Dragon’s Back Race®

The World’s Toughest Mountain Race™

The Dragon’s Back Race® was revived by Ourea Events in 2012, twenty years after the legendary 1992 race in which the inaugural ‘dragons’ first took on Wales’ uniquely wild, trackless, and remote mountain terrain.

Since then, it has earned its reputation as the world’s toughest mountain race - and participants underestimate it at their peril. The route follows the rugged spine of Wales from north to south, crossing its major mountain ranges, including the Brecon Beacons, Cambrian Mountains, Rhinogs, Moelwyns and Snowdonia. Navigation is unmarked and self-supported within race safety frameworks, demanding constant decision-making, mountain judgement and relentless forward momentum over six punishing days.

To open up the Dragon’s Back experience to more runners, we’ve introduced two shorter challenges drawn from the same uncompromising ethos. Dragon’s Fire covers the northern sections through the dramatic mountains of the Carneddau, Glyderau, Snowdon massif and the notorious Rhinogs, which are regarded as the most technical and spectacular terrain of the race. While the Dragon’s Tail takes on the southern stages across the Brecon Beacons and Cambrian Mountains. Each delivers a full immersion into the spirit of the main event: big mountain days, unmarked routes and a true test of resilience - just condensed into 2-day adventures.

Next Event Dates: 7th - 12th September 2026