The women's field shines through as runners tackle Day 2 of the Montane Dragon’s Back Race®
Today 276 intrepid participants set off on the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® as they tackled Day 2 of this iconic mountain-running challenge.
Yesterday the unexpected soaring temperatures in the high 20s proved a challenge for many participants, with 93 runners opting to switch to the shorter Hatchling course after struggling in the full heat of the day. With more sunny weather promised for the day organisers allowed participants an extra 30 minutes at Checkpoint 7, where hot runners were encouraged to take some time to rest and hydrate in the shade.
Today the Dragons left the more popular and touristy areas of Eryri and headed into the lesser known, but arguably more rugged and spectacular Southern Eryri. With 59km and 3,400m of elevation to contend with, it was another tough day.
Highlights on the route included Cnicht (sometimes known as the Matterhorn of Wales due to its distinctive shape) and the notoriously gnarly terrain of the Rhinogydd. While many Dragons will have been fixated to the climbing, today one of the toughest things they will face is the descending, with many opting for the classic bum slide route off Cnicht, while the rocks and boulders of the descent from Rhinogydd providing a real challenge.
The famous bum sliding descent ©No Limits Photography
Spirits were high on the start line
While yesterday was certainly a tough day, there were still many smiles on the start line this morning. Runners can choose to start any time between 6am and 9am, but with a tough day ahead, many runners were there ready and raring to go at 6am on the dot.
Many people were also keen to take advantage of the cooler temperatures early in the morning before heading out onto the course where there is little in the way of shade.
We spoke to some excited runners as they headed out on another epic day.
James Bezant had some good tactics yesterday to get him through the first tough day. He said, “We pushed at the beginning and it paid off in the second half so we’ll do that again today. The heat was relentless up Tryfan. It was a good day though, but the toughest day I’ve run out ever. You get to Snowdon and you think you’re here but you’re still nowhere near.”
Sasha Bejjany is now non-competitive after being timed out on Day 1, but she is delighted to continue on with the race. She has come from Toronto to run the Dragon’s Back Race®.
We asked what brought her all the way from Canada to compete. She said, “I have friends in Wales. I said, ‘Do you have any races here?’ They said no, then I found this. They said, “No that’s death!’ But I’m here!”
Iain Loader was all smiles as he set off for his day. “It’s going alright, but yesterday in the heat was not nice for anyone really! It’s thinking where to get water between here and the checkpoints that’s the problem. I’m dipping my hat in every little dirty puddle.”
Day 2 through the Rhinogydd is famous as a brutally challenging day. Iain said, “I’m nervous about this day because this one’s tough. When I recce’d it I could only see about thirty metres at a time, so it will be good to see where I’m going!”
Also nervous about the day was Tristan Stephenson, who rolled his ankle yesterday twice.
He said, “It slowed me down a lot in the middle third of the race. Then I changed shoes and slowly over the course of hours it got better. By the time I descended Snowdon I was able to run again. I’m just hoping it holds out today and the rest of the week.
“I’m uncertain about what the day holds in terms of terrain, but I’m looking forward to getting out there. It’s nice and cool at the moment.”
Heading into the Moelwynion mountains ©No Limits Photography
The race leaders were determined as they set off this morning
While most runners can pick to set off any time between 6am and 9am, the lead runners are given a mandated start time, which they are not allowed to start before. This allows organisers time to build the camps before they arrive and also means that those in the mid pack and back of pack get a chance to run with the leaders as they cross paths later on in the day.
Robyn Cassidy, first lady in the field, looked incredibly strong as she set off at her mandated start time of 8am on the dot. She was bouncing around and ready and raring to go when she set off at lightning speed, excited for Day 2. “This is very weird starting on my own!”
First man in the race is Hugh Chatfield. He set off half an hour after Robyn, set on chasing down the other runners. After coming out on top at the end of day one, he is feeling the pressure now.
He said, “I’m nervous actually. Tough competition, tough conditions. It’s a nice buffer but anything can happen when you run 6 ultras back to back. I know the Rhinogs in hailstorms and gails, not this weather!”
The climb up the iconic Cnicht at sunrise is a special moment ©No Limits Photography
Runners were given an extra 30 minutes at the Cwm Bychan checkpoint today
With the scorching weather, runners were very grateful for the extra time given to them at the Support Point at Cwm Bychan. It gave runners a welcome respite to sit in the shade and fill up water bottles. It was also a sociable atmosphere, giving runners a chance for a break from competition to actually chat and get to know each other. The camaraderie that is already forming amongst runners is one of the highlights of the race. Many runners are already teaming up together to face the challenges of each day.
Organisers also added in an extra water station 10km before the finish, giving runners an extra chance to hydrate for the final stretch into the finish.
The Hatchling course has already proven to be a success, as those who were timed out due to the heat have opted to stay with the race and continue with their journey rather than going home. Many made the most of the chance to stop in a pub en route, making the most of a more leisurely approach to the race.
Participants on the Hatchling course enjoyed their journey today ©No Limits Photography
Robyn strengthened her lead in a strong female field
At the sharp end of the field, Robyn Cassidy had another absolutely storming run today. She looked as if she had barely broken a sweat as she came running into the finish with American runner Alyssa Clark, who is 4th woman. In addition strengthening her lead, putting over an hour into Victoria Thompson, Robyn also maintained her position as 4th overall and was the third fastest runner overall on Day 2.
She particularly enjoyed the climb up Cnicht. She said, “I’ve never seen the view from the top of Cnicht. It is so pretty!”
While the heat was a struggle, she had a brilliant day. “I’m pleased with that. Obviously there was highs and lows, but no moments where I really thought ‘no!’”
Despite being obviously very competitive, she still enjoyed the social side of the race as she ran in with Alyssa Clark, high-fiving her as they crossed the line. She said, “We were chatting. It’s so much nicer to run in with someone!”
Victoria has maintained her position in second place. She is doing phenomenally well given her struggles with injury earlier this year. She said, “It was good. I don’t think the weather was as bad, but maybe there were more streams to fill up. I did find a mossy hole and I could hear water so I dived into it!”
Silvia maintained her third place position, pushing hard throughout the heat of the day. She was moving particularly well over the gnarly terrain of the Rhinogydd. She was the first woman across the finish line, though Victoria was not far behind her.
It’s proving to be a strong women’s field, with the top four women also appearing in the top 10 overall.
SCARPA athlete Silvia was going strong over the technical ground ©No Limits Photography
Hugh Chatfield continued to put time into his competitors
Hugh Chatfield also strengthened his lead to nearly an hour, and was grinning as he sailed into the finish.
He said, “That was a tough, tough day. Not as hot with the wind. I was nervous though at the start.”
Like Robyn, he is also enjoying the social aspect to the race. “The half an hour rest was great fun. I had a good sit down – a good natter.”
After two tough, mountainous days, Hugh is feeling positive ahead of Day 3. He said, “I think it’s slightly easier tomorrow. Not as much climb. The ground is easier and the last section is rolling. I’m feeling good about tomorrow.”
Jakub Wolski had another excellent run today, and has maintained his position in second place. Hugh was chasing him down throughout the day though, and he only made it in a couple of minutes ahead of him.
Jon Shield is still in third place, but had a hard day today in the heat.
While these leads seem pretty decisive at the moment, there is still a long way to go and with such a competitive field, many things could change. It is certainly not unheard of for the leader board to completely change over the next few days, and with the heat set to continue, it will be interesting to see how the runners cope with this added challenge to an already extremely tough race.
Hugh had another excellent run today ©No Limits Photography
There was a brilliant atmosphere in camp
Runners were welcomed into the camp just outside Dolgellau this evening with an extra surprise in the form of smoothies made for them by the Montane team. These certainly went down a treat after a hot day of running.
We caught up with a few of the runners as they came into camp.
Vicky Savage is running the Dragon’s Back Race® having come second in the Cape Wrath Ultra in 2022, famously known as the rainy year. These conditions are certainly a contrast to what she’s used to. She said, “Today was less bad than I expected it to be. The wind was a saviour. It was tough though – it’s harder than cape wrath! I seem to get the extremes of weather!”
Tom Richardson was another runner we spoke to as he came running in with Thomas Avery. He said, “We’re glad to be done. The last section over the Rhinogs was hot. The terrain was pretty slow. We knew it was coming but we tried to have a more controlled effort today. It’s about survival really!”
SCARPA Athlete Carmine De Grandis who is completing the Hatchling course also lifted spirits by playing his accordion in camp. Impressively, Carmine has actually been taking his accordion with him to play on some of the tops!
The accordion music created a lively atmosphere after a tough day ©No Limits Photography
Results
Top 3 women overall
Robyn Cassidy (18:30:32) - 4th overall
Victoria Thompson (19:40:17)
Silvia Ainhoa Trigueros (20:15:06)
Top 3 men overall
Hugh Chatfield (15:52:31)
Jakub Wolski (16:51:27)
Jon Shield (18:24:54)
Robyn is looking incredibly strong ©No Limits Photography
Top 3 women on Day 2
Robyn Cassidy (09:29:42) - 3rd overall
Victoria Thompson (09:49:41)
Silvia Ainhoa Trigueros (10:10:53)
Top 3 men on Day 2
Hugh Chatfield (08:03:02)
Jakub Wolski (08:21:21)
Tristan Stephenson (09:44:45)
Victoria had another good run ©No Limits Photography
Follow the Journey
With the hot weather set to continue into tomorrow, staying hydrated and not overdoing it seem to be the key to completing this race currently. However, the mood was high in camp tonight, as with two of the most mountainous days behind them, runners can look forward to a slightly easier day tomorrow in terms of terrain. However, it’s still certainly no walk in the park, as at 70km, tomorrow will be the longest day yet.
You can follow their journey every step of the way!
Follow runners as the journey South ©No Limits Photography
Feeling inspired?
Entries are already open for the 2024 event which will take place 2nd-7th September 2024.
Check our website each day this week for a different promotion as a fantastic incentive to sign up now!
If you sign up before 16th September you will also save £100 and get a free Dragon in Training T-shirt.
This could be you in 2024! ©No Limits Photography