The Dragon's Back followed the mountainous route down Wales. Photo: Bob Smith Photography
The company behind some of the UK’s toughest mountain running events has gone out of business,
Director Shane Ohly said Ourea Events has ceased trading.
He said upcoming races, the Northern Traverse, Cape Wrath Ultra, Dragon’s Back and Skyline Scotland will not take place, leaving runners who were anticipating the challenges without a race and out of pocket.
Mr Ohly said: “This is a deeply painful moment for everyone involved with the business, including our participants, staff, partners, suppliers, volunteers, and the wider trail-running community that has supported our events for the last 15 years.
“I am truly sorry that we have reached this point.
“We are especially aware of participants who have already paid race entry fees for our events. By opting to cease trading at this stage, our goal is to maximise the likelihood that the events will continue under a different structure or ownership. We sincerely hope this approach will give the best opportunity to protect the events and, where possible, deliver value for participants and creditors.”
The most recent accounts posted by Ourea Events, covering the period up to December 2024, showed it was relying on income from 2025 races to cover a deficit.
Mr Ohly said: “I believe we owe some explanation to participants who have trusted us with the entry fees, often paid long in advance of the event they have entered.
“Ourea Events was a profitable business before the Covid-19 pandemic, recording a modest profit at the end of 2019. However, the pandemic led to an 18-month period during which events could not take place and income ceased. Like many event companies, we were ineligible for Covid-related grants. This left Ourea with substantial Covid-related debt and a significantly weakened financial position.
“The pandemic was followed by Brexit at the end of 2020, which led to a collapse in international participation, especially among Europeans. At its peak, international participation reached as high as 50 per cent at some events. Additionally, the cost-of-living crisis in 2022 significantly impacted the business because our budgets are set well in advance, and when our costs increased by around 20 per cent, entry fees lagged 12 months behind revised costs.
“Ever since Covid, we have worked diligently to rebuild the business and restore its financial stability by pouring endless love and attention into each event. However, despite these efforts, the business has continued to operate at a loss. Throughout this period, we have held regular financial reviews with our professional advisers, and our judgment was that continuing to trade, continuing to organise the events, while gradually repaying debts, remained a reasonable and achievable way forward.
“Regrettably, the current trend in entries for 2026 clearly indicates that the financial situation will only gradually deteriorate further this year. Therefore, it has become evident that continuing to trade is neither fair nor reasonable, as it risks increasing the overall debt owed to creditors, participants, and suppliers.
“At this stage, although it was difficult, we decided that the only responsible action was to cease trading and allow the business to undergo a reorganisation.”
The Northern Traverse, and Lakes Dales and Moors Traverses were sold out and were due to start on 28 March, along the route of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk. These will not now run.
The 400km Cape Wrath Ultra in northern Scotland, was planned to run in May. The Dragon’s Back in Wales was revived by Ourea Events in 2012 and was scheduled for September.
Mr Ohly said: “These events will not go ahead in 2026 under Ourea Events. We understand that many participants will be deeply disappointed and frustrated. Participants will be contacted in due course. We must ask you not to contact Ourea Events, as no-one will be able to respond.
“I want to thank the extraordinary community that has supported Ourea Events over the years, including runners, volunteers, partners, and other stakeholders who have helped create truly special events in the mountains and landscapes of the UK.
“In particular, I want to pay tribute to the exceptional team of employees I have had the honour to work with at Ourea Events.
“While today’s news is deeply upsetting, my sincere hope is that this process will allow the events themselves to continue in some form in the future. I am truly humbled by this experience and the support that the running community has given over many years.
“Please accept my sincerest apology.”
