Dragon's Back Race

Dragon's Back Race
DateSeptember
LocationWales
Event typeMulti-day mountain ultramarathon
Distance380 km (240 mi)
EstablishedSeptember 1992; 34 years ago (1992-09)
OrganizerUltra X (ultra-x.co)
Official sitewww.dragonsbackrace.com

The Dragon's Back Race (Welsh: Ras Cefn y Ddraig) is a six-day ultramarathon through the mountains of Wales. The race runs approximately 380 km (240 mi) from Conwy Castle in North Wales to Cardiff Castle in South Wales and includes around 16,400 m (53,800 ft) of ascent.

The race was first held in September 1992 and was revived in September 2012 after a twenty-year absence. It was originally contested over five days, before being extended to six days in 2021. Since April 2026, the race has been organised by Ultra X, following its acquisition from the administrators of Ourea Events.

History

The inaugural Dragon's Back Race was held in September 1992. The event followed the mountainous spine of Wales and was completed over five days. After a twenty-year absence, it was revived in 2012 by Ourea Events.

The five-day race covered approximately 186 miles (299 km), compared with approximately 236 miles (380 km) following its later extension.

In August 2020, Ourea Events announced that the 2021 edition would be extended from five days to six. The additional stage extended the race south from its previous finish at Llandeilo to Cardiff Castle.

Ourea Events administration and Ultra X acquisition

Ourea Events ceased trading in March 2026. Ourea Events Limited and Skyline Trail Races Limited subsequently entered administration, with the administrators assessing options for the future operation of the companies' events, including the Dragon's Back Race.

On 22 April 2026, endurance-event organiser Ultra X announced that it had acquired the Dragon's Back Race and the Northern Traverse from the administrators. The acquisition allowed the 2026 Dragon's Back Race to proceed on its scheduled dates, with existing entries honoured. Ultra X stated that the Dragon's Back Race would continue to operate as a separate event brand.

Winners

The winners have been as follows.

Year Men Time Women Time Days Pairs Time
1992 John Redmayne 42:59:00 – – 5 Helene Diamantides and Martin Stone 38:38:00
2012 Steve Birkinshaw 43:25:30 Helene Whitaker 49:10:05 5
2015 Jim Mann 40:08:03 Jasmin Paris 41:45:34 5
2017 Marcus Scotney 37:58:37 Carol Morgan 48:41:47 5
2019 Galen Reynolds 37:48:06 Lisa Watson 44:33:23 5
2021 Simon Roberts 45:42:11 Katie Mills 61:12:54 6
2022 James Nobles 50:40:23 Lisa Watson 53:46:22 6
2023 Hugh Chatfield 47:38:44 Robyn Cassidy 54:25:05 6
2024 Max King 45:39:19 Jo Meek 63:30:11 6

Course

The full course covers approximately 380 km (240 mi) over six days, with around 16,400 m (53,800 ft) of ascent.

Day Distance Vertical gain Details
1 50 kilometres (31 mi) 4,100 metres (13,500 ft) From Conwy Castle through the Carneddau, Tryfan, the Glyderau, the Crib Goch ridge and the Snowdon Horseshoe, finishing at Nant Gwynant.
2 60 kilometres (37 mi) 3,200 metres (10,500 ft) Through Cnicht, the Moelwynion and the Rhinogydd.
3 66 kilometres (41 mi) 2,900 metres (9,500 ft) Through Dolgellau, over Cadair Idris and into the Cambrian Mountains. The route passes through Machynlleth before ascending Pen Pumlumon Fawr, the highest point in the Cambrian Mountains at 752 metres (2,467 ft).
4 70 kilometres (43 mi) 1,900 metres (6,200 ft) Through the Elan Valley before finishing at Rhandirmwyn.
5 72 kilometres (45 mi) 3,200 metres (10,500 ft) Through the Brecon Beacons, including Pen y Fan, before finishing at Talybont-on-Usk.
6 65 kilometres (40 mi) 1,300 metres (4,300 ft) Through the South Wales valleys to Merthyr Tydfil, followed by the Taff Trail and River Taff to Cardiff Castle.

Sponsorship

The race was sponsored by Berghaus in 2015, 2017 and 2019, and by Montane in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "Dragon's Back Race". Dragon's Back Race. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "Dragon's Back Race". Dragon's Back Race. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Dragon's Back Race saved by Ultra X acquisition". Running News. 22 April 2026. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  4. ↑ Delamere 2015.
  5. ↑ Morgan 2021, 1m 10s.
  6. ↑ "Ourea Events Administration Confirmed". Dragon's Back Race. 25 March 2026. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "The Dragon is back! Welcome news as Ultra X acquire two iconic events". RUN247. 22 April 2026. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Ultra X Acquires Dragon's Back and Northern Traverse". Run Ultra. 22 April 2026. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "Dragon's Back Race saved by Ultra X acquisition". Running News. 22 April 2026. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "Ultra X Secures the Future of Dragon's Back Race and Northern Traverse". Dragon's Back Race. 22 April 2026. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "2021 Results". Dragon's Back Race. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  12. ↑ "Dragon's Back Race route". Dragon's Back Race. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  13. ↑ Morgan 2021, 1m 16s.
  14. ↑ Morgan 2021, 12m 25s.
  15. ↑ Morgan 2021, 20m 50s.
  16. ↑ Morgan 2021, 22m 57s.
  17. ↑ Morgan 2021, 23m 38s.
  18. ↑ Morgan 2021, 26m 46s.
  19. ↑ Morgan 2021, 35m 8s.
  20. ↑ Morgan 2021, 37m 20s.
  21. ↑ Morgan 2021, 48m 40s.
  22. ↑ "2015 Results". Dragon's Back Race. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  23. ↑ "2017 Results". Dragon's Back Race. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  24. ↑ "2019 Results". Dragon's Back Race. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  25. ↑ "2021 Results". Dragon's Back Race. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  26. ↑ "Open Tracking – Montane Dragon's Back Race 2022 Results". Open Tracking. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  27. ↑ "Open Tracking – Montane Dragon's Back Race 2023 Results". Open Tracking. Retrieved 18 June 2025.

Sources