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Six days instead of five for Dragon’s Back Race 2021

Written by Fiona

January 06 2021

The Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race – billed as the world’s toughest mountain race – will be even tougher this year after organisers added an extra day to the multi-stage running event.

Now the legendary Dragon’s Back Race, which starts on September 6, will take place over six days, rather than five, and will finish at Cardiff Castle.

This change increases the overall distance of the event from 315km to 380km. A new big day five will see runners traverse much of the previously omitted Brecon Beacons to set up the sixth day, which extends south for a finish in the capital city of Wales.

The event’s final overnight camp will be hosted inside the castle walls.

Race director Shane Ohly, who is founder of Ourea Events, said: “When I resurrected the Dragon’s Back Race in 2012, I considered extending the route further south.

“However, the complexity of the event and my relative inexperience as a race organiser meant I chose a more cautious approach and opted for the five-day format and a route similar to the original 1992 event.

“Over the years, I have reflected on that decision and feel that now is the right time to make a decisive change in the event format. I want the Dragon’s Back Race to realise its full potential in the years ahead.

“The full and logical journey down the spine of Wales, from Conwy Castle in the north to Cardiff Castle in the south, is realised at last.”

Cardiff Castle will be the new finish. Credit: Ourea Events.

New format: Dragon’s Back Race

The first four days of the Dragon’s Back Race will remain the same as previous years.

The new day five starts as before, but rather than heading west over the Black Mountain, the new route turns east and completes an extended traverse of the Brecon Beacons. The total distance on day five is 70km.

Shane said: “Day five truly embraces the ethos of the event by continuing the journey along the mountainous spine of Wales’ most southerly mountains. It is an awesome mountain running day maintaining the wild, remote and adventurous theme of the first four days of the race.”

Day six continues on this theme initially, before linking together tracks and trails that speed participants south and into Cardiff Castle.

Day 4 2019 on the first climb of the day. Credit: No Limits Photography
Sabrina Vergee in 2019. Credit: No Limits Photography

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Also see: Further changes to 2021 Dragon’s Back Race.

Entry fee increase: Wigth the addition of the sixth day, Ourea Events has increased the entry fee by £20 per day for 2021.

Call out for volunteers

If you would like to be part of the volunteer event team, see information. Volunteers are rewarded with an “event credit” equivalent to the cost of a standard race entry.

Also see: List of Scottish ultra running races 2021.

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