This running world was foreign to me. I grew Up in a council estate in North London.

By Pamela Djima, 2025 Hatchling 

Finishing at the iconic Cardiff Castle ©No Limits Photography

Dragon’s back Race had me at hello 

This world was foreign to me.  I grew up on a council estate in North London.  My parents were hard working immigrants who lacked the capacity to introduce us to the mountains.

I wasn’t on the school cross-country team.  I didn’t spend my holidays hiking in the hills.  I didn’t know what fell running was.  And, it never occurred to me that some place somewhere there were people who spent their days skipping down mountains, climbing over boulders and effortlessly prancing from one precariously perched rock to another.

Dragon’s Back Race had me at hello.  The YouTube algorithm served me one of their videos.  And, just like that, I was hooked.

It seems ridiculous that I would have the audacity to toe the start line of “the toughest mountain race in the world”.  But, something inside of me wanted to see what would happen if I dared to try.  I could have given it a few years, but I just felt within me that the time was now.  And really, I hope my kids always have the boldness to attempt the outlandish.

Daring to try on the Dragon’s Back Race ©No Limits Photography

my journey to the start line was an introduction to a new world 

Dragon’s Back Race was exactly as hard as I expected it to be.  I didn’t complete the full distance but I dug deep and pushed past the pain.  For 6 days, my body worked harder than ever before.

I have no idea how many miles my legs carried me — I just know I ran out of Conwy Castle on the first day and into Cardiff Castle on the last.

My journey to the start line was an introduction to a new world.  Many dragons that took the shape of fear and inadequacy were slain along the way.  From the moment I first ventured out into the mountains by myself.  To the days I spent learning to conquer Crib Goch.

I’m glad my kids got to participate in this adventure.  I’ll always remember running along the road with my daughters to beat the first cut off at Ogwen Valley car park.  Then hours later, hearing my son shouting “I can see her!” as I flew down the mountain to get to the next cut off at Pen y Pass.

Registration and Kit Check ©No Limits Photography

i’ve never seen anyone Running in the mountains Who looks like me

I’ve never seen anyone running in the mountains who looks like me.  But last month, my kids saw me.  They watched me climb Tryfan, and they cheered for me until I disappeared into the clouds.

They saw me again as I dashed off up Snowdon, fighting with everything in me to make the final cut-off.  My mum was there too.  And, as I touched the highest point of the highest mountain in Wales, I thought of us all… all three generations of our family.

My kids may not yet fully comprehend what it means to ‘smash a glass ceiling’.  But last month they were part of something special.

One day soon, I’ll be back to complete the whole Dragon’s Back Race.  But, for now, I’m at peace because now the mountains seem so much less foreign to us all.

Words by Pamela Djima

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

Working to improve diversity at our races

At Ourea Events we are passionate about improving the level of diversity and inclusion at our races.  We recognise that we still have a way to go and are working with under-represented groups to better understand the barriers facing them and how we can help overcome them.

We have put together our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy - this sets out our standards and intentions on how we are trying to make our races more appealing to a wider range of audiences.

Participation in mountain running events means challenging yourself, achieving big objectives, exploring new places, meeting like-minded people and enjoying the natural world. These activities are all key to feelings of self-worth, confidence, life satisfaction and mental well-being.  At Ourea Events we believe that these experiences should be equally accessible and enjoyed by all.

If you are from an under-represented group and would like to find out more about some of our initiatives to either help you, or someone else in your group, participate in one of our events, please contact us at hello@dragonsbackrace.com

Dare to take on Dragon in 2026? ©No Limits Photography

will you tame the dragon in 2026

Do you think you have what it takes to take on the Dragon’s Back Race in 2026? Entries are now open, with two new exciting options for aspiring challengers!

Dragon’s Fire - Conquer the first two days of the race

Dragon’s Tail - Take on the last two days of the race and cross the iconic finish line at Cardiff Castle.