Dragons Back Race

Dragon’s Back Race, The world’s toughest mountain race

The Dragon's Back Race (in Welsh, Ras Cefn y Ddraig) is a multi-day running race across mountains from North Wales to South Wales. The 2019 race was from Conwy to Llandeilo, taking place over five days. The ascents in it would add up to twice the height of Mount Everest. 

Organisers of the legendary Dragon’s Back Race® have announced an extra day to the 2021 edition of the race. Described as the world’s toughest mountain race, the next Dragon’s Back Race® will be extended to six days. This increases the distance covered from 315km to 380km, and height climbed from 15,500m to 17,400m. As usual, the event will start at Conwy Castle, but in 2021, competitors will complete a longer journey than before. Now, along the whole spine of Wales, and traversing the Brecon Beacons to finish in the grounds of Cardiff Castle. 

The first race was in September 1992, and the second in September 2012. The name refers to the legendary Welsh Dragon. Number of competitors is growing steadily in 2015 and 2017, and almost doubling to over 400 in 2019, reflecting the booming interest in ultra-running.

Photo’s: No Limits Photography