
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.
Entry Fees & What is Included
Entry Fees
Dragon 100 is £150
What is included?
- Live GPS tracking from open tracking
- Finishers medal
- 12 Checkpoints with refreshments and hot & cold food
- GPS file & map
- In depth video briefing of the route
- Race Buff
- Post event food in the Norwegian Cafe
- Race safety team and event first aid cover
- Drop bag for the 100 mile race
- Amazing marshals
- High quality and free to use race photos and 'Geordie Banta' from Tosh
Optional extras
Transport to the start £15
Race T-shirt £15
Race Hoodie £35
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.
Checkpoints & Drop Bags
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.
It will be transported to the finish once the Kenfig checkpoint closes. All drop bags can be collected from the finish from approximately 2pm onwards.
Please note this is an estimate and that, depending on what is happening on the course this could be delays. If you are unable to wait for your drop bag, or if you forget to pick it up, they can be posted to you in the week after the event. Post & package will apply to all returned drop bags.
Navigation
The route is signposted with a mixture of Wales Coast Path signs and Run Walk Crawl arrows where you leave the coast path. The Wales Coast Path arrows are excellent and it is possible to follow the path just using these. The night section in the Afan Forest is marked with reflective tape at all major junctions.
In addition to the route markings you will receive a map and there is a comprehensive route brief providing clear guidance on important navigation landmarks to lookout for.
You should download the GPS file onto your watch, smartphone or hand held device and keep a firm eye on this throughout. To download the race GPS file, click on the map and chjoose 'actions', then 'export' and follow the onscreen prompts.
There is a short online video presentation explaining the steps required to upload the route onto the outdoorgps smart phone app here.
Route briefing
The 2024 route brifing is available here
There will be a 2025 briefing available in the week before the event to cover any changes.
Travel & Accomodation
Car - If you are coming by car, Cardiff is easy to reach by following the M4 West into Wales. Leave the M4 at Junction 29 to follow the A48(M). To reach Cardiff Bay and the finish location you will need the A4232 which will take you into Cardiff Bay, signposted Cardiff Bay and / or Wales Millennium Centre.
Train – Trains to Cardiff Central Station will get you into the heart of Cardiff. Here you’ll find plenty of accommodation and places to eat. To get to Cardiff Bay (and the hotels listed below) you can catch a train from Cardiff Central to Cardiff Queen Street and then a train from here to Cardiff Bay. Trains run around every 10 minutes for this journey. From here it is a short walk to the hotels and finish location. You can also catch a bus from the bus station at the front of Cardiff Central, bus numbers 6 or C8 run regularly to the bay. There is also a taxi rank located at both the front and the back of Cardiff Central.
Plane – If you are flying into Cardiff Airport there are train connections from the airport at Rhoose Point (overlooking the final miles of the route!) where trains take you into Cardiff Central. Rhoose point is behind the airport, staff will be able to direct you to the quickest route. At the front of the terminal there is both a taxi rank and a bus collection point where the number 304 will take you into Cardiff Bay.
Parking in Cardiff
There are several places to park in Cardiff Bay but the best choice for a long stay is Q-Park Cardiff Bay. This is a large car park that is monitored by 24 hour CCTV and has on site assistance such as jump leads in the event your car won’t start! It is also reasonably priced at £15 for 24 hours. You can pay on the day or pre-book a ticket. Q-Park is located at:
Pierhead St, Cardiff CF10 4PH
Tel: 01132384200
Web: www.q-park.co.uk
Staying in Cardiff
As you would expect for a capital city there are many places to stay – Air B&B, hostels, B&Bs and hotels. The choice is yours! However, you may appreciate one that is close to the finish so you can stagger just a short distance before you rest. The closest hotels to the finish are:
Travelodge Hotel
Leisure Park Atlantic Wharf Hemingway Road, Cardiff, GB CF10 4JY
Tel: +44 871 984 8484
Web: www.https://www.travelodge.co.uk
Future Inn Cardiff
Hemingway Road, Cardiff, GB CF10 4AU
Tel: +44 29 2048 7111
Web: www.https://www.futureinns.co.uk/cardiff/
Premier Inn
Bute Place, Cardiff, GB CF10 4AA
Tel: +44 871 527 8000
Web: www.premierinn.com
Holiday Inn Express
Longueil Close, Schooner Way, Cardiff CF10 4EE
Tel: +4429 2044 9000
Web: www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress
Supporter Information
The Dragon 100 Start
Rhossili Bay SA3 1PR
The dramatic start of the Dragon 100 on the cliff tops of the Gower! This is a fantastic location to start your journey as a supporter - there is ample parking, good cafes and beautiful views over the expanse of sand in Rhossili Bay, Pembrokeshire, the Worm’s Head and the South Gower coastline. Bring a picnic and a camera!
Toilets: Yes, there is a large toilet block at the car park.
Port Eynon
SA3 1NZ
The first accessible point to meet the runners, reached down a narrow and steep hill, so please use caution when arriving. There is car parking at the sea front. This is a small village so please bear this in mind as it can easily get crowded. The next option (Oxwich Bay) has a much larger car park. There are, however, two very good fish & chip shops here!
Toilets: No
Oxwich Bay
SA3 1ND
Not far from the start, but quite a tough journey for the runners, so you’ll have plenty of time to get here. This wide bay has ample parking, sand dunes to explore and a wonderful view towards Three Cliffs Bay. There is also The Dunes café (open until 8) to grab a snack, or if you really want to live, the Michelin starred Beach House - booking absolutely required!
Toilets: Yes, small block in the sane dunes between the hotel and car park
Southgate
SA3 2HD
The small National Trust car park in the village of Southgate is the last stop on the South Gower, before the route heads Northwards and back towards Swansea and the hills of the Afan. By the time supporters reach this tranquil spot most of the local amenities will be closed.
Toilets: No
The Mumbles / Swansea Bay
Various postcodes
After the windswept Gower coast, you’re suddenly back in civilisation! There are many, many places to eat in Swansea and they will be open until late, so we’d suggest a bit of internet research to find what would suit you best. The location of the checkpoint, the first indoor one on the route, is Victoria Hall, SA3 4AA. This hall has some parking that is for race vehicles only. Public parking is available on the seafront a short walk away at the 24 hour Pay and Display car park, SA3 4DN. This will be one of the last places to meet runners before morning as the night section in the Afan is off limits to supporters. Getting some sleep might be an idea as the next day will be a long one. Especially worth considering if you are then responsible for driving your runner at the end of the race. There are plenty of hotels in Swansea including all the major budget hotels (and the appropriately named Dragon Hotel!).
Toilets: There are several public toilets at Caswell Bay, Langland Bay, Mumbles head and near the checkpoint.
Baglan McDonals
SA11 2YW
This is the last place to meet runners before they head into the dark hills of the Afan Forest. Despite being late at night the car park can often be busy, there is alternative residential parking just alongside the McDonalds if the car park is too busy.
Toilets: Yes, at the McDonalds (24 hours)
Overnight
For supporters this gives you a chance to rest and catch some sleep. There are no places to see runners now until Kenfig. Please note: the Bryn checkpoint is off limits to supporters. Anyone who turns up there will be asked to leave. Our advice is to head to a hotel, or if you’re sleeping in a car / van head to Kenfig where there is ample parking and you can get some well earned sleep.
Kenfig Visitors Centre
CF33 4PT
The halfway point, drop bag point and the start of the Dragon 50. Set in the dunes of Kenfig the visitors centre has two large car parks that make this an ideal place to plan the second day. There is food and drink for runners but there are no amenities for supporters here. Having come through the night runners will appreciate a friendly face and probably a strong coffee and change of socks. this is a good place to make sure you have a ‘first aid kit’ as runners will probably need to be patched up. Compeed, tape and Vaseline are all worth having with you for this point. Please note: Do not supply your runner with anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen. The pain at this point is part of the race, and anti inflammatories can cause serious problems.
Toilets: Yes, at the visitors centre
Ogmore by Sea
CF32 0PD
The river mouth car park at Ogmore is a beautiful location set on the river and looking back to Porthcawl. If the surf is on there will be plenty to watch and depending on what time you are here there are mobile vendors with coffee and light snacks. You’ll see the runners head across Merthyr Mawr beach and get within a few metres of the checkpoint before they head inland, cross the river and head back to you.
Toilets: Yes. There is a toilet block in the centre of the car park – these are shut overnight.
Nash Point Lighthouse
CF61 1ZF
The postcode is the nearest one to the lighthouse. Once you reach the destination of the postcode, continue down the road to the car park. You can’t miss the lighthouse once you are there! This secluded point is a beautiful one to rest at while you wait for your runner.
Toilets: No
Llantwit Major Beach
CF61 1YX
The beach car park is large, but the lane leading to it and through Llantwit is quite narrow so in good weather this can be busy. Once you are there the small bay has a café and a short climb up to the cliff tops where excellent views keep you company as you wait for your runner. There are many options for food and drink in Llantwit town centre.
Toilets: Yes at the café and in a public toilet in the centre of Llantwit.
Porthkerry Park
CF62 3BY
Runners pass along the seafront at Porthkerry for only a short distance, however, this is an excellent location for supporters. There are toilets, a great café, an excellent playground, car parking and a lot of short forest walks to explore while you wait. The climb up the 100 steps towards The Knap will give you outstanding views over the North Devon Coast, Barry and the first glimpses of Cardiff.
Toilets: Yes, next to Marcos Café.
The Knap
CF62 6TA
The open seafront of the Knap has ample parking and alongside the ornamental lake a series of cafes and ice cream shops. There is also a nice walk along the promenade towards Knap Hill and the lifeguard station. This is the last easily accessible support point until runners have cleared Barry.
Toilets: Yes, at the car park alongside the cliffs.
Barry Island
CF62 5AH0
Home of Gavin and Stacey and a South Wales icon! Runners do not go around the island, so it is not part of the supporters route. But, if you have some spare time there is a large beach, outdoor climbing wall, arcades, chips, cafes, ice cream and a pleasure park. The postcode takes you to the large car park on the Island.
Toilets: Yes, a large block near Marcos Café.
The Captain’s Wife
CF64 5UG
The Captain’s Wife is located on the edge of the channel with a large outdoor seating area. It is a nice place to wait, but it can get very busy in good weather and runners will be through this section very quickly. If you need food and a rest, it is a good place to stop, but it may not be the best place to support or crew your runner. There is a small public car park here, just past the pub.
Toilets: Yes, at the Captain’s Wife
Cliff Parade & Penarth Pier
CF64 5BP & CF64 3AU
The final location before runners reach Cardiff. The beautiful art deco pier is one of Penarth’s highlights. The seafront here is a great place to meet runners and give them one last word of encouragement before they make the final climb up to Penarth. There are cafes and coffee shops, ice cream and even a traditional sweet shop at the entrance to the pier. Parking at the pier is limited, the best place to park is Cliff Parade as there is plenty of parking here.
Toilets: Yes, at Cliff Parade and the pier.
Cardiff Bay & The finish
CF10 4PT
The finish at the iconic Norwegian Church and Scott Memorial is one of the best places to wait. There is an abundance of places to eat and things to do. There is ample parking locally both on the road and in the big car parks. The Norweigan Church is the event base for the finish and is a great place to watch the trackers on the big screen and try some of their coffee and excellent food.
Toilets: Yes, loads! The Norwegian Church has some if you’re planning to locate yourself there.
FAQs
There is a list of FAQs on the event website that you can find here
Cancellations, Transfers & Terms
Cancellations
If competitors withdraw prior to the event, the following costs are incurred:
5 months before the event, 75% of entry fee will be refunded OR you can transfer the remaining cost (75% of entry fee) off a different event.
2 months before the event, 50% of entry fee will be refunded OR you can transfer the remaining cost (50% of entry fee) to a different race.
Your deferral or refund will be processed within 30 days of initial e-mail.
1 month before the event, no refunds or Transfers to another race are available.
Ttransfers
You can transfer your place to another participant until two weeks prior to the race day, but you must contact us first and follow the instructions we provide. Any transfers without our consent will not be honoured.
General Terms
Please do not enter any event unless you agree to take full responsibility for your own health, fitness and well-being whilst out on the route and agree to our terms and conditions.
For distance races you must be able to navigate the route and have experience / intend to gain experience of night navigation (if required).
Competitors must read carefully all of the information provided on the Run Walk Crawl website, including kit lists, route details and safety information.
Competitors should not take part in the event if they are knowingly under prepared, have an undisclosed medical condition or current medical illness (eg: chest infection) or any other condition which may compromise their safety.
All details provided by competitors must be accurate at time of entry. Any changes to personal or medical details must be notified to the event organisers by email. before the start of the race.
If you are unable to attend the race please let the organisers know only via e-mail. Please note Facebook messenger or calling via telephone are not an accepted method of cancelling or deferring entry.
Your deferral or refund will be processed within 30 days of initial e-mail.
Competitors must follow the rules and regulations of the event as outlined by the organising team.
If the organisers are forced to cancel the event for any reason, a new date will be established and all entries will be carried forwards. If no alternative date is available, all entries will be carried forwards to the next year.
Entrants should always act in a manner which ensures minimal impact upon the environment, event route and local inhabitants. These include but are not limited to:
Leaving no litter
Closing gates
Acting responsibly around livestock
Being quiet when travelling through villages at night
Keeping to marked paths
Any entrant not acting in this manner, either during or before the event, will be disqualified and their entry fee will not be refunded.
Officials also reserve the right to withdraw a participant from the event if they deem that it is unsafe for them to continue.
Self-sufficiency
All our events are self-sufficient which means participants complete the course carrying compulsory kit, following the route (details below), and being responsible for themselves and there safety. This is standard practice in these types of ultra-running, trail running, walking and fell running events. The organisers will provide additional safety cover, aid stations / checkpoints, to help you complete the challenge.
Participants must be aware of and look out for traffic and road crossings, general members of the public, other path or road users, as well as livestock, dogs and bikes. It is your responsibility to keep yourself safe whilst following the route. You must pay reasonable attention to your safety on the paths, mountains, cliff edges and roads. You must give way to other path users and keep to single file when paths are narrow, busy or when instructed to by marshals.
Marshals will be on the course at checkpoints, and generally around the start areas. In addition there will be a first aid and safety team monitoring the course. There will not be marshals every couple of hundred meters on the course. Some sections of the courses may be exposed and you could not see another person on it! This is one of the great reasons to do this type of event. However, if you are NOT completely confident with this style of event you should not enter!
Abuse of marshals is unacceptable. Any participant guilty of this will be immediately withdrwan from the race.
You should be familiar with the serious disabling consequences of hypothermia, dehydration and heat exhaustion and act appropriately during the race. You should also take appropriate action to avoid getting into the above situations which increases the risk of the above occurring.
You must take note of the length and severity of the race and local weather forecast for the day and judge their capabilities accordingly. If the weather forecast is particularly bad then you should add additional kit (for example warmer clothing) based on your ability. Remember the compulsory kit is just the minimum required! You may need more.
Take reasonable care not to create hazards that may cause harm to other people and support anyone in need of assistance, even if it means abandoning their race.
By entering the event you are agreeing to take responsibility for your actions and that you are competent to participate in such an event.
Checkpoints and Cut-Offs
You must report to each checkpoint and ensure your race number is recorded by the marshal.
All checkpoints have a strictly enforced cut-off. The cut-offs have been determined by the organizers to allow you to complete the event in the allotted time. They are there to ensure the safety of all participants and marshals. They are necessary so our resources especially first aiders and safety marshals are able to be in the correct positions for competitors. Any participant that has not departed the Check Point by the cut-off time will be retired from the event.
Retirements & Repatriation
The support team and organizers will be doing everything we can to get every competitor to the finish line. If participants need to retire at any other location (other than a checkpoint) it is critical that they communicate this to the Race Director urgently as per the emergency instruction printed on the map.
Unless it is a major emergency you should make yourself comfortable using your safety kit and find shelter. If you are safe and not a major medical emergency then you may have to wait some time before a marshal can pick you up. We would strongly advise competitors to carry sufficient money so that they could get a taxi just in case.
Compulsory Kit
Having the right kit could be essential for yours or other competitor’s safety during the event. We have also made certain undertakings on behalf of the competitors to landowners and authorities about what safety kit competitors will be carrying. There will be kit checks during the event and at the finish line. There will be random kit checks for many competitors. The leading runners can expect a kit check at the end of the race! Competitors found to be missing mandatory items can expect to be disqualified from the event. If you have any questions about the acceptability of your kit please do not hesitate to contact us.
You agree to carry sufficient kit, e.g. body and leg cover which gives protection from the effects of wind chill and, rain and safety equipment, (including food and drink) throughout the race to be able to provide protection from hypothermia, or dehydration and heat in the worst foreseeable weather conditions during the race, noting that rescue could take a long time.
Factors including weather and terrain mean that these style of races takes place in a hazardous environment. Competitors must have appropriate experience in the conditions that may be encountered so that they can manage their own safety.
The Race Organisers have a duty of care to competitors in their race, however competitors must accept that race monitoring arrangements, e.g. marshals and checkpoint recording are primarily designed to ensure ‘fair competition’ and must not be considered a ‘safety net’. A competitor enters a race on the understanding that they are responsible for their own safety. The competitor must obey all instructions from the organisers and officials but must equip and conduct themselves as though they were unsupported for the duration of the race.
Once registered you are ‘in’ the race. If you retire from the race you must text or phone the race number printed on the map, and let the next checkpoint know. This is a check to ensure everyone is safe at the end of the event. If you fail to do this you will be held responsible for us contacting mountain rescue and the police as a missing person and be liable for any charges!
Participants must not drop litter and must deposit litter in bins provided at the checkpoints and finish. Anyone caught dropping litter will instantly be disqualified.