Dragon’s Back Race® 2026: World’s Toughest Mountain Race Under Way

September 8, 2026

First edition under new owners Ultra X sees hundreds of runners set out from Conwy Castle on a 380km, six-day journey down the mountainous spine of Wales

Conwy, Wales (September 8, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – At 06:00 BST this morning, hundreds of athletes from around the world set out from the medieval walls of Conwy Castle at the start of the 2026 Dragon’s Back Race®, the legendary six-day mountain race down the spine of Wales. Over the coming week they will cover 380 kilometres with 16,400 metres of ascent, crossing Eryri (Snowdonia), the Rhinogydd, Cadair Idris, the Cambrian Mountains and Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) before finishing in the grounds of Cardiff Castle on Saturday 12 September.

First held in 1992 and widely regarded as the world’s toughest mountain race, the Dragon’s Back Race® returns for its 11th edition – and its first under Ultra X, the global ultramarathon events company that acquired the race earlier this year and has committed to protecting its heritage while securing its future.

This year’s field features 210 participants from 20 nationalities, from elite mountain runners chasing the podium to everyday adventurers taking on the challenge of a lifetime.

Key facts:

• Race start: 06:00 BST, Monday 7 September 2026 – Conwy Castle, North Wales
• Race finish: Saturday 12 September 2026 – Cardiff Castle, South Wales
• Distance: 380km over six days, with 16,400m of ascent along the mountainous spine of Wales
• Field: 210 participants representing 20 nationalities
• 11th edition of the race, first held in 1992
• First edition organised by Ultra X, following its acquisition of the race in 2026 after previous organiser Ourea Events went into administration.
• New for 2026: a single mandatory route for all runners, plus new shorter formats – the two-day Dragon’s Fire in the north and Dragon’s Tail in the south – alongside the established Hatchling course.

Sam Heward, Co-Founder of Ultra X, said: “Standing beneath Conwy Castle this morning and watching 200+ runners set off down the spine of Wales was a special moment for everyone at Ultra X. The Dragon’s Back Race is one of the most iconic events in world sport, and our job is simple: protect everything that makes it legendary while making sure it is here for generations of runners to come. The next six days will deliver everything this race is famous for – drama, resilience and some extraordinary human stories.”

2027 Entries will open on the 27^th September with further information available here: https://www.dragonsbackrace.com/register-your-interest-for-2027

Following the race

Fans can follow every runner in real time via live GPS tracking at https://live.opentracking.co.uk/dragonsbackrace2026/, with daily reports, photography and film at www.dragonsbackrace.com and across the Dragon’s Back Race® social channels.

About the Dragon’s Back Race®

The Dragon’s Back Race® (Ras Cefn y Ddraig) is a six-day, 380km mountain running race from Conwy Castle to Cardiff Castle, traversing the wildest and most mountainous terrain in Wales. First staged in 1992 and revived in 2012, it has been held only ten times before 2026 and has acquired near-mythical status among mountain and ultra runners worldwide.

About Ultra X

Ultra X is a global multi-stage ultramarathon events company, staging more than 15 events across four continents. Its portfolio includes the Ultra X race series, the Dragon’s Back Race® and the SILVA Northern Traverse. Ultra X exists to make world-class multi-day adventure accessible to more runners while protecting the heritage of the sport’s most iconic races.

Media contact

Sam Heward, Co-Founder, Ultra X
sam@ultra-x.co
+44 7585 707521