Day Five on the Dragon’s Back Race®: Runners struggle on a tough penultimate day
The morning was marked by both apprehension and cautious optimism as dragons set out into the cloudy skies of the Bannau Brycheiniog.
Jeff Glasbrenner is smashing his way round the Hatchling course ©No Limits Photography
Those who thought the toughest climbs were behind them after Days 1 and 2 faced a harsh reality today. The steep, grassy slopes of the Bannau Brycheiniog proved to be a formidable challenge. Although not as rugged as the Eryri peaks, these mountains were no less demanding, especially as the afternoon turned hot and muggy.
The threat of lightning loomed over the day early on, with fears it could disrupt the race, but thankfully, this never materialised, allowing the participants to continue with the route as usual. 127 participants remain on the full course, while 133 continue on the Hatchling course.
One highlight early on in the day was the opportunity to pick up some sweet treats in the famous Llandovery bakery. Many a participant could be seen scoffing pasties and enormous cakes down the streets of Llandovery this morning.
Llandovery bakery was popular with runners and Event Team alike ©No Limits Photography
The Support Point was at Cray Reservoir
At today's Support Point at Cray Reservoir, the mood was a mix of relief and determination as runners pressed on through the challenging course. For many, the Support Point was a welcome respite ahead of an agonisingly steep climb up a grassy hill. With the cloud so thick first thing in the morning, for many, navigating through the bogs was the biggest challenge first thing.
Robert Bruce had a heartwarming surprise when his family met him at the top of the hill, playing music to lift his spirits. Laughing, he shared, "I can't take my family anywhere! I didn’t know they were coming.”
“The morning’s been better than I thought, which is good. It’s clearing a little bit, but not a huge amount. It’s alright with the GPX, but you’ve got to remember to look at it."
Max King arrived looking very strong into the Support Point, with a decent lead on Simon. He said, "I've had a good morning so far—better than yesterday, that’s for sure. Yesterday I was exhausted," he said. He also recounted running with Simon for about eight miles before Simon dropped off during a road section.
He did not stop at the bakery though: "There were so many people standing outside the bakery, I was like, ‘guys, that is so mean!’"
A river crossing adds an extra bit of challenge ©No Limits Photography
The Hatchlings are enjoying the race
While the spotlight has often been on the sharp end of the racing field, there are a large number of Hatchling participants in the race. While they may not be doing the full course, there is no denying that what they are doing is a truly tough ultra in its own right.
Peter Huzan was one Hatchling we spoke to at the Storey Arms. He showed us his schedule, which he’d planned meticulously to ensure he kept moving through the course. He said, “I calculate the times based on Simon Roberts’ times. I calculate it will take me two times Simon Robert’s time, and we basically stay about 3 hours ahead of the cut off the whole way through.”
He was enjoying a rest at the Water Point when we caught him, having attempted to chase second-placed runner, Simon Roberts, down the hill.
Pam Nix was another Hatchling participant we spoke to. Having volunteered on the Start/Finish team at numerous events, she is well-known in the Dragon’s Back Race® community. She set out from the outset intending to complete the Hatchling course, and has been doing incredibly well although now she was struggling with her legs, opting not to go over the final part over Pen y Fan.
She said, ““It’s wonderful, I’m just sorry about my legs because I’d love to do the next part, but I’d like to be able to walk tomorrow.”
The Hatchlings are an integral part of the race, and show true resilience and grit. Picking yourself up after being knocked down requires immense mental strength, and these runners have shown they have it in abundance. Tomorrow, Hatchlings will receive their special trophy alongside those completing the full Dragon’s Back Race®.
Sweeping views make for an epic day ©No Limits Photography
There was a brilliant atmosphere at the Pont Ar Daf Water Point
The sun finally made an appearance at the Water Point near the Storey Arms, the last stop on today’s route where runners could take a break, refill their water bottles, and possibly grab some food from the burger van.
The Water Point had a good atmosphere ©No Limits Photography
From this point, participants faced their final challenge: a climb over Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales, followed by a stunning ridge leading to Cribyn and Fan y Big (sometimes affectionately referred to as the Fan Dance).
For New Zealand runner Brooke Cox, however, this moment was bittersweet as she battled injury. "I’m sort of on the balance. My quad is pretty shot. I’m still moving, but I can’t descend at all. It hurts a lot now. But it’s sort of weird – it’s Day 5, so something’s gonna hurt. I’m finding it a bit of a psychological battle. Do you stay in it or not? I’m happy on the ups. I’m honestly just crying whenever I see a person! I do feel like I can sense the end though."
In spite of her challenges, Brooke did manage to complete this final section of the route, making into camp relatively early.
Mark Hetherington was also feeling the strain when we saw him through the Water Point. He said, "I was broken by that last climb, so I don’t really want to think about this one!"
Frontrunner, Max King, was flying when he came through. However, in spite of being clearly very focused on the competition, he still managed time for a pitstop. He said, “I had to stop – I got 3 snickers bars and a Dr Pepper. I needed something to get me through this next bit!”
Max King powers up the climb ©No Limits Photography
Max King is poised for the win, while top lady Jo Meek is finding it tough
Max King was a force to be reckoned with today. He managed to keep Simon at bay, even with Simon’s home advantage of knowing these hills like the back of his hand. It was clear that the pair were pushing hard. Max now has a lead of nearly an hour and twenty minutes. While tomorrow is still a long day, it seems unlikely at this point that Simon Roberts will close this gap.
Simon still had a strong day though, and kept comfortably ahead of his next closest competition, fellow SCARPA athlete Gabe Joyes, who is still comfortably in third place.
It has, however been an interesting day in the ladies’ field though. First Lady is still Jo Meek, after she established a strong lead early on in the race. However, she was not the fastest of the day, or even in the top three, having clearly struggled in the latter stages.
After a tough day yesterday, she said, “It’s been alright. I’m returning to feeling better.” She was clearly tired though, opting to find her tent as soon as she made it to the finish.
Fastest woman today was Katherine Hargreaves, who has clearly been getting stronger the longer she goes, having completed the day a full half hour quicker than the second fastest woman of the day, Brooke Cox.
Third fastest was Elsa Morgan, who has been third overall over the last few days. Elsa looked incredibly strong throughout the day. We caught her at the finish line this afternoon.
She said, “I’ve found today hard. It’s still quite long tomorrow but I can walk it. My knees are so sore. I don’t normally hace problems with my knees but it’s the constant going up and down.”
Elsa Morgan was still smiling ©No Limits Photography
Meanwhile, Zoe Murphy, in second place, had a tough day. She has slowed down massively after suffering with her stomach, meaning she has been struggling to fuel properly. She has been incredibly strong up to this point, but admitted she was finding it hard when she set off this morning. Setting off quite late on, she wasn’t significantly ahead of the cut offs at times. She has retained her second place, but is now only 15 minutes ahead of Elsa Morgan. It’s certainly looking possible there could be a switch up in the women’s podium as we head into the final day.
One final push
There were emotional scenes at the finish line today, as dragons realized that Cardiff Castle was finally within reach. The participant marquee was buzzing with excitement, and many were moved to tears. It’s been a tough day, full of emotion, but participants are now finally allowing themselves to truly believe they can make it!
Although another big day awaits tomorrow, those who’ve made it this far can take comfort in knowing they’ve truly broken the dragon’s back. Tomorrow’s flatter course offers a well-earned victory lap, leading to a spectacular finish at Cardiff Castle, where runners will finally celebrate their achievement of a lifetime with loved ones.
Follow the runners as they approach the final stretch into Cardiff!
Another mountain day added a level of toughness ©No Limits Photography
Results
Top 3 men on Day 5
Max King (08:38:02)
Simon Roberts (08:53:28)
Gabe Joyes (09:24:10)
Top 3 women on Day 5
Katherine Hargreaves (11:58:46)
Brooke Cox (12:31:04)
Elsa Morgan (12:51:28)
Jo Meek is looking likely to win ©No Limits Photography
Top 3 men overall
Max King (39:22:53)
Simon Roberts (40:39:58)
Katherine Hargreaves (42:23:20)
Top 3 women overall
Jo Meek (53:47:03)
Zoe Murphy (55:42:14)
Katherine Hargreaves (55:59:29)
Gabe Joyes is in third ©No Limits Photography
Tune in at 8am tomorrow for more!
The next episode of the Dragon’s Back Race® show will go LIVE at 8am tomorrow morning! In the meantime, catch up with everything you missed yesterday:
A dramatic landscape ©No Limits Photography
Be the dot in 2025! Entries open on 13th September
If watching the excitement has you yearning for adventure, you can enter the 2025 race on 13th September. Don’t want to miss it? Sign up for our Mailing List for a reminder. If you sign up using the link below, you will also get EXCLUSIVE ACCESS to the online world premiere of the film about the first ever continuous completion of the Dragon’s Back Race route.
Join us next year! ©No Limits Photography