Dragon’s Back Race

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Dragon’s Back Race
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This 6-day legendary, multi-stage, ultra running journey in Wales has been labelled the world's toughest mountain race. With an average daily distance of 63k, and elevation twice the height of Everest, only enter if you're brave enough.
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Dragon's Back Race
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Calendar
Mon, 6 Sept 2021
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Conwy, United Kingdom
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Location
4 Customs House Terrace, Conwy LL32 8BD, UK
Start times
Monday 6 Sept 2021
Dragon's Back Race: 7:00 am
Here are the distances available for Dragon’s Back Race
Distance
380km
The legendary Dragon’s Back Race® follows the mountainous spine of Wales from north to south. This incredible six-day journey is 380km long with 17,400m of ascent across wild, trackless, remote and mountainous terrain. It is the toughest mountain race in the world.
*Please not this is not a trail race, the the course follows along the mountainous spine of Wales, with terrain at times extreme.
Day 1: Conwy Castle to Nant Gwynant
52k and 3800m of ascent
Starting with a gentle climb from the beautiful coastal Conwy Castle, the route gradually becomes rockier with unrelenting ascent and descent, culminating in the airy ridge scramble across Crib Goch and the traverse of the full Snowdon horseshoe, passing by some astounded tourists.
Day 2: Nant Gwynant to Dolgellau
58k and 3600m of ascent
The race line plunges directly south, but in the way is some of the most broken terrain of the race. Underestimate these mountains at your peril - they might be small but they are perfectly troublesome. Also, this is a day that is devoid of population, except you!
Day 3: Dolgellau to Ceredigion
71k and 3500m of ascent
Pumlumon Fawr is the highest point of the extensive Cambrian Mountains, but the even mightier Cadair Idris guards the approach early in the day. You pass through the centre of two towns on this day. Ice cream or chips? If you complete Day Three, the statistics are on your side for completing the race.
Day 4: Through the Elan Valley
71k and 2400m of ascent
Remote and rarely visited hills and forests are the hallmark of this day, as are the famous grass tussocks of the Elan Valley hills. The route goes to one of the highest summits in Mid Wales - Drygarn Fawr - on the remote moorland plateau of the Cambrian Mountains. Keep each other in good company on this day, as you are unlikely to see anyone else!
Day 5: Into the Brecon Beacons National Park
71k and 2600m of ascent
The exact route for day 5 will be published soon.
Day 6:To Cardiff Castle
60k and 1500m of ascent
The exact route for day 6 will be published soon.
  • Participation in the toughest, and one of the most iconic, footraces on Earth
  • GPS tracking of participants (for safety + friends and family will be able to follow you in real time!)
  • Transportation of participants’ overnight dry bags to each overnight campsite
  • Transportation of participants’ resupply dry bags to each daily support point
  • Emergency medical attention during the race
  • Mountain safety team cover
  • Tented accommodation at each of the overnight camps
  • Copious quantities of breakfast, finishing snacks and dinner each day
  • Unlimited tea, coffee and hot and cold water for drinking
  • A well planned and professionally organised race by Ourea Events
  • Team of motivated volunteer marshals and professional Ourea Events staff
  • Dragon's Back Race® participant T-Shirt (presented at the event registration)
  • Legendary dragon (trophy) for all completers
  • Digital race timing
  • Bespoke, accurate, waterproof, pre-marked and annotated Harvey map of the race route
  • A GPX file of the route and checkpoint locations (available in advance)
  • Parking at either the start or finish (with coach transport between these locations both before or after the event respectively).
  • Buffet meal on registration day (immediately after the race briefing)
  • Celebratory meal on the last night of the race and breakfast the following morning
Train
4 Customs House Terrace, Conwy LL32 8BD, UK
Get full directionsExternalLink
Registration Address: Ysgol Porth Y Felin, Llanwrst Road, Conwy, LL32 8FZ
Start Address: Conwy Castle, Rose Hill St, Conwy LL32 8AY
Finish Address: Cardiff Castle, Castle St, Cardiff CF10 3RB
Parking
Parking is included in entry but must be pre-booked. Please try and car share where possible.
Public Transport
Conwy is approximately a 1.5 hour drive from Manchester and Liverpool airports, and is accessible by train on the North Wales Coast Line.
Sunday (Registration day)
10:00 Coach from Cardiff departs for Conwy (for participants who do not wish to park at the start in Conwy)
12:00-17:00 Registration, kit check and recommended bag drop
18:00 Mandatory participant briefing
19:00 Buffet meal (participants and event team only)
Monday (Day one)
05:30-06:15 Bag drop for overnight dry bag and resupply dry bag
06:30 Participants gather in Conwy Castle
06:50 Official start line photograph
07:00 Mass start (t.b.c.) - your journey south begins
15:00-20:00 Afternoon snacks
18:00-22:00 Evening meal
22:00 Course closure time
Tuesday–Friday (Days two–five)
06:00-09:00 Staggered starts
22:00 Course closure time
Saturday (Day six)
06:00-09:00 Staggered (or chasing) starts
19:00 Celebratory buffet dinner and presentation of finishers’ trophies
22:00 Course closure time
Sunday (Departure day)
09:00 Coach departs Cardiff Castle for those parked in Conwy
14:00 Estimated time of arrival in Conwy
Crowds
Supporters are encouraged as long as they and the participants follow all of the event rules – i.e. they may not run with the participant, carry any equipment for them, or give them any food, drink, kit or other supplies.
Supporters are welcome on day one at the start in Conwy Castle and at the final day’s finish line at Cardiff Castle.
What happens if I fail to complete one or more days of the full course at the Dragon’s Back Race?
Participants will be allowed to continue in the event (subject to event logistics), but with 'non-competitive' status and will not be eligible for a finisher's medal/trophy.
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Do I have to go to the participant briefing for the Dragon’s Back Race?
Yes, all participants must be present for the participant briefing at 6pm on Sunday (registration day).
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What time do we start running during the Dragon’s Back Race?
On days 2-5 there will be staggered starts based on runners previous day's time. You will be given a 30 minute window in which to start.
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London, WC2H 9EA

Reg number 10083277

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