Am I ready for the Montane Dragon’s Back Race or the Cape Wrath Ultra?

We have seen a wide variety of participants enjoy our expedition races - but how do you know when you are ready to take on an epic challenge like this? Race Director Shane Ohly aims to answer that question below and show that you may be closer to that start line than you realise…

If you have the right mindset then anything is possible © No Limits Photography

It’s not all about the running…

Participants always surprise us. Those that seem physically fit and tough at first sometimes set off too fast, burn out in the first few days or maybe don’t have the right mindset to complete the event. Meanwhile other quiet, determined, and steady participants persevere and complete the course. You never know what to expect, because often it’s the hidden mental strength that makes the difference.

It’s certainly not about how fast a runner you are, but more about your level of determination. Increasingly, more participants with a hiking background are taking part, and whilst the full course still requires some running, it is feasible to complete with a mostly walking / occasionally running approach.

But it’s not all about the running! Experience has demonstrated to me again and again that camping and mountain experience are also important ingredients for success in these two events. You need to be able to look after yourself in bad weather, eat enough of the right stuff, be organised with your kit and recovery while in camp, and also not be daunted by the idea of sleeping in a tent with 7 other runners!

Yes, it will be important to do some specific training for the event, but if you are already active and a regular runner who enjoys being outdoors, then you could be ready to go in just a few months. Everyone is different and a determined mindset can take you a long way.

The many different faces of success from our multi-day expedition races ©No Limits Photography

Some success stories to inspire you!

Below we share with you some example participants based on real people who have completed the events. The aim is to demonstrate that many different participants with many different backgrounds take on these challenges – not just elite mountain runners.

The Hiker

You have spent plenty of time hiking in the Lake District, Wales or Scotland. You enjoy moving through mountainous terrain, camping and simple navigation on paths. You have recently started running and have completed one or two ultras on good trails. You are determined, adventurous and used to being out in bad weather. You are keen to test yourself and take on an exciting challenge!

Race tip: It’s ok to fast walk all of the climbs, but don’t forget that you will need to jog some of the flat and downhill sections in order to meet the cut-offs.

The Trail Runner

You like running long distances on good trails and have completed many events. You have never done any running in the mountains, but you are up for the challenge! You are well organised with your kit, you know what kind of food works well for you when running, you visit Wales to check out the terrain and make an effort to do more ascent in your training.

Race tip: Research is useful - join the participant Facebook group, read all the blogs, watch all the films… soon enough you will know everything possible about how best to prepare!

The steady runner

You have completed trail races and ultras comfortably and always sit in the middle or towards the back of the pack. You enjoy running and the social benefits it brings. You are positive, motivated and can keep going when things feel tough. Maybe you aren’t too confident on rough ground.

Race tip: Start early, focus on maintaining a steady pace in the right direction, be organised with your kit and food, keep your positive mindset and don’t waste time!

The Flatlands runner

You are fit, active and enjoy your running, but you live far from the mountains so ascent is tricky to train for - it normally involves running up and down the same small hill many times. You have completed many running events in the UK or abroad, but may not be too confident on rough ground or with map reading. You have a determined mindset – nothing will stop you!

Race tip: Don’t worry – many participants rely heavily upon the GPX files to navigate. Why not check out RAW Adventures recce trips to make the most of those rare weekends in Wales?

The older runner

The oldest participant to complete the Montane Dragon’s Back Race is 66 and the oldest to complete the Cape Wrath Ultra is 65. On average, the majority of our participants are in their 40s and 50s which is when runners are typically best at endurance events. So if you were worried that you would be surrounded by lots of young, speedy runners, then think again! You will be in good company.

Race tip: Connect with fellow participants in our Facebook groups for Dragon’s Back Race and Cape Wrath Ultra, and seek out inspirational stories from our participant blogs.

The international runner

You are from mainland Europe or the USA (or maybe further afield). Your local trails are well marked and of high quality, so you are unsure about mountain navigation and the rough, muddy and boggy terrain of Wales and Scotland. You enjoy travelling to race, discovering new places, meeting new people and taking on new adventures.

Race tip: You can complete the race without exploring the route in advance - don’t worry! It’s fine to use the GPX files for navigation. Check out our Guide for International Participants. If possible, seek out some rough, rocky, wet ground to practise running on.

All page photos © No Limits Photography

So… Am I ready?

To summarise, everyone is different and there is no set formula for success. While these expedition races can have a fearsome reputation, that should not stop you from believing in your experience and skills. When you arrive on the start line, you will find many ordinary runners often with the same doubts as you, but you will all relish the fantastic support and sense of camaraderie that the event creates. Everyone will be rooting for you to succeed!

On a practical level, there are plenty of resources out there to support your training and preparation, and we are always keen to chat on the phone if you would like to talk through your running experience.

A brilliant, once in a lifetime adventure could be on the horizon, so why not make it a reality?