The Dragon’s Back Race – Film Review
Rob Howard / 24.03.2013
How many times have you heard events described as the ‘world’s toughest’ or watched Youtube style videos of these events which are all hi-tempo music, fast edits and bizarre camera angles, designed to catch attention, but giving you no real feeling for the event in question. Too often I shouldn’t wonder.
When the legendary Dragon’s Back Race was re-launched last year, 20 years after the only time it was previously staged, and it was quietly mentioned it was one of the hardes mountain running events in the world, it may be that some took that with a pinch of salt as they’d heard it all before. This applied to some of the runners who entered ... and when they got going they found to their shock that it really was true! It wasn’t hype.
It was a race on an epic scale that not many of those who started were able to complete, and they were followed over 5 days of painful and character defining running down the mountainous spine of Wales by a film crew from Slackjaw Films. Their film is due for release shortly, following a triumphant debut at the recent Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, where it won 3 awards, and if you have an interest in mountain running it is a film you will want to see.
There is no loud soundtrack, and there are no grandiose claims or over-dramatisations, in fact there is no narrator at all. The whole story is told by interviews with 7 of those who took part, and focuses on their struggles and emotions, and their relationship to the landscape they are running through. This is the greatest strength of the film. Their comments can be blindingly obvious at times (“it’s hard”), but more often give the viewer an insight into how they were feeling at the time, and into their characters.
The intensity of the competition at the front, and the struggle to go on at the back, is apparent, but at the same time the runners appreciate where they are, the beauty of their surrounding, and the company of their fellow racers. No one is asking them why they are putting themselves through something so painful and challenging, but after listening to the racers’ commentary we have a better answer to that question than any other adventure film I’ve seen has given.
In many ways the film faithfully reflects the low-key and understated nature of British mountain running. (Which should not be confused with trail running, that’s a very different thing altogether.) It is a sport with no fanfare, and few ego’s, even among those who are the best in the world (as British mountain runners are). By letting the runners speak for themselves, and giving them ample time to do so as the race progresses, these qualities come through and the film gives an honest and gripping insight into The Dragon’s Back Race.
The film runs for 67 minutes and the DVD will be available from early April, and can be pre-ordered before March 29th for the price of £14.95 (+ postage) from the Dragon’s Back Race website. After that it reverts to the full price of £19.95. (In addition to the film extras will include a Race Directors and Film Directors commentary and full interviews with the runners who participated in the film.)
And if the film should inspire you to want to run the Dragon’s Back entry is open for the next race, which will be in 2015.
For entry details and to order your copy of the video see; http://www.dragonsbackrace.com/. (Video orders via the shop page.)
Go to the next page to see the film trailer.
