my confidence again. The course has been winning so far – beat me up big time.”
His mood picked up later on at camp. “The camp’s brilliant. It brings you out of dark places. I was thinking I was done. But I’ve managed to pull myself out of it. It’s been a tough day.”
James Nobles has been putting in a consistently strong performance ©No Limits Photography
Lisa has proven she is still a force to be reckoned with
Lisa had another incredible performance, coming in as first lady again. Not only does she have a lead of nearly three hours, but she is also 9th overall. She said, “I’ve been running with Sam most of the day, and that’s been really nice. I had loads of fun – it was great.”
“Last time I remember getting way too hot and trundling along. But I did some slightly different lines on the Rhinogs which I’m really pleased with.”
Despite her phenomenal running, competition isn’t on her mind. “It ruins it for me thinking about the competition. It makes me stressed.”
“There’s no room for egos in this race,” she continued. “It’s too hard, too long and there’s too much of it. I think you move so much better when you’re just having fun and making new friends.”
Helen Brown and Victoria Morris managed to retain their places as 2nd and 3rd ladies, and are putting in some consistently strong performances.
Lisa Watson continues to impress ©No Limits Photography
The day has taken its toll
While Day 1 saw fewer people timed out than expected, a fair number of people were timed out today. However, many are choosing to continue with their Dragon adventure on the reduced course, that will be introduced in full at the 2023 event.
It has been a tough day over some of the gnarliest and most tricky terrain in Wales. Paired with the wet weather later on in the day, it’s been demanding for all of the runners.
However, spirits were still incredibly high in camp, with runners mingling to share stories of their adventures and enjoying some comforting food.
Runners have now tackled two really tough days and already the endurance and resilience of these runners is inspirational to watch.
Tomorrow, runners can look forward to the softer ground of the Cambrian Mountains. Plus, they will have the chance to stock up on food in one of the towns they pass through.
Although Lisa and Chris have established an early lead, it will be interesting to see how they cope with the more runnable sections that await them. This early into the race, it could still be anyone’s game.
Day 2 had it’s fair share of rocky terrain ©No Limits Photography
Results
Top 3 men on Day 2
Chris Cope (08:21:45)
James Nobles (08:55:47)
Simon Roberts (08:05:15)
Top 3 women on Day 2
Lisa Watson (09:36:09)
Helen Brown (09:52:43)
Victoria Morris (10:06:08)
Chris Cope in action out on the course ©No Limits Photography
Top 3 female runners overall
Lisa Watson 18h 26m 44s
Helen Brown 21h 10m 32s
Victoria Morris 21h 48m 47s
Top 3 male runners overall
Chris Cope 15h 58m 35s
James Nobles 16h 58m 31s
Simon Roberts 17h 7m 2s
Helen Brown took the technical descents in her stride to secure her place in second ©No Limits Photography
Behind the Scenes
Spotlight on… Main Camp Team
If you’ve ever wondered how the overnight camps appear by the afternoon as if by magic, it’s the camp team you need to thank. The team work tirelessly every day to pack down the blue tents and move them to the next camp. Then the camp build is a race against the clock to make sure that everything is ready by the time the runners appear.
We spoke to Andy Nuttall as he manned the start and finish line about his experiences on the event team.
He said, “I’m mainly on the camp team, which is building the 39 tents – the blue tents with 8 people in each. Outside of doing that, I’m also on the start finish line. So for the first few days, welcoming the runners in the morning when they’re sleepy and just got out of bed. Telling them about the weather conditions and what to watch out for. Then the last three days I’ll be at the finish line. So I’m really looking forward to Cardiff.”
He isn’t new to the event. “I volunteered once before in 2015 and I had a great time. I just thought I want to give something back really, because I’ve run it three times. I just thought I’m going to run it in 2023 and become a volunteer this year and enjoy the experience. As it turns out, volunteering’s probably slightly harder than running it.”
Although Andy has attempted the epic course three times, he is yet to achieve his goal. He is definitely keen to try again – he missed the cut off by only seven minutes on Day 3 in 2019, having left camp far later than intended.
“I’ve got a new coach – and new outlook. I’m quite determined to finish it next year.”
With the difficult weather, today was a difficult one for the main camp team, but they have done an excellent job of rallying together.
Despite the challenges, spirits were still high ©No Limits Photography
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Join us in the Welsh mountains! ©No Limits Photography