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Dragon's Back Race
Monday, 7 September 2026 to 12 September 2026 · Conwy Castle · organised by Ultra X
How you get in
Dragon's Back Race. Six days, unmarked, fully self-navigated. Harvey 1:40,000 event map and baseplate compass are mandatory kit; GPS is recommended but not mandatory. From 2026 the race moved to a single mandatory route, replacing the old free route choice.
No cumulative time limit: the course closes at 22:00 every day, with checkpoint cut-offs during it.
The finish rate is brutal. 32% in 2025, 36% in 2024, 24% in 2021. Runners who miss a cut-off switch to The Hatchling rather than retire, which is why combined finish rates look far healthier.
Three shorter linked events new for 2026: Dragon's Fire (2 days, 110km, £559), Dragon's Tail (2 days, 137km, £559) and The Hatchling (half of each day, same price as the full entry).
No waiting list.
The Hatchling. Runs the same six days as the full race but roughly half of each day, with the per-day options published on the Dragon's Back site. Same price as the full entry.
This is also the landing place for anyone who misses a cut-off on the full race, which is why the combined finish rate looks far healthier than the Full Dragon rate. Distance is approximate and varies by the options a runner picks.
Dragon's Tail. New for 2026. The final two days of the Dragon's Back course, finishing at Cardiff Castle. Day 1 is 72km / 3,200m, day 2 is 65km / 1,300m. £559 (£199 deposit plus 12 x £30/month). Separately indexed by UTMB as a 100K, though the 2026 figures were not verified.
Dragon's Fire. New for 2026. The first two days of the Dragon's Back course, Conwy to Dolgellau, run alongside the full race. £559 (£199 deposit plus 12 x £30/month). Separately indexed by UTMB as a 100K.
- Mechanism
- First come first served
- Typical sell-out
- Weeks
- Price
- £2,099 · Standard £2,099 (£299 deposit). Super Early was £1,899, Early Bird £1,999. 12 x £150/month plan available.
- Qualifier
- None required
- Field size
- 150 to 399
- Second chances
- None
- Deferral
- One deferral, to the following edition only. Deposit is non-deferrable, sliding scale on instalments. Transfer permitted: you find your own replacement, £39 admin fee, deadline about 2 weeks pre-race. SOURCED TO AN OUREA-ERA PAGE. Ultra X terms may now differ. Verify before publishing.
- Transfer
- Allowed
Races at this event
| Race | Distance | Ascent | Cut-off | Terrain | Gets you |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon's Back Race | 380km over 6 days 200km+ | 16,600m | - | Mountain, Fell, Trail | - |
| The Hatchling | Choose your own, roughly half of each day 200km+ · approximate | - | - | Mountain, Fell, Trail | - |
| Dragon's Tail | 137km over 2 days 100 mile | 4,500m | - | Mountain, Trail | - |
| Dragon's Fire | 110km over 2 days 100K | 7,300m | - | Mountain, Fell, Trail | - |
Entry cycle 2026: Dragon's Back Race
Entry opens22 April 2026, 10:00
Entry deadline24 August 2026
Price£2,099 · Standard £2,099 (£299 deposit). Super Early was £1,899, Early Bird £1,999. 12 x £150/month plan available.
Race date7 September 2026
Enter now ↗Entry details confirmed with the organiser on 15 August 2026.
Community & further reading
Previous years
| Year | Race | Entry opened | Sold out in | Places | Finish rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Dragon's Back Race | - | Did not sell out | - | - |
| 2024 | Dragon's Back Race | - | Did not sell out | - | - |
| 2023 | Dragon's Back Race | - | Did not sell out | - | - |
| 2022 | Dragon's Back Race | - | Did not sell out | - | - |
| 2021 | Dragon's Back Race | - | Did not sell out | - | - |
| 2019 | Dragon's Back Race | - | Did not sell out | - | - |
Tell us how fast this one went
Nobody else keeps this. It is why the sell-out log starts now rather than when it feels useful.
The details
- Start
- Conwy Castle
- Region
- Eryri / Snowdonia
- Country
- Wales
- Nearest station
- Conwy, North Wales Coast Line
- Format
- Stage
- First held
- 1992
- Organiser
- Ultra X
Entry details confirmed with the organiser on 15 August 2026.