Expedition Race Training Weekend

Join us on 26-27th March 2022 for an expedition race training weekend at Rydal Hall near Ambleside, the Lake District.

Hear from past participants of the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® and Cape Wrath Ultra® - and pick up plenty of invaluable knowledge from a range of running experts who will be delivering sessions on subjects such as nutrition, navigation, and training.

There will be lots of opportunities to ask questions, meet fellow runners, and even enjoy a group run on the fells.

The weekend is open to all and aimed at anyone currently entered or planning to enter either the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® or Cape Wrath Ultra® - a great way to find out what it’s all about and make sure you are fully prepared for race week.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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Cape Wrath Ultra 2021 - Day 1 - Copyright No Limits Photography 108.jpg

Cape Wrath Ultra 2021 - Day 1 - Copyright No Limits Photography 112.jpg

Learn from the experts and be ready for race day! ©No Limits Photography

Saturday programme:

08:30 - Doors open, coffee/teas and pastries available
09:00 - Doors close, welcome

Morning – Stories from participants:

09:00 - Simon Roberts: Simon finished the 2019 Dragon’s Back Race in 23rd place. Since then he has been training hard and won races like the Lakes Sky Ultra and Race Across Snowdonia. He returned to the Dragon’s Back Race in September 2021 knowing that he was in a good position to go for the win, and after a fantastic week of racing, he crossed the new finish line at Cardiff Castle in first position and became our first Dragon champion to win over the new 6 day course.

09:40 - Kirsty Reade: Journalist and ultra runner Kirsty Reade has enjoyed success in both expedition races - finishing 5th woman in the 2018 Cape Wrath Ultra and 10th woman in the 2019 Dragon’s Back Race. She now works as Commissioning editor for Vertebrate Publishing, and can often be found enjoying a long run in the fells of the Lake District.

10:20 - Ian Stewart: Cape Wrath Ultra is the only race Ian has run twice - hobbling to the finish in 7th place in 2018 and then returning for a fantastic overall win in 2021. A resident of Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park, he is the owner of guided running company Trail Running Scotland - who also provide the official race recce trips for Cape Wrath Ultra. Ian has ticked off lots of big adventures like the Ramsay Round, Rigby's Round and the Scottish Islands Peak Race… oh and not forgetting the 2019 Dragon’s Back Race too!

11:00 - 30-minute break. Coffee/Teas and pastries available.

11:30 - Cat Slater: Cat is a keen fell runner based in the South Lakes. She is a physio by trade and has worked on both Cape Wrath Ultra and the Dragon’s Back Race as part of the Medical Team. She then went onto enjoy a fantastic run at the 2021 Dragon’s Back Race to finish third woman. Here she will share some brilliant advice, demonstrating how she managed to thrive when only 24% of the field completed the full course in 2021.

12:10 - Nathan Whittaker: Nathan only entered the 2021 Dragon’s Back Race 10 weeks before, but still managed to finish and complete the full course - only just though as he was our last finisher. Throughout the week he showed some fantastic mental strength and determination to keep going, overall spending twice as long on his feet as Simon - the overall winner. In a year when only 24% of the field completed the full course, last place is still a massive achievement.

12:50 - A simple lunch will be provided.

Afternoon – Tips for success

14:00 - Nutrition by Rebecca Dent: What do you need to think about in terms of nutrition for those long days out in the hills? Qualified Nutritionist Rebecca will share some advice on how to keep your body well fuelled during these tough challenges.

14:30 - Mountain navigation by Ian Stewart: A common question for many participants seems to be - how good do I need to be at navigation? Mountaineering instructor Ian will run through the key skills for expedition races and give you some pointers on what you should be working on in your training and preparation.

15:00 - Mountain skills by Kate Worthington: Kate is a Mountain Leader based in Snowdonia, North Wales - and provides the official race recce trips for the Dragon’s Back Race through her business RAW Adventures. Technical terrain, rough ground and route choice - all of this and more adds to the challenge of expedition races. Kate will give advice on how to build your skills here and why more trips to the mountains will only benefit your training and increase your chances of race success.

15:30 - 30-minute break. Coffee/Teas and pastries available.

16:00 - Tips from the Race Director - Shane Ohly: Pick up some top advice from the Race Director of Cape Wrath Ultra and the Dragon’s Back Race, Shane Ohly, as he shares what he thinks it takes to enjoy success on expedition races, and also some of the biggest mistakes that he has seen over the years.

16:30 - Health, wellbeing and blisters by Charlotte Hattersley: Charlotte is the Medical Director for Ourea Events and runs the Medical Team on both Cape Wrath Ultra and the Dragon’s Back Race. Here she shares with you her wealth of experience and knowledge on what you should be doing to look after yourself on these expedition races.

17:00 - Training & injury prevention by Paul Tierney: Local ultra running legend Paul Tierney is also the recommend coaching provider for the Dragon’s Back Race and here will share some pointers on what you should be doing now in your training to prepare yourself for all that distance and elevation during race week.

17:30 - General Q&A
18:00 - Bye and see you tomorrow!