Dragon's Back Race over Snowdonia

Day 1 of the Dragon’s Back Race – 82 set out from Conwy but not all of them made it. A team of Spaniards found the navigation too difficult and rather than risk Snowdon in the dark took the minibus option to the overnight camp. Another competitor from North Carolina found the terrain too steep and treacherous – nothing like he’s used to. But they’re all keen to restart on the second day.

In lead position was Steve Birkinshaw who looked pretty weary as he crossed the finishing line some two hours later than the organiser anticipated – has the course been made too tough? Within a couple of minutes Steve was standing on a set of scales that indicated he had lost 3.5kg during the day whilst his water intake had been 6.5 litres. That means he sweated 10 litres!

Shortly after Steve was Rob Baker from Sheffield and then a local from Llanberis. The slower runners would not arrive until well after nightfall. Their reward? They get to start an hour earlier than the rest at 6 am Tuesday morning and guess what, it’s raining and misty as they head up Cnicht and across the Moelwynion.

Here’s Steve at the end of day 1.