How the Dragon’s Back Race® changed my life
The epic and challenging nature of the Dragon’s Back Race® can make for a pretty life-changing experience.
We spoke to 2021 participant, Sophie Littlefair, about her experiences of the Dragon’s Back Race and the lasting impact it has had on her life.
The beginning of an extraordinary journey ©No Limits Photography
“I became obsessed with all things DBR”
Sophie first signed up to the Dragon’s Back Race® when she was suffering from an ankle injury.
“I'd watched the documentary before and thought there was no way in hell I'd ever be able to enter, but there is something about binge watching running documentaries when you're injured that gives you a new perspective on things. From this point onwards, about 6 months before the entries opened for the 2021 event, I became obsessed with all things DBR. I got myself a coach (Jen Scotney - badass ultra runner and partner of previous winner Marcus Scotney) and read every blog and article I could find referencing the race. If I was going to do this race, I was going to give myself the very best opportunity to finish it.”
“You're swept up into the supportive community”
Right from the beginning, Sophie felt that she became part of the Dragon’s Back Race community.
“Being part of the DBR was like nothing I've ever experienced. You're swept up into the supportive community from the moment you sign up, and that doesn't go away once the event is over.”
Like many runners though, she had to overcome the start line nerves.
“Arriving in Conwy really put the enormity of the event into sharp focus - registration was really slick, but every runner looked like such a pro, so I felt completely out of my depth. I had full on imposter syndrome. On the start line in Conwy castle, I was terrified; panicking about if I'd even make it to the Ogwen Valley before the cut off, or if I’d trip up on my way out of the castle. But, underpinning all of this uncertainty and panic, was an overwhelming desire to get to Cardiff. I wanted it so much and I was going to give everything I had to get there. “
The atmosphere at the start line in Conwy Castle is electric ©No Limits Photography
“I had life affirming conversations”
For Sophie, the Dragon’s Back Race was about so much more than the running.
“Out on the course everyday, you settle in with a group of runners that are about your pace. You don't run with them all the time and often, you're on your own for long periods, but you pass a lot of the same faces, back and forth, throughout the day, so you start to get to know people. Those people soon become friends that you end up sharing stories with. I had life affirming conversations with people whose surname I still don't even know. I started at 6am everyday, to ensure I didn't get timed out, so I always got to see the front runners come powering through. First woman, Katie Mills, was also my tent mate, so seeing her absolutely bossing it always gave me a lift.”
“The other dimension to the race is camp life and the volunteers. Everyday when I finally made it back to camp, you’re greeted by the wonderful volunteers that are working on the event. And then the same group of people sent me on my way each morning. These people make you feel completely protected and supported. They help you back to your tent, carry your bag and give you endless words of encouragement. There was always a few extra words of support from the female volunteers for us girls, as there were so few of us left in the mix in the end.”
“This was a little bit of a turning point mentally”
Although the experience was incredible, the race was not without it’s challenges.
”Camp life is really hard. Mainly because, at my level, there was so little time to clean yourself up, eat and get enough sleep before going again at 6am the following morning. Sleep was an elusive beast for me. I was obviously completely knackered, but after ultras you’re so high from the day that it's very difficult to sleep. You’re sweating one minute and freezing the next. Your legs are restless and painful and you're squashed in a tent with lots of people you don't know, which takes some getting used to. I think I managed a total of 10 hours sleep in total across the whole event. Initially eating was just as hard, but by Day 4 real hunger came back. At that point, I found myself waking in the night to munch on hula hoops and more able to eat throughout the day. This was a little bit of a turning point mentally. Funny what a good plate of chips can do for the soul!”
Still smiling on Day 5 ©No Limits Photography
“It felt like I laughed my way to the Storey Arms”
The Dragons Back Race is certainly a challenge, but this didn’t stop Sophie from seeing the funny side of things when the going is tough.
“One of my favourite moments came midway on Day 5. I ended up running with Tim (Samwise) and Zoe (Frodo) for quite a while. We just whiled away the afternoon chatting about all sorts of nonsence and it ended up feeling like we were on a quest. When we reached the top of Fan Fawr, Tim decided he'd had enough of running, so sat down on his bum and slid, at what must have been about 20km per hour, down the hill. I regret to this day not having my phone out to film it, but it remains one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Now, whether or not it was that funny or if I was just delirious, remains to be seen, but at that moment in time, it felt like I laughed my way to Story Arms. In fact, if I picture it to this day, I'm in stitches. When we got to Story Arms, the lady in the kiosk was ambushed by us. There was burgers, crisps and drinks flying all about the place and in the end she had no idea what we'd actually had, so Zoe ended just giving her £20 and then well just went on our merry way. I hope it was enough. They were truly the best cheese and onion crisps that I've ever eaten!”
“I genuinely never realised I had such strong mental resilience”
Reaching the finish line was a hugely significant moment for Sophie.
“It's very difficult to put into words how I felt after finishing the DBR and it took months for it to sink in. To be honest, I'm still not even sure it fully has. I'm a pretty average runner and on paper I had no business even being on the start line, so to be one of the 90 people that finished felt insane. I'm so proud that my planning and discipline paid off. I'm not fast, so my organisational skills are the only way I can get any edge. It took so much work to be able to make it to the end and to not let the weight of the race become too much. I genuinely never realised I had such strong mental resilience and that's something that helps me outside of running too.”
“Because of the DBR, I'm a lot more confident”
Sophie feels that her experiences on the Dragon’ Back Race® will stay with her for many years to come.
“Doing the DBR has had a huge impact on my life. Because of the DBR, I'm a lot more confident to sign up to events that I wouldn't have otherwise. It's not necessarily that I think I can complete these events, but more that I'm willing to put myself out there and just enjoy the adventure with friends.”
“The biggest impact, however, has been in my social life. I moved to the Peak District 2 months before the DBR, not really knowing anyone, but since then have built a wonderful friendship group, and in one way or another they're almost all linked to the DBR. Lotty, one of the lovely volunteers, spotted that I lived locally to her and introduced me to my most frequent running pal, Lianna (who incidently is a 2019 Dragon) and I’m doing a team event in Switzerland with a 2019 Dragon and DBR serial volunteerer, Mike. I ran the Northern Traverse with Thia and now own a van (becoming a van owner was the best thing that happen to me in 2022), thanks to Becki; both 2021 Dragons. And then there's the people that I don't see very often, but that are always there to support you when races go well and when they don't. And I get to do the same in return. I LOVE dot watching.”
Finish line emotions ©No Limits Photography
“I consider the people I met on the DBR to be dear and lifelong friends”
The bonds formed on an experience like the Dragon’s Back Race are unlike any other.
“My husband always laughs at me when I tell him I can't explain what I went through on the DBR, but I really struggle to put into words what the experience was like. DBR is such an intense week and you build bonds with your fellow participants so quickly. I think this is partly because only that set of people, from your year, know exactly what you've been through. It makes it feel like you've known them for years, after just a few hours on the hill. I consider the people I met on the DBR 2021 to be dear and lifelong friends.”
Ready to change your life?
The Dragon’s Back Race is a challenge. But that’s what makes it so special.
If Sophie’s experiences have you yearning to follow in her footsteps, it’s not too late to step up to the challenge. There are still limited spaces left for 2023 – sign up and kickstart your journey!
We can’t wait to see you in Wales ©No Limits Photography