Lisa Wilson traverses Crib Goch during this year's Berghaus Dragon's Back. Photo: No Limits Photography
Organisers of two of the UK’s most challenging long-distance events have announce they will be run each year.
At present, the Cape Wrath Ultra and Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race are staged biennially.
From 2021, both races will take place annually, with the Scottish event in May and the Welsh challenge in September, the month it was originally staged.
Both races are organised by Ourea Events, which said demand for places at both events has increased in recent years, as the global popularity of ultrarunning and expedition racing has grown.
Shane Ohly, race director for the two events, said: “This move comes in response to the growing international reputation and huge popularity of both races, meaning that every year many people miss out on an entry.
“Changing the schedules will allow more participants to take on these ‘bucket list’ events.
“Entry numbers in each race will not increase significantly, so that we can ensure that their unique atmosphere stays the same, but of course we will now have two amazing events every year.
“All participants and event volunteers will continue to enjoy the personal, friendly and welcoming elements that already characterise both races.”
The Cape Wrath Ultra journeys for 400km over eight days through the Scottish Highlands, from Fort William to Cape Wrath at the most north-westerly tip of the UK. The last two races were staged in 2016 and 2018, and the next is already sold out and will run from 24-31 May 2020. The race will stay in May and entries for 2021 will open a year in advance.
The Cape Wrath Ultra passes through spectacular Highland scenery. Photo: Steve Ashworth
The Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race follows the mountainous spine of Wales from North to South and is known as one of the toughest mountain races in the world. The last two events were in May 2017 and May 2019 and the next race will be in September in 2021, with entries opening a year in advance.
The original Dragon’s Back Race in 1992 and the first modern re-running in 2012 were both held in September, so this change is a return to the original dates of the event.
Mr Ohly said: “We have a truly excellent team behind these events, and we remain totally committed to maintaining their outstanding reputation for bulletproof organisation. But we also want to continually improve the races to ensure that they endure as iconic, life-changing journeys for everyone who takes part.”
