British runners Hugh Chatfield and Robyn Cassidy overcame high temperatures last week to triumph at the 2023 Montane Dragon’s Back Race. The six-day, 380km multi-stage race finished yesterday at Cardiff Castle.
Hugh, of Hitchin, Hertfordshire, was the overall winner of the race that takes runners along a tough spine of Wales from north to south. Robyn, of Breedon on the Hill, Leicestershire, won the women’s race and was also third overall. In second place overall was Polish runner Jakub Wolski.
What is the Dragon’s Back Race?
The Montane Dragon’s Back Race started in Conwy Castle in North Wales on Monday morning, when 298 participants from 25 nations set out to tackle an average of more than 60km a day and a total of 17,400m of ascent (this is equivalent to almost twice the height of Everest).
The Dragon’s Back Race was first held in 1992 and, after a gap of 20 years, was resurrected in 2012. The race has since been established as a regular event on the calendar and now takes place every year.
It is widely regarded as the world’s toughest multi-stage mountain race on and this year, fewer than a third of the starters completed the full course within the cut-off deadlines of to earn the much-coveted trophy for every finisher, and title of “Dragon Slayer”.
An additional 135 runners were still active in the event, by taking on a shorter course each day called the “Hatchling”. This was a new option for participants this year, who either chose it in advance or changed to it during the week, after they were timed out or retired from the full distance race.
Top 10 finishers of Dragon’s Back Race 2023
Hugh’s winning time was 47 hours, 38 minutes and 44 seconds. Jakub finished in 51:11:04 and Robyn’s time was 54:25:05.
Fourth overall was Tristan Stephenson (56:36:25), followed by Welshman Owen Rees (57:54:51) and Iain Best (58:41:47).
The USA’s Alyssa Clark was seventh overall and second in the women’s race in 59:15:03, while Spain’s Silvia Ainhoa Trigueros was third woman and eighth overall in 61:31:42.
The top ten was completed by Robert Woolley (63:15:22) and fourth woman Holly Wootten (64:50:50).
Hugh, 28, who works for a social enterprise, said: “I was told at the start that you’ve got to have your ‘why’ when you take on this race, because you’ll go through highs and you’ll go through lows. Everyone who makes it here, whatever distance they’ve come, has had to draw on that at some point.
“At the end of day four, I had a cry on the road section when I saw my parents. If you haven’t cried, I don’t think you’ve run it properly.
“Kudos to Jakub who has never even seen these mountains. Thanks to everyone for the support.”
Physiotherapist Robyn, 35, who is originally from Somerset, said: “There are no words to describe this moment. It’s been the hardest, hardest, most emotional week.
“I’ve met the most amazing people and amazing runners. The team are incredible and the volunteers make it one big family. Absolutely nothing else can compare to the week.”
To find out more about the Montane Dragon’s Back Race and enter the 2024 event visit www.dragonsbackrace.com.