By Shane Ohly, Event Director

*Taking the lead from Day One ©No Limits Photography*

Introduction

As the tenth edition of the Dragon’s Back Race® concludes, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on how far this extraordinary race has come. From its original, legendary inception in 1992 - widely considered one of the toughest mountain races ever created - to its modern rebirth in 2012, the Dragon’s Back Race has continuously inspired generations of runners to challenge themselves against the mountainous spine of Wales linking Conwy Castle to Cardiff Castle.

This year, that challenge may well have reached a new peak. The weather conditions across the first four days were, without exaggeration, the wettest in the race’s history. From torrential rain to high winds and low visibility, the Welsh mountains reminded us once again that they always have the final say. After a series of warm and sunny editions, most notably the heatwaves of 2021 and 2023, this year’s race offered a very different kind of test. You might expect a significant drop in the percentage of runners completing the full Dragon or the Hatchling, but remarkably, the change is slight, which testifies to the resilience and fortitude of this year's cohort of participants. The statistics reveal:

2025 - Starters 278, Dragon Finishers 90 (32%), Hatchling Finishers 97 (34%), Dragon and Hatchling 187 (67%)

2024 - Starters 338, Dragon Finishers 124 (36%), Hatchling Finishers 126 (37%), Dragon and Hatchling 250 (73%)

2023 - Starters 298, Dragon Finishers 87 (29%), Hatchling Finishers 147 (49%), Dragon and Hatchling 234 (79%)

2022 - Starters 263, Finishers 102 – Finishing rate: 38%

2021 - Starters 367, Finishers 90 – Finishing rate: 24%

2019 - Starters 402, Finishers 251 – Finishing rate: 62%

2017 - Starters 223, Finishers 127 – Finishing rate: 56%

2015 - Starters 142, Finishers 65 – Finishing rate: 45%

2012 - Starters 82, Finishers 32 – Finishing rate: 39%

*Celebrating the tenth edition of the race ©No Limits Photography*

Personal Reflections

The conditions on Day One led us to make the difficult decision to bypass the infamous Crib Goch ridge, with 40mph gusts and driving rain making it untenable. Instead, participants ascended Yr Wyddfa via the Pyg Track. It was a reminder of the seriousness with which we take runner safety, and a demonstration of the kind of adaptability and decision-making required in this environment from us as the organising team and the participants.

Over the next four days, the rain barely relented. And yet despite everything this edition saw an incredibly high number of participants continue to push on. That the full Dragon’s Back Race completion rate only marginally dropped is a testament to the sheer determination and resilience of this year’s runners.

The weather didn’t just challenge the runners. For our remarkable event team, the conditions made every aspect of their work more difficult: erecting structures in strong winds, wading through mud to set up each Overnight Camp, recovering vehicles stuck in waterlogged fields, working long shifts in wet clothing, and all while maintaining smiles and ensuring the event ran to the highest standards. Their unwavering dedication was truly heroic, and I want to personally thank each and every crew member who made this race possible.

Our medical team plays an essential role in the successful delivery of the Dragon’s Back Race, and this year was no exception. The team worked tirelessly to support participants day after day, ensuring they were safe, cared for, and ready to return to the course each morning. Throughout the week, the medical tent conducted approximately 550 consultations, with the busiest single day reaching over 150 individual visits. While it’s fair to say that most participants will visit the medical team at least once, this number also reflects the intense physical toll of running across Wales for six days straight.

Interestingly, the weather had a clear impact on the types of injuries and issues presenting this year. With cooler, wetter conditions dominating the first four days, we saw fewer cases of heat exhaustion and dehydration, and notably fewer blisters (as there was less heat build-up in runners’ shoes). However, this was offset by a marked increase in musculoskeletal injuries, notably lower leg issues such as tibialis anterior tendonitis, likely due to the extra strain caused by slippery, muddy terrain and unstable foot placements.

*Runners battled the wettest conditions in the history of the event ©No Limits Photography*

Every single participant in the 2025 Dragon’s Back Race deserves recognition. Whether they finished the full Dragon, completed the Hatchling, or bowed out early, they suffered, persevered, and redefined their own boundaries in ways they probably never imagined. This is the true spirit of the Dragon’s Back Race; not just about podiums, but about personal transformation.

That said, we must extend our congratulations to our overall winners: David Parrish, who led from the start with quiet determination and humility. Already the 2023 Cape Wrath Ultra® champion, his Dragon’s Back victory cements his place as one of the UK’s most formidable ultra-runners. Holly Wootten, whose astonishing run knocked three hours off the women’s course record set by Lisa Watson in 2022. Like David, she led from Day One and never looked back, a performance of true dominance and class.

A note for future contenders. History has shown us that the leader on Day One almost always becomes the overall winner – the ultimate Dragon- and that pattern held true again in 2025.

*Holly Wootten set a blistering new record ©No Limits Photography*

One final comment from me – especially given that these are some personal reflections – I would like to highlight the extraordinary achievement of Ailsa Janzen, who has become the youngest finisher of the Dragon’s Back Race, aged just 19. We made a notable exception to our normal age requirement (21 and over) because we have known Ailsa for nearly ten years, since she first volunteered at Skyline Scotland through our collaboration with the local High School, and know what a capable young woman she is. Congratulations Ailsa!

One of the most touching moments of the week came in Cardiff Castle, when many runners and supporters remained long after their own finish to welcome our final finisher across the line. It was a fitting end to an emotional and demanding week, and a powerful reminder of the community spirit that defines this race.

This year also saw a special return from Elaine Bisson, who was second place in 2021. This time, Elaine joined us as our Artist in Residence, painting evocative oil studies of the iconic Welsh mountains the runners passed through. Her work captured the mood and majesty of the landscape in a way that words alone cannot.

As always, the Dragon’s Back Race depends on a vast network of support and partnerships. I’d like to thank:

SCARPA, our footwear partner, whose support has helped keep the feet of our runners comfortable and blister-free.

Precision Fuel & Hydration, whose electrolyte drinks at the support points have become an essential part of each runner’s fuelling strategy.

Stakeholders, the landowners, communities, and volunteers across Wales who welcomed us, supported us, and enabled this event to happen.

As we close the book on the 2025 race, we also celebrate a remarkable milestone: ten editions of the Dragon’s Back Race. From 1992 to 2025, this race has never stood still. It has evolved, grown, and tested the limits of what’s possible for runners and organisers alike. But one thing has never changed: the Dragon’s Back Race is still, and always will be, arguably the world’s toughest mountain race.

*Take on the world’s toughest mountain race ©No Limits Photography*

Dragon’s Back Race® 2026 - Vision

Next year, we will launch the Dragon’s Fire and Dragon’s Tail, and these two new races are already on track to sell out. We expect them to add a new dimension to the Dragon’s Back Race, and we are already very excited about this.

Dragon’s Fire is a bold, two-day introduction to the legendary Dragon’s Back Race. It begins with the iconic start at Conwy Castle and crosses some of Wales’s most technically demanding terrain following the same route as the full Dragon’s Back Race for days one and two. This includes running over the Carneddau, Glyderau, the Snowdon massif - including the famous Crib Goch ridge. Day Two takes participants through the rugged Rhinogydd and Moelwynion. Designed as both a tough mountain running challenge and a stepping-stone to the full six-day Dragon’s Back Race, Dragon’s Fire participants receive the same full race support, overnight camps, and all necessary infrastructure.

In contrast, Dragon’s Tail celebrates the final part of the legendary route across Wales. It offers a beautiful two-day journey from the Bannau to Cardiff Castle. Day One links the iconic peaks of the Bannau Brycheiniog - including Pen y Fan - and ending at a remote camp near Talybont Reservoir. Day Two features a 65 km ultra run through the South Wales valleys, mixing trails and tarmac as it heads towards the finish at Cardiff Castle. It provides a striking combination of natural beauty and urban scenery. Like Dragon’s Fire, this race includes full logistical support, two nights in camp, and presents a compelling alternative for runners wanting to experience the climactic finish of the Dragon’s Back Race without completing the entire route.

Together, these two new race formats offer well-designed options that break the six-day legendary course into two highly evocative, manageable, and self-contained challenges, each highlighting different aspects and terrains of the full Dragon’s Back Race experience.

The Hatching

The Hatchling continues to grow in strength and, in 2025, played a vital role in offering all participants a flexible and enriching running holiday through the Welsh mountains. While many start with the intention of completing the full Dragon’s Back Race, the Hatchling presents a challenging and inspiring alternative, and we are proud of its growing importance to the overall event experience.

It has taken several editions to perfect the operations and logistics of supporting the Hatchling. However, I am pleased to confirm that for the second consecutive year, this part of the event has run exceptionally smoothly, thanks to a great deal of behind-the-scenes planning and teamwork.

I would like to pay special tribute to my colleague Neil Davies, often seen with a calm word and reassuring smile at the Info Point, who has mastered the complexities of Hatchling logistics and delivered an excellent, seamless experience for those choosing this option.

Once again, we observed a clear trend: while only 21 of the 278 starters initially aimed to complete the Hatchling, 97 participants arrived in Cardiff as proud Hatchling finishers. This clearly demonstrates the value of having this flexible format available.

Let me state this unequivocally: completing the Hatchling is a remarkable achievement: a six-day journey across Wales, with all the emotional highs and physical challenges of the full race. It stands as a world-class mountain running accomplishment in its own right, and I hope every Hatchling finisher carries that pride for many years to come.

*97 participants finished the hatchling course ©No Limits Photography*

Donations to Mountain Rescue in Wales

When participants entered this year's Dragon’s Back Race, we asked if they’d like to make a voluntary donation to Mountain Rescue. We are delighted to have raised £1,939.80. We will share this equally amongst the eight Mountain Rescue teams whose areas the race route passes through. This includes:

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team

Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team

Aberglaswyn Mountain Rescue Team

South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team

Aberdyfi Search and Rescue Team

Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team

Brecon Mountain Rescue Team

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team

*Supporting local mountain rescue ©No Limits Photography*

Ourea Events has rounded up the donations from the participants so that we can present each team with a cheque for £250. This is a total donation of £2,000 to Mountain Rescue in Wales.

Our own Response Team was deployed to various course incidents during the six-day event, which avoided the need to call upon the services of local volunteer mountain rescue teams, leaving these teams available to respond to other incidents that might have occurred. We required help from the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team and a Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter late on day one. We are incredibly grateful for their assistance in evacuating an injured runner from high on the final descent to Camp One. Thank you.

In Conclusion

From the first ascent out of Conwy Castle to the victorious final steps into Cardiff Castle, the 2025 Dragon’s Back Race has been truly extraordinary. Confronted with the wettest and windiest conditions in the event’s history, every runner was pushed to their physical and mental limits, not only by the rugged Welsh terrain but also by the relentless weather that shaped this year’s race.

Yet, amidst the wind, rain, and mud, what shone most clearly was the spirit, resilience, and camaraderie of our participants. Time and again, we saw individuals dig deeper than they believed possible, adapt with humility, and persist with determination.

For many, this race is more than a challenge; it’s a life-changing experience. The 2025 edition demonstrated once again that the Dragon’s Back Race is as much about personal transformation as it is about distance covered. This year’s Dragons leave Wales stronger, braver, and forever united by a journey that has tested them like no other.

To every runner who took part, whether you completed the full Dragon, the Hatchling, or retired early, your courage, effort, and passion have made this edition unforgettable. You haven’t just run across Wales; you’ve become part of the legend.

*Our amazing volunteer team ©No Limits Photography*

Thanking the Event Team

I’ve already expressed my gratitude to the Event Team above, but I also want to recognise the entire group of professionals and volunteers and share a bit about their work at this year's Dragon’s Back Race. They are the team that made everything possible- an incredible group of talented individuals. Thank you.

Camp Team

This team dedicates each day to one of the most physically demanding tasks, helping to set up and dismantle the Overnight Camps, including pumping up and deflating all the blue tents. They also assist with Open Tracking at the start and end of each day, ensuring runners receive their trackers in the morning and are warmly welcomed back each evening. Additionally, they provide hot drinks and support various other roles that keep the Overnight Camps functioning seamlessly.

Alastair Ratcliffe

Clarence Yeung

David Roy

Fiona Janzen

Gordon Cameron

James Greenhalgh

James Scott

Jana Szczepaniak

Karn Christensen

Kate Charles

Mary Gilchrist

Peter O'Kane

Phil Brine

Rhiannon Wescott

Robert Finch

Sarah Francis

Shane Harris

Sian Davies

Stevie Clare

Wendy Leslie

Will Howard

Yolande Nelson

Catering Team

An army marches on its stomach, and a Dragon’s Back Race is no exception. Our dedicated Catering Team prepares hundreds of hot meals daily, including breakfast, afternoon soup, chips, and the main evening meal. Their early shift begins at 3am, and the late shift often works until nearly midnight. They also supply packed lunches for staff on the course.

Belinda Hoffmann

Bethan Logan

Catheryn Lowe

Chris Taylor

Damian Elsdon

Eleanor Smith

Emma Hadley

Fiona Culleton

Fi Massey

Fiona Murphy

Jackie Lee

Jade Barrett

Julia Gregersten

Justin Pilkington

Laura Smith

Liliana Soto

Loz Rawlings-Johnson

Nicola McNally

Paul Hadley

Paul Hughes

Tammy Ruvino

Thao Nguyen

Tim Glasby

Zuzana Nemeckova

Course Operations

This is the team with the most applications and, therefore, the most difficult to join! The Course Operations team mainly handles placing and collecting ‘caution runner’ signs daily, occasionally setting up directional arrows, and managing the more remote sections of the course if needed. They also have the duty of marshalling the occasional road crossing, a task that is quite visible. Additionally, they leapfrog our two UHF repeaters along Wales, moving them from one high point to another to maintain radio communication in the course's ‘dark’ areas. This ensures our Mountain Safety and Response Teams can operate effectively.

Alice McLean

Colin Harding

Dafydd Williams

Dawn Winter

Tim Marsters

Tom Withers

Info Point Team

The friendly team at the Info Point in the main communal marquee not only get to hand out our Dragon Mail (which is always a highlight) but also have to deal with the stinky lost property. While this is often the low point, it can also be quite hilarious at times. They are the first point of contact for any enquiries from the runners and work from early to late each day.

Andy Norman

Eleanor Claringbold

Katrina Read

Sarah Norman

Site Crew Team

Safely erecting and dismantling our large white marquees (in all weathers), gazebos, and other temporary structures is the role of this team. We have two teams working in tandem, leapfrogging each other, with one team operating a day ahead and the other a day behind the main bulk of the event.

Alastair Baillie

Alex Chesters

Elliot Mawhinney

Laura Jule Landwehrkamp

Max Wainwright

Morgan Stace

Nigel Burke

Sebastian Slater

Tess Elias

Tom Jobling

Tom Young

Vit Sutton

Zak Benaton

Media Team

Responsible for energising the event through their outstanding photography, videos, presenting, and commentary. The Media Team significantly shapes the event's visual and thematic essence, often working late into the night to curate all daily content.

Christiaan Le Roux

Harriet D'Alessio

Jimmy Hyland

Lowri Morgan

Matt Ward

Reuben Tabner

Ryan Balharry

Steve Ashworth

Medical Team

Our medical team plays a vital and often unseen role in the successful delivery of the Dragon’s Back Race, and this year was no different. Made up of a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, paramedics, and physiotherapists, they worked tirelessly to support participants day after day, ensuring they were safe, cared for, and ready to return to the course each morning.

Ally Middleton

Andrea Wolfe

Kathi Brown

Dom Barton

Hazel Clark

Jayne Chislett

John Hayes

Lauren Wilde-Arnold

Morag Bowie

Nat Kennedy

Natasha Major

Robyn Cassidy

Tara Brook

Mountain Safety Team

The Mountain Safety Team is on the course during days one and two, positioned at critical points, while also sweeping behind the final runners during the latter half of each day. Undoubtedly, this team makes a significant contribution to the safety of participants on the two most technically demanding and mountainous days.

Alex Riley

Dewi Evlyn

Henry Giles

Jenny Dart

John Lees

John Robinson

Kate Worthington

Kieran O'Sullivan

Paul Tucker

Richard Bale

Rob Laing

Vicky Owen

Ourea Events Team

This is the office team from Ourea Events, comprising current and former employees, each with a specific responsibility to lead and manage a component of the event. They are a truly extraordinary team of event professionals who play a key part in the magic that happens each year.

Charlie Williamson

Duncan Archer

Greg Mickelborough

Ian Stewart

Jen Edson

Jo Moore

Libbi McGibbon

Lorna McBride

Marie Cheng

Neil Davies

Olivia Jackson

Shane Ohly

Sue Dowker

Event Control Team

Our Event Control team oversees and manages all activities away from the static overnight camps. Their primary concern is always the safety of the participants, but they also play a key role in all our course operations and logistics, including ensuring MPVs are in the right place at the right time. They are unseen team, providing an inviable hand of coordination and control over the event from afar!

Abbi Forsyth

Dave Howarth

Response Team

Our Response Team comprises of Mountain Rescue Team members from across the UK, providing us with a professional response capability throughout the event.

Ben Heath

Dan Romberg

Gwion Llewelyn

Jurgen Dissmann

Meg Bates

Rich Griffiths

Support, Water Point and Transport Team

This team has the longest continuous shift each day… but is also one of the most popular roles because they are central to the event, managing the Support Point and Water Point, and assisting with transporting participants to and from the Overnight Camps. That description somewhat underplays what they do, because each day they are providing crucial motivation and encouragement to the runners.

Andy Towne

Ben Voke

Colin Young

Daren Piper

Gareth Roberts

Ian Cowie

John Rose

Karen Kemish

Katie Robertson

Kirsten Isak

Lisa Watson

Trish Patterson

Zach Silo

Technical Services Team

Our team consists of plumbers, electricians, and various technical experts who ensure the lights stay on and water continues to flow. They regularly shuttle the bowser to a mains water standpipe during the day, often working late into the night, to guarantee there's drinking water at the Cvernight Camps, and use their 4x4 vehicles to tow out stuck vehicles from the sites.

Dave Bright

James Curtis

Phil Sturgeon

Tom Bickerton

Tom Rouse

Timing and Tracking Team

We maintain a close partnership with Open Tracking, who handle all timing and tracking for our events. They also create our results, support essential safety functions, and provide our Dragon Mail and WIFI services. Shane Ohly and James Thurlow also jointly organise the not-for-profit Adventurous Sports Events Conference in November each year.

Chris Mills

James Thurlow

Artist in Residence

Across our two big expedition races – the Dragon’s Back Race and Cape Wrath Ultra - in recent years, we have had an artist-in-residence creating original artwork depicting the events. This year, Elaine Bisson attended the Dragon’s Back Race and painted incredible, distinctive and evocative oil paintings of the Dragon’s Back Race landscape. We were able to present our two winners with a limited-edition print. If you are after a unique memento of this year’s event, please take a moment to browse Elaine’s website.

*The winners received a bespoke print from Elaine ©No Limits Photography*

Results

A full list of the finalised results, including split times and age category results, is now available here:

2025 Results

Tracking

You can relive your journey down the length of Wales with the replay function on the GPS Tracking page.

event tracking

Event Coverage

We hope your friends, family, and colleagues watching from home enjoyed our live coverage and reports from our talented media team. They also appreciated seeing the participant dots gradually move south on the GPS Tracker page. Dot watching has become quite popular and surprisingly addictive, as keeping track of your friends becomes a fun activity. There is a wealth of fantastic media coverage from the event, and we hope you enjoy catching up on it as the autumn evenings approach.

Dragon’s Back Race show

Presenter Lowri Morgan and the media team of Jimmy Hyland, Ryan Balharry and Steve Ashworth were roaming the mountains of Wales and stalking the Overnight Camps and Support Points to record six wonderful daily highlight films. If you haven’t already seen them, they are available on our website and by clicking the link below.

Watch the episodes

Event Blogs

The event blogs in our news section provide an amazing glimpse into the participant's journey, from the front-runners to those at the back. Whether you’re a past, present or future Dragon, read all about the story of this year’s event through our blogs.

Read the blogs

Photos

No Limits Photography were at the Dragon’s Back Race throughout the week capturing stunning shots for the official event photography. You can view some of these on Facebook, Instagram, our website, and in the press.

Bib Number Photography were also in attendance, taking some excellent shots of each participant, every day on their journey. These photos are now available to view (and purchase) through the link below.

Download your images!

Ongoing Health

Whether you completed the full course or the Hatchling, your body has endured significant abuse. We highly recommend taking a lengthy period of rest and recovery. Based on anecdotal evidence, four weeks of rest followed by about ten weeks of light exercise tends to be effective. We've often seen participants in our expedition-length races return to running prematurely, risking chronic fatigue and injuries. Please give your body the time it needs to heal, and take pride in your Dragon’s Back Race experience.

Feedback via RaceCheck

Last year, we received a GOLD award from RaceCheck as a result of all your excellent reviews ⭐️, and we aim to earn it again in 2025.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experience at the 2025 Dragon's Back Race and contributed to improving the event each year. If you'd like to read and leave your own review, click the link below.

Your feedback is very valuable to us. Whether positive or negative, we want to hear your thoughts. While we can't promise to implement every suggestion, we will read and thoughtfully consider all feedback. Participant input has been crucial in refining and enhancing the event over the years, making it better each time. Please don’t hesitate to share your comments via our contact form or email us directly. If you haven’t left a review yet, we would really appreciate it.

Leave a review

*How was your Dragon’s Back experience? ©No Limits Photography*

Plans For 2026?

Why not Explore Scotland on foot and join us for our Cape Wrath Ultra - 8-Days of adventure through the Scottish Highlands. There are still places remaining for the 2026 event. All participants who complete the Northern Traverse, Dragon's Back Race and Cape Wrath Ultra (over any time period) receive a prestigious Ourea Triple award, elevating themselves to legendary status for life.

Learn more: The Ourea Triple

Enter the cape wrath ultra

Event Director’s Report – Dragon’s Back Race® 2025