Behind the scenes at the 2022 Montane Dragon’s Back Race®
Ever wondered what it’s like to work on an ultra running event like the iconic Montane Dragon’s Back Race®? It takes a huge team to deliver this event, from our fantastic team of volunteers, to our office staff, who often take on a completely different role on events to their usual day-to-day job in the office. We caught up with some key members of the team to find out what it’s like to work behind the scenes!
The Dragon’s Back Race® wouldn’t be possible without a dedicated team working behind the scenes ©No Limits Photography
Lisa, operations director
Role on event: looking after event team, sites and suppliers
What does your role entail on an event?
My role on event entails looking after the build and the break up of all of the venues. So, registration, to overnight camps, making sure they’re set up on time, making sure everything goes in the right van when we pack down. I do a lot of looking after the Event Team and making sure everyone knows what they’re doing and when we need to have the camps built by.
What do you enjoy about your role?
I enjoy, when on site, meeting new people. Getting to know our event team, helping them to achieve tasks and bringing everyone together as a team.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
The biggest challenge that I can face in my role when on site is the weather. If the weather’s really bad – wet, windy, it definitely slows everything up. It means we’re not quite as ready as we’d like to be for the runners sometimes.
What’s your favourite thing about the Dragon’s Back Race?
My favourite thing about the Dragon’s Back Race has to be the finish at Cardiff Castle. What could be more magnificent?
Lisa briefing the event team on the Cape Wrath Ultra ©No Limits Photography
Packing down and re-building the camps each day is a huge job ©No Limits Photography
Charlie, customer services manager
Role on event: registration manager
What is your role?
I’m the customer services and event team manager, so chances are we’ve already spoken before you arrive on the event. On the event, I’m responsible for running registration.
What do you enjoy about your role?
I really enjoy getting to chat to all the excited runners as they turn up.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
Probably keeping those queues down and making the process as efficient as possible.
What is your favourite thing about the Dragon’s Back Race?
For me, it’s getting to start and finish the event at two amazing Welsh Castles in Conwy and Cardiff.
Charlie in action running registration at Salomon Skyline Scotland ©No Limits Photography
Registration is an exciting time as runners prepare for the challenge ahead ©No Limits Photography
Neil, finance manager
Role on event: Info Point and the shop
What is your role?
My role is mostly in Info Point, but also the shop at the start and end. I also do a bit of moonlighting on the Support Point.
What do you enjoy about your role?
The best thing is definitely the interaction with the participants and also the staff. Info Point is a great touch point. We also have the Dragon Mail which is a great way for people outside the event to contact the participants and a great way for us to chat to them each day when we print that out. The nature of providing information means going around the camp a lot and interacting with a lot of different people for a lot of different reasons. We got all sorts of questions. Being a part of the team and being close to the participants is great for us.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
For me, it’s a role of loads of little challenges. You never quite know what’s going to happen day to day, but the biggest thing is probably that it’s pretty tiring. I can’t complain – the participants are out there running every day, but on camp and moving camps, it’s quite a long week. So just managing yourself in that situation is a challenge.
What is your favourite thing about the Dragon’s Back Race?
It’s the total immersion in the event. I think for a week you’re not thinking about the outside world at all. You’re in there for all of the distance with the team. It’s incredible what everyone achieves throughout the week, and there are so many moments – like those early morning, where it’s quiet and everyone is waking up and preparing for the day. The distance you travel as well from one side of Wales to the other is pretty amazing.
Neil running Info Point early in the morning on the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® ©No Limits Photography
Info point are there to help throughout the journey ©No Limits Photography
While the participants are taking on their epic challenge, our Event Team have a challenge of their own to contend with, and work tirelessly to make sure the event runs as smoothly as possible. Without the awesome volunteers and office team working together, the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® wouldn’t be possible.
2023 Entries open 25th August 2022 at 10:00 BST
Join us on an incredible journey down the mountainous spine of Wales
Are you ready for an adventure? ©No Limits Photography