Frequently Asked Questions - Dragon’s Back Race, Cape Wrath Ultra and Northern Traverse

1. What is happening with the Dragon’s Back Race, Northern Traverse and Cape Wrath Ultra?

Ultra X has acquired the Dragon’s Back Race and Northern Traverse (including Lakes, Dales and Moors Traverses), securing the future of both events.

Dragon’s Back Race 2026 will go ahead as planned with the same dates and in exactly the same format, including the Hatchling, Dragon’s Fire and Dragon’s Tail races.

Northern Traverse 2026 will not take place, with entries transferred to 2027 when the Northern Traverse, Lakes Traverse, Dales Traverse and Moors Traverse will all take place.

Cape Wrath Ultra 2026 will not take place. As a gesture of goodwill, Ultra X is offering all entrants event credit. This Ultra X event credit can either be used at the Northern Traverse, the Dragon’s Back Race, or any of the Ultra X Series races. Credit is on a £1 to £1 ratio and is valid for three years, to be allocated to an event entry by 1st May 2029.

2. Is the Dragon’s Back Race 2026 still going ahead?

Yes.

The 2026 Dragon’s Back Race will go ahead as planned under new ownership (the Ultra X Group), and all existing entries will be honoured.

Ultra X will be working closely with the team from Ourea Events to ensure the event is delivered to the standard expected.

3. What is happening with Northern Traverse 2026?

The Northern Traverse races will not take place in 2026.

Any reference to Northern Traverse also includes the Lakes Traverse, Dales Traverse and Moors Traverse events.

All entrants will be offered:

A place in Northern Traverse 2027, based on their original race entry, or

The option to convert their entry into Ultra X credit

Full details will be shared via email. The next edition will take place between Saturday 3rd – Wednesday 7th April 2027, and you can register for updates at www.northerntraverse.com.

4. What is happening with Cape Wrath Ultra 2026?

Cape Wrath Ultra 2026 will not take place.

All entrants will be offered:

Ultra X event credit equal to the amount they have paid, e.g. £250 = £250 of credit

This Ultra X credit can be used for a future entry into Dragon’s Back Race, Northern Traverse or an Ultra X event. The credit will be valid for three years and needs to be allocated to an event entry by 1st May 2029.

We are unfortunately unable to transfer any volunteer event credit or similar (e.g. race discounts) used as full or part payment of your Cape Wrath Ultra entry into Ultra X event credit for another race, including future editions of Dragon's Back Race or Northern Traverse.

You will be able to enter Dragon’s Back Race 2026 or Northern Traverse 2027 when entries open to the public on 1st June 2026.

5. What if I do not want to take part in my event?

If you choose not to take part:

You will not be entitled to a cash refund.

You can convert the amount you have paid in cash into Ultra X event credit.

This credit can be used across Ultra X events, as well as future editions of Dragon’s Back Race or Northern Traverse.

Credit will be valid for up to three years and needs to be allocated to an event entry by 1st May 2029.

We are unfortunately unable to transfer any volunteer event credit or similar (e.g. race discounts) used as full or part payment of your Dragon’s Back Race or Northern Traverse entry into Ultra X event credit for another race, including future editions of Dragon's Back Race or Northern Traverse.

6. What do I need to do next?

You will receive a personalised email by the end of Friday 24 April 2026 with:

Your current entry status

Any outstanding balance owing (if applicable)

A link to confirm your place or select your preferred option

Please follow the instructions in that email.

7. Will I need to re-register?

Yes, you will be asked to confirm your entry via a new registration link.

You must accept this entry invitation by 31st May 2026, at which time any non-cash credit will expire and entries will be opened to the public.

This ensures:

People who no longer wish to do the event do not get registered for it

Your details are correctly transferred

Your place is secured under the new system

Your entry is guaranteed ahead of events potentially selling out

8. What happens to the money I have already paid?

All cash payments already made are fully honoured.

If you are continuing with your event, your payments will be applied to your entry

If you choose not to take part, you will be offered Ultra X credit equal to the amount of cash paid

9. I am on a payment plan – what happens now?

As part of the transition:

Previous payment plans cannot continue as they were tied to the previous business

You will be given a new payment schedule based on your remaining balance

In most cases:

Remaining balances will be split evenly across the remaining months

Instalments will be simple and consistent

Your personalised email will include full details.

10. Will my outstanding balance change?

No. Your total outstanding balance will remain the same.

Only the structure of future payments may change.

11. Can I transfer my entry to someone else?

It will not be possible to transfer your Dragon’s Back Race 2026 or Northern Traverse 2027 entry to another participant.

12. What happens to any volunteer or event credit I have?

Volunteer or event credit will remain valid for the event to which it is currently applied, either Dragon's Back Race 2026 or Northern Traverse 2027 only, where participants have already signed up using this credit.

It is not transferable to another event including other Ultra X events.

Non-cash balances cannot be deferred into future events, nor transferred to other runners should you not wish to take up your place on the event you are entered.

13. What if I want to drop down from the full Dragon’s Back Race to either The Fire or The Tail races, or step up to the full event from either of these?

You will be able to change your entry from the Dragon’s Back Race to either The Fire of The Tail races, or vice versa up to 2 calendar months out from the event.

As per the original terms and conditions of the event when you entered, should there be any outstanding balance owing for the event to which you are switching, this will be payable.

If you have currently paid more for your entry than the total cost of the race to which you are switching, no refunds for the difference are possible. This is in line with the original terms and conditions of the event when you originally entered.

Event credit previously earnt with Ourea Events cannot be used for outstanding balances.

14. Will anything change about the Dragon’s Back Race itself?

The Dragon’s Back Race will remain:

The same iconic route

The same format

The same advertised support

15. Who is organising the events now?

Dragon’s Back Race and Northern Traverse are owned and operated by the Ultra X group, with support from members of the original Ourea Events team.

16. When will I receive my email?

Personalised emails will be sent this week, and you should receive them before the end of Friday 24 April 2026.

If you do not receive one within the expected timeframe, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

17. Who do I contact if I have questions?

You can contact our support team at [email protected] and [email protected]‍ ‍

We aim to respond within two working days, and as quickly as possible during the initial period.

18. Where can I find updates?

All updates will be shared via:

Email

The Ultra X, Dragon’s Back Race & Northern Traverse websites

Official Ultra X, Dragon’s Back Race and Northern Traverse social media channels

19. What are the deferral, transfer and refund conditions associated with my entry should I take a place in the Dragon’s Back Race 2026 or Northern Traverse 2027?

Once entered, if you wish to defer your Dragon’s Back Race 2026 entry, the following conditions apply:

On or before 6th July 2026 (>2 months prior to the earliest Event Date): 100% your balance excluding the deposit may be deferred to the next iteration of the event

On or after 7th July 2026 (<2months prior to the earliest Event Date): 80% of your balance excluding the deposit may be deferred to the next iteration of the event

On or after the Deferment Deadline on 7th August 2026: 0% of your balance may be deferred.

Once entered, if you wish to defer your Northern Traverse 2027 entry, the following conditions apply:

On or before 2nd February 2027 (>2 months prior to the earliest Event Date): 100% your balance excluding the deposit may be deferred to the next iteration of the event

On or after 3rd February 2027 (<2months prior to the earliest Event Date): 80% of your balance excluding the deposit may be deferred to the next iteration of the event

On or after the Deferment Deadline on 3rd March 2027: 0% of your balance may be deferred.

You will not be entitled to a cash refund should you wish to cancel your entry into Dragon’s Back Race 2026 or Northern Traverse 2027. You will instead be able to defer your entry once to the next edition up until the Deferment Deadline, or request Ultra X event credit up to the cash amount originally paid minus the deposit.

Entries cannot be transferred to another Participant for either Dragon’s Back Race 2026 or Northern Traverse 2027.

20. X-Cover Insurance

If you had X Cover insurance on your original entry, this will no longer be valid due to the change of business ownership.

You will, however, be able to take out X Cover for any future payments towards Dragon’s Back Race 2026 and claim in the usual way should you be unable to start the race, in accordance with X Cover’s terms and conditions.

21. Dragon’s Back Race pre-booked Coaches and Baggage Transfers

If you had already booked and paid for a Dragon’s Back Race 2026 coach transfer before or after the event, or booked and paid for Baggage Transfer, this will be honoured and available for you at no additional charge.

If you wish to book a coach transfer or baggage transfer, details on how to do this will be made available in due course.

22. Northern Traverse pre-booked Coaches

If you had already booked and paid for a coach transfer as part of your original Traverse entry, this will be honoured and available for you at no additional charge in 2027.

If you wish to book a coach transfer, details on how to do this will be made available in due course.

23. Northern and Lakes Traverses Camping and associated Tent Bag Transfer from St Bees

Unfortunately, there will be no camping available at St Bees in 2027 due to logistical changes, and therefore there will be no additional Tent Bag transfer available.

If you pre-booked Camping, this amount can be put towards full baggage transfer should you need; you will just need to pay the difference.

There is no refund available for pre-paid Camping places.

If you wish to book a baggage transfer from St Bees, details on how to do this will be made available in due course.

24. Northern and Lakes Traverses Dinner & Breakfast at St Bees

Unfortunately, there will be no meals available to purchase at St Bees in 2027 due to logistical changes.

If you pre-booked meals at St Bees, this amount can be put towards baggage transfer or coach transfer, if not already purchased; you will just need to pay the difference.

There is no refund available for pre-paid meals.

Final Note

We understand this has been an uncertain period.

Our priority is to provide a clear, fair, and positive path forward for all participants, while protecting the long-term future of these events.

We look forward to welcoming you to the start line of the Dragon’s Back Race 2026 and the Northern Traverse 2027.