Ultra runners from around the world prepare to tackle the 2022 Montane Dragon’s Back Race
Ultra runners from 26 different nations will line up for the start of the world’s toughest multi-stage mountain race in Wales next week. The Montane Dragon’s Back Race® will see around 300 competitors attempt to complete 380km of distance and 17,400m of ascent over six days. The event will start in Conwy Castle on the morning of Monday 5 September and finish in Cardiff Castle on Saturday 10 September.
The Montane Dragon’s Back Race® was first held in 1992 and after a gap of 20 years, was resurrected in 2012. The race has since been established as a regular event on the calendar and now takes place every year. It is widely regarded as the toughest multi-stage mountain race on the planet and in 2021, under 25% of the starters completed the full course to earn the much-coveted trophy for every finisher, and title of ‘Dragon Slayer’.
2021 Champion, Simon Roberts, is returning to defend his title ©No Limits Photography
Simon Roberts, winner of the 2021 Montane Dragon’s Back Race®, is returning to defend his title. He will face competition from the likes of Montane athletes Gary House and Simon Gfeller, and Dan Murdoch, who finished seventh in the race in 2019. In the women’s race, 2019 winner Lisa Watson is aiming to reclaim her title, and will line up alongside Allie Bailey and Montane athlete Rebecca Ferry.
2019 winner, Lisa Watson, is a favourite to win again ©No Limits Photography
As always, many of the most compelling stories in the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® will emerge away from the leading competitors, as runners strive to complete each day of the course within the permitted time. In 2021, after three days, under a third of the runners were still in the full race, though many more stayed with the event, continuing their journey through Wales by completing half days. Supporting all of the runners at the race will be a crew of over 150 people, undertaking a huge variety of roles as the ultra runners move south through the mountains.
The Montane Dragon’s Back Race® is organised by Ourea Events and race director Shane Ohly comments: “As always, we’re excited to return to Wales with the Montane Dragon’s Back Race, and delighted to welcome runners from so many countries to the event this year. Extending the event to six days worked really well in 2021, completing the full north to south journey through Wales, and I anticipate another race that will be full of drama, from the competition at the very front of the field to the last finisher on the final evening. As always, we can only hold the event with the support of landowners, the Welsh Government and our sponsor Montane – we are grateful to all of them and of course to our amazing race crew, who will be working as hard as ever to deliver an amazing experience for all involved.
For the latest news on the race, follow @DragonsBackRace on Twitter and Instagram, or find the event on Facebook. There will also be daily blog posts and films that will be uploaded to social media. The live tracking will be available on the website from 6:00am on Monday 5 September.
It’s set to be a competitive race in 2022 ©No Limits Photography
Has all the excitement got you yearning for your own adventure?
Entries are already open for the 2023 event which will take place on Monday 4 September - Saturday 9 September 2023.
Will you join the adventure next year? ©No Limits Photography