James Nobles and Lisa Watson win the 2022 Montane Dragon’s Back Race®
Today the 2022 Montane Dragon’s Back Race® comes to a close in Bute Park, with the participants finishing their journey which began six days ago in Conwy Castle.
Watch the Day 6 video by Steve Ashworth, Ross Brackley and Jimmy Hyland
James Nobles took the win
James Nobles made Dragon’s Back Race history, as the first former volunteer to win the race.
James Nobles, has had an incredible race, finishing in the top 3 every day of the race. However, it wasn’t until Day 5 that he pulled into the lead, after Simon Roberts (2021 winner) dropped out due to an injury, and Chris Cope (frontrunner on days 1-4) also slowed significantly after suffering with an injury. Nobles’s success story is a testament to his endurance and resilience.
He looked incredibly strong as he crossed the finish line, where he was met by his wife, who is expecting a baby soon, and family.
He said, “It’s rather unbelievable. I can’t believe it. I stuck with the game plan and somehow it’s paid off.”
“Day 1, I was just wanting to keep Simon in sight. Then the second day I just decided to try and keep a consistent pace. I knew if I just went surging, my stomach would go and I might end up in a bad place, so I just tried to keep a bit of consistency going and I tried to do that all the way to the end.”
James went into the race hoping to be competitive. He said, “I believed that I could do it, but I had no idea whether or not it would happen. I trained my absolute hind off last year. I am absolutely over the moon.”
He volunteered last year as Main Camp team in preparation for the race. He said, “It was great to be here last year volunteering, and get some inside knowledge on what folk do. And now I’m on the other side of the event.”
James Nobles is the winner of the 2022 Montane Dragon’s Back Race® ©No Limits Photography
Lisa Watson triumphs again
Lisa Watson today became the first participant to win the Dragon’s Back Race twice since it was reinstated in 2012. She had an incredible run, coming in as first woman every day of the race. Lisa, an academic, first won the race back in 2019 when the race was only 5 days. She came back this year to experience the new days 5 and 6.
All week she has worked hard, extending her lead every day. She finished as 4th runner overall, with a twelve hour lead on the second woman.
She crossed the finish line at a sprinting pace, and was met by her family and dog before being presented with her dragon trophy.
She said, “I’ve really enjoyed pretty much all of it. There’s been only a couple of low moments – yesterday afternoon and the afternoon of Day 3, but they’re both the really long days. Day 4, I absolutely loved. I was smiling ear to ear from start to finish.”
One of her highlights was the end of day 4. “It was pouring with rain, and it was really bright. It was that euphoric kind of running. I’d been running with a couple of guys, Lee and Sam, and we’d had a great day and were just chatting – nearly home and back at camp. Day 2 I really loved. I found that hard last time but really enjoyed this time. I found some amazing lines.”
She was consistently running with the top male runners, coming 4th overall. “It’s really motivating. It’s been really surprising. Genuinely, I absolutely love it though. It’s easy to run well when you’ve got a smile on your face.”
She didn’t rule out coming back to win the race for a third time. “I don’t know. That would be really cool, but I need maybe a day to think about it. I love this race.”
Lisa Watson is the winner of the 2022 Montane Dragon’s Back Race® ©No Limits Photography
David Jackson and Lee Parker were neck and neck for second and third place
Following Simon Roberts and Chris Cope both sustaining injuries, David Jackson and Lee Parker were in a tough battle for second place.
Eventually, it was David Jackson who prevailed.
He said, “I can’t believe it. I did it ten years ago, and didn’t finish properly. I did it as a non-competitor so I had to come back. Second, overall! I can’t believe it.”
Lee Parker had a brilliant week, coming in third. He said, “It’s been amazing. I’ve run with a good couple of people, who’ve dragged me around the course. I was looking at top ten, but to be top 5 is amazing. Finishing is good enough. I’m really happy with third.”
David Jackson (left) and Lee Parker (right) at the finish line ©No Limits Photography
Bridget Glaister was second lady, with Victoria Morris coming in third
Bridget Glaister was second lady. She finished in the same way she had done all week – with a smile on her face.
She said, “It’s been a complete journey of ups and downs. The start was so hard for me because I’ve never done anything like this before. I was so nervous. And setting off so early and quite dark on the castle walls is so evocative. It’s been really really tough as well.
“I cannot believe how it’s gone. I’ve just kept my head down – kept trucking. And I didn’t even look at the results for a little while, and then people were saying things and then suddenly it got a little bit more competitive.”
“This has been a dream and I’ve worked so hard to get to the dream, and look what I’ve done. It’s just fantastic.”
Bridget was not only second lady overall, but she was also first female vet 50. She said, “I’m in the older category of women and to have achieved my dream – it’s just so amazing for me to have done that. For women of that age – it’s brilliant.”
Victoria Morris performed well throughout the week, and was cheered over the finish line by Bridget. She said, “It was horrendous and wonderful at the same time. I’m just thrilled to have finished it. It feels like we’ve been away longer than a week. It feels like years have gone by.”
Bridget Glaister, Lisa Watson and Victoria Morris relax together after the race ©No Limits Photography
Chris Cope was 6th overall
Chris Cope was winning earlier on in the week with a healthy lead. However, he unfortunately slowed following an injury, coming in 5th man and 6th overall.
He said, “It’s been a learning curve, with the diabetes population seeing me. I never expected that and that’s massive. The more that youngsters can go ‘yeah we can do this, we can do whatever’. You might not be able to be a fighter pilot, but there’s not much else that diabetes should stop you doing, and if that helps, one, two, three people or more, that’s awesome.
“It's the world’s toughest mountain race, or it’s the world’s biggest self-learning event, or it’s actually a really high-quality, good-value walking holiday. What better way to see Wales?”
The participants have much to be proud of
It was a more low-key finish today in Bute Park rather than Cardiff Castle, out of respect for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. However, it was still an incredible finish to an epic week,
Janne William Wetzel travelled from Switzerland to participate. He was nervous beforehand, but had an incredible experience.
He said, “I was so scared, and then I came and it was just marvellous. I look forward to come back and see the same people again. I think the entire week was a highlight in its entirety.”
Beverley Tucker was the second to last finisher, but she had a storming run. It was inspirational watching her head out every day and come out on top with a smile on her face.
She said, “It’s one of the best weeks I've ever had. It's been fantastic. I didn't realise what I could achieve. You know, putting your mind to it, a year of training. It's been wonderful. I've really been inspired by everybody. I've definitely gone beyond my limits this week.”
Barry Tsang from Singapore had the accolade of completing the full course in the slowest amount of time. This meant he spent more time out on course battling the Welsh mountain terrain than any other participant, which takes a huge amount of endurance and resilience. He was rewarded for his efforts with the largest trophy of all, a tradition which was introduced at the 2017 event.
All of the participants should be incredibly proud of themselves, whether they were near the front of the pack, at the back of the pack, or completed the reduced course.
It’s been an incredible week for all involved ©No Limits Photography
Top 3 female runners on Day 6
Lisa Watson 06:59:58
Bridget Glaister 08:33:48
Nikki Sommers 09:50:36
Top 3 male runners on Day 6
James Nobles 06:46:44
Lee Parker 06:56:35
David Jackson 07:01:37
Top 3 female runners overall
Lisa Watson 53:46:22
Bridget Glaister 65:58:52
Victoria Morris 69:34:41
Top 3 male runners overall
James Nobles 50:40:23
David Jackson 52:29:31
Lee Parker 53:22:56