Simon Roberts
10th March 2021
Pre Montane Dragon’s Back Race® 2021
I will be racing the 2021 Dragon’s Back Race® as a veteran after having a fairly decent 2019 race. I first heard about the Dragon’s Back Race® on the radio when Vassos was having a go - and thought that it would be an amazing, crazy challenge to run the length of my home country.
I went into the 2019 race as a half decent runner and had done a few ultras beforehand, but I had no real training plan or nutrition plan so was kind of winging in - I’d just done lots of long days in the hills. I went into it just taking it day by day and it turned out that I had some great days where I would finish in the top 15 but also some bad days where I was either bonking out or my body just did not want to move.
All in all, I was happy to finish 23rd overall. I absolutely loved the 2019 Dragon’s Back Race® - I met lots of cool and crazy people and had one hell of an adventure. Many lessons were learnt in 2019, and I will see if I can put said lessons to good use for 2021.
The main lesson learnt was food! I learnt that you can never eat enough. I was not eating enough in the days and also for a couple of the evenings, this lead to me not recovering very well for the next day, also not eating enough in the day lead to me 'bonking' and causing me to slow down.
Finishing the 2019 Dragon’s Back Race®
Since the 2019 Dragon’s Back Race®, I have gone on to Podium at the 2019 Cheviot Goat, sharing the podium with 2019 Dragon’s Back Race® winner, Galen Reynolds and Adam Potter (who was my Dragon’s Back Race® tent mate). This was a big result for me, and I know I can now share races with the ‘big’ boys and compete for the top spots.
I also went on to complete the 2020 Winter Spine Race, which was an amazing experience and a big learning curve. Dealing with injury, sleep deprivation and very challenging conditions, I managed to death-march my way to the finish!
Since the Dragon’s Back Race®, I have also joined my fell running club, Mynyddwr de Cymru (MDC), where I have had lots of fun with the guys, racing and smashing it around the South Wales Fells, and started getting some good success at the fell racing as well!
Cheviot Goat Podium with Galen & Adam
I have gained a lot of experience since my 2019 Dragon’s Back Race®, racing tough races against some of the UK’s top athletes. Throughout lockdown, I have knuckled down, improving my speed and strength, which has got me in a good place right now. I have a couple of warm-up races planned before the 2021 Dragon’s Back Race®, such as Ultra Trail Snowdonia and the Lakes Sky Ultra - looking forward to them! With my new experience and new strength, I will be one of the top competitors in the 2021 race!
Can’t wait to get stuck into the 2021 race, that extra day will be interesting! I’ve already been dreaming of the beers at the end in Cardiff Castle! I think it will be a great feeling finishing there, plus it’s only a 20 minute drive from my house. I'm also back to compete at a greater scale, I would be lying if I say I do not want that top spot!
Also, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again and my tent mates! You know who you are!
Spine Race 2020 Finish
29th September 2021
Post Montane Dragon’s Back Race® 2021
Well, so I wanted that top spot, so I went and got it!
The 2021 edition of the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® is something I will never forget. I raced hard, dug deeper than I could ever imagine and came away with that big dragon! The people I met, the support I received was incredible all week. I’ve briefly jotted down a few words to sum up my 2021 Dragon’s Back Race experience.
Let’s go back to start at Conwy Castle, I nudged my way through to get on the front of the start line. I saw a couple of faces I recognised, there was Marcus and Kim who were talking to the cameras, I was expecting to battle it out with those guys. I also saw another guy talking to cameras who I did not know, that was Russell Bentley, an unknown to me who turned out to play a huge role in my race.
I was feeling nervous on the start line but also excited. There was a little bit of pressure, I had said I was going to win, so I needed to back that statement up! I didn’t really have much of a game plan, I had made plans in races in the past and I learnt that races never go to plan, ever! So, my aim was just to race hard but keep a comfortable effort going.
We left Castle Conwy and a lead pack formed very quickly, it was Kim, Russell and me, we shot ahead very early and created a sizable gap. We lost Kim on the Tryfan climb and Russell and I battled it out over the rest of a very hot day 1. Russell and I crossed the finish at the same time. I was quite happy how that played out as there was still 5 days of racing remaining.
Simon runs over Crib Goch on day one of the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® ©No Limits Photography
In the tent my mate Matt O’Keefe (3rd Place DBR) filled me in on some of Russell’s credentials, it turned out he had an impressive road running resume, so he had some tools I was not really prepared for, especially on the road sections later in the week.
Days 2 & 3 Russell started much before me, this bothered me. Racing against someone you can’t see created stress as I had no clue how Russell was doing. All I could do was race as hard as I could and just pray when I got to the finish that I had created a lead. Was shocked to find out that I put a 55-minute gap lead on him on day 2, which was one of the hardest days in that heat.
Days 4 & 5 Russell started only a few minutes before me. These days Russell put the roads to good use, I had to dig deeper than I have ever dug before just to stop Russell from closing the gap. I put up a good fight, enough of a fight that when I caught him at support point on day 5, I had an hour and half lead. The rest of day 5 Russell and I ran together in my beloved Brecon Beacons, this was my favourite time of my race, we worked well together, the camaraderie was strong.
Simon and Russell run together over the Brecon Beacons on day five of the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® ©No Limits Photography
Day 6 we were back racing again, Russell started a few minutes before me, the chase was on! I got a bit lazy and started following the crowd through Merthyr, the crowd didn’t know where they were going so there was a couple of silly nav errors. I finally caught up with Russell as we were dropping onto the Taff trail, we ran into Cardiff together at 7 min miles pace so didn’t mess around.
Running into the castle was unbelievable; the scenery, the crowd, the atmosphere was outstanding! Dibbing in for the final time was huge relief, it was finally over, the hardest week of my life was done. I immediately went to my family and the emotions ran high.
Simon celebrates his win with his family! ©No Limits Photography
I must pay my respect to Russell, it was hell of a race with him, he made me work for it. He’s a top bloke!
The event team worked brilliantly all week, from the tent teams to the catering teams, everyone did a great job. I absolutely loved the food this year, I got my money's worth as I ate everything! Must thank the safety and medic teams as well. A big thanks to Shane and his team for putting the event on in these challenging times.
Some quick advice for future participants; you can’t neglect having good experience of general mountain craft, you need to be able to move fast over rough and challenging terrain. You also need to be able to cope in all conditions whether it being hot, cold or wet, these are things you need to be prepared for before you turn up to the Dragon’s Back Race.
Next for me? Got a few races to finish the year off with; Snowdon Sky Race, The OMM (Partnered with DBR 3rd Place Matt), Cheviot Goat. Then next year I’m down for Spine Challenger North and then taking on Ourea Events Cape Wrath Ultra!
Simon gets that top spot! ©No Limits Photography