Dragon's Back Race

The Dragon's Back Race (in Welsh, Ras Cefn y Ddraig) is a multi-day running race across mountains of Wales, 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. The first race was in September 1992, and the second in September 2012. The name refers to the legendary Welsh Dragon.

History
The race was previously over five days and Dalamere notes a distance of 186 mi, as opposed to the 2021 length of 236 mi.

In August 2020 the organisers, Ourea Events, released the news that the 2021 edition of the race would mark a step change in the evolution of the event with the addition of a sixth day, which would see the race finish at the iconic Cardiff Castle.

The winners have been as follows.

2021 Route
The distance was 236 mi covered in six days. The first day leg, to be covered in 7h 30m, is 49 km and involves 3,800 m of vertical gain. The leg goes from Conwy Castle, Carneddau (3000 ft), Tryfan, Glyderau, Crib Goch ridge, Snowdon Horseshoe to Nant Gwynant. Day two, 36 mi with 3400 m vertical climb, routes via Cnicht, Moelwynion, Rhinogydd mountains. The third leg, length 43 mi, goes from Dolgellau over Cadair Idris to the Cambrian Mountains. , with a half-way checkpoint at Machynlleth, the last provision restock point for two days, before ascending Pen Pumlumon Fawr, the highest peak in central Wales at 2400 ft. The day 4 leg is 70 km over much flatter terrain with views through the Elan Valley, and ends at Rhandirmwyn. Day five, 70 km with 3,200 m of vertical ascent, is through the Brecon Beacons, crossing its six main peaks including Pen y Fan, the highest in South Wales, before finishing at Talybont-on-Usk. The final day is 40 mi, through the valleys to Merthyr Tydfil, then along the Taff trail and River Taff to Cardiff Castle.