There is approximately 3400 meters ascent for the Dragon 100 and approximately 1300 meters ascent for the Dragon 50 race. 

YES all runner must carry the whole kit. This includes all of it... first aid kit, map, compass…all of it!

Yes. You will be required to show a number of random items at an undisclosed location on the course.

All podium finishers will also be kit checked at the end.

The route is signposted with a mixture of Wales coast path signs, and Run Walk Crawl arrows around where you leave the coast path. The Wales coast path arrows are excellent and it is possible to follow the path just using these. In addition to the route markings you will receive a marked map and online route brief providing clear guidance on important navigation landmarks to lookout for, and detailing when you you should be following the Wales coast path signs and when you are following our running arrows. You should download the Gps file onto your watch, smartphone or hand held device and keep a firm eye on this throughout. View our short online video presentation explaining the steps required to upload the route onto the outdoorgps smart phone app here. If you lose your way or come off the route you can easily find your way back to it using the map or gps device. 

The sections where you leave the Coast path will be well marked with illuminous flags, tape and arrows.

Please see SiEntries to see event entry closing date. Alternatively if the event sells out entries will close earlier.  

220 spaces for the Dragon 100 in 2024

250 spaces for the Dragon 50 in 2024

250 spaces for the Dragon 30 in 2024

No - There is no reserve list for the event. Once the entry limits have been reached there are no extra spaces available. 

No, you must register using the online registration system at sientries system. 

As per our terms and conditions  'If competitors withdraw prior to the event, the following costs are incurred' 

5 months before the event, 75% of entry fee will be refunded OR you can transfer the remaining cost (75% of entry fee) off a different event.  

2 months before the event, 50% of entry fee will be refunded OR you can transfer the remaining cost (50% of entry fee) to a different race.

1 month before the event, no Refunds or Transfers to another race are available .

You can transfer your place to another participant until two weeks prior to the race day. 

 

As per our terms and conditions. You can transfer your place up until 2 weeks before the event. After this date there is strictly no transfers available.  

All competitors who complete the full course they entered within the time limit will receive a finishers medal. 

For the avoidance of doubt- you will not receive a 50mile medal if you started the 100mile race and completed half of it! You will only receive a medal for completing the race you started. 

The race is open to runners and fast walkers that can maintain the pace to reach the cut off times and complete the course in the time limit.

The Dragon 100 mile course starts at 1400 on Saturday and you have 34 hours to complete the course - that’s approximately 3mph! However, please remember that you would also need to factor in any checkpoint stops or bad patches so realistically you should aim to maintain 3.5mph to complete in exactly 34hours. Additionally we recommend getting as far ahead of the cut off times as possible, and it is important to note that the cut offs should not be used as a pacing guide. 

The Dragon 50mile starts at 0730 on Sunday morning and you have 16.5 hours to complete the course by midnight- that's approximately 3mph!

To illustrate what we consider a fast walking speed, a good rule of thumb is the Army Combat Fitness Test (CFT) standards. The CFT has been used since the 1980's by the British Army to assess fitness for military duties. It is an 8 mile loaded speed march (fast walk) to battle carrying a loaded Burgan with 20kg for females, 25kg for males and for many years was completed also carrying rifle, helmet and boots. The minimum standard is to complete in under 2 hours - that's 4mph. Now of course you will only be carrying a sub 3kg race vest rather than a 20kg plus Burgan, rifle and helmet when you take on the Dragon. To complete the Dragon 100 the best and most effective strategy adopted by most competitors is to walk the hills, and jog the flats and downhills wherever possible. 

The Dragon 30 has a generous 14 hour (2.2mph) time limit so we would not expect anyone who has entered to miss the cut off times and be timed out. 

As with all reputable ultramarathons around the world that follow ultra running event best practice there are cut off times at checkpoints. Please remember the cut off times are not there as pacing guidance and you should not aim to arrive (or leave) each checkpoint exactly on the cut-off as this strategy does not work due to the inevitable and natural slowing down that occurs in demanding ultramarathons. We highly recommend aiming to get ahead of the cut-offs - but ultimately it is your responsibility to set your own speed (based on training) in order to pass through each checkpoint before it closes. 

If you miss the cut off time, then you will be retired from the event. 

In addition if you are behind the pace required to get to the next checkpoint by the cut off, the safety team may collect you before the checkpoint. 

Cut off times and checkpoint distances can be found at FAQ 17 below. 

It is a mixture of hard trail, sand, muddy trail, tarmac, grass and mud. A comfortable trail trainer suitable for the distance would be best. 

We would recommend a comfortable trail trainer with good tread. The tread does not need to be super aggressive like a fell/mud running shoe) and we would advise going for a hybrid/hard trail running shoe. Examples are the Hoka challenger atr or Speedgoat, the inov 8 Trailtalon or trailfly ultra (300g) range, the La sportive Ultra Raptor or Akasha, The Saucony Peregrine or xodus ultra, or the Scott Kinabalu or Supertrac Ultra. Obviously, shoe choice is highly individual and depends on weather conditions. 

We highly recommend a change of shoes / socks at strategic locations around the course. 

As there are sections of the course with lots of sand, some competitors choose to use gaiters for part of the route. Additionally, it is worth considering your shoe and sock change strategy. We would recommend changing socks at Southgate (or the mumbles where you have access to your drop bag) for the Dragon 100 runners and once you exit Merthyr Mawr sand dunes where you cross the Ogmore stepping stones - you could wash the sand off your feet in the river!

Please note the drop bag should be no bigger than 10 litres and 10kg.  It should also be waterproof or have contents in drybags or similar as they may be stored outside (even if wet!), they should be labelled with the runners name.  The drop bag will be collected before the start at Rhossili. Please not drop bags will be weighed and measured. In the interest of fairness to other competitors and to the marshals which must transport/carry the bags any drop bags which do not meet these requirements (10 litres and 10kg) will not be taken. 

 

All races are able to leave a finish line bag at the event base in Cardiff.

All final event details will be sent out to the e-mail address you registered with 1 week before the event date. 

The Gps file and any further information will then be sent out the Monday before the race.

The majority of information is found on the event webpage or in the FAQs on this page.

If you have not received the details please check your junk e-mail folders, and check your e-mail address you registered with is correct. If you still haven't received it then please e-mail or contact us.

We will also post the event details on the website, and Facebook page one week before the event.

There are 12 manned checkpoints for the Dragon 100 race, 7 for the Dragon 50 race and 4 for the Dragon 30. Checkpoints will provide a mixture of sweet and savoury food/snacks and hot and cold drinks. Details of what was provided at checkpoints in 2023 can be found by clicking here. Checkpoint locations and distances for the 2023 races are listed below - and will largely remain the same for the 2024 race. 

CP1 Port Eynon 6.5 miles 

CP2 Southgate 16.5 miles (Cut off 1930; 5hr30min; 3mph)

CP3 Mumbles 22.5 miles - (Cut off 2130; 7hr30min; 3mph)

CP4 Baglan 36 miles  (Cut off 0145; 11hr45min; 3.1mph)

CP5 Bryn 45 miles  (Cut off 0500; 15hr; 3.05mph)

CP6 Kenfig 56.5 miles - D100 drop bag  (D100 Cut off 0830; 18.5hr; 3.05mph)

CP7 Newton 62 miles (Cut off D100  1100; 21hr; 3mph)

CP8 Southerndown 70.5 miles (Cut off D100 1400; 24hr; 2.95mph)

CP9 Llantwit Major 77 miles - (Cut off D100 1700; 27hr; 2.9mph )

CP10 Aberthaw 81 miles (advisory time all races 1830)

CP11 Porthkerry Park 87.5 miles (Cut off D100 2000; 30hr; 2.95mph)

CP12 Sully 93.5 miles (Cut off D100 2200; 32hr; 2.95mph)

Finish Norwegian Church Cardiff Bay 100.5 miles (Cut off D100 midnight; 34hr; 3mph)

CP1 Kenfig 4.5 miles 

CP2 Newton 11 miles

CP3 Southerndown 19.5 miles (Cut off 1400; 6.5hr; 3mph)

CP4 Llantwit Major 27 miles - (Cut off D50 1700; 9.5hr; 2.85mph)

CP5 Aberthaw 31 miles (advisory time all races 1830)

CP6 Porthkerry Park 37.5 miles (Cut off 2000; 12.5hr; 3mph)

CP7 Sully 43.5 miles (Cut off 2200; 14.5hr; 3mph)

Finish Norwegian Church Cardiff Bay 50.5 miles (Cut off D50 midnight; 16.5hr; 3mph)

CP1 Llantwit Major 6.5 miles (Cut off 1700) 

CP2 Aberthaw 10.5 miles (advisory time for all races 1830)

CP3 Porthkerry Park Lodge 17 miles (Cut off 2000)

CP4 Sully 23 miles (Cut off D100 2200)

Finish Norwegian Church Cardiff Bay 30 miles

*Note distances are approximate and rounded. It is your responsibility to stay ahead of the cut offs. We strongly advise you to stay well ahead of the cut offs and minimum pace. 

The Dragon 100mile Race Registration is on Saturday between 1215-1315 at the Causeway Cafe, Rhossili. The race brief is at the start line at the Worms head, Rhossili at 1340 however a final recorded route brief will be sent out the week before the event and made available online -it is vital that you view this. Last years route brief is available online from the links at the bottom of the main event page. The race starts at 1400 from the end of the peninsula near the Worms head look out building. 

For the Dragon 50 the race registration is at the race start at Kenfig Sands between 0630-0715. The Race Brief is outside on the start line at 0715 and the race start is behind the Kenfig Sands Reserve building at 0730.

For the Dragon 30 the race registration is at the race start in the Heritage Centre at Southerndown (Dunraven Bay) at 0830-0930. The Race Brief is outside on the start line at 0945 and the race start is at 1000.

To access a gps file you will first need to save the relevant file to your computer.  To do this right click on the download and choose 'save as' and save it to your computer.  In order to view / use the file it will have to be imported onto a device that allows you to view & use it. Please Note-If you open the file on your computer it will appear blank / full of gibberish!  It can only be viewed by importing it onto a gps device (eg Garmin Fenix, Suunto Ambit etc) or by viewing it using a computer program that will access the information.

Yes, you will receive a map at registration with the route and checkpoints marked on it. This will be 1;50,000 scale so if you would like a more detailed/larger version you should bring one with you.

There will be gps trackers for from open tracking for all runners. The link will be sent out the week before the event once it is live on the open tracking website. 

One of the best parts of the route is the great facilities for spectators along the entire route. A supporter guide is available on the links at the bottom of the main event page. There are a few points where supporters are not aloud so please ensure you consult the guide.

Yes this is acceptable, although please do not rely on them being open and ensure you carry enough food for between checkpoints. 

Unfortunately due to land owner, insurance, and and safety logistics we do not allow running with your dog.