Friendships forged in fire
Andrea’s Story
Andrea Harwood ran the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® in 2023. Every footstep she took was hers and hers alone.
Her energy was bolstered by friendship and camaraderie she shared with other runners out there with her. Strong bonds that had been forged in the preparation for the race became unbreakable on the Dragon’s Back.
Words by Andrea Harwood.
I first heard about Dragon’s Back Race® from a friend at my running club. I thought it was utter madness. I was willing to do anything just to get an insight into the challenge and I headed over the Conwy in 2021 knowing absolutely no-one.
By the end of the week, I had formed incredible friendships. We kept in touch, volunteered again the following year and committed to doing the challenge ourselves in 2023.
Three of us, me, Nick and Trish had the idea of hand-picking all of our tent mates for the Dragon’s Back Race® 2023. We recruited Robyn Cassidy and slowly built up our team. Trish invited ‘Gary from the podcast’. Ciaran Considine, who had volunteered with us in 2021 and Emily Retallick, who I met at the GL3D 2023 completed the group. We set up a ‘DBR Finishers’ Tent’ Whatsapp group and the messages started flying in. We got to know one another very well over thousands of messages.
Trish, Robyn and I spent weekends training with two previous Dragons – Zoe Murphy and Jan Rogers. They were so full of helpful hints and tips. It was so good to train together and talk tactics and kit. When I sprained my ankle, everyone on the Whatsapp group was so kind and sympathetic, willing me to get back on form.
For my 47th birthday we all went to the Snowdonia mountains. Robyn made me a delicious birthday cake, which we scoffed in Zoe’s van after covering half of the day two route in wind, rain and fog.
“It was so good to train together and talk tactics.”
Before the Dragon’s Back Race® 2023 four of us stayed at Nick’s house in Conwy. Laughter distracted us from panicking about the weight of our bags.
During the race week we didn’t see much of one another in the tent as we arrived back at different times and were busy getting our stuff sorted – there is a lot to do in a short space of time - getting your body cleaner, dry clothes on, refuelling with a hearty meal and packing for the following day.
Most of us were doing the full course, so we started early, and some got back quite late when others were already tucked up in their sleeping bags. Robyn was always the first one to bed as she got into camp earliest. She was so kind – she made Trish’s bed for her. Trish’s feet became a disaster zone and despite having told me that she relishes a bit of misery, she didn’t half make a noise about the pain in her feet. I threw paracetamol at her through the night.
The afternoon of day two I started to pee blood and I knew there was something wrong with me. With antibiotics from the Race Doctor I was able to continue.
Trish had made my bed by the time I reached the tent and I was so happy to be surrounded by caring friends.
Day three did not go to plan. The antibiotics made me very sick in the morning, which led to me being timed out. The guys were so kind and jovial that it distracted me from the disappointment. Then it was my turn to cheer on the others.
On day four, I cried with happiness at the chance to resume the full course and spend the day out on the hills in such glorious surroundings. When I arrived back at camp that evening I sat for a minute and enjoyed a delicious lolly with the welcoming team, and tell them what an incredible day it had been. They were so interested to hear about how the day had gone, and although I didn’t believe them when they said I was inspirational, it was nice to hear!
Day five was awesome. I caught up with Trish at the water point and I could see her salivating over my cheese baguette that I had purchased at the bakery. Because it was my dear old pal Trish, I shared my precious baguette. I spent some miles with Gary that afternoon and it was so good to be back out with friends.
Late on the next day I was in a deep pain cave. And who should come past but Gary - in my delirium I said to him: ‘I’ve lost my leg’. He threw me his last two paracetamol. What a life-saver!
Finishing the event was highly emotional. Robyn was waiting to hug me as I crossed the line and we waited anxiously until the remaining four members of the team arrived: Trish, Nick, Emily and Russell. We all shared in one another’s successes.
A fine end to our journey.
Except it has not ended – our Whatsapp group has continued, and Trish, Robyn, Zoe and I have another weekend planned in Snowdonia – the adventure continues!
Our bonds are unbreakable now.
The Boost of Dragon Mail
Initially I was a bit anxious to go and ask at the Info Desk for Dragon Mail...what if I didn’t have any? It was an absolute DELIGHT when the little machine printed out a MASSIVE long scroll of paper with messages for me! I couldn’t believe it.
It was so nice to hear the news from home – what the kids had been fed, that the dog had been walked, as well as all the encouraging messages telling me to keep going. On the evening of day two I was too ill to collect my mail, so the scroll was even longer the next time I picked it up.
On day three, when my little dot came to a standstill at the waterpoint, I had messages from past volunteers telling me that they were worrying about me.
I felt so supported and loved.
Know your Why
Watch Race Director Shane Ohly talk about the importance of having a ‘why’.
What’s your ‘why’?
Diary of a Runner: Sanna’s Story
Sanna Duthie did the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® this year after winning a charity place through the Wales Air Ambulance. She fought hard, working her way through the field to finish 5th woman.
We caught up with her about her race experience.
A year of training: Hugh's story
One year, 54 hours, 25 minutes and 5 seconds.
Hugh Chatfield stormed to victory at the Dragon’s Back Race® this year. He won by a margin of over 3 hours.
It wasn’t just his performance over the race that led to his success – it was the months of training and preparation.
If Not Now, When?
Perhaps you have enjoyed reading this article. Perhaps you are inspired enough to take part in the Dragon’s Back Race® yourself?
Shane Ohly recorded the following six very short films (ok… we should call them adverts!) with the media team over the course of the 2023 event week, and we hope that they inspire future Dragons and Hatchlings to come to Wales and take on the adventure of a lifetime.