Dragon's Back Race

Dragon's Back Race The world's toughest mountain race - An incredible (380km, 17,400m) journey down the mountainous spine of Wales šŸ’Ŗ šŸ‰ šŸ”„

The legendary Dragonā€™s Back RaceĀ® follows the mountainous spine of Wales from north to south. This incredible 6-day journey is 380 kilometres long with 17,400 metres of ascent across wild, trackless, remote and mountainous terrain. It is the toughest mountain race in the world. The original Dragonā€™s Back RaceĀ® happened in September 1992, and ever since it has been whispered about with a mixture of awe and trepidation. Its reputation had reached legendary status with fell, mountain and ultra runners the world over by September 2012 when the second race took place. With the modern era of races now taking place annually, the Dragon's Back RaceĀ® is respected internationally for both its bulletproof organisation and 'toughest mountain race' status.

Your full podium of Dragonā€™s Back Race 2026! Huge congratulations to previous Cape Wrath Ultra champion (2024) Danny Smi...
13/09/2026

Your full podium of Dragonā€™s Back Race 2026!

Huge congratulations to previous Cape Wrath Ultra champion (2024) Danny Smith for winning the menā€™s race, and Isobel Turner for taking the win in the womenā€™s race.

Your runners up were 2026 South Downs Way 50 mile champion, Matthew Hammerton, and Wales National Team select Jacqueline Lee of Eryri Harriers.

Rounding off the podium were Alastair Graves and Sarah Ingram. Alastair, a former bronze medalist (behind Hugh Chatfield and Jack Scott) at the 2025 SkyRun Eryri 14 Peaks Ultra, and Sarah Ingram, like Danny, also a former Cape Wrath Ultra winner (2025) and 2nd woman at Ultra X Wales (2024).

Huge performances all round šŸ‰šŸ“󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳ó æ

13/09/2026

What an incredible end to a truly inspiring week in the Welsh mountains. Watch the final episode of The Dragonā€™s Back Show NOW on our YouTube channel.

There were tears, beers and many finish-line cwtches from our amazing volunteers as months, and in many cases years, of hard work came down to one unforgettable moment in Cardiff.

152 runners stood on the start line of Dragonā€™s Back Race in Conwy six days ago, ready to take on the toughest mountain race in the world. Just 53 went on to complete the full Dragon.

Behind every one of those numbers is a story of courage, resilience, friendship and an extraordinary willingness to keep moving forward when everything is telling you to stop.

To every runner who dared to stand on that start line, whether your journey ended in Cardiff or somewhere along the mountainous spine of Wales: you inspired us.

And to the volunteers, crew, supporters, friends and families who gave everything to help these Dragons on their way ā€” thank you. This race simply wouldnā€™t happen without you.

Six days. One wild journey across Wales. A lifetime of memories.

Feeling inspired to make these memories for yourself? Entries to the 2027 edition open on Sunday 27th September for those who have registered for Early Access. Find the link in our bio or head straight to the website.

Enter your email online to save Ā£100 on your entry fee and secure your spot on the start line that forges legends.

The Dragon Lives Onā€¦

12/09/2026

DAY FIVE OF THE DRAGONā€™S BACK SHOW IS LIVE!

The penultimate day of the journey down the spine of Wales, and the longest of the entire race.

Stage 5 saw our runners tackle Pen y Fan - the tallest mountain in South Wales. Getting through stage 5 puts one foot firmly across the finish lineā€¦but it wasnā€™t easy!

šŸŽ„ Watch the full Day Five show now on our YouTube channel, or hit the link in our bio.

šŸŽ„ -

12/09/2026

The final stage of Dragonā€™s Back Race 2026 is underway and all of our runners have now left camp towards Cardiff.

Some are starting to think about the final finish line in Cardiff, for others the 65kmā€™s they still face today on tired legs and broken bodies is all that theyā€™re focusing on.

If youā€™ve been supporting somebody on this race, let us know who and weā€™ll do everything we can to keep them going all the way to Cardiff.

Pob lwc Dragonā€™s! šŸ“󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳ó æ

11/09/2026

OUR FINAL FULL DRAGON HAS FINISHED DAY 5 WITH 2 MINUTES TO SPARE!

Huge congratulations to Susan who now has just one day left to complete to earn the prestigious title of Dragonā€™s Back Race finisher!

On a day that tested the very best, itā€™s amazing to see our runners digging deep and giving it everything theyā€™ve got šŸ“󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳ó æšŸ’š

At Dragon's Back Race 2026 you can expect the same quality and support as in the past.If you had signed up to the event ...
28/05/2026

At Dragon's Back Race 2026 you can expect the same quality and support as in the past.

If you had signed up to the event before the handover, you now have just 3 days until 31st May to confirm your spot for 2026, so here's a reminder of what you can expect:

CAMPS
šŸ•ļø 5 nights of tented accommodation at each of the overnight camps.

CATERING
šŸ§‘ā€šŸ³ A team of catering professionals producing copious amounts of amazing hot food... you just need to bring your plate, bowl and cutlery.

šŸ“Breakfast, finish-line snacks, dinner every day.

šŸŽ‰Celebratory meal on the last night of the event.

TEAMS
šŸ”ļø Professional Response Team made up of Mountain Rescue team members stationed along the course to assist in case of emergency or injury.

ā›‘ļø A team of medical professionals available for support while at the overnight camp including doctors, nurses and physiotherapists.

šŸ˜ A team of motivated, supportive and encouraging volunteers to keep you going on your journey south!

šŸ’§A manned water point where you can refill your water bottles, and a support point with a drop bag accessible everyday.

TRANSPORT
šŸšŽ Transport to and from start and finish points for those doing the shorter Hatchling course option.

EXTRAS
šŸ—ŗļø Bespoke, pre-marked waterproof Harvey map
šŸ¤³ GPS tracking that friends and family can follow along
šŸ“Ø Dragon Mail, allowing friends and family to send you messages throughout the event
šŸ‰ Legendary Dragon or Hatchling trophy for all finishers, and bespoke medals for Fire/Tail finishers

Dragon's Back Race 2026 will take place from 7th-12th September, and you have until 31st May (this Sunday) to confirm your place.

Are you ready to take on the toughest of mountain races? Head to the link in our bio to confirm your place today!

The Dragon Lives On...Ultra X Secures the Future of Dragonā€™s Back Race and Northern Traverse.Ultra X is proud to announc...
22/04/2026

The Dragon Lives On...

Ultra X Secures the Future of Dragonā€™s Back Race and Northern Traverse.

Ultra X is proud to announce the acquisition of Dragonā€™s Back Race and Northern Traverse out of administration, securing the future of two of the UKā€™s most respected and demanding endurance events.

Former Ourea Events Operations Director Greg Mickelborough has joined the Ultra X group and will be heading up the delivery of the two events. Shane Ohly, former CEO of Ourea Events, has been contracted by the group to ensure ongoing event continuity.

ā€œIā€™m very pleased that Ultra X has secured the future of Dragonā€™s Back Race and Northern Traverse, an organisation that shares a strong commitment to operational excellence, participant experience, and attention to detail. It is also very encouraging that Ultra X will be honouring existing entries. Iā€™m confident this represents an exciting new chapter for both events.ā€ said former Ourea Events CEO Shane Ohly.

ā€œWe are absolutely delighted to welcome Dragonā€™s Back Race and Northern Traverse into the Ultra X family. Our priority now is to provide certainty for participants and to deliver these events in the way that people already love!,ā€ said Ultra X co-founders Sam Heward and Jamie Sparks.

As a gesture of goodwill:

ā€¢ The 2026 edition of Dragonā€™s Back Race will go ahead as planned in its existing format. All existing entries will be honoured.

ā€¢ All entrants for the 2026 Northern Traverse will have their places transferred to the 2027 edition.

ā€¢ All entrants to Cape Wrath Ultra 2026, which the Ultra X Group will not be organising, will be able to convert the fee they paid into Ultra X race credit. This credit will be redeemable against any races operated by the Ultra X group for a period of up to 3 years. That includes Dragonā€™s Back Race and Northern Traverse.

Full press release and details for entering the 2026/7 editions of these legendary events can be found on the respective websites.

Maeā€™r Ddraig yn Byw Ymlaen.

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