Get ready for a week of adventure in the Welsh Mountains as it is nearly time for the Dragon's Back Race 2025!

About the Dragon’s Back Race 2025

6 Days, 380km & 17,400m of ascent – no wonder it is known as the toughest mountain race in the world!

Stretching right through the spine of Wales from Conwy Castle in the North to Cardiff Castle in the South the Dragon’s Back is an epic race – not for the feint hearted.

With daily ascents of up to 3800m and tough mountainous terrain this is not just a trail race. The route is unmarked with Dragon’s (the name for those who enter this race) following GPS and maps to reach summit checkpoints.

SCARPA Team at the Dragon's Back race 2025

SCARPA Athlete Carmine de Grandis is retuning to the Dragon's Back race in 2025 after running the hatchling course in 2023. We spoke to Carmine a few weeks before the event:

We are less than a month away from Dragon's Back Race 2025 how are you feeling going into such a big challenge?

Less than one month away from the Dragon's Back race 2025 and I am feeling both very excited with a small amount of apprehension.

After some positive months of consistent training, I hoped for more mountain days in July. Work did not make this easy to achieve so I kept training, but did not see the elevation and specificity I would have liked.

At the start of August I had a mini melt down and called one of my coaching friends who reassured me that I have done all that I need to succeed and that I should focus on this last block of training to cross the ts and dot the is.

Exactly what I needed to hear. A couple of very successful days in Snowdonia with both volume and elevation training on day 1 terrain, has reassured me that DBR will be a challenge, but that is exactly why I decided to enter such a tough and iconic race again. Can't wait to arrive to Cardiff Castle.

How has training been going?

Training has been going well and some lab tests have shown that my fitness has increased over time. Shorter races, big volume weeks and odd longer challenges in the mountains have kept me focused.

Mental training has also been an important part of the preparation. Visualising success, reviewing my whys and strengthening my resolve are making me feel confident that I will give 100% and reach that great finish line.

This isn't your first go at the Dragon's Back what did you learn last time which will help you this time around?

I completed the race in 2019 when it was a 5 days event. I then completed the hatchling course (shorter days) in 2023 while carrying and playing my accordion in the mountains and at camp.

This year I will go into the race as a participant with the goal of completing each day successfully. During previous events, I have appreciated how challenging the course is, the importance of recovery routines and preparation when arriving at camp - I need to be very organised! - and the importance of good nutrition.

Another big lesson from previous events has been to share the journey with my tent buddies and other competitors - the energy and support one receives is essential to keep going and succeed.

You are known as the accordion man - and have carried your instrument with you on many big runs including the hatchling course - you are leaving the accordion at home this time - does that mean you are in race mode? 

This is such a good question. I love to experience races in a multi-faceted way and "mountain accordion man" is part of this way of living outdoor events.

However, I will be in race mode. Mostly I am challenging myself to make sure I complete the event in the best possible time my body will allow. The field of athletes is very strong so my main opponent are the Welsh Mountains.

I would love to do well within my age category, but in reality my ultimate aim is to complete the FULL COURSE with a smile and make lots of friends/memories. I will look forward to be reunited with my accordion at the finish line and play some celebratory music then. : )

What are your aims for this year's event?

I like to think about my aims in threes:
A) I would love to be competitive within my age group.
B) I would really like to improve on my completion times from 2019.
C) I would love to complete the race with a smile and lots of new memories/friends.
D) I would love to raise more money for climbers against cancer - the cancer charity I am an ambassador for.

What is your favourite day/part of the course?

I love the journey as every day is quite unique. My favourite part of the course are the section between Lake Ogwen and the finish of day 1 with scrambling and exposed ridges and the second part of day 5 in the Brecon Beacons. I also like the isolation and remoteness of mid-Wales.

What shoes are you planning on wearing for the Dragon's Back Race?

I am planning to wear the Spin Ultra 2 and the Golden Gate 2 ATR.

I will use the Spin Ultra 2 for the more technical days - probably day 1, 2, 3 and 5 while the Golden Gate 2 for day 4 and 5.

HOWEVER, during my last training in Wales I really loved the Ribelle Run 2 which also felt very secure, precise and protective so... I have to resolve a conundrum as I will only have limited space in my bag

What advice would you give to anyone running for the first time?

I would suggest that the hard work has been done! The hardest part is to get to the start fit, healthy and motivated. The race is the celebration of all the physical and mental preparation so one should positively enjoy every step and take on the challenges as real opportunities to test oneself. 

I would also suggest that one should not give up and focus on the race one day at a time. The next day can and will be better than the previous one... if only because of the fact that the finish line is closer.

I would also share the advice I received when I first run the Dragon's Back successfully in 2019: mental challenges will come and go - focus on positive/solution focused talk. Nutrition, including Nausea, can last hours, but it most likely be overcome and one will be able to fix it and continue.

However, if you do not deal with your feet issues straightaway, your bad feet will end your race and take away your chance to succeed... so LOOK AFTER YOUR FEET with a good combination of padded socks, appropriate shoes which fit you well and attention to drying them well every evening once you have reached camp (do not forget to pack your sliders!).