AMSER CYFLYMAF HYSBYS

Hanes

15.08.2024 Shane Ohly 102 awr 33 munud

Continuous Dragon’s Back Completions

We are pleased to keep a record of continuous completions of the Dragon’s Back route here. Please get in touch if you are considering an attempt and would like to clarify any details of the route or the rules. Whether you are unsupported, supported, or self-supported, or whether you attempt this challenge alone or not, we require complete transparency about the style of your attempt and clear evidence of completion, such as at least a publicly available GPS track.

FKT Rules

Shane Ohly’s FKT took a straightforward approach: follow the same rules as the event when it comes to following the route, with some minor common-sense adjustments, which are described below. A key element to understand is that the Dragon’s Back Race has sections of mandatory route (these must be followed precisely) and sections of recommended route (where you are free to choose your own route). Shane visited all the mandatory checkpoints, including various mountain summits, and physically touched these summit cairns and trig points.

For an FKT to be accepted, we would expect the same approach. Within a reasonable margin of error, we also expect any attempt at an FKT to follow the same route and actually visit all the checkpoints.

The best way to understand the checkpoints and mandatory sections of the route is to purchase a Dragon’s Back Race map, which clearly lays out all this information. This can be done by contacting the Ourea Events office.

Llwybr FKT

Yn gyntaf, rhai gwahaniaethau pwysig. Gelwir y llwybr o Gastell Conwy i Gastell Caerdydd yn Ras Cefn y Ddraig. Gelwir y ras, sy'n digwydd bob mis Medi, yn Ras Cefn y Ddraig. Mae gwahaniaethau bach ond arwyddocaol rhwng y ddau, ac yn ddryslyd, mae cyfranogwyr Ras Cefn y Ddraig yn aml yn cyfeirio at y digwyddiad fel 'Cefn y Ddraig' neu'n syml y 'Ddraig'. 

Y gwahaniaeth rhwng llwybr Ras Cefn y Ddraig a llwybr Ras Cefn y Ddraig (FKT) yw eu bod wedi'u cynllunio i alluogi unrhyw un i geisio'r Ras Cefn y Ddraig hon ar unrhyw adeg, heb y caniatâd arbennig sydd gan y digwyddiad i gael mynediad i'r ddau gastell ac i osgoi rhai darnau byr o dir preifat a ddefnyddir ar gyfer y Gwersylloedd Dros Nos a'r Pwyntiau Cymorth yn ystod y ras.

Dechrau Castell Conwy

Rydym yn awgrymu cychwyn yn ddigon hwyr i ganiatáu amser i chi'ch hun archwilio Castell Conwy yn y bore. Mae'r ras yn dechrau y tu mewn i'r castell gyda'r wawr, ac mae'r awyrgylch ar ddiwrnod y ras yn drydanol. Mae angen i chi dalu i gael mynediad i Gastell Conwy fel aelod o'r cyhoedd (peidiwch â cheisio rhuthro i mewn). Mae man cychwyn swyddogol y FKT y tu allan i fynedfa'r castell a'r siop anrhegion, wrth yr arwydd. Mae llwybr y KFT hefyd yn dilyn hen furiau'r dref, sydd ar gau i'r cyhoedd dros nos… bydd angen i chi aros nes eu bod yn ailagor bob bore cyn cychwyn!

Camp 1 at Gwastadannas Farm

There is no need to enter Gwastadannas Farm, which is private, where Overnight Camp One is located during the Dragon’s Back Race. Continue along the track, which becomes a road heading south to Llyn Gwynant. There are some great lay-bys by the lake that can be used as ad-hoc support points during an FKT attempt. Please do not drive support vehicles up the road to Gwastadannas Farm.

Camp 2 at Vanner Farm Caravan & Camping Site

There is no need to enter Vanner Farm, which is private, where Overnight Camp Two is located during the Dragon’s Back Race. About 100 metres before the turn into Vanner Farm, turn sharply right and join the start of the Day Two Dragon’s Back Race route. A suitable lay-by is immediately before this turn and can be used as an informal support point during an FKT attempt. Please do not drive support vehicles into Vanner Farm, and absolutely do not be tempted to enter the Caravan & Camping Site to use their facilities.

Day Three Support Point in Machynlleth

Do not follow the Day Three race route through Machynlleth to the Support Point location. The Support Point is on private land with no public right of way, and special access is organised for race day only. Please take the minor road past the industrial estate and then use the public rights of way to rejoin the Dragon’s Back Race route.

Camp 3 at Fagwr Fawr Farm

There is no need to enter the fields used for the Overnight Camp at Fagwr Fawr Farm, but you will need to pass through the farmyard. There is a public right of way here, but please be very respectful of the residence and pass by in silence during the hours of darkness to rejoin the Dragon’s Back Race route. A kilometre before Fagwr Fawr Farm, and immediately after crossing the road, there is a very large lay-by at Dyffryn Castell that is suitable for an ad hoc support point.

Abergynolwyn to Tarren y Gesail

The Dragon’s Back FKT route follows the major track as shown in the map extract below. It is not acceptable to cut corners. This is the route followed by Shane Ohly in 2024.

Day Four: Banc Nantycreuau

This area is a problem for both participants in the Dragon’s Back Race and anyone attempting an FKT. Shane Ohly followed the route shown below left during his August 2024 FKT, and this has been the route used by the race for many years. However, in December 2024, Storm Darragh caused considerable damage to forestry across Wales, including to this section of the Dragon’s Back Race route. In 2025, the Dragon’s Back Race route will divert onto paths and tracks to the northeast, shown in the right-hand image. The 2025 route is approximately 3km longer, has about 130m less ascent, and is much more runnable. Our recommendation is to follow the 2024 (left) version, as this is in keeping with the FKT, and the landowner is planning to clear the felled trees.

Camp 4 at Rhandirmwyn Bridge

There is no need to enter the fields used for the Overnight Camp at Rhandirmwyn Bridge, as they are private and have no public access. Just stay on the main road heading south towards the village of Rhandirmwyn.

Camp 5 near Talybont Reservoir

There is no need to enter the fields used for the Overnight Camp near Talybont Reservoir, as they are private and have no public access. Just stay on the main road heading west towards the hamlet of Abercynafon.

Day 6 Route north of Merthyr Tydfil

We are reverting to the original six-day route at the 2025 edition of the Dragon’s Back Race. This route (shown on the left below) follows lovely paths and trails rather than the tarmac Taff Trail north of Merthyr Tydfil. It is a much nicer route, and it would have been taken for Shane Ohly’s FKT in 2024, except that it was closed to the public between 2022 and 2025 due to construction work on the A465. The route Shane Ohly took is shown on the right. Our recommendation for anyone attempting an FKT is to follow the right-hand route, seeing as this is now the established FKT route.

Cardiff Castle Finish

The official finish is outside the ‘North Gate’ entrance to Cardiff Castle, where Shane Ohly stopped his watch. Usually, the metal gate leading from Bute Park to the North Gate is open, and the North Gate itself is also usually left open when the castle is open to visitors. It’s worth noting that the final kilometres of the route pass through Bute Park, which is closed to the public overnight (opening hours are currently 07:30 to 21:00). It might be possible to climb over a fence to access Bute Park if you are finishing in the middle of the night... but we do not recommend this.