Next week, competitors from 26 different nations will line up for the start of the Montane Dragon's Back Race, a legendary multi-stage, ultra running journey down the mountainous spine of Wales, starting at Conwy Castle and finishing (for some) at Cardiff Castle.

Shot over the 2021 event, this entertaining film captures the highs, the lows, the trench foot, the chafing... and the stunning and varied scenery over six days and 380km of mountain running (to say nothing of 17,400m of ascent) as some of the world's toughest athletes take on the craggy hills of Snowdonia, the wilds of Mid Wales, and - for those still standing by then - the final hurdle of the Brecon Beacons.

"This race is taking no prisoners" say the presenters - and with rough hill terrain throughout, and some testingly hot weather last year, that's got to be an understatement.

First held in 1992, after a gap of 20 years the race was resurrected in 2012 and has since become established as a regular event on the calendar. It is widely regarded as one of the toughest multi-stage mountain races on the planet and in 2021, under 25% of the starters completed the full course to earn the much-coveted trophy for every finisher, and title of 'Dragon Slayer'.

From the many who fall by the wayside thanks to the gruelling conditions or the hard discipline of simply being timed out on a stage, to the comparative few who finally cross the line in Cardiff on day six, it's an emotional experience, as this film makes clear.

The 2022 Montane Dragon's Back Race gets underway Monday 5th September.