DRAGON’S BACK
AMSER CYFLYMAF HYSBYS
Above: Emma Stuart, James Nobles and Shane Ohly taking a pause at the Fan Brycheiniog summit shelter during Shane Ohly's 2024 FKT. © Steve Ashworth Photography.
Gwybodaeth Amser Cyflymaf Hysbys Cefn y Ddraig (FKT)
Hanes
19/08/2024 Shane Ohly. 102 hours 33 minutes (Supported). GPS Tracking
26/07/2025 Bridget Glaister. 102 hours 40 minutes (Solo Supported). GPS Tracking
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 and Style
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, when following the mandatory route, but absolutely no margin for error in terms of visiting the mountain summits that are at the heart of the route. Any attempt at an FKT must 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.
The following bullet points should answer most common questions:
Style. Attempting an FKT on the Dragon’s Back Race route is a serious undertaking that involves significant distance, elevation gain, and remote terrain. Runners are expected to approach the challenge with respect for the environment, personal safety, and the spirit of self-reliant endurance.
Technology. Runners may use GPS devices, smartphones, and watches to aid navigation, alongside traditional navigation tools such as a map and compass.
Unsupported: An unsupported FKT means that the runner must carry all their supplies from start to finish. The only permissible external aid is water collected from natural sources found along the route.
Self-Supported: Runners may utilise any publicly accessible resources (e.g., shops, cafes, taps, or charging points), but not receive private or pre-arranged support from friends, family, or teams. Any resupply must be available to anyone attempting the route.
Supported: Runners may receive planned assistance from others, including food, drink, gear changes, or pacing, at designated points or along the route. The type and location of support must be clearly documented.
Solo: The runner completes the route without any external support or assistance, such as pacers or support runners. The different solo approaches can be further clarified as:
Solo Unsupported: The entire endeavour is completed without ANY external support or assistance at ANY point.
Solo and Supported: The entire route (i.e. on the mountains) is completed solo, but there is roadside support providing food, somewhere to sleep, etc.
Route: Any attempt must follow the route exactly as described on this web page.
Verification: A completely transparent approach by all runners attempting any FKTs is essential. A complete GPS track of the route is required for all FKT claims, which has been uploaded to a public platform (e.g., Strava or Garmin Connect). Photographic evidence or witness statements are encouraged and may be requested. If in doubt, provide more detail rather than less.
Llwybr FKT
First, some important distinctions. The route from Conwy Castle to Cardiff Castle is called the Dragon’s Back. The race, which takes place each September, is known as the Dragon’s Back Race. There are small but significant differences between the two, and confusingly, participants in the Dragon’s Back Race usually refer to the event as simply the ‘Dragon’s Back’ or even the ‘Dragon’.
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
We suggest starting late enough to allow yourself time to explore Conwy Castle in the morning. The race begins inside the castle at dawn, and the atmosphere on race day is electric. You do need to pay to access Conwy Castle as a member of the public (please don’t try to blag your way in). The official start of the FKT is located outside the entrance to the castle and gift shop, marked by a “Conwy Castle’ sign. The KFT route also follows the old town walls, which are closed to the public overnight. You’ll need to wait until they reopen each morning before setting off.
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 3 km longer, has about 130 m less ascent, and is much more runnable. Bridget Glaister followed the 2025 route during her continuous completion. We recommend following the 2025 (right) version, as this aligns with the current race route.
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 right 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 left. Bridget Glaister followed the 2025 race route (the right-hand one) during her continuous completion. We recommend following the 2025 (right-hand version), as this aligns with the current race 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.
Shane Ohly - First FKT
Start: 10:00 Thursday, 15th August 2024
Finish: 16:33 Monday, 19th August 2024
Result: 4 days, 6 hours, 33 minutes (102 hrs 33 minutes)
Yn haf 2024, cychwynnodd Shane Ohly, sylfaenydd a threfnydd hirdymor Ras Cefn y Ddraig fodern®, ar genhadaeth bersonol a symbolaidd: cwblhau hyd llawn llwybr Cefn y Ddraig mewn un gwthiad parhaus. Dros gyfnod o 102 awr a 33 munud, ef oedd y person cyntaf i groesi'r daith 380km o Gastell Conwy yn y gogledd i Gastell Caerdydd yn y de heb oedi'r cloc: camp ryfeddol o ddygnwch a wthiodd ei gorff a'i feddwl i'r eithaf.
Cafodd Ras Cefn y Ddraig, a luniwyd gyntaf ym 1992 ac a adfywiwyd gan Ohly yn 2012, ei hystyried yn eang fel un o rasys mynydd anoddaf y byd. Gan ymestyn dros chwe chymal undydd yn fformat y ras, mae'r llwybr yn cynnwys tua 16,500 metr o ddringfa ac yn mynd trwy rai o dirweddau mwyaf garw a thrawiadol Cymru: y Carneddau, y Glyderau, yr Wyddfa, y Rhinogydd, Cadair Idris, Dyffryn Elan, Bannau Brycheiniog, ac yn olaf y llinell derfyn drefol yng Nghaerdydd. Er bod cannoedd o gystadleuwyr wedi cwblhau'r digwyddiad dros chwe diwrnod strwythuredig gyda chefnogaeth sylweddol i'r digwyddiad, gan gynnwys gwersylloedd dros nos, arlwyo, meddygol ac achub, nid oedd neb wedi cwblhau FKT (Amser Cyflymaf Hysbys) parhaus ar y llwybr llawn, er gwaethaf ychydig o ymdrechion dewr.
I Ohly, nid her ddygnwch bersonol yn unig oedd hon. Ar ôl cyfarwyddo'r ras am dros ddegawd, cafodd ei ysgogi gan awydd i brofi'r digwyddiad mewn modd mwy agos atoch a bregus. Drwy redeg y cwrs cyfan ei hun, heb strwythur cychwyniadau a gorffeniadau dyddiol, ei nod oedd cael gwell dealltwriaeth o'r doll gorfforol ac emosiynol y mae'n ei gymryd ar gyfranogwyr, ac ailgysylltu â hanfod crai'r llwybr mewn taith bersonol iawn trwy Gymru.
Nid oedd ar ei ben ei hun yn ei ymgais. Cafodd ei gynorthwyo gan griw cymorth o tua 30 o ffrindiau drwy gydol y rhediad, gan gynnwys cydlynwyr logisteg, gyrwyr, a chast cylchdroi o redwyr cyflym yn cynnwys cyn-enillwyr Dragon's Back a'r rhedwyr ultra gorau. Yn eu plith roedd Robyn Cassidy, Simon Roberts, High Chatfield, Lisa Watson, a James Nobles. Cynigiodd eu presenoldeb gefnogaeth ymarferol ac anogaeth emosiynol, yn enwedig yn ystod y nosweithiau hir a'r tywydd llwm a nodweddai gamau cynnar y rhediad.
Yn wir, profodd y tywydd i fod yn un o'r rhwystrau mwyaf aruthrol. Wynebodd Ohly wyntoedd cryfion, glaw trwm, a gwelededd isel ar draws mynyddoedd y gogledd, gyda thywydd tawelach yn cyrraedd ar ôl yr Wyddfa yn unig. Daeth diffyg cwsg yn ffactor arwyddocaol hefyd. Er gwaethaf trefnu seibiannau byr achlysurol, parhaodd Ohly er gwaethaf blinder eithafol, yn enwedig yn ystod y noson olaf, pan oedd yn rhaid iddo alw cronfeydd o wydnwch i ddal ati.
Wrth fyfyrio ar y profiad wedyn, roedd Ohly yn onest am ei greulondeb. “Mae’r ras wedi’i llwyfannu yn ôl pob tebyg yn llawer mwy pleserus,” cyfaddefodd gyda gwên chwerw. Eto i gyd, roedd y daith wedi dyfnhau ei gysylltiad â’r digwyddiad yn amlwg. Roedd yn ei atgoffa o’r gostyngeiddrwydd a’r cryfder meddyliol sydd eu hangen i gwblhau Ras Cefn y Ddraig, rhinweddau y mae’n eu gweld yn y rhedwyr sy’n dychwelyd flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn i ymgymryd â’r her. I Ohly, roedd yn foment cylch cyflawn: y trefnydd yn dod yn gyfranogwr, a’r arsylwr yn dod yn destun.
Nid yw'r Ras Gystadlu Parhaus (FKT) wedi'i bwriadu i ddisodli'r fformat ras llwyfan, ond mae'n ychwanegu dimensiwn newydd at fytholeg y Ddraig. Mae'n gyflawniad personol ac yn weithred symbolaidd, yn gadarnhad o ysbryd y ras a'r dirwedd y mae'n ei chroesi. Wrth ddod y person cyntaf i redeg Cefn y Ddraig mewn un gwthiad, nid gosododd Shane Ohly record yn unig. Anrhydeddodd yr antur oedd wrth wraidd y digwyddiad a greodd.
Mae detholiad o ddelweddau o FKT 2024 Shane Ohly isod.
© Shane Ohly collection courtesy of many friends supporting his KFT.
