After 380km of epic mountain running, Hugh Chatfield and Robyn Cassidy are the winners of the 2023 Dragon’s back Race®. The pair have come a long way from the start line in Conwy Castle on Monday morning. They have overcome some of the most tricky and mountainous terrain around. There have been both highs and lows – both literally and emotionally, with the course featuring the highest mountains in Wales and also some of the most secluded valleys.

This race has seen some of the toughest racing conditions in the race history, with temperatures soaring to as high as 30 degree heat. This has added an extra layer of difficulty to an already challenging race. The dragons who have managed to complete this race have really proven their extraordinary strength and resilience.

The finish in Cardiff Castle really is an iconic venue. Matt Ward provided race commentary as finishers came in to jubilant cheers from friends and family, while music created a party atmosphere. There were many tears of joy and relief as runners crossed the finish line, as they finally realised that they had achieved that dream that had been so invested in for so long.

*Left to right: Jakub Wolski (2nd overall), Hugh Chatfield (1st overall), Robyn Cassidy (1st woman and 3rd overall) ©No Limits Photography*

Hugh Chatfield was the male winner and first over the line

Hugh Chatfield had a storming day 6, coming sprinting over the line in Cardiff Castle today to enormous cheers and applause.

Hugh’s endurance and strength throughout the race have been phenomenal, and he has somehow managed to have a smile on his face at all times.

He was greeted at the finish line by his parents, who have been following his journey through Wales, and his partner.

We asked him what got him through the race he said, “Shane at the start said you’ve got to have your ‘why’ when you take on this race, because you’ll go through highs and you’ll go through lows. Everyone who makes it here, whatever distance they’ve come, has had to draw on that at some point.”

The race was not without any low moments though. He said, “The end of Day 4 I had a cry on the road section when I saw my parents. If you haven’t cried I don’t think you’ve run it properly.”

We asked what his highlights were: “Getting here. The high mountains. Knowing you can eat that much food and having no guilt. Making loads of friends in camp. Everyone’s been amazing.”

*Hugh Chatfield has been strong throughout the race ©No Limits Photography*

In spite of having run a whopping 380km, Hugh stuck around at the finish to see Polish Runner Jakub Wolski in second place come over the finish.

Jakub Wolski, who himself organises an ultra race back in Poland, looked ecstatic as he crossed the line.

He said, “I can relax now. It was my only thought to finish the race. I never thought I would place in the top 3. I had a couple of days of pushing and trying to win a stage. Hugh is tremendous. I am very happy to be in second!”

Jakub’s run is particularly impressive given he has never been to Wales before. He said, “The terrain is incredible!”

*Elation as Jakub crosses the finish line ©No Limits Photography*

The third man overall was Tristan Stephenson. Tristan seemed happy but tired as he crossed the finish line. Tristan, who is the co-host of the Trail and Error Podcast, has done brilliantly, especially given problems he was having with his ankle earlier on in the week. However, he managed to push on, and now has a podium place to prove it.

Robyn Cassidy was the first woman and third overall

Robyn Cassidy was the first lady to cross the finish line at Cardiff Castle today. Watching her run over the line and be greeted by her friends and family was a very special moment.

She was understandably overcome with emotion, after an incredibly tough week of pushing hard, against the terrain and the weather.

She was lost for words at first when we spoke to her at the finish. She said, “There’s no words to describe this moment. It’s been the hardest, hardest, most emotional week. It’s been the most amazing people and amazing runners. The team are incredible – the volunteers make it one big family. Nothing else can compare. Absolutely nothing else compares to that week.”

Robyn Cassidy is not only the winner in the women’s field, she is also third in the race overall after an absolutely phenomenal run. In spite of the challenging conditions, Robyn has looked strong and had a smile on her face throughout the race. This is the latest in a string of several successes for women in ultra races.

As Robyn was a volunteer at last year’s race, it was truly inspiring to see her excel and take the Dragon in her stride. Hopefully her success will encourage more women to take on incredible challenges such as these.

*Robyn Cassidy after being met at the finish by her family ©No Limits Photography*

The second woman over the finish line was American runner Alyssa Clark. It has been an incredible journey for Alyssa, which began not on Monday, but over four years ago at the 2019 event. She was visibly emotional when she crossed the finish line, and lay down on the ground for a few minutes and took off her shoes before speaking.

“I dnf’d in 2019!” she said with tears in her eyes. “I’ve been thinking about this race for 4 years and it is very very hard. I don’t know I fully believed I could do it until a mile before the end.”

The resilience it has taken for her to come back and try again in spite of the setback is certainly inspirational. She has been consistently strong throughout the race, starting modestly, but pushing harder as Cardiff came into sight.

*Alyssa Clark had an emotional finish ©No Limits Photography*

Third in the women’s field was SCARPA athlete Silvia Ainhoa Trigueros from Spain. Silvia has been incredibly focused throughout the week, and showed no signs of slowing down as she crossed the finish line.

There have been some wonderful performances from all the women in the race – in a sport where women still very much make up the minority, it is wonderful seeing women competing to such a high level.

*Silvia is greeted by fellow SCARPA athlete Carmine at the finish ©No Limits Photography*

It was a joyful afternoon in Cardiff Castle

There was a party atmosphere in Cardiff this afternoon, with many runners sticking around to cheer their fellow participants into the finish. While at the start line, these runners barely knew each other, after a week together facing the same highs and lows of an epic challenge and living together in camp, these runners are now bound together by their experience on the 2023 Dragon’s Back Race®. There really was a wonderful display of community and camaraderie at the finish line today.

Ian Waddell, who organised the first ever Dragon’s Back Race® in 1992, also came along to the Finish Line today to see how the runners were getting on. With the race having come a long way since that first event over twenty years ago, it is wonderful to see how the race has grown.

Today, we were also joined by some 2022 finishers, who were invited back to run Day 6 and experience the Cardiff Castle experience, after the 2022 finish line was last minute moved to outside the Castle walls following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. It was brilliant to see some familiar faces again, and following a more subdued year, it was great to see the Castle in all its glory.

In the evening, the dragons on the full course were presented with their coveted baby dragon trophies. However, for the first time ever this year, participants who completed the shorter Hatchling course were also involved in the ceremony, where they were presented with their Hatchling trophy.

While they may not have completed the full course, they have still run ultra distances day after day in challenging conditions, so it was wonderful to see their achievement officially recognised.

It’s certainly been a challenging and emotional week, but one thing is for sure – those who have participated in the race, whether Hatchling or full Dragon, should be incredibly proud of their achievement.