Dragon's Back Race

Montane Signs Up to Take the Dragon’s Back Race to Greater Heights

Press Release / 11.04.2021

Montane has been confirmed as presenting sponsor of the Dragon’s Back Race® for its next three editions. Following the news last year that the event has been extended from five to six days, the now annual Montane Dragon’s Back Race® will challenge the world’s best ultra-runners with 380km of distance and 17,400m of ascent, in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The news of Montane’s sponsorship comes as organisers have released details of the new routes for days five and six in the extended race. The next Montane Dragon’s Back Race® will start in Conwy Castle on the morning of Monday 6 September 2021 and finish in Cardiff Castle on Saturday 11 September.

Staged only five times, the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® has acquired near mythical status in the adventure racing and running community. The event was first held in 1992 and then resurrected in 2012, since when entries have increased at each edition, growing steadily in 2015 and 2017, and then almost doubling to over 400 in 2019, all reflecting the booming interest in ultra-running.

Montane athletes have won the men’s event at the last two events, with Marcus Scotney setting a course record in 2017, which Galen Reynolds then lowered with his victory two years later. Galen Reynolds (Canada) was also the first overseas winner of the men’s race in 2019, when Brit Lisa Watson won the women’s race, succeeding Ireland’s Carol Morgan.

The Montane Dragon’s Back Race® is widely regarded as the toughest mountain race on the planet and only around half of those who have started the event have managed to complete the full course and earn the much-coveted trophy and title of ‘Dragon Slayer’. Each race has featured some of the best ultra-runners in the world, along with many others whose ambition is simply to finish each day of the course within the time allowed. The addition of an extra day, with its distance and ascent, makes the task of completing the full Montane Dragon’s Back Race® even more challenging. The capacity for 2021 was extended to 600 and all places went within hours of entries opening, with runners of 35 different nationalities signing up. The waiting list for places has now reopened.

The Montane Dragon’s Back Race is organised by Ourea Events and race director Shane Ohly comments: “The 2021 edition of the legendary Montane Dragon’s Back Race® will mark a step change in the evolution of the event as we add a sixth day to the race, and finish at the iconic Cardiff Castle. I cannot think of a more appropriate outdoor brand to collaborate with as we look to the future.

Montane’s pedigree of supporting many of the world’s most demanding races is a natural fit with the race and its formidable international reputation. The superb range of products made by Montane is the perfect answer for the challenging conditions participants and event team members may find themselves in while racing in the Welsh mountains.”

Montane’s global marketing manager Matthew Hickman adds: “The Dragon’s Back Race® embodies Montane’s own philosophy of ‘Further. Faster.’ which drives our passion for outdoor adventure. Montane has a strong history with the Dragon’s Back Race®, from the athletes who have won the event, through to staff completing various parts of the course. 

“Working as title sponsor to support this exceptionally demanding mountain race helps cement our reputation as a provider of innovative, lightweight clothing and equipment. The increased challenge of the course will provide even more of a test for the athletes and the kit, something we thrive on!”