Organisers of the 2017 Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race are busy making final preparations for the event, which starts in Conwy at 7am on Monday 22 May.
© iancorless.com
The north-south route along the spine of Wales is billed as the world's toughest five-day mountain race, with fewer than half of the runners who start expected to go the full distance.
Over the five gruelling days, competitors will have to cover 315km and climb 15,500m, navigating across remote, mountainous and often trackless terrain.
Staged only three times before, in 1992, 2012 and 2015, the Dragon’s Back Race has acquired near-mythical status in the adventure racing and ultra-running community.
This year's field is the biggest ever and includes some of the world’s very best ultra-runners, representing 24 nations.
Among those to take part are: Jim Mann, winner in 2015 and back to defend his title; Carol Morgan from Ireland, one of the favourites for 2017; Joe Faulkner, who is aiming to be the only person to complete every race since it was first held in 1992; and Vassos Alexander, radio and TV presenter and keen ultra-runner.
The action kicks off in the courtyard of Conwy Castle, after a performance by Maelgwn Male Voice Choir. The runners will then race out along the ancient town walls of Conwy before heading up to the Carneddau, the Glyderau, Snowdon and beyond...
You can follow the progress of the race from your armchair thanks to live tracking via www.berghausdragonsbackrace.com, and the Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race team will be posting regular updates on social media throughout the event:
- Twitter @DragonsBackRace and @TheRealBerghaus
- Instagram @DragonsBackRace and @BerghausOfficial
- Facebook DragonsBackRace.
Comments