The 100 mile route starts at the stunning Worms Head above Rhossili Bay on Saturday at 2pm. Runners head along the dramatic southern Gower coastline, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with its numerous bays and ruined castles. As darkness approaches, runners arrive at the Mumbles, Swansea and a faster, less exposed section around Swansea Bay.
In the early hours of the morning the route leaves the Wales Coast Path and heads inland into the hilly depths of the Afan forest. This section is well marked with luminous running arrows to keep runners on track as they go through the dark and majestic forest trails. As the dawn breaks the route laves the forestry and travels through Margam Park with it's historic mansion house and herds of deer. The halfway point approaches and a welcome rest at the Kenfig Sands checkpoint and the a chance to delve into the drop bags for supplies.
A run through the dunes of Kenfig leads to the seaside town of Porthcawl and bays normally packed with surfers! At the edge of Porthcawl one of the big challenges awaits - Merthyr Mawr - an 840 acre dune system that borders the Ogmore River. Once this has been conquered, the route crosses the stepping stones at Ogmore Castle and runners are onto the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan Heritage Coast.
Runners are now getting closer to Cardiff with many points of interest to check off on the way - Nash Point Lighthouse, Atlantic College, Llantwit Beach, Aberthaw Power Station, Porthkerry Park, Cold Knap Point and finally Barry! As the coast turns north at Sully Island, the end is literally in sight. A quick pass of Penarth Pier leaves one last climb - the legendary Kymin Steps! From the top of Penarth, the barrage and the Norwegian Church seem tantalisingly close. A short run (referred to as the 'Victory Lap'!) along the barrage leads you to the Scott Memorial where touching the sign stops the clock and your adventure.
Race Day Schedule
Saturday 19th July
1000 Coach leaves Cardiff Bay for Dragon 100
1200 Coaches drop off in Rhossili
1215 Registration for all 100 runners at the Causeway Café, Rhossili (the race start)
1315 Registration closes
1330 Meet outside Causeway café and walk down to worms head
1340 Race Brief at Rhossili on the start line at the worms head
1400 Dragon 100 race start
Sunday 20th July
0000 (Midnight) Race cut off
Compulsory Kit
These items must be with you at all times during the race. You cannot hand them to supporters or put items in your drop bag. If you are found without ALL of these items you will be disqualified. Please do not ruin your race by failing to carry them. These are inportant safety items. We take your safety very seriously as should you.
Dragon 100 Compulsory Kit List
• Rucksack or suitable means to carry kit
• Waterproof Jacket (with taped seams)
• Waterproof Trousers (with taped seams)
• Upper body long sleeve synthetic cover consisting of either 1 x synthetic thermal mid layer OR two standard base layers totalling a minimum weight of 300g.
• Warm Hat or Buff
• Head Torch with spare batteries.
• Spare head torch (emergency petzl elite or similar acceptable)
• Whistle
• Appropriate Trail Running Footwear with adequate grip for conditions
• Foil Bivy Bag (Bag not a blanket)
• Small First Aid Kit to include: blister plasters, sterile dressing and bandage or tape.
• Mobile Phone that is kept charged
• Emergency Map (provided)
• Water Bottle 1litre minimum e.g. 2 x 500ml (1.5 litres recommended if hot)
• Solid plastic cup with handle which is suitable for hot drinks ** (please read note below)
• Appropriate food / energy products for your expected time for the event
• Small red light attached to the back of your pack which you turn on during the night.
• Cash or card (mainly to buy ice cream!)
• GPS device with the route on it. (This may be a watch, handheld unit, or phone app). The device must have sufficient battery life to last total duration of the event- and spare batteries to charge the device are required.
Your drop bag must contain a warm finishers jacket.
Advisory Kit / Optional Kit
• Lower body base layer or trousers
• Hydration tablets or similar
• Money
• Sunglasses, Sun hat and Sun cream (hopefully)
Notes
*Many runners will already have a gps watch that displays the route. If you don't own a gps watch, the simplest way to have the gps file available to view is to use a phone app. There are several phone apps available, and we recommend the OutDoors GPS app from ordnance survey. This app gives you a map and gps dot which identifies your location, and you can download the route onto it. It is really useful if you mistakenly miss a sign or come off the route or if you intend on recceing some of the course.
A short tutorial explaining how to use and download the route onto the outdoor gps app is available HERE
**Please remember the race is cupless - therefore please ensure you bring a reusable plastic cup with you. For the safety of our marshals and runners, hot drinks will only be served into solid non-collapsible plastic cups with a handle. For the avoidance of doubt, if your cup bends, folds or collapses in any way it is not a solid non-collapsible cup.
Navigation
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CP1 Port Eynon 6.5 miles
CP2 Southgate 16.5 miles
CP3 Mumbles 22.5 miles
CP4 Baglan 36 miles
CP5 Bryn 45 miles
CP6 Kenfig 56.5 miles (Drop bag)
CP7 Newton 62miles
CP8 Southerndown 70.5 miles
CP9 Llantwit Major 77 miles
CP10 Aberthaw 81 miles
CP11 Porthkerry Park 87.5 miles
CP12 Sully 93.5 Miles
Finish Cardiff Bay 100.5 miles
You will be provided with one drop bag for the Dragon 100. It will be transported from the start to Kenfig at 56.5 Miles. This is a 33cm x 43 cm bag and all of your items must fit in the bag with the drawstring tied.
Cancellations and Transfers
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