Tackling steep terrain on day two of the 2022 Montane Dragon's Back Race

The top three positions in both the men’s and women’s races haven’t changed, but there are still four days and over 260km to go, starting with the joint longest stage of the event on Wednesday – 70km and 3,400m of ascent, including the early climb up Cadair Idris.

After he finished day two, a shirtless Chris Cope commented: “It was a bit wet up at the top towards the end. I almost, almost put a top on at one point – it was that bad. I’ve only done two days so far and it’s fine at the moment. I think day four will be the telling stage. I’m just so enjoying it – one day at a time.”

Lisa Watson added: “I like day two. It’s really varied – some runnable bits, some steep bits. I spent a lot of time on my backside coming down Cnicht. This section’s always tough – I just try to shove some food down and keep it steady. I really like the Rhinogs, as long as I can stave off a mega bonk on the way down.”

James Thurlow of Open Adventure Tracking is part of the event team and is a type 1 diabetic. He reflects on the performance of Chris Cope: “Ten years ago, I sat in a surgery and as a type 1 diabetic, I was told that I should consider stopping running. 30 years ago, a type 1 would have been on a strict diet, 50 years ago they’d endure life changing complications, and 80 years ago they would probably not be alive. With that context, I find utterly astounding that a type 1 can step up to the Dragon’s Back Race.

“To see Chris Cope at the sharp end and leading the event - sporting a Dexcom sensor and a Dana RS pump connected up to Android APS - is absolutely mind boggling, and really should challenge anyone with type 1 diabetes about how they perceive that the condition limits what they can do. It’s both humbling and inspiring in equal measure.

“I’m sure that Chris will continue to take the next four days in his stride, but the first two alone represent a performance that are without equal in the type 1 diabetes community.”

Welshman Ian Owen was a colourful sight on day two of the 2022 Montane Dragon's Back Race

Heading into day three, 164 runners are still in the full 2022 Montane Dragon’s Back Race. Away from the front of the field, many of the participants start every day knowing that they will have to put in a huge effort to meet the cut-off times during the day. The event’s media team captures and shares a lot of their stories as the race progresses, some of which will end in deep disappointment, others with the presentation of a Dragon trophy in Cardiff on Saturday.

The public can follow the progress of the race thanks to live tracking via www.dragonsbackrace.com, and the Montane Dragon’s Back Race team will be posting regular updates on social media throughout the event:
• Twitter – follow @DragonsBackRace
• Instagram – follow @DragonsBackRace
• Facebook - DragonsBackRace.

Stats for Day Two

• Start – Gwastadanas, Nant Gwynant
• Finish – Dolgellau
• Distance covered – 59km
• Height climbed – 3,400m
• Key features – Cnicht, the Moelwynion and the Rhinogs
• Number of runners still in the full race after day one – 234
• Number of runners who started the full course on day two - 226
• Number of runners who didn’t complete the full day - 62
• Number of runners still in the full race after day two - 164

 All images ©Montane Dragon’s Back Race® | ©No Limits Photography