Search

RUN247 / Running News / Trail Running News / ‘Stepping stones’: Taster options at Cape Wrath and Dragon’s Back

‘Stepping stones’: Taster options at Cape Wrath and Dragon’s Back

Tomos Land
Staff Reporter
Updated on

Two of the UK’s most iconic multi-day ultra races have announced they will offer shorter options to allow entrants to build up to the full versions.

Mountain running company Ourea Events are introducing the part-option for both the Cape Wrath Ultra (21-28 May) in the highlands of Scotland and the Montane Dragon’s Back Race (4-9 September) in the rugged mountains of Wales, both of which have now opened for entries.

Advertisement

Cape Wrath Explorer

Cape Wrath Ultra
Spectacular scenery on the Cape Wrath Ultra [Photo credit: Steve Ashworth]

The Cape Wrath Explorer is a “choose-your-own adventure” event in which participants can decide to tackle part of the route each day, typically either the first half or the second half. Race organisers have built in flexibility so that runners can mix and match which half they attempt on any given day.

Each participant will still benefit from the full race infrastructure and experience, including the opportunity to cross the finish line at the Cape Wrath Lighthouse. The full Cape Wrath Ultra is an eight-day, 400km race to the most north-westerly point of the British Isles.

Shane Ohly of Ourea Events hopes that the Explorer event will “entice a few people to test themselves with a multi-day ultra and perhaps use the event as stepping stones towards attempting the full distance” which travels through some of Scotland’s most spectacular landscapes.

Advertisement

Dragon’s Back Race Hatchling

The Hatchling offers a similar opportunity to the Cape Wrath Explorer, where participants will take part in the first or second half of each day during the journey south along the mountainous spine of Wales, starting in Conwy Castle.

The participants who complete the challenge and finish in Cardiff Castle six days later will earn a special Hatchling memento and will get an insight into what it is like to take on what its widely considered to be one of the toughest multi-day mountain running events out there.

The full course includes 17,400m of ascent, taking in peaks such as Yr Wyddfa, Tryfan, Cnicht and Cadair Idris over 380km of running. Ohly, speaking about the addition of the shorter races, added that “we know the running public’s interest in ultras is greater than ever” and the company hopes that the offer of more inclusive events will mean a greater number of participants over the next few years.

(Photo Credit – No Limits Photography).
Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.

Latest Running News

Joyline Chepngeno OCC 2025 UTMB
UTMB OCC and Sierre-Zinal results revised after winner Joyline Chepngeno BANNED
Holly Wootten - No Limits Photography Dragons Back 2025
Dragon’s Back results 2025: Incredible new record from Holly Wootten
Courtney Dauwalter crown UTMB 2025
‘I feel lucky to be in the sport right now’ – GOAT Dauwalter raises bar again with reaction to UTMB struggles
Tom Evans salute UTMB win 2025
Tom Evans on the perspective shift and key training session which took him to UTMB glory
Sifan Hassan crosses then line to win the Elite Women’s race at The TCS London Marathon 2023 Photo credit: TCS London Marathon
Sydney Marathon results 2025: Hassan and Kiros star as race joins World Marathon Majors
trail running on your terms

Never miss out with our trail alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.

The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...