Competing in the world’s toughest mountain race requires kit that is specifically designed for the rigours and conditions of such a gruelling undertaking. Discover the gear below and enter here to be in with a chance of winning the full set.
The Kit
Warm yet light, this long-sleeve top is designed to boost thermal insulation and provide next-to-skin comfort as a winter baselayer or standalone layer in-between seasons. Treated with permanent odour control, it’s perfect for multi-day use, while its highly breathable fabric makes it ideal for versatile and fast-paced activities.
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gear below and enter HERE to be in with a chance of winning the full set.
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WATCH THE VIDEO
The
ROUTE
Conwy Castle to Nant Gwynant
49km (30.5 miles) 3,800m (12,467ft)
Starting with a gentle climb from Conwy Castle, the route gradually becomes rockier with unrelenting ascent and descent, culminating in the airy ridge scramble across Crib Goch and the traverse of the full Snowdon horseshoe.
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Meet
THE
DRAGONS
The Montane Dragon’s Back Race is considered to be the toughest mountain race in the world, and it’s easy to see why. Its participants face 380km of mountain running over six days, and the small matter of 17,400m of elevation on challenging, inhospitable terrain.
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“One of the toughest yet most exciting adventures I've ever had. It exceeded all expectations, and I met some truly inspiring people. I've never been surrounded by such supportive and encouraging volunteers!”
"The route is just amazing and a beautiful way to see Wales. There were many ‘wow’ moments – like the sunset from the Snowdon horseshoe on day one or the beautiful sunrise while climbing Cadair Idris on day three. I was blown away by the remoteness of day 4 but my favourite stage was day 5. I did not know the route at all, and I loved it"
“The race is something I will never forget. Running into the castle was unbelievable; the scenery,
the crowd, the atmosphere was outstanding… The event team worked brilliantly all week, from the tent teams to the catering teams – everyone did a great job!”
The hardest mountain
race in the
world
"I have made memories that I will treasure forever. I really hope that I can find an experience that will rival this, but I fear it will be hard to beat”
2nd place female Dragon, 2021
The Montane Crash Course series does just that. Filled with top tips, scrapes and challenges, the latest episode goes behind the scenes of the hardest mountain race in the world: the Montane Dragon’s Back race.
Want a snapshot into what amateur participants can expect at some of the most challenging and extreme endurance events in the world?
Are you ready for the world’s toughest mountain race? From Conwy Castle to Cardiff Castle, this legendary multi-stage, ultra-distance epic tackles the mountainous spine of Wales over just six days. First attempted in 1992, this year’s sixth edition also marks the 30th anniversary of the inaugural Dragons’ taming of the wild, trackless and remote mountain terrain. Underestimate it at your peril…
Overnight Camp
Start / Finish
Route
Dart Thermo Zip Neck t-shirt
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Historically, a waterproof jacket would keep you protected from the elements but would struggle with moisture management internally when exercise intensity increased. This 300g shell’s breathability means you’ll stay dry inside and out, and while you won’t notice its presence, you’ll be glad you’ve got it tucked in your vest pack when the heavens open.
Phase Lite Waterproof Jacket
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When you don’t need the protection of tights, you’ll want to reach for these two-in-one shorts. A snug under short provides compressive qualities to keep the blood flowing to your thighs, and is complimented by a fast-drying over short.
Dragon Twin Skin Shorts
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Designed to carry water, food, emergency supplies and extra layers over many miles of inhospitable terrain, vest packs are essential for mountain running. This 20-litre-plus model has unrivalled storage solutions and remains snug and secure on the move.
Gecko VP 20+
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When the tempo is high, you need a high-performance second skin that provides moisture management and lets you focus on the task at hand. The Sabre t-shirt is the perfect partner for endurance events, wicking sweat away at speed and drying fast, whether worn on its own or beneath layers.
Sabre T-Shirt
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Ideal for wearing around camp between stages, it can also be packed down into your vestpack if a stage is looking particularly exposed. Whenever and wherever you use it, you’ll be glad you stuffed it in your kit bag before starting the race.
Anti-Freeze Hooded Jacket
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Conditions can change in an instant in the mountains, and you need to be prepared for any eventuality. These trail gloves combine windproof and waterproof features with a lightweight, breathable shell to provide confidence-inspiring performance in the most extreme environments.
VIA Trail Gloves
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These specialist trail running tights are developed purely for mountain runners. Their regenerated nylon yarns are kind to the planet but remain tough enough to handle the scrapes and grazes common with scrambled ascents and descents.
Dragon Long Trail Tights
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Warm yet light, this long-sleeve top is designed to boost thermal insulation and provide next-to-skin comfort as a winter baselayer or standalone layer in-between seasons. Treated with permanent odour control, it’s perfect for multi-day use, while its highly breathable fabric makes it ideal for versatile and fast-paced activities.
Dart Thermo Zip Neck T-Shirt
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Although not obviously vital, a waterproof cap can provide additional protection in a downpour. The Phase lite cap’s low-profile shape and Gore-Tex-backed breathability mean you’ll be reaching for it, whatever the weather.
Phase Lite Waterproof Cap
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The route plunges directly south, but in the way is some of the most broken terrain of the race. The mountains might be small but are perfectly troublesome.
Nant Gwynant to Dolgellau
59km (36.5 miles) 3,400m (11,155ft)
Runners finally leave Snowdonia but there’s no let-up courtesy of the Cambrian Mountains. Pumlumon Fawr is the highest point of the extensive range, but the even mightier Cadair Idris guards the approach early in the day. Those who make it Ceredigion have statistics on their side and are more likely than not to finish the race.
Dolgellau to Ceredigion
70km (43.5 miles) 3,400m (11,155ft)
Remote and rarely visited hills and forests are the hallmark of this day, as are the famous grass tussocks of the Elan Valley hills. Although it’s one of the flatter days, the route still features one of Mid Wales’ highest summits – Drygarn Fawr – on the remote moorland plateau of the Cambrian Mountains.
Ceredigion to Rhandirmwyn
69km (43 miles) 2,300m (7,546ft)
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The distinctive northern scarp and flat-topped profiles of the Brecon Beacons are south Wales’ answer to the jagged mountains of Snowdonia. The route undulates eastwards before ticking off the
six main peaks of the national park, including South Wales’ highest peak Pen y Fan. Another monster mountain day, it’s likely to be the
crux of the race for many participants.
Rhandirmwyn to the Brecon Beacons
70km (43.5 miles) 3,200m (10,499ft)
The ‘Valleys’ might still bear the scars of the industrial revolution – when its steel, coal, and iron works were the beating heart of Britain – but there remains an undeniable beauty to the rugged and sweeping hillsides. The final day’s route weaves through this landscape, combining the best paths and trails before reaching the finish line in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales.
Brecon Beacons To Cardiff Castle
63km (39 miles) 1,300m (4,265ft)
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VISIT DRAGON'S BACK RACE
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“Day 1, I was just wanting to keep Simon in sight. Then the second day I just decided to try and keep a consistent pace. I knew if I just went surging, my stomach would go and I might end up in a bad place, so I just tried to keep a bit of consistency going and I tried to do that all the way to the end.”
James Nobles & Lisa Watson
first former volunteer to win the race. James Nobles had an incredible race, finishing in the top 3 every day of the race. However, it wasn’t until Day 5 that he pulled into the lead, after Simon Roberts (2021 winner) dropped out due to an injury, and Chris Cope (frontrunner on days 1-4) also slowed significantly after suffering with an injury. Nobles’s success story is a testament to his endurance and resilience. He looked incredibly strong as he crossed the finish line, where he was met by his wife, who is expecting a baby soon, and family.
He said, “It’s rather unbelievable. I can’t believe it. I stuck with the game plan and somehow, it’s paid off.”
James went into the race hoping to be competitive. He said, “I believed that I could do it, but I had no idea whether or not it would happen. I trained my absolute hind off last year.
I am absolutely over the moon.”
He volunteered last year as Main Camp team in preparation for the race. He said, “It was great to be here last year volunteering and get some inside knowledge on what folk do. And now I’m on the other side of the event.”
JAMES NOBLES
made Dragon’s Back Race history, as the
2022
WINNERS
the Dragon’s Back Race twice since it was reinstated in 2012. She had an incredible run, coming in as first woman every day of the race. Lisa, an academic, first won the race back in 2019 when the race was only 5 days. She came back this year to experience the new days 5 and 6. All week she worked hard, extending her lead every day. She finished as 4th runner overall, with a twelve-hour lead on the second woman.
She crossed the finish line at a sprinting pace and was met by her family and dog before being presented with her dragon trophy. She said:
today became the first participant to win
LISA WATSON
“I’ve really enjoyed pretty much all of it. There’s been only a couple of low moments – yesterday afternoon and the afternoon of Day 3, but they’re both the really long days. Day 4, I absolutely loved. I was smiling ear to ear from start to finish.”
One of her highlights was the end of day 4. “It was pouring with rain, and it was really bright. It was that euphoric kind of running. I’d been running with a couple of guys, Lee and Sam, and we’d had a great day and were just chatting – nearly home and back at camp. Day 2 I really loved. I found that hard last time but really enjoyed this time. I found some amazing lines.”
She was consistently running with the top male runners, coming 4th overall. “It’s really motivating. It’s been really surprising. Genuinely, I absolutely love it though. It’s easy to run well when you’ve got a smile on your face.”
She didn’t rule out coming back to win the race for a third time. “I don’t know. That would be really cool, but I need maybe a day to think about it. I love this race.”
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Montane understands that celebrations of the outdoors such as the Dragon’s Back Race leave an environmental impact. Alongside race coordinator Ourea Events, it is committed to mitigating this effect so that the race’s footprint doesn’t harm the landscape that it runs through. Ourea Events’ initiatives include donating 1% of its turnover to organisations involved in environmental protection and operating a carbon-neutral business from 2020, while Montane is committed to utilising the most sustainable, ethically-sourced materials and processes – from recycled fabrics, and 100% organic cotton in all of its t-shirts, to implementing the Responsible Down Standard across its entire down collection. By balancing the scales of trail running’s environmental impact, both Montane and Ourea Events hope to help preserve these beautiful spaces for future racers and generations.
Balancing the scales
ELAINE BISSON
38th place Dragon, 2021
ANTONIO CODINA
3rd place female Dragon, 2021
CAT SLATER
1st place Dragon, 2021
SIMON ROBERTS
1st place Dragon, 2021
SIMON ROBERTS
3rd place female Dragon, 2021
CAT SLATER
38th place Dragon, 2021
Antonio Codina
2nd place female Dragon, 2021
ELAINE BISSON
Balan-cing the scales
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today became the first participant to win the Dragon’s Back Race twice since it was reinstated in 2012. She had an incredible run, coming in as first woman every day of the race. Lisa, an academic, first won the race back in 2019 when the race was only 5 days. She came back this year to experience the new days 5 and 6. All week she worked hard, extending her lead every day. She finished as 4th runner overall, with a twelve-hour lead on the second woman.
She crossed the finish line at a sprinting pace and was met by her family and dog before being presented with her dragon trophy. She said:
made Dragon’s Back Race history, as the first former volunteer to win the race. James Nobles had an incredible race, finishing in the top 3 every day of the race. However, it wasn’t until Day 5 that he pulled into the lead, after Simon Roberts (2021 winner) dropped out due to an injury, and Chris Cope (frontrunner on days 1-4) also slowed significantly after suffering with an injury. Nobles’s success story is a testament to his endurance and resilience. He looked incredibly strong as he crossed the finish line, where he was met by his wife, who is expecting a baby soon, and family.
He said, “It’s rather unbelievable. I can’t believe it. I stuck with the game plan and somehow, it’s paid off.”