Yes! Both Dragon’s Fire and Dragon’s Tail are exceptional races in their own right; and they also offer a stepping stone to a full Dragon’s Back Race® completion in a future year, breaking down the route into more manageable chunks. 

Without doubt, the Dragon’s Fire is an incredibly tough mountain running challenge, so please don’t underestimate it. Whilst we can’t comment on each individual’s fitness, experience, etc., what we can say is that a typical finisher of the whole Dragon’s Back Race is a reasonably experienced ‘mid pack’ runner who comes to the event after a consistent block of regular training, with a determined mindset, and their ‘admin’ absolutely dialled. 

Day one of the Dragon’s Back Race features the most technical and serious mountain terrain of the entire event, including the infamous ridge of Crib Goch, which involves some scrambling. Most runners considered it to be the most challenging of all six days of the race... That is, until they reach day two, which involves long sections of very rough and uneven ground in the Rhinogs. It is best to watch the videos from days one and two to get an idea of the terrain and the nature of the challenge if you are not familiar with the stunning mountains of Snowdonia.  

Yes! When you enter the ‘Dragon’s Back Race’, you’ll get a choice between the full course, the Dragon’s Fire and the Dragon’s Tail. Each race has its own specifications and pricing. Anyone on either of these three options can also change to the Hatchling version on the day. 

The two routes are identical. They share the same guidance, cut-off and Course Closure times, the same Support Point and the same Water Point.  

Yes! Participants on both the full Dragon’s Back Race and those taking part in the Dragon’s Fire all start at the same time from Conwy Castle on Monday morning. Its an incredibly iconic and atmospheric start to an epic race and we want everyone to share that experience.  

On Day One, there is a mass start of all participants at 06:00 from Conwy Castle. This is one of the absolute highlights of the entire Dragon’s Back Race, with an incredible atmosphere as friends and family cheer off runners as they set off by headtorch light. On Day Two, participants can start anytime between 06:00 and 09:00. We reserve the right to mandate specific start times for faster runners. 

Not formally, because the Hatchling is for runners who complete part of the course on all six days. However, any runner that unfortunately needs to drop out or is timed out from the Dragon’s Fire, will be transported to the next Overnight Camp, supported by all the additional logistics we put in place for the Hatchlings each year. 

Yes. Whether you are participating in the full Dragon’s Back Race, the Hatchling, or the Dragon’s Fire, the Start Time, Cut-Offs, and Course Closure Time remain the same. These are based on a 06:00 start and a finish by 22:00. That gives sixteen hours each day to complete the course. 

Consider your week in Wales as an all-inclusive running holiday if you like!

No. Most of the participants in the Dragon’s Back Race prefer to walk uphill, jog on the flats, and jog downhill. Only a select few, the very best in the event, will be running most of the time. 

No. Dragon’s Fire participants will be transported by bus from Camp 2 back to Conwy on the morning of day 3 and this is included in your entry. 

Alternatively, you may make your own onwards travel arrangements from day 2 Camp on the morning of day 3 (for example taxi, bus, pickup by friend). However, please note no supporter vehicles or taxis can be accommodated on site (i.e. you would need to walk off site to meet your lift).

Yes. These are provisional, but we don’t expect them to change given they are anchored to the overall Dragon’s Back Race schedule: 

Sunday (in Conwy)

• 12:00-17:00 Registration, kit check and recommended bag drop 

• 17:30 Mandatory participant briefing 

• 12:00-17:00 Welcome meal (participants and event team only) 

Monday (Day One)

• 05:00-05:30 Bag drop for overnight dry bag and resupply dry bag

• 05:30 Participants gather in Conwy Castle 

• 05:50 Official start line photograph 

• 06:00 Mass start 

• 15:00-20:00 Afternoon snacks in camp for early finishers

• 18:00-22:00 Evening meal 

• 22:00 Course closure time

Tuesday (Day Two)

• 05:00-08:00 Breakfast 

• 06:00-09:00 Staggered starts (NB: fastest ~10 may be allocated start times)

• 15:00-20:00 Afternoon snacks in camp for early finishers

• 18:00-22:00 Evening meal 

• 22:00 Course closure time

Wednesday (Day three)

• 05:00-08:00 Breakfast 

• 08:00-09:00 Dragon’s Fire Awards Ceremony 

• 09:00 Bus departs for Conwy 

The Overnight Camps are strictly for participants only, and no friends or family are allowed on these sites (the same rule applies to the Support Point and Water Point each day). Therefore, friends and family can watch the Start at Conwy Castle (and we would encourage this), but they cannot meet you at the finish on Day Two. 

These requirements are the same for both the Dragon’s Fire participants and the runners on the whole Dragon’s Back Race and Hatchling. This means you must pack all your overnight gear, spare running clothes, hill food, etc., in an Ortlieb 59L PS490 Drybag. There will be a weight limit that is currently under review.

Yes. Runners on the Dragon’s Fire can have an Ortlieb 10L PD350 Drybag that weighs no more than 2.5kg, which we will transport to the (approximately) mid-way Support Point on days one and two. 

These are identical to the full Dragon’s Back Race requirements. 

Yes, there will be dedicated and separate results for the Dragon’s Fire.

Absolutely! We are still considering what this should be, but please expect a substantial trophy or medal for completing the Dragon’s Fire. 

Of course! After gaining a valuable insight into how the event logistics work, and the experience of the Overnight Camp, you’ll be in a great place to come back in the future and either attempt the Dragon’s Tail, the Hatchling or the full Dragon’s Back Race. 

In a word, no. We have very strict rules about gaining any unfair advantage, and this includes deliberate support from another participant. However, the incredible sense of camaraderie at the Overnight Camps and trail friendships that are a hallmark of the event are wonderful and encouraged. Many participants enter as groups of friends, run together, and offer each other moral support, and that is absolutely fine.