Dragon's Back Race
Join Dragon's Back Race 2026
The Dragon’s Back Race is a legendary multi-day mountain running event that follows the rugged spine of Wales, beginning in Snowdonia and finishing at Cardiff Castle. Widely regarded as one of the toughest mountain races in the world, it combines demanding terrain, remote landscapes, and a strong sense of adventure. Participants in the Full Dragon take on the complete six-day journey across Wales, experiencing a challenging route supported by professional race organisation.
Now the event also includes new shorter formats. Dragon’s Fire offers a two-day introduction to the race, starting at Conwy Castle and taking in some of the most challenging terrain on the course. Dragon’s Tail covers the final stages of the event, crossing the Bannau Brycheiniog before finishing in Cardiff. The Hatchling provides a flexible option, allowing participants to complete selected sections of the route each day. Across all formats, the event is designed for runners seeking a serious mountain challenge in a memorable Welsh setting.
Course details
Conwy Castle to Nant Gwynant
50km (31 miles) | 4100m (13,500ft)
Northern Snowdonia has the rockiest mountains! The Carneddau, Glyderau, and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) massif await.
Starting with a gentle climb from the beautiful coastal 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 Yr Wyddfa horseshoe, passing by some astounded tourists.
Day two
Nant Gwynant to Dolgellau
60km (37.5 miles) | 3200m (10,500t)
Southern Snowdonia has a special gnarliness! Welcome to the Moelwynion and Rhinogydd.
The race line plunges directly south, but in the way is some of the most broken terrain of the race. Underestimate these mountains at your peril - they might be small but they are perfectly troublesome. Also, this is a day that is devoid of population, except you!
Day three
Dolgellau to Ceredigion
66km (41 miles) | 2900m (9,500ft)
Leaving Southern Snowdonia over Cadair Idris and heading into the Cambrian Mountains of Mid Wales
Pumlumon Fawr is the highest point of the extensive Cambrian Mountains, but the even mightier Cadair Idris guards the approach early in the day. You pass through the centre of two towns on this day. Ice cream or chips? If you complete Day Three, the statistics are on your side for completing the race.
Day four
Through the Elan Valley
70km (44 miles) | 1900m (6,250ft)
Mid Wales continues into the Elan Valley and westernmost Powys.
Remote and rarely visited hills and forests are the hallmark of this day, as are the famous grass tussocks of the Elan Valley hills. The route goes to one of the highest summits in Mid Wales - Drygarn Fawr - on the remote moorland plateau of the Cambrian Mountains. Keep each other in good company on this day, as you are unlikely to see anyone else!
Day five
Into the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park
72km (45 miles) | 3200m (10,500ft)
Rural South Wales beckons but the sting in the Dragon’s tail is a traverse from The Black Mountain to the Bannau Brycheiniog!
South Wales’ answer to the jagged mountains of Snowdonia is the distinctive northern scarp and flat-topped profiles of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The route undulates eastwards before satisfyingly traversing the six main peaks of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), including South Wales’ highest peak Pen y Fan, then veering off to our final remote overnight camp just shy of the Talybont Reservoir. It’s another monster mountain day and likely to be the crux of the race for many participants.
Day six
To Cardiff
65km (40.5 miles) | 1300m (4,250ft)
The capital of Wales awaits! Leaving the Brecon Beacons National Park and diving into the South Wales Valleys.
The ‘Valleys’ literally powered the industrial revolution in the UK with heavy industries like steel, iron and coal production. The landscape and communities still bear the scars, but there remains an undeniable beauty to the rugged and sweeping hillsides. Our route weaves through this landscape combining the best paths and trails leading to Cardiff, the capital city of Wales.
Start address: Conwy Castle, Rose Hill St, Conwy, UK
Finish address: Cardiff Castle, Castle St, Cardiff, UK
Register
Registration closes on 12 八月 (70 days left)
selected tickets
Total
You can, within 24 hours after your registration, get a full refund if you change your mind.
We accept
What’s included
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done Finisher medal
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done Finisher’s T-shirts
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done Timing chip (single use)
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done Medical Assistance
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done Toilets
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done Accommodation info
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done GPS tracker
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常见问题
When and where can I collect my BIB/race pack?
Sunday 12:00-17:00 Location: Ysgol Porth Y Felin, Llanwrst Road, Conwy, LL32 8FZ
How do I get to the race location?
**Arriving by public transport** Conwy is a ~1.5 hour drive from Manchester and Liverpool airports, and also has a train station on the North Wales Coast Line. **Parking in Conwy** Participants wishing to park a car for the week in Conwy can do so at Morfa Bach Car Park near the registration venue - LL32 8FZ. This car park may be subject to charges. For participants wishing to park campervans / motorhomes, please ensure you park in a suitable space, this may mean finding a different car park.
What experience do you need?
The Dragon’s Back Race is not a vetted event and we are happy to offer entries to anyone who agrees to our participant declaration and the terms and conditions. In summary, you must consider yourself to be an experienced off-road runner, and capable of being self-sufficient and making safe decisions in the Welsh mountains.
How far do you run each day?
The average daily distance is 63km. You should also note the average daily ascent of 2,900m. The first day has the shortest distance (52km) but the most ascent (3,800m). Often cited as the crux day, the third day is one of the longest (71km) but also has significant ascent (3,500m). Ascent is also compounded by the equivalent descent! For the Hatchling, the average daily distance is approximately half.
How long do you have to complete each day?
You have from 06:00 to 22:00 to complete the course each day. If you arrive into camp after 22:00, then you will be classed as non-competitive in the results. You will also be allowed to switch to the Hatchling.
Do you need to be able to navigate?
The route is not way-marked on the ground, and so you will need to navigate using a GPS device and/or map. This event has been designed so that it is possible to complete it by ‘following the GPS track’ and many participants do navigate using solely this method. However, even if you are navigating using a GPS device, it is mandatory to carry at all times the Harvey Maps 1:40 000 scale event map that we will supply at registration (and know how to use it).
Can you have a support crew?
It is against the event rules for any participant to receive outside support, such as friends/family providing assistance or food, and contravening these rules will result in penalties. It is perfectly acceptable for friends and family to intercept participants on the course to cheer them on. Friends and family are welcome at Conwy castle for the start, but not inside the registration or briefing marquees. They are also very welcome at Cardiff Castle for the finish and the presentation evening.
Accommodation and meals
All accommodation provided for participants will be in huge eight-person tents, each with spacious sleeping compartments (shared quadrants) and a large, central communal area (see graphic below). Can I choose my tent mates? We will be in touch in June to invite participants to choose their tent mates. You will have the option to choose a male, female or mixed tent. When is accommodation provided? Tented accommodation is provided from day one (i.e. upon arrival at the first overnight camp in Nant Gwynant) through to day five. Please note that participants are responsible for sourcing their own accommodation in Conwy before the day one start and in Cardiff at the finish. Important Participants will need to provide their own sleeping bag and mat and these items are included on the mandatory camp clothing & equipment list. All overnight camp food and drinks are provided (i.e. breakfast, afternoon snacks, and evening meals)
赛事信息可以在在赛事的官方网站或通过公开渠道找到。 总是以官方网站上的最新赛事信息作为参考。 如果有任何数据错误或遗失，请通过电子邮件告知我们.
