Nathan Whittaker
Signing up and preparation
Can the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® be your first multi-day race? Should I have run a 100 miler already? Had I underestimated the challenge? I was about to find out. I applied to enter the Dragon’s Back Race with only 10 weeks to go, being fortunate to get a spot from the waitlist. Three friends, who had more sensibly entered 9 months earlier, had finally convinced me to go for it. It was after joining them on a recce of Day 2 over the Rhinogs that I knew I needed to take on the challenge. I’d run a 40-mile hilly race before. How hard can 6 in a row be… right?
I entered the race with 10 weeks to train. I generally run for fun with friends and I’d done a hand full of sporadic ultras (longest 40 miles), marathons and multi day hikes in the last few years. I do consistent, multi discipline, strength and conditioning training in the gym so I knew I had a good base and that I needed to use my time to increase the mileage in my legs.
I’m not someone who overthinks a training program, but it does need to be enjoyable for me and I didn’t have any particular goals with this race. I like to keep it simple, and I just wanted to get out there and enjoy the experience and see how far I might get. I knew lack of sleep and food would be a huge challenge and the most likely contributor to a DNF and these are not things I was able to prepare for.
I spent those final 10 weeks fitting in as much training as possible, without overdoing it. Almost every weekend was a trip away to the mountains to get vert and miles in. During the week consisted of back-to-back HIIT and strengthening style classes at the gym. Then the final two weeks was complete recovery time for me, save for one very chilled 5-mile road run to stave off cabin fever!
Day One
A large part of Day one was familiar terrain to me, so I knew to be prepared for rugged, rocky terrain. I knew it was important to make up time where possible because the steep, scrambly sections will eat away at the number of hours you think you have. I finished the day later than I’d expected and the unexpectedly high temperatures had taken their toll on me. I sat in camp that evening a little shell shocked. This was only Day one, and the shortest of the six days at that. Whilst eating I had a quiet moment of introspection. To realign my expectations and what was going to be required physically and mentally for the remaining five days.
Day Two
Day two saw the heat escalate but my pace the opposite. I have never crawled as slowly up a mountain as I did on the ascent to the Rhinogs on this day. Having only just made the second support point with about 20 minutes to spare I knew I just had to keep on moving as quickly as I could, despite the punishing heat. As I made it to the Rhinogs I met Julian and we ran the next three afternoons together for which I am very grateful, I know I wouldn’t have finished if he hadn’t been there to keep me going.
Day Three
Day three was another warm day. At about five miles out from Machynlleth, the last manned check point of the day, the fatigue of three days of mountain running was taking its toll on me but I knew there was a Co-Op shop by the support point. What I didn’t realise is that before dropping down into Machynlleth there is a cheeky turn away from Machynlleth to complete a steep out and black climb to the summit of Tarren Y Gesail that I hadn’t accounted for. It was whilst climbing to the summit that I’d decided that I was done. Even if I made it to the support point on time I was dropping out. I felt absolutely exhausted and that I didn’t have the remainder of the day in my legs. I’d text my partner and friends to say as much. A flurry of texts came back but in that moment texts weren’t going to do the trick. As I was descending off Tarren Y Gesail I stumbled across a fellow runner, also feeling on his knees, and told him my decision. His simple reply was “It’s four easy miles downhill to Machynlleth. You’re still moving well enough. You can do this.” Somehow that hit the right nerve. I picked up the pace and completely surprised myself making it to the support point with about 25 minutes until cut off, although unfortunately having to forgo a visit to the Co-Op.
From there on I had already recced to the end of the day’s route (it was the final recce I had snuck in before tapering) and I’m very grateful I did. Knowing the terrain and what to expect really helped me keep up a good pace that would get me back to camp within the cut off time without overdoing it at any point.
Day Four
If Days One to Three couldn’t beat me there was no way I was letting Day Four beat me. That’s what I told myself in camp on the night of Day Three. Day Four was long, the terrain unforgiving but the reduction in vert was noticeable making it a much more manageable day. The end of Day Four contains a long, winding road section for which I wish I had switched to my more cushioned shoes. However, again linking up with fellow runner Julian we ate up the miles with the help of some select motivational pumping music! The days were so much longer than I had predicted and the processes in camp meant I was getting 1-4 hours’ sleep a night which is an absolute killer. Somehow come 4.30am you just get up and get going or you may as well hang up your race number.
Day Five
Day Five is a monster. As simple as that. It’s a constant roller coaster of summits, one after the other. With an uncountable number of “false summits” thrown in for good measure. I’d recced 26 miles of the tough section of this day, but a recce cannot prepare you for the level of fatigue you’ve built up from the four previous days.
I had to contend with some horrid conditions on the Pen Y Fan range (combination of thick fog, winds and driving rains) but somehow made it to camp with less than 8 minutes to spare before the final cut off time after digging as physically deep as I ever have. I knew I hadn’t eaten enough this day and that I’d really stretched what little energy reserves I had left to stay within the cut off time.
I hobbled around camp at the end of Day Five wondering how I would have the energy to complete Day Six. It felt so close and too cruel to fail now but I’d hit a point of physical and mental exhaustion I could not relate to. My right quad felt like it was seizing up and I’d been struggling with a pain around my right ankle since Day Three. My feet, whilst not as bad as they could have been, had some painful blisters in a few areas, most noticeably between the big and second toe of my left foot. On previous days I’d taken the time to clean and tape my feet to refresh them, at the expense of sleep, but this evening I didn’t have the energy for it. I knew how important it was but also knew how much I needed the sleep to have a chance of finishing tomorrow.
Day Six
The final day of 39 miles was doable at a quick hiking pace and the only pace I could muster from my body. The irony being it was the most “runnable” day of the lot. Long sweeping, trails you would normally “zone out” to and just enjoy eating up the miles. Instead, I had to “zone in” to push myself to keep going. I could really feel the lack of sleep catching up with me now. I could physically feel my body trying to drop into a micro sleep if I closed my eyes for too long whilst running.
The incredible event team really shined for me leading into Cardiff with energy and support. Every boost was needed. Whilst being one of only 24% to finish the 2021 race, I was the last and it was becoming apparent I had been out there the longest over the last 6 days.
It therefore seems I won the “Last Finisher” Dragon Trophy. As I neared Cardiff Castle the music and cheering from the crowd seemed crazy and my legs just started running! The discomfort and exhaustion seemed to suspend itself in response to the shouting, encouragement and support. In that moment all of the exhaustion and fatigue was washed away.
The crowd was quite overwhelming and I was quite touched so many had waited around to cheer me in. It’s everything the event is about. The camaraderie is what makes this event achievable. Without it, I would still be somewhere in Snowdonia on day 2. The male & female winner presented me with the unique Last Finisher Trophy, a huge 4kg dragon! She’s spectacular! I don’t think anyone has ever had such a great reward and unforgettable welcome for being last!
Nathan receives the “Last Finisher” Dragon Trophy from race winners Katie and Simon - on the finish line at Cardiff Castle ©Bib Number Photography
Thoughts and reflections
The Montane Dragon’s Back Race® was exponential to my expectations in every way. That just made me more determined to complete it. The mental challenge was huge. There were very dark moments. I can’t say I’m not proud of myself for pulling through. I’ve asked myself whether I should have given myself more time to train and prepare but there were winning favourites and competitors with running coaches who didn’t complete day one. I do know that I would not have stood a chance of completing it without the other athletes and the event team. You draw vital strength, camaraderie and support from your fellow competitors and it’s hard to grasp that in any training. All of the challenges and low points of the Montane Dragon’s Back Race are worth it when you get to share the journey with all those that come together to complete it with you.