The Dragon’s Back Race® and the Cape Wrath Ultra® will take place annually from 2021. Previously both events occurred biennially in May, with the Dragon’s Back Race® in 2017 and 2019, and the Cape Wrath Ultra® in 2016 and 2018. 

Race Director Shane Ohly explains, “This move comes in response to the growing international reputation and huge popularity of both events meaning that every year many miss out on an entry. These changes to the race schedules will allow more participants to take on these bucket list events.”   

He added, “Participant numbers will not increase significantly to ensure the atmosphere of these unique races stays the same. All participants and event volunteers will continue to enjoy the personal, friendly and welcoming atmosphere that both events are well known for.” 

The legendary Dragon’s Back Race®, which follows the mountainous spine of Wales from north to south and is known as one of the toughest mountain races in the world, will move to September with the next edition taking place in September 2021. Entries will open a year in advance, in September 2020. 

The original Dragon’s Back Race® in 1992 and the first modern edition in 2012 both occurred in September, so this change is a return to the original dates of the event. 

The Cape Wrath Ultra® which journeys for 400km over 8 days through the beautiful Scottish Highlands from Fort William to Cape Wrath at the most north-westerly tip of the UK, will stay in May. Entries for the May 2021 edition of the event will open a year in advance, in May 2020. 

Ohly continued, “We have a truly excellent team behind these events, and we remain totally committed to maintaining their outstanding reputation for bulletproof organisation, but also to continually improving the events to ensure that they endure as iconic, once in a lifetime journeys’.”